Testimony

About three years ago I self published a book entitled “Testimony” loosely based on my own personal testimony. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that the writing in the book is far from wonderful. By the grace of God, I’ve grown in both my abilities as a writer, as well as in my knowledge of the faith. Because some of the writing is so raw, I was hesitant to make the book available in the kindle format, as well as do much to publicize it. The more I thought about it though, I decided to put it out there. It does much to show where I was as I began seeking, and it shows the grace of God in his pursuit of his blessed children. Despite the fact that this book won’t win any literary awards, I still enjoy the story and find myself getting sucked in,(Does this make me vain?) and I have received much positive feed back.

If you would like to purchase the Kindle edition of “Testimony” for only $2.99 please click here. I pray it will bless you in some small way. Print editions of the book are also available through Amazon.

Brennan Manning & A Reflection On Grace

Last night I learned that Brennan Manning had died. I will forever be grateful to Mr. Manning for his writing. I believe I have read his full body of work, some books more than once, and few authors, if any, have helped me understand grace more clearly than Brennan.

He was an imperfect man who stumbled and limped through life. He wasn’t what many of us would envision when we think of the ‘victorious Christian’, yet that’s exactly what he was. He got up one more time than he stumbled, and this last time he got up to enter into the arms of his Abba. Brennan Manning knew that he was completely dependent on the grace of God, and the ‘relentless tenderness of Jesus’…Only when you and I realize that too, will we truly be victorious.

Very often as I read the writings of Mr. Manning I found myself cringing. I think grace often does that. One would think that as we reflect on the good news of Jesus Christ, and the grace with which he has lavished upon us, we would be quick to embrace it. Far too often though, that isn’t the case. Sometimes grace is just as hard to accept as it is to give. Most times we Christians talk a good game about grace, but in practice we leave much to be desired. This is just as true of ourselves as it is of others. We know God forgives…but does he really forgive like that? God is full of grace, but even when I’ve done this?

Yes…even then. This is truly the good news. The grace of God poured out through Jesus Christ is even more amazing than we could ever have imagined. Perhaps a cringe is often the proper response to a grace this amazing…it is meant to astound us. But don’t stop there. Meditate on this cringe-worthy grace…this Gospel that is utterly unbelievable…and fall on your knees before a God who loves and forgives in a way that is completely beyond our understanding…

Thank you Brennan Manning for helping me to see this a little more clearly…

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Give us this day...Jesus

 
Pray then like this:
    “Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name.
    Your kingdom come,
    your will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread,
    and forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.
    And lead us not into temptation,
        but deliver us from evil.
~Matthew 6:9-13 

Over the past several months I have fallen more and more in love with what I believe is the shining jewel of Christian prayer. Many of us know it as the Lord’s Prayer. Many good and sincere Christians debate this prayer and its meaning. Are we to recite it verbatim? Is Jesus simply giving us an outline of a good prayer? Is Jesus just telling us essentially what prayer is to be? I think perhaps all of the above is true.

We cannot go wrong if we take any of those things to heart, and pray keeping those things in mind.

As I’ve spent more and more time over the last several months praying this prayer and meditating on its meaning, I’ve become convinced of this truth. Perhaps I’m slow and it is perfectly obvious to everyone else…but I have become convinced that at the heart of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ is this: Surrender/Submission…and Jesus. Ultimately Jesus is at the heart of all things Christian, but hopefully you guys know what I mean.

“Our Father in heaven,
  hallowed be your name.
  Your kingdom come,
  your will be done,
  on earth as it is in heaven...”

As we say those words, what are we saying but that, “Lord we acknowledge who you are…we acknowledge your greatness…we stand in awe of your holiness, your might, your power, your beauty, your majesty…may we see that here, now, on earth…visibly and physically.” We can’t do it. As we see who God is, and meditate on that reality, we realize our utter helplessness.

