Make Yourselves a New Heart and a New Spirit

Ezekiel 18:30-31 - Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! 


I deserve to die for the sin I have committed.  My iniquity had tethered my soul on a one-way trip to eternal condemnation and punishment.  My heart was callused to every way but my own... and my spirit was pursuing the things of this world with an insatiable appetite for self-righteousness and immorality.  I needed a new heart and new spirit.  However, what I needed most was what I could not gain.  Yet, it was this wretched sinner that the Lord saw fit to purchase with His blood shed on my behalf.  He has given to me His Spirit and a new heart.  I shall live because of His grace.  I will live by His grace.

I want this book

First saw it at a book fair and it looked interesting.  Now, it has me thinking about preparation for fatherhood.

What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter

Thankful

This Thanksgiving... I am thankful for

1.  Jesus - I am His and He is mine, praise the Lord!
2. Wifey - The most precious person to me in the whole world, she is the best!
3. My mother - I never knew how blessed I was by having her as my mom
4. Brother - Easy to overlook this one, but a great source of encouragement
5. God's grace in the lives of specific people - this is so encouraging to see
6. My accountability partners - Proverbs 27:17, 'nuff said
7. Church - You are the family I always needed
8. CCS students - God has been so good to you and I'm thankful to be involved in your lives.  Some of you are deeply involved in my life as well!
9. CM servants - I love serving with you
10. Youth group - Thankful that God has used this ministry to teach youth about His glory
11. Scripture - Psalm 119:105, 'nuff said.
12. Prayer - I get to commune with God, entrust people to the Lord's care, and be carried to the Lord by the prayers of others
13. Learning to play the piano - Still not very good at it, but I find it very relaxing
14. ET class - People actually want to learn how to share the gospel at a young age?  Amazing
15. Books - I have many, now I need to read them

The Test of Faith: Faith in Christ Leads to Life in Christ

11/14/10 Children's Ministry

Matthew 7:13-14:    Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Calling all Church-goers… WAKE UP

                In verses 13-27, Jesus finishes His teaching on who Christians are and how Christians are to live… He closes His teachings with harsh words.  Watch out, lest you fall asleep and miss the point.  You must “enter through the narrow gate.”  Before me, I have a bunch of church-goers and there is great danger in being a person born into the church, a person who regularly attends the church, and the danger is this… you might miss Jesus’ message because you think it’s for someone else.  There is the danger in thinking that being among Christian believers will somehow make you a Christian.  There is the danger in thinking that simply because you know God is real, you will have a place in heaven.  However, the only guarantee of heaven… the only way one is saved is through faith in Christ.  So wake up and ask yourself the question, do you have real faith that saves?

Faith that Saves

                Saving faith is a special kind of faith.  It’s not simply a knowledge of who Jesus is and what He’s done… many have that kind of knowledge yet are still missing real faith… even devils know who Jesus is (Matthew 8:29) yet they will not have a place in heaven.  Saving faith is not simply a strong feeling that Jesus is real because strong feelings come and go… saving faith will never abandon you.  Saving faith is being sure of whom Jesus is and also trusting Him completely for your life.  Saving faith always leads to a changed life because when one has saving faith, they are in essence giving their life to Jesus.  When your parents go out on date nights… they trust you into the care of babysitters.  You are in their care.  Do you really trust Jesus with your life?  Can you tell if your faith is real?  Is there a way to confirm it?  It’s not just knowing, it’s not just something you can see, nor is it necessarily a feeling so how will you know if you have real faith or if you don’t?  There’s a test today, faith in Christ leads to life in Christ.  A life without Christ, without obedience to Christ or Christ-likeness, points to a life without faith.

No One is Born With Faith

                There is no one who is born on the path to heaven.  You must enter through the narrow gate.  It’s not like we are all climbing to God, trying to make it into heaven and He lets some in and denies access to others… rather we are all running away from heaven’s gates and so we are commanded to turn from our current path and enter through the narrow gate of faith which is faith in Jesus.  This leads to life.  There is no other option.  Place your faith in Jesus or die apart from Jesus.

Open Faith Leads to an Open Life

                Though faith is something that cannot be seen, faith is something that can be clearly identified by how one lives their life.  John 14:15 says “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”  Is love for God clear in your life?  Do you keep His commandments?  Faith in Jesus alone is a narrow faith and it must lead to a narrow path.  A life without faith in Jesus alone is a wide faith in other things that leads to a life lived without boundaries and loose morals.  This leads to destruction, eternal destruction “away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (2 Thess 1:9)  And even more startling is this news, there are many who enter through it, there are many on the way to eternal destruction in hell.  There are more people going to hell than heaven.  And even more startling is the fac that Jesus is speaking about those in the church, He’s speaking to those who are trying to follow Him.  Out of the group of people who are trying to associate with Jesus, there are many more people who will be going to hell than heaven… and it’s because their missing real, saving faith… they entered the wide gate.

