Devotional and Bible

15 October 2012

The Gospel is NOT…!

What is the Gospel NOT?

Way back in the spring I sat down, and in about half an hour I had written a whole bunch of statements to explain what the Gospel was NOT. I set them to post automatically on Facebook and Twitter every Monday morning.

But alas! They have finally run out.

(Why did I write about what the Gospel is NOT, instead of what it IS? Mainly because I was trying to write something short. And one of the big problems with (bad) explanations of the Gospel is that they tend to lack balance. In other words, short statements can be great summaries (there are a lot of short statements about the Gospel in the Bible!), but they never give the whole picture.)

Anyway, I’ve listed every one of my statements below. Some come straight from Bible passages, some (sadly) I’ve actually heard people (or even preachers) say. Feel free to comment and let m know what you think.

So – is there something else I should start posting Monday mornings? Some short statement about something? Any suggestions?

The Gospel is NOT – “God will save you … for the most part….”
The Gospel is NOT – “I’ll adopt you as My child … for the time being”
The Gospel is NOT – “You can do better next time”
The Gospel is NOT – “Do your part and I’ll do mine”
The Gospel is NOT – “Behave!”
The Gospel is NOT – “Thank goodness Jesus appeased His mean old Dad!”
The Gospel is NOT – “Here’s the first of many things you need to do to get to Heaven”
The Gospel is NOT – “Jesus probably died for your sins and perhaps rose again – maybe rose spiritually – but that’s not important…”
The Gospel is NOT – “Come to Jesus if you want – it’s up to you – whatever you want – your choice – either way – – -“
The Gospel is NOT – “You will be like GOD!”*
The Gospel is NOT – “Show the world that you’re better than everyone else”
The Gospel is NOT – “Self-enlightenment and realizing that there’s no such thing as sin”
The Gospel is NOT – “Good news for a few privileged classes”
The Gospel is NOT – “A neat club to belong to”
The Gospel is NOT – “God really needs your love to be fulfilled. Poor guy.”
The Gospel is NOT – “Yeah, of course I went to church on Sunday…”
The Gospel is NOT – “Just for people who haven’t sinned TOO much.”
The Gospel is NOT – “God is obligated to love you and take you to Heaven…”
The Gospel is NOT – “Access to the biggest To Do list you’ve ever had!”
The Gospel is NOT – “A prayer you prayed”
The Gospel is NOT – “Love God and love one another”
The Gospel is NOT – “Tomorrow will be better!”
The Gospel is NOT – “Just my private belief”
The Gospel is NOT – “God is too loving to judge anyone”
The Gospel is NOT – “And from then on my life was easy!”
The Gospel is NOT – “A pyramid scheme”
The Gospel is NOT – “Something that was useful when I was younger…”
The Gospel is NOT – “What every preacher preaches”
The Gospel is NOT – “What feels right”
The Gospel is NOT – “A secret only available to the really smart”
The Gospel is NOT – “Just another way to understand the Great Oneness of the Universe”
The Gospel is NOT – “Something that’s always convenient to share”
The Gospel is NOT – “God loves you – now He wants to teach you to love yourself”
The Gospel is NOT – “Christ died for those whose attitudes were just a little wrong”

* We had a bit of a conversation about this one on Facebook. At first glance, it seems obvious – after all, these are the words of Satan (Genesis 3:5).

But once again showing the genius of Satan’s temptation, the fact is that it can be true. In a sense. No, we will not become gods – however, God’s power does transform us to be like God morally – holy – showing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). So in this case, in a sense we will be like God. But not in His divine nature.

16 September 2012

Mexico Sings Praise 2

Jim Devotional and Bible, Mexico, Ministry glimpses 1

This morning, in honour of Mexican Independence, I posted a Mexican song. I’m going to post one more; this is a hymn that we actually sang this morning (in Spanish of course).

This was written by Juan Nepomuceno de los Santos, a Mexican pastor in the early part of the last century. The song is called Gracias dad a Jesucristo, or Give thanks to Jesus Christ. We actually sing it with a contemporary tune.

This time I’ll post the English first. I tried to make an actual singable (though still somewhat literal) translation for this one, while I was watching my kids swim last week. 🙂

Give your thanks to our Lord Jesus
For His everlasting love
Raise your praises, saints, together
To our Saviour’s throne above!
Here below may all His servants
Sing of Him who died and lives
All who fear Him share the story
Of the freedom that He gives.

In bitter chains my soul had waited
Longing, begging to be free
Jesus heard my voice in mercy
From my prison rescued me!
If the enemy surrounds me
I won’t fear what man can do
In the darkest days of failure
Victory He will renew.

He who trusts in our Lord Jesus
Stands victorious in His Name
But he who trusts in human power
Falls in hopelessness and shame.
Lord, Your holy Name we honour
Humble thanks bring to Your throne
By Your grace we’ll sing forever
By Your love we’re called Your own!