“…Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.“

I’m struck immediately as I see the words, “Give us this day our daily bread…” by the fact that Jesus tells us time and time again that He is the ‘bread of life’ and the ‘living bread that came down from heaven’. (See John 6) So when we pray these words, yes we are praying for God to provide our needs for the day, but even deeper than that, especially deeper than that, what we are essentially praying for is Jesus. Now when I say these words, in my heart I say, “Give us Jesus…Give me Jesus.”

What more do we need? What is more essential to our lives and our daily living, and our walks of faith, than Jesus? As we pray through the rest of the prayer we essentially see what Jesus does, and through the power of His Spirit, what He does through us, in us, and with us. He graciously forgives our sins, and grants us the grace to forgive others. He allows us to overcome temptations, and ultimately He delivers us from all evil…both daily and eternally.

This prayer is drawing me closer to my Savior daily. As I say this prayer and meditate on its meaning daily I am more and more in awe of God, and fall more and more in love with Jesus. I am learning about surrender. I am learning more about Jesus. Nothing is more essential and at the heart of the Christian life more than those two truths. Surrender and Jesus. Christianity in two words.

Many Christians do not recite this prayer on a regular basis…for years neither did I. I suppose some feel it is too elementary. This attitude is dangerous. Regardless of your thoughts on what the meaning is behind this prayer…”Should it be recited? Is it simply an example?” The fact is saying it, and reciting it, and most importantly meditating on its meaning is a good exercise, and one that I believe will build you up, equip you, and help you love God more. I’ve even began reciting this prayer with my oldest son each morning before school, and slowly I am trying to talk to Him about what it means. Sometimes he wants to, sometimes he doesn’t, sometimes he’s just indifferent. That’s okay. I think all of us approach prayer like that. He is learning the importance of all prayer…as am I.

There are many great Christian and theological minds out there. They have said, and observed things about this prayer, and spoken about it much more beautifully and in depth than I ever could. More than likely what I’ve said is nothing new…But perhaps as I pour out my heart as to the importance this prayer, and all it means to me and my faith…you will be encouraged and drawn to explore and meditate deeper on this prayer, and ultimately Jesus Himself..which I believe is the embodiment and ultimate fulfillment of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.

Advent in brief and why to celebrate it...

Advent is an annual season on the church calendar that is celebrated by many Christians, in many different Christian denominations and traditions, in which we prepare our hearts for Christmas day...Christmas day of course, being the day in which we celebrate the incarnation.

Our English word "advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming". The big idea during the season of Advent is the idea of patient waiting and eager expectation...a hopeful anticipation of what God is going to do through the Messiah.

Primarily what is focused on during the season of Advent is the first coming of Christ. So Advent is a time of soul searching and remembrance as we remember what God has done through the incarnation. At the same time though, it is a preparing of our own hearts for what God will do when Christ comes the second time. We remember that with our ancient spiritual ancestors, we too are waiting with eager and hopeful expectation. We too are still waiting with a hopeful anticipation for what God is going to do through Christ, through the Messiah.

Celebrating Advent is certainly not a requirement for the Christian, there is no biblical mandate, but I certainly do think it is very profitable. Advent  is a wonderful way of keeping ourselves grounded during this time of year-a time of year in which it is so easy to get distracted with all of the busyness that surrounds the Christmas holiday-Advent helps to remind us that ultimately this season is about treasuring and adoring Christ. As indeed is all of life.

Words fail me...

Since “In the beginning…” and “Let there be…”

Man has been grasping for, and trying to wrap his mind around eternity.

Since His life filled our lungs we’ve been searching our minds

Reaching for words, to try and define

The beauty we see, the love that we need.

Words are so insufficient for a God beyond our comprehension

Praise and glory to a God that condescended.

He was revealed to us as the Word, in shadows and pictures

Still we were blinded by sin and misguided wishes.

But the beauty of the story is that He knew our condition.

Word became flesh and dwelt among men.

He lived to die and he lived to live.

He lived in righteousness, he died for sin.

To the right hand of the Father, it was for him to ascend.