Faith in Christ Leads to Life in Christ

                Real, saving faith is sure trust in Jesus.  Though it cannot be seen directly, it is seen clearly in the lives of the faithful.  A heavenly hope leads to a heavenly, changed life.  Real faith in Jesus cannot be hidden.  You will see it in how you live.  If you don’t see it in the way you live, you probably don’t have it.  The narrow gate leads to a way that is narrow that leads to life.  Faith in Christ leads to life in Christ.  Here’s what I mean by that statement… faith in Christ leads to a life of obedience to Christ… faith in Christ leads to a life lived for Christ… faith in Christ leads to a Christ-like life… and it also leads to eternal life with Christ… faith in Christ leads to life in Christ.  It is a difficult life that the one with real faith walks, it is a path filled with suffering and sufferings.  That’s what the word “narrow” here means.  And blessed are you if you find yourself with the gift of faith because there are few who find it.  If you have real saving faith in Jesus, you are one of the select few… a product of the supernatural work of God… born from above (John 3:3)… precious in God’s sight… set aside to be devoted to Him in worship (James 1:18).

Do you have it?

                Do you have real saving faith?  Are you on the path to heaven and eternal life?  There is only one way and it’s through faith in Jesus, the only Son of God, the only perfect sacrifice, the only righteous one, the only one by which we can and must be saved.  The only objective test of if you really believe is this… the only way you can clearly tell if you really have faith… if you really believe… is if your life demonstrates it.  Faith in Christ leads to life in Christ. 

1 John 2:4-6 – The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.  By this we know that we are in him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

The Archer and the Arrow

 The "sequel" to the Trellis and the Vine is out!  It's targeted to preachers and is on sale today till Thursday, September 2nd at Westminister Books.  You can click the link below take a look.  After I read it, I'll post my thoughts.  I will say this though... the Trellis and the Vine was an excellent resource that did indeed shift my whole mindset on ministry.  It was extremely helpful to see the structural components (events and committees) as trellis work and be reminded that the real vine-work is focusing on gospel growth (disciple-making).  There were many practical helps and I hope to find the same in this book,

"The disciple-making vision of The Trellis and the Vine will only be realized through the kind of fearless, Bible-driven proclamation of the gospel that has been the hallmark of Phillip Jensen's ministry. For over 20 years I watched him train a generation of young preachers during their ministry apprenticeship. This brilliant book now distills this wisdom for every preacher and would-be preacher." -  Colin Marshall, Author, The Trellis and the Vine

Link to the Archer and the Arrow

Thought of the Month (July 2010)

Jesus is all I need... but is Jesus all I want?

Ponder the statement above... do you consider that your life could be better if you had something more?  A little more financial stability?  A better social life?  Better health?  Improved work circumstances?  A more holy spouse?  I would venture to say that I would be completely content and satisfied if Jesus was all I want.  He is that great.  However, my lack of contentment reflects my inward attitude and perspective.  Jesus is all I need, but He is not all I want.

5/9 CM Sermon Notes

Joy in Persecution
Matthew 5:11-12

            A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the concept of persecution for righteousness' sake.  We defined persecution as hostility stemming from hate.  The text highlighted the fact that receiving persecution is only Christian, biblical,  and blessed (leading to happiness) when it is for righteousness.  We are called to be righteous, to conduct ourselves properly before God and to do often can incur the wrath of others.  It's not enough just to be a good, nice person... we need to live in obedience.  We learned that if you live like Jesus did, you will be hated like Jesus is... and thus treated like Jesus was.  Today, we will expand on the topic of persecution and discover its different forms, identify the cause for persecution, and discover the cause for celebration when we encounter this kind of persecution.

Three Forms of Persecution

1. Verbal Insults - "Blessed are you when people insult you..."

            The Christian is blessed when insulted.  The word, insult, carries the idea of having hurtful words thrown at you.  To be insulted is to be blamed and mocked by others.  It's to literally be attacked by words spoken at you about you.  Jesus was the target of insult while He hung on the cross.  Mark 15:29-32 records the account –

"Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him (Jesus), wagging their heads, and saying, ‘Ha!  You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!’  In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; He cannot save Himself.  Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!’  Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting."  Jesus endured persecution

            The point is this… if you are really following Christ, you will be treated like Christ.  Matthew 10:24 – “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.”  To be persecuted is to be verbally insulted.

2. Physical Attacks - “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you”

            If you notice, all the other beatitudes prior to verse 10 had to do with the Christian’s internal qualities and attitudes.  As we expand on persecution, we are discussing strictly external things that happen to the believer.  Here the word used for persecute is diōkō (διώκω).   Back in those days, diōkō (translated persecution) carried the idea of being chased, pursued, and physically attacked with the intent to hurt… and often to kill.  It’s used in Luke 21:12

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.” 

Jesus’ followers were literally, physically thrown in jail when they were persecuted.  Diōkō διώκω) referred to physical attack.  If you read further in that passage, we find out who was actually persecuting them.  Luke 21:16 “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.”  It was the people closest to them… parents, brothers, relatives, and friends… who were putting them to death.  Persecution often began with physical attacks which led to death.  The same word (διώκω) is used in Acts 7:52 – “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?  They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One.”  Prophets experiencing persecution were killed.  God even asked Paul (pre-conversion) in Acts 9:4 – “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  Prior to this in v1 of that same chapter, we learned that Saul was threatening and murdering disciples of the Lord.  Saul was chasing Christians down to throw them in prison.  Persecution can involve physical attacks.

