I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. he did not intend to.
Lunatic, Devil of Hell, or Lord and God
Perhaps you've heard the phrase "Lunatic,Liar, or Lord" in reference to the only three possible identities of Jesus Christ. This comes from something that C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity. Here's the quote. We'll be taking a look at it tonight in our final part to our Show & Tell series, "Objections & Answers."
Objections & Answers
On Wednesday night we're going to be wrapping up our series "Show & Tell" by discussing common objections that we encounter when sharing Christ with others. For example, somebody might respond, "I believe that Jesus was a good guy and a great moral teacher, but I don't believe he is God or the only way to heaven." How would you respond?
What are some other objections that you've encountered while sharing your faith?
What are some other objections that you've encountered while sharing your faith?
Discipleship Groups Getting Started
Discipleship Groups are getting started. We'll be studying a book called Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney. It is a short read with, Lord willing, long lasting effects. As we work through this resource we'll seek to understand and be gripped by the amazing grace of God revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Far from being merely our ticket into the Christian life, the gospel needs to be the lens through which we view all of life, the motivation for all that we do. Talk to a leader to get more info on finding a group for you to join!
Our reading schedule and the study questions are available on the right hand column of this page.
Your Time in History and Place on Earth
Acts 17:26 says that God, “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Practically speaking, this means that God has placed you in this period of history on purpose. It is no accident that you’re living in the 21st century and not the 1st century. It also means that God has placed you in your neighborhood and in your school. It isn’t random chance that has located you where you are and not on the other side of the world.
Since God has been purposeful in placing us where He has, both historically and geographically, we should likewise be purposeful as we live in the specific context in which He has placed us. What is God’s purpose for you at this time in your specific location? Many passages could be considered, but 1 Peter 2:13-16 comes to mind first. If your school is a “human institution,” then I think there’s some great application here. Verse 15 says that God’s will specifically is “that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” There are unbelievers in your school who will criticize you for your faith. Your job is to silence them, but not in ways you might first think (e.g., winning debates). Verse 16 gives a clue as to how this is to happen: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” You’ll be criticized for what you believe, but the authenticity of your faith should be seen in how you live. Your faith might continually be ridiculed, even as you live out your faith, but as far as your life is concerned, they’ll not be able to find any fault. In fact, according to verse 12, some accusers will see your lifestyle of “good deeds and glorify God” at the return of Christ. Your life of service to Christ could be the instrument that turns an accuser into a worshiper. This is an exciting prospect, and this is what God has called each of us to at this time in the history of the world and at this location on the globe.
Since God has been purposeful in placing us where He has, both historically and geographically, we should likewise be purposeful as we live in the specific context in which He has placed us. What is God’s purpose for you at this time in your specific location? Many passages could be considered, but 1 Peter 2:13-16 comes to mind first. If your school is a “human institution,” then I think there’s some great application here. Verse 15 says that God’s will specifically is “that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” There are unbelievers in your school who will criticize you for your faith. Your job is to silence them, but not in ways you might first think (e.g., winning debates). Verse 16 gives a clue as to how this is to happen: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” You’ll be criticized for what you believe, but the authenticity of your faith should be seen in how you live. Your faith might continually be ridiculed, even as you live out your faith, but as far as your life is concerned, they’ll not be able to find any fault. In fact, according to verse 12, some accusers will see your lifestyle of “good deeds and glorify God” at the return of Christ. Your life of service to Christ could be the instrument that turns an accuser into a worshiper. This is an exciting prospect, and this is what God has called each of us to at this time in the history of the world and at this location on the globe.
Not Your Own
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul says, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God with your body." This is the foundation of our 4-week series that will kick off the new year of Student Ministry. Come join us as we discover how to live in light of God's ownership of our entire lives.
35 Reasons Not to Sin
This was a recent post at The Rebelution. It goes well with some of the themes that were hit pretty strongly at Cam Harvest.
Because a little sin leads to more sin.
Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
Because my sin saddens the godly.
Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
Because my sin may influence others to sin.
Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
Because my sin is adultery with the world.
Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
Because to sin is not to love Christ.
Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it’s own.
Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.
Abort73.com and The Rebelution
Check out this post at The Rebelution on how "the abortion debate is changing." Abort73 gets a much deserved "thumbs up." Visit the site and join the discussion.
Here's the video they show on their post.
Here's the video they show on their post.
What Impresses You?
This is from the Harris' brothers blog at The Rebelution.
There is a part of me that is dazzled by talent. At times certain artists, certain writers, certain athletes, or certain craftsmen can just take my breath away. This little girl had that affect on me, though I must admit to being heavily influenced by the cuteness factor. Still, it is impossible to deny that Emily Bear is impressive.
What impresses you? That was one of the questions my brother Josh asked attendees at the Next conference over Memorial Day weekend. I later found out that the question wasn’t planned — it wasn’t even in his notes. But he was speaking to us from Colossians, where Paul is joyfully proclaiming the preeminence of Christ. This is my attempt at expanding on that question and its implications. Please read the following passage of Scripture carefully. Think about what it says.
When I watch Emily Bear play the piano, do I remember that she was created through Christ and for Christ? When my heart begins to admire an athlete’s talent, do I remind myself that in Him that athlete holds together? When I am confronted with the intellectual precision of a thinker, speaker, or communicator, do I use that as an opportunity to recall that Jesus is more accomplished, more masterful, more expert, more skillful, more excellent, more outstanding?
When I am impressed by anything on this planet, do I immediately turn and worship Jesus because in everything He is more impressive, more magnificent, more majestic, more imposing, more splendid, more spectacular, more grand, more awe-inspiring, more striking, more stunning, more breathtaking? Because that is what it means for Christ to be preeminent. That is what Paul is saying about Jesus.
What impresses you? And how do you take advantage of those moments to turn and worship your Savior? It is good to be impressed. We are wired to be blown-away by glory. But we only see pieces of glory in people — and they all point to the one who created all things, holds all things together, and is above and before everything.
Some questions for discussion:
There is a part of me that is dazzled by talent. At times certain artists, certain writers, certain athletes, or certain craftsmen can just take my breath away. This little girl had that affect on me, though I must admit to being heavily influenced by the cuteness factor. Still, it is impossible to deny that Emily Bear is impressive.
What impresses you? That was one of the questions my brother Josh asked attendees at the Next conference over Memorial Day weekend. I later found out that the question wasn’t planned — it wasn’t even in his notes. But he was speaking to us from Colossians, where Paul is joyfully proclaiming the preeminence of Christ. This is my attempt at expanding on that question and its implications. Please read the following passage of Scripture carefully. Think about what it says.
Colossians 1:15-19 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
When I watch Emily Bear play the piano, do I remember that she was created through Christ and for Christ? When my heart begins to admire an athlete’s talent, do I remind myself that in Him that athlete holds together? When I am confronted with the intellectual precision of a thinker, speaker, or communicator, do I use that as an opportunity to recall that Jesus is more accomplished, more masterful, more expert, more skillful, more excellent, more outstanding?
When I am impressed by anything on this planet, do I immediately turn and worship Jesus because in everything He is more impressive, more magnificent, more majestic, more imposing, more splendid, more spectacular, more grand, more awe-inspiring, more striking, more stunning, more breathtaking? Because that is what it means for Christ to be preeminent. That is what Paul is saying about Jesus.
What impresses you? And how do you take advantage of those moments to turn and worship your Savior? It is good to be impressed. We are wired to be blown-away by glory. But we only see pieces of glory in people — and they all point to the one who created all things, holds all things together, and is above and before everything.
Some questions for discussion:
What’s something that impresses you? It can be anyone or anything.
In light of Colossians 1:15-19, how does that person or thing demonstrate Christ’s preeminence? It may be obvious or it may require extended thought. There are few better ways to spend your time.