So that we might join him, a beautiful bride he’s been given.

Who has the words for a God with such wisdom?

The Masterpiece of God

This week I have been blogging last week's sermon unpacking Ephesians 2:6-10. Here is the previous post, simply follow the links to read more.

By the grace of God, we as the Church, we as the redeemed people of God have become something new. What have we become?

 

Of course 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are new creations, but I’m thinking of something else here. Though of course since 2 Corinthians 5:17 is true, this is certainly true.

Ephesians 2:10 says that we are his ‘workmanship’…

The word there translated as ‘workmanship’ is the greek word 'poiema', and it is where we get the word ‘poem’ from. There are some things so beautiful in life, that the only way we can find to express that beauty is in the form of a poem or song…When I first met my wife, I was so captivated by her beauty, the only way I could think to capture my love for her in words, was to put it in the form of poetry. I know I'm not alone in this. How many songs on the radio revolve around love?

But, even the word ‘poem’ falls short. This word 'poiema', could have been used for any type of work of art in the ancient world. So the best translation of the word is actually ‘masterpiece’. So, essentially what Ephesians 2:10 is telling us is that we are the masterpiece of God…

What an amazing thought this is…Look at all of the beauty in the world. Look at the stars, the sun, the moon…a shooting star, a sunrise, a sunset…think of beautiful flowers or trees…just simply the beauty of how our universe is put together, and is ordered…think of the beauty of life in general…the animals…think of the birth of a newborn baby…all of these things are truly beautiful…

But, none of these things are referred to as the masterpiece of God…Not even humanity in general, created in the image of God, is referred to the masterpiece of God.

What is being referred to here, is that new creation I was talking about. What is being referred to here, is redeemed humanity. Those of us who have been made new in Christ, those of us who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ…those are the ones Paul is here referring to as the ‘masterpiece’ of God…

Is that not mind blowing? When God sees us, he sees a beautiful work of art…But, as any beautiful work of art should do, not only are we to marvel at the art, we should marvel at the artist…that is even more true as it relates to us and God.Amen?

Again though, our call, is to put God’s power, God’s mercy, God’s grace, God’s work through Christ, on display…And through faith…that’s what we do…And Paul even tells us how we are to do that here in Ephesians 2:10…

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

We put God’s power, mercy, grace, on display not just when we arrive in the sweet by and by and God puts his hands on his hips and points at us and says, "See what I’ve done?!?!"

Certainly, throughout eternity, when all things have  been made as they should be, when Christ has retrieved his bride, and been united with his bride…we as the church will be seen as beautiful…as I said, the host of heaven…will be dazzled by our beauty…but, as Paul told us in Ephesians 1:23, and as I talked about last time I preached…even now…we as the church are to be putting the power of God, the grace of God, the mercy of God, the glory of God, on full display…Even now, we as the church are to be the physical presence of Christ on the earth.

We do this…not just with our words…not just by simply being…but, also by our works.

Paul makes plain here, that as the workmanship of God, as the ‘masterpiece’ of God, as the redeemed people of God…we will do good works.

Now, we’ve been talking a lot about how our salvation is all about grace, and is not about our works. Let me be clear…I’m not back tracking here…Everything in our Christian lives, everything we have, everything we receive, is certainly a result of God’s grace…even our faith…

But our faith in God…legitimate, true faith in God, WILL evidence itself with good works. It’s what faith does…

Isn’t that essentially what Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22-23 when he gives us his list of the ‘fruits of the Spirit’? Good works happen in the life of the Christian because the Spirit lives within, and works through the Christian. God’s spirit works through a transformed heart…So when our heart is transformed by the grace of God, good works follow…It’s simply what happens…it’s simply what faith does…

Good works are the result of faith…God works are the result of salvation…Our salvation is evidenced, by the good works that we do…

Sadly, some people think that we do good works for salvation, or to make our salvation possible, or to remained saved…but that is not the case, and far from what Scripture teaches…We do good works because we are saved, not because we are trying to be saved…We do good works because we have experienced the grace of God in our lives…and it is only his grace that enables us to do these good works.