Gracias dad a Jesucristo
Por su sempiterno amor;
Alabadle santos todos,
Ã‰l es nuestro Salvador.
Que sus siervos por doquiera
Canten su benignidad;
Los que temen a su nombre
Hablen de su libertad.

En cadenas de amargura
Yo pedÃ Su protecciÃ³n;
EscuchÃ³ mi voz y mi alma
La salvÃ³ de la prisiÃ³n.
Si me asalta el enemigo
Nada tengo que temer;
En la lucha tremebunda
Con JesÃºs podrÃ© vencer.

Quien confÃa en Jesucristo
La victoria llevarÃ¡,
Mas si fÃa en los hombres,
Su esperanza fallarÃ¡.
Oh SeÃ±or, tu santo nombre
Alabamos sin cesar;
Por tu amor incomparable
Gracias te queremos dar.

9 September 2012

Thanks! (And the mystery revealed…)

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise 2

Thanks to anyone who prayed for our morning service this morning. The Lord certainly answered some specific prayers of mine.

I actually preached on . . . drum roll please . . . marriage! Well, marriage in the broadest possible terms. Why marriage is more than just a random teaching in the Bible, why it’s representative of the Gospel, God’s relationship with His creation, with his people – even the nature of God Himself.

The climax of our study was Ephesians 5, but we did indeed go all the way from the first verse of the Bible to the last verse, with stops in the law, major and minor prophets, Gospels and epistles.

Although the sermon wasn’t dependent on the point, we did look a little at what it means to be made "in the image of God". The Bible doesn’t go into great detail on this point, and so there has been a lot of speculation.

Padre, Hijo, EspÃritu Santo
Father, Son, Holy Spirit

For example, some suggest that there’s a hint of the Trinity in us because we are three part beings (spirit, soul and body).

Others have suggested things like morality, intellect, and creativity. But don’t the angels possess these things? The Bible doesn’t say that they are made in God’s image.

There are a couple of things actually in the context –

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

(Genesis 1:26-27)

In ancient times, the king was said to be God’s image on earth. Why? Because he was God’s representative – he had God’s authority on the earth.

That makes sense in the context.

But there’s one more thing in the context – quite clearly. He made them male and female.

Maybe we’re just so used to thinking about individuals – how an individual person is made in God’s image – that we’re missing something. Maybe being in God’s image has to do with being male and female.

God is a Trinity – one being (God – divine), but three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). There exists an eternal relationship of love within God Himself.

Three different persons, in perfect love.

So He created two humans – but different ones – who could love.

Of course, God didn’t create another trinity – why? Because male and female represent something else. God’s relationship with His creation. Ideally a relationship of love.

Later, it came to represent God and Israel, God and Jerusalem – finally Jesus as the bridegroom of the Church.

The more I looked at it, the less far-fetched it seemed – that male and female is a key part of what it means to be made in God’s image. It’s not the full picture, but that loving relationship between two different persons is certainly a running theme through the Bible.

Which is why God wants us to demonstrate His love, and His Gospel, through our maleness and femaleness, and especially through marriage.

Which makes the Bible’s teaching on marriage more central than a lot of people would like to believe.

As Paul said,"This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:32)

20 August 2012

Discovering Life and Journibles

Jim Devotional and Bible, Video Blogs 2

Today I was working on tomorrow night’s Discovering Life 2 Bible study. The topic is Who is the Holy Spirit?, and it gets into the person and work of the Spirit, and especially focuses on being filled with the Spirit.

We’re going to start out with this verse – it’s amazing how much is here in these few words –

"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father,
he will bear witness about me."
Jesus in John 15:26
I also started something I’ve wanted to do for a long time – a Journible. Basically, these are beautiful little books in which you can write out complete books of the Bible, along with your own notes. So far so good.

The Journibles really make you slow down, since you have to really make sure you’re writing the right words. You are forced to reflect on what you’re writing in a different way.

If you’d like to try it for yourself, you can get various books in the series here.

Here’s a little video about Journibles:

5 August 2012

Two Sides of La SalvaciÃ³n

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses 1

Today I’m preaching in Jesús María, from Philippians 3:1-11. It seems like there are two mountain tops in the letter – or two jewels. And those are in Philippians 2 (the eloquent story of Jesus coming to earth as a servant – likely quoted from an ancient hymn), and then in chapter 3, where Paul explains how the great achievements of his former life are nothing (worse than nothing – garbage, trash) compared to knowing Christ and having the righteousness of God.

I wanted to illustrate how we often focus on one side of salvation – what we "need to do" to "come to Christ". To put it more biblically, faith and repentance.

Of course these things are important, but God does show us a little bit "behind the scenes" into what salvation really is.

And the topic of the Gospel and what it really is – we’ll never plumb the depths – we’ll never truly exhaust the riches of what God has done – is doing – and will do.

So I have a two sided poster – and a two sided card to hand out – to at least remind us of a few of the realities of salvation.

Actually, I was just talking to my Dad who said he’s preaching on a similar topic. He’s doing it over a couple of Sundays, and I think he mentioned that he’s talking about 50 things.