Displeasure and "Dissed" Pleasures
Last night we talked about making war on anger. Here are a few summary thoughts from our time in God's word. Anger can defined as "a strong feeling of displeasure." Anger is the feeling we are tempted to experience when we have "dissed" pleasures, that is, when we don't get what we want. James 4:1-2 makes this very clear, that the source of our fighting and quarreling is our passions/pleasures and desires/lusts. Behind every instance of anger is an unmet desire. Not every desire is inherently sinful (e.g., sleep, food, relaxation, peaceful relationships), but it can become sinful when we desire that thing more than we desire to honor Christ. When we desire something more than God Himself, we have an idol. Therefore, anger has an amazing capacity to reveal the idols in our lives. The thing that we desired and were unable to attain, and were thereby provoked to anger, is the idol. What idols has your anger revealed lately?
Hillsong United Concert on June 10
Join us on Wednesday, June 10 for the Hillsong United concert at Willow Creek. You need to purchase tickets on your own at this link. We'll carpool together from the church, but those details will come later.
Daring to Dally
John Owen was a preacher in centuries passed (1616-1683), but don't worry, he's still relevant. Here's a quote I found today: "Know that he that dares to dally with occasions of sin will dare to sin. He that will venture upon temptations unto wickedness will venture upon wickedness." Here's the point. If you're willing to mess around with temptation, then you're equally willing to mess around with sin. "But," you say, "temptation to sin and sin are two separate matters!" That's true, but sometimes we're more fond of the temptation than we'd like to admit, so we set ourselves on a path to knowingly rub shoulders with temptation as if that were better than setting out on a direct course to sin. Perhaps an example will clarify. If you're at home watching TV alone you may not say to yourself, "I'm gonna try to find something sinful." However, if you're not watching with an active desire to honor Christ, then you just might be willing to stop your channel surfing at a particular place, saying to yourself, "Hmm. What's this?" knowing full well that you're not heading in the right direction. That willingness to stop and entertain the coming temptation is where sin begins.
Read on only if you're a word nerd. What's up with "dally"? To dally is to show casual interest in something. It comes from an Old French word meaning "to chat." A chat is a casual conversation, usually pretty superficial, noncommittal. Christlikeness is never a matter of casual interest; it doesn't come about that way. It's an all-out pursuit, like when you watch a lion hunting down a gazelle on the Discovery Channel.
Read on only if you're a word nerd. What's up with "dally"? To dally is to show casual interest in something. It comes from an Old French word meaning "to chat." A chat is a casual conversation, usually pretty superficial, noncommittal. Christlikeness is never a matter of casual interest; it doesn't come about that way. It's an all-out pursuit, like when you watch a lion hunting down a gazelle on the Discovery Channel.
The Close Connection Between God and His Word
We’re closing down our series on God’s word called “Well Watered.” There was an idea that I repeated again and again, namely, that the point of knowing the Bible isn’t simply to know facts but rather to know God Himself. Remember, it’s about a relationship with God. You need the facts to be in relationship with Jesus Christ, but mere facts about Jesus don’t amount to a real relationship.
There were two verses (among many) that I pointed to in order to show the connection between knowing God and knowing His word.
Psalm 119:2 (ESV) - Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.
Psalm 119:10 (ESV) - With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
Notice how the psalmist in the first half of verse 2 is talking about keeping “his testimonies,” and then in the second half he speaks of seeking “him.” Why make the switch? Why doesn’t the second half of the verse read “who seek them with their whole heart”? Or what about verse 10? The first half references seeking “you” while the second half mentions not wandering from “your commandments.” The same switch as taken place. Why doesn’t the writer finish the second half of the verse with “let me not wander from you”?
The answer is found in the close connection between God and His word. At the heart of keeping God’s testimonies is seeking him. Keeping God’s word, that is, obeying it, isn’t just a master to-do list that’s meant to be mindlessly checked off. Seeking God with the whole heart is the opposite of wandering from His commandments. God and His commandments are not identical, but God’s commandments reflect who He is, so if we wander from His commandments, then we’re wandering from Him. Bible-reading is about a relationship, and disobedience, our sin problem, is a relationship problem.