Blaise Pascal said this, “Grace is indeed required to turn a man into a saint; and he who doubts this doesn’t know what either a man or a saint is.”…

If you don’t understand that you need the grace of God, in order to do good…then you obviously don’t understand what it is to be a man…you don’t understand how sin has touched every part of your being…you can do no good apart from God and his grace…A saint is simply one who has been made right by God…one isn’t a saint because of the things they’ve done…they are a saint because of what God has done…

Martin Luther said…”Justification is by faith alone, but not by faith that is alone…”

Simply put, if you have been justified by God…it will be known by the works that you do. It isn’t the works you do that make you justified, obviously, your justification is a result of God’s grace…but God’s grace will be made obvious by how you live your life, and your works…

God’s power is seen in the lives of Christians, as we live Godly lives…As we work in the workplace, as we parent, as we represent Christ to our spouses, as we are obedient to our own parents…as we have Godly friendships…as we love each other here in the church…as we live lives that look different to the rest of the world…

That is who we are called to be…that is what God has made us to do. As Christ’s physical expression on earth, and by the grace of God, that is what we will do…And may God receive the glory, for whatever Godliness, and beauty we display…For it is only by his grace and mercy that it is possible.

So that no one may boast...

Yesterday, we finished up our post reflecting on the fact that it is through the church that God has chosen to put the immeasurable riches of his grace on display, and the fact that all of this is completely a work of God. You can read that post here. 

Today we will explore why it is that everything in the life of the Christian is a result of God's grace, and why it is that we can take zero credit for the things God has done, and the things that God is doing in and through us as Christians.

So let's start by looking at Ephesians 2:8-9:

 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast…”

Everything we will receive, everything we have received, is simply a gift of God. Everything is a result of grace, even our faith. Why?" So that no one may boast." The Apostle Paul makes clear, our salvation…our life in Christ…is completely a gift of God.

“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Isn’t Romans 6:23 pretty clear?

We can’t take credit for anything. We can’t boast about anything. Well, we can certainly boast on Christ, but individually we have nothing to boast about. Everything we receive is a complete act of grace on the part of God.

As I've said many times, everything is ultimately about the glory of God. Everything is to point to God’s glory. God is about God’s glory. If there were anything in our Christian lives that we could take credit for, then it wouldn’t all be about God’s glory would it? If there were some part of our faith that we could point to and say, "Look, see what I did there", then God would cease to get all of the glory. This isn’t how God operates.

God does not share his glory...

We can partake of the glory of God, we can radiate the glory of God, we can breathe in the glory of God, but we cannot receive the glory that only God is deserving of. Understanding this is essential to the living out of our faith, and even in us analyzing our faith, and seeing where we are in our lives of faith.

Look with me if you would to Luke 18:9-14

"He(Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt. "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

If we could take credit for any part of our faith, or of our standing with God, or of our righteousness(and we have been made righteous in Christ), or of whatever Godliness we may have, or display in our lives…We would.  And many people do. But, this is completely contrary to the truths of Scripture, and how we are told faith works in the Bible.

But even here, in Luke, you see plainly, Jesus is telling us that our righteousness is not in ourselves, or in anything that we can do or will do. Our righteousness comes when we realize that we have no righteousness in ourselves. The one who was justified by God was the man who humbled himself and simply cried out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!”…This is a prayer we should all pray often by the way…

I think we see the same thing in the Beatitudes…

In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”

We receive the kingdom of heaven, when we realize that we are poor in spirit. When we realize that we have nothing within ourselves that warrants salvation, or nothing we can offer God to make ourselves worthy of salvation...That’s when we cry out to God, and then, thanks to his immeasurable grace…he saves us.

And then, we become the grace of God on display that I talked about yesterday. By the grace of God, we become something new.

Friday we'll look at Ephesians 2:10 and see what it is that we've become, and what the implications of this beautiful truth are.