I don’t have time for 50 – but here are the two sides of the card. It’s in Spanish, of course, and some of the text will be kinda small, but you might be able figure some of it out. 🙂

If you’re curious, I could translate for you.

1 August 2012

Are all Sins Equal?

Jim Devotional and Bible 4

Does that seem like a funny question? I know, some are thinking,"Of course not! A white lie just isn’t as bad as a brutal murder!"

And others are thinking,"Now wait a minute – all sins are the same in God’s eyes. A sin is a sin."

This issue came up at a Bible study here. As I recall, someone was saying, it doesn’t seem fair that God treats a mass murderer the same way as He treats a sweet grandmother with a Bible by her bed.

Now, I would like to suggest that there is some truth on both sides – in a sense. But let me start by saying – emphatically – that God does not treat every sin the same.

In the Old Testament

I mean, starting at the beginning of the Bible you have God-given laws – laws that clearly differentiate between sins. Some sins were to lead to the death penalty. Others, a simple repayment.

Judgement on Unbelievers

What did Jesus say about judgement? Was all sin the same to Him?

Actually, He spoke of different types of judgement – Matthew 10:15: Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. (see also Matthew 11:21-24)

In Mark 12, Jesus told people to beware the scribes, explaining that they would "receive the greater condemnation". (Mark 12:40)

He talks about greater and lesser punishment in Luke 12:47-48. And to cover all four Gospels, in John 19:11 Jesus specifically talks about greater sin when He says to Pilate: You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.

Even the last book of the Bible seems to indicate that people will be judged by what they have done – which doesn’t sound like a simple "sinner or non-sinner" distinction. (See Revelation 20:13)

Believers?

Since we’re talking about distinctions, what about believers? Well, as believers our sins have been forgiven in Christ, because of His death on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).

But are we judged by our actions too? Do our actions really make a difference when it comes to the way God judges us?

Well, the Bible seems to say that as well.

What about the parable Jesus told about the talents (Matthew 25:13-30)? Those who were faithful over more were given greater responsibility when the master returned.

Remember what Jesus said to Thomas, when he finally accepted the fact that Jesus had risen? Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29) So is one action better than the other?

In 1Corinthians 3, Paul describes those who work for the Lord as builders. All of the builders are saved, but some have work that lasts, while the work of others is burned up.

James even talks about judgement of believers in James 3:1: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

But I’ve always heard…

So clearly there are different actions with different consequences – not just in this life, but consequences that go into eternity.

So where did this idea come from that all sins are the same?

Well, there is a verse that might give that impression – James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

I think that James is saying basically that if you break the law, you break the law. All sin is serious – because all sin is an affront against God. He is the Lawgiver, and in fact the Law is a reflection of His very character.

So you can’t say, well, I may favour certain people in my church based on how wealthy they are – but at least I haven’t murdered anyone (James 2:11).

Israel was required to obey all the law (Deuteronomy 28:58-59).

That doesn’t mean that it’s just as bad to break one law as it is to break them all – but if you broke the law, you’re a lawbreaker. Period.

Perhaps we’re obsessed with the idea that everything has to be equal. And certainly we are (as believers) all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

Wait – you just said we’re all equal.

We are all equal in certain ways. Believers are all one in Christ. We cannot judge someone by their economic status, their gender, the colour of their skin – we are all forgiven of a debt we could never pay, and given an eternal inheritance.

And as we learned from James, we are all lawbreakers. As Paul said – For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. (Rom 3:22b-25a)

All under the wrath of God – but all who are in Christ are forgiven. But – is that fair?

Well, I can’t comment on whether or not is seems fair to us. But Paul does spend a lot of time explaining to his readers that it is fair – in fact, God did it this way in order to show how just He was. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26)

God is just because He will judge sin. Sin will be punished. For believers, their sin was punished in Christ. They are united with Him in his death and resurrection – it was just as if they already paid the price, because they paid it in Christ. So the price was paid.

Although our good deeds – no matter how good – are never enough to save us and earn us God’s love, in Christ they are of value. As believers we recognize that Christ allows us and empowers us to serve Him. In the end, we all know where our crowns are going to end up (Revelation 4:9-11).

Is it fair? Well, the old grandmother who repented and put her faith in Christ – and the murderer who put his faith in Christ – (who both, incidentally, are by nature sinners and opposed to God, no matter how visible or serious their sin may appear to us – but that’s a whole other post…) not only are they forgiven (because the price was paid), they are transformed into new people. The old person has died – the new one is raised to life.

Of course, the implications of all this are enough for several posts – ok, a book. A long one.

But this is the way I see it. No, every sin is not the same – and neither is every good work – some actions are better or worse than others. God will judge justly, He won’t just consider everyone the same.

At the same time, we stand before Him infinitely undeserving, all sinners. And when we try to compare ourselves to others, we usually get it wrong (2Corinthians 10:12). We as believers are saved by grace – by nothing we have done. There is no room for pride at all. And so in the end we throw our crowns at the feet of the only one who is truly deserving.

So what do you think?

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