Quotes from Wednesday's (4/1) Message
“It is in Scripture that we learn how God views himself, ourselves, and the world, and what he wants us to know in order to serve him. Scripture is like a working museum of which the Spirit is the Curator, showing us around and explaining the wonders of the mind of the Maker. In this museum we are taken behind the scenes to learn from God himself. In growing to know God, therefore, there is no substitute for the discipline of Bible study and Scripture reading and meditation. We cannot bypass the handbook God has given to us and then expect that we can know him in our own way. The only god we can know in our own way is a god that we make in our own image.”
“There is no such thing as genuine knowledge of God that does not show itself in obedience to his Word and will. The person who wants to know God but who has no heart to obey him will never enter the sacred courts where God reveals himself to the soul of man. God does not give divine knowledge to those who have no desire to glorify him.”
Both quotes from Sinclair Ferguson, A Heart For God (Carlisle, Penn.: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1987), pages 8 and 10 respectively.
“There is no such thing as genuine knowledge of God that does not show itself in obedience to his Word and will. The person who wants to know God but who has no heart to obey him will never enter the sacred courts where God reveals himself to the soul of man. God does not give divine knowledge to those who have no desire to glorify him.”
Both quotes from Sinclair Ferguson, A Heart For God (Carlisle, Penn.: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1987), pages 8 and 10 respectively.
Our Need for the Old Testament
Tonight we're taking a big picture look at the Old Testament. "Why?" you might ask. Here's one answer from a pastor named Mark Dever:
Quote from Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006), 19.
If Christ is the key to human history, the Old Testament carefully describes the lock.
If Christ is the climax of the story, the Old Testament sets the stage and begins the plot. Do you read just the endings of books?
If the New Testament presents God’s promises kept, the Old Testament tells us about God’s promises made.
In other words, if you don’t get what the Old Testament teaches, you’ll never get Christ. Our God does not waste words. Each Testament needs the other. You will best be able to comprehend Christ’s cross if you first understand the question left unanswered by the Old Testament. The cross is the answer. How well do you know the question?
In order to acquire a sense of the grandiosity of God’s work, the majesty of his plan, the tenacity of his love, there is no replacement for the Old Testament. Deprive yourself of this part of God’s revelation, and your God will seem smaller, less holy, and less loving than God really is.
Quote from Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006), 19.
Take It For a Test Drive!
In my conversations with some students, I have heard it said that personal Bible reading can be difficult because one doesn't understand what they're reading. So, I thought we could give something a try. The ESV Study Bible has been out for a few months now, and it is a tremendous resource. Crossway, who publishes the ESVSB, graciously sent us samples of the new Study Bible. So, I have the entire Gospel of Luke in the form of a separate booklet for you to try. Spend a month in the book of Luke. Read through the notes to help you gain a better understanding of the text. I trust God will use this to help you see and savor Christ as you encounter Him in God's Word.
Tonight's Menu
We're continuing in our current series, "Well Watered," and tonight's message is titled "What's It Good For?" from 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
The Room
On Wednesday night I read Joshua Harris' "The Room," which was an actual dream that he had at age 19. It is a helpful tool for recognizing the power of the Gospel, as it illustrates the magnitude of our sin and the surpassing greatness of our Savior. There's even a YouTube that you can watch here. You should consider sharing this with the friends to whom you are reaching out with the gospel.
Come Pray With Us!
Students, we encourage you to join us every Wednesday night before group begins (6:00 - 6:25 PM) for prayer in Andy's office (until we grow out of it). As we make our way toward our 2009 Winter Retreat (see below), we want to earnestly seek God to do what only He can (and we cannot), namely, meet us there in a powerful way so as to change hearts and lives. We would also love to pray specifically for the friends you're reaching out to and inviting to the retreat.