Check out Tim Keller’s Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World on iTunes U (here) or The Gospel Coalition (here).
Tag Archives: God Centered
The Everyday Work of Appropriating the Gospel
“How then do we learn to live daily in the present reality of our justification and the hope of God’s blessings on our lives coming to us through Christ? The answer is we must work at it daily. As I stated previously, we have a natural drift toward a performance-based relationship with God. We are like a person in a rowboat trying to row upstream against the current. The instant the rower stops pulling on his or her oars, the boat will start drifting backward with the current. We can never, as the old saying goes, “rest on our oars” in our daily dependence on Christ. Practically speaking, how do we keep plugging along? We go to the Scriptures containing the promises of God regarding the forgiveness of our sins and the imputation (crediting) to us of Christ’s perfect righteousness.
The following are Scriptures regarding God’s promise of forgiveness of our sins:
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. (Romans 4:7-8)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Here are some Scriptures regarding reliance on Christ’s perfect righteousness:
As by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
Being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:3-4)
Because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. (Philippians 3:9)”
Bridges, Jerry (2012-01-13). The Transforming Power of the Gospel (Growing in Christ) (Kindle Locations 858-887). Navpress. Kindle Edition.
Beating fear, anxiety & worry involves a transference of trust
“The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5–7 ESV)
If you have been a Christian very long then you have undoubtedly read this verse, memorized this verse, had this verse quoted to you or clung desperately to it in the midst of difficult seasons in your life. How many times have you said (out loud or to yourself), I have prayed about it, but I am still just as nervous about this situation as I was before – maybe even more so! Maybe the Apostle is not giving us a “secret formula” or “silver bullet” for beating anxiety. So what hope is there in becoming less anxious if this verse does not seem to help? We need to dig a little deeper to understand what surrounds this verse so that we can better apply it in the context of the broader letter and apply it in our lives.
You know you aren’t supposed to be anxious (Jesus said it in Matthew 6:25-33, 10:19; Luke 10:41, 12:11, 12:22, 12:25) and Paul says it here in Philippians. So how do we begin to beat anxiety? To word translated “anxious” literally means “troubled with cares” or “to seek to promotes one’s interest” (Thayer’s Greek-English of the New Testament). Beating anxiety is not as a easy as praying a prayer, as if it were a magic incantation. What the Apostle is laying out for us in this passage is a transference of affections.
First and foremost, beating anxiety and fear is built upon the gospel truth that God is faithful, good and able (3:20-21) to do what He has promised. The Apostle starts this passage by looking back at this reality by writing, “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Remember, Jesus is coming soon, rest in that promise. When we are anxious, it is a sign that we are struggling to believe that God is good, that He is really in control of all things or that He will be faithful to do that which He has promised to do. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ admonishment not to worry in Matthew 6:25-34. Why should we not worry? Not merely because it is unprofitable (worry won’t add a single hour to your life). No, the primary reason that Jesus is telling us not to worry is because God is in absolute control of everything! The birds and lilies know it, and so should we. Fear, anxiety & worry begins to loose its grip on our souls as we grow in our belief that God is in absolute control and that He is working good for those who love Him.
This happens by prayer – not just short prayers, but a deep wrestling in the soul with the Creator of the cosmos. A wrestling that will ultimately deliver us from our own self centeredness. There is a transference of affections from us and our wants to the One who is faithful. All of this connects to a trust in God that yields rejoicing. The root is a trust in the good and sovereign nature of God – believing this is the work that we must do. The byproduct is a truly supernatural peace that transcends our own ability to understand it, reminiscent to Jesus promising rest for the weary soul in Matthew 11:28-29. This transference of trust and reliance is especially true in the midst of severe difficulty (Paul writes this from prison) and Romans 8 boldly proclaims: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (v18), “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (v28), “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v31). Wrestle in prayer to believe that God is good, that He is sovereign and that He is faithful; the more that we believe this gospel truth, the less anxious we become.
The fuel to kill complaining
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14–15 ESV)
Don’t grumble & complain. Sounds easy enough. Paul is calling the Philippians (and us) to continue to work out what God is working with in. We should not grumble and complain because Jesus, the infinitely perfect Creator, did not grumble and complain about becoming human and becoming obedient to death. He is our focus, His sacrifice is our fuel.
The result: blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish (v15). As our outsides increasingly match up with the inner realities of being children of God and the work that He is doing within, we prove ourselves to be truly His. His choice of words are reminiscent of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness and God ultimately calls them a crooked and twisted generation (Deuteronomy 32:5). Surrender to Him today and do the work to see Him for who he really is for as you behold Him you will increasingly become more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18). Oh Lord, let us just get a glimpse of your glory so that we may be transformed.
The firm foundation for all authentic spiritual growth & transformation
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3–8 ESV)
Paul opens this letter with thankfulness and joy – an unusual response for a man who had suffered so much and was currently writing them from jail in Rome. This is no superficial joy, his joy is rooted in their partnership with him in the gospel – they had received the grace of God personally and were also faithful supporters of Paul & the proclamation of the gospel. He views both imprisonment and preaching the Gospel as God’s grace; it is interesting that a man who has been so persecuted for the faith and proclamation of the Gospel views imprisonment & preaching the Gospel as grace – if only we could see grace in our hardships. Difficulties have a way of pushing us to dependance which is the ultimate act of grace. Paul encourages them that this was God’s work that HE BEGAN in them and that HE WOULD COMPLETE (1:6). All authentic spiritual growth and transformation finds its firm foundation on what God has done, what God is doing and what God promises to do; our focus should be on the faithfulness of God, not on our own faithfulness. The good, sovereign, holy God that saved them would sustain them and would keep them to the end! (Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:2–11; 2 Pet. 3:10–13; Rev. 20:11–21:8). The same is true of us – He who began the work is always faithful to complete it.
There is no condemndation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Grace Driven Effort
A theological conversation with John Wesley
I heard this from a friend some time ago and found it very helpful. Most earnest Christians, when pressed, will land as Wesley did in this conversation.
“Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?
Yes, I do indeed.
And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
Yes, solely through Christ.
But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
No.
What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother’s arms?
Yes, altogether.
And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree. (Moule, 79ff.)”
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What is Gospel Centrality?
There is a lot of talk about Gospel centrality these days. What do we mean by this? Here are a few questions to help diagnosis whether we are really keeping the Gospel of Grace as the central component in our thinking, devotional life and ministry.
1. Is the bulk of our thinking and teaching devoted to revealing who God is and what He has done or is it oriented to application, self help and what we must do?
2. Is the lasting impression that we leave in our minds and the minds of those that we are around something that must be done or what God has already done?
3. Does our teaching and thinking accurately and intentionally reveal God for who He really is (ultimate, sovereign & supreme) and us for who we really are (depraved, wicked & without hope apart from the gospel)? Do we unknowingly make Him in our image?
4. Is it rooted in biblical, historical, orthodox Christianity?
5. Does it produce worship?
The Gospel is an announcement about what God has done on behalf of sinners. It’s not good news if we have to do something to make ourselves good.
Those Whom He Justified He Also Glorified
“Many people want the skyscraper promise of Romans 8:28, many want the precious reality of eternal security. But they don’t want it on God’s terms. They want their security AND their sovereignty. They want God to step in at the end of their lives with sovereign power and give them glory, but they do not want him to step in now with his sovereign grace and make them holy.” Listen Now:
The Gospel Centered Life 