3. False Accusations – “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you”

            Persecution can also come in the form of false accusations.  False accusations are lies that damage your reputation and these are different from verbal insults.  While verbal insults are hurtful things spoken directly to you… false accusations are lies spread behind your back.  These are more devious and harder to defend against because you often don’t even know about them.  False sayings can be spread and believed before one has a chance to do anything about the lies… and one’s reputation is damaged in the process.  When you become a Christian and live like a Christian… you can expect “all kinds of evil” being spoken against you.  The phrase all kinds of evil means every type/form of wicked, bad, painful, troublesome speech.  The false accusations spoken about a Christian are many (all kinds) and hurt your reputation (they’re evil).

Why will I be persecuted?
“… because of Me.”

            Why is persecution inevitable for the Christian?  What causes a Christian to be persecuted?  It’s because of Christ.  A Christian will be persecuted because he/she follows Christ.  Furthermore, there’s an identifying mark that sets apart the persecution talked about in this verse from any other kind… one is only truly blessed if you’re persecuted because of you follow Jesus.  This is what sets blessed persecution apart from pointless persecution… you know the comic hero spiderman?  What sets him apart from anyone else who puts on a spiderman costume?  What’s his identifying mark?  He can shoot out spiderwebs that are super strong… and he’s got superhuman strength.  Without those abilities, he’d be just like you and I right?  That’s how you know if you’ve got the right spiderman, if he can do those things.  In the same way, there’s an identifying mark that sets apart the persecution talked here from any other kind… it has to be persecution for Jesus.  Just as you know you’ve got the right spiderman if he has superhuman strength and spiderweb… you know you’re experiencing the right kind of persecution if it’s for your faith in Christ.  What am I to do when I experience this kind of persecution?

Celebrate over this kind of persecution
 “Rejoice and be glad”

            We’re to rejoice over this kind of persecution.  We’re to be exceedingly happy and filled with joy.  The word “rejoice” is in the present tense… which implies a continuous action.  To rejoice is to continue to be happy, to be rejoicing.  It’s not a one-time occurrence.  Furthermore, let me clarify further that this is not an invitation to celebrate over all kinds of persecution.  Jesus wasn’t calling His disciples to rejoice when they were hated, insulted, physically attacked, and falsely accused… Jesus was calling them to be happy when people insult, physically attack, and falsely accuse on account of Christ’s name.  Persecution because you’re a Christian and bear Christ’s name… that kind (and only that kind) of persecution is reason to celebrate!  If you’re hated because you follow Jesus, you have proof that you’ve been saved.  It’s a great thing to be persecuted because of Christ.  It says in 1 Peter 3:17 – “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”  Have you ever considered this?  It’s better to suffer as a Christian than to be happy as an unbeliever.  Persecution as a Christian is far better than temporary peace as an unbeliever.  Why?

Because there is a great reward
“for your reward in heaven is great”

            There is a great reward in store for those who suffer persecution.  Those who endure have a reward that is much better than anything this world has to offer.  That’s because all of earth’s riches can’t begin to compare to even a speck of heaven’s glory.  Heaven’s rewards are abundantly great (they exceed our imagination) and forever eternal (they never expire).  There is no comparison between heaven’s rewards and this world’s rewards.  Isaiah 40 depicts our present life as grass that withers and flowers that fade.  Our treasures in this world will not last.  And there’s the difference.  You are either persecuted now and receive lasting reward in heaven later… or you can enjoy the temporary, worldly stuff now and suffer the wrath of God later.  Persecution for the sake of Christ leads to great reward in heaven.  Here’s why you can rejoice, those who are persecuted for Jesus now get an eternal reward later.  Truly it is a blessing to suffer persecution on account of Jesus’ name because of the great reward that is in store.  There’s more to it though.

Because you’re among great company
“for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

            When you suffer persecution for Jesus, know that you’re in the midst of great company.  The prophets were imprisoned, beaten, stoned to death, and killed by the sword.  They were persecuted for their faith.  They were persecuted to death, but now they are with the Lord.  To be persecuted for your faith in Christ means that you’re living like one of the prophets… it means you’re obeying God and that is reason for celebration because you walk in the footsteps of the prophets who came before you and you will follow them to the same destination.  Have you ever been on a road trip to southern California?  You leave the bay area and take a rest stop at a gas station along the way.  It’s not very pleasant when you stop at the gas station because you’re probably exhausted and stiff, but is that where you’re ultimately trying to go?  Or is the gas stations imply along the way?  The gas station is a necessary part of the trip, but it’s not the destination… you’re trying to get to sunny southern California.  If you suffer persecution just as the prophets did before you, you’re taking the same trip that they did… and along the way, there’s persecution.  However, don’t forget that persecution is not the final destination, but it does show that you’re traveling the same path in life that the prophets did.  And if you’re going the same way they did (which is through persecution for their faith)… where will you end up?  At the same place they did… with the Lord, so rejoice and be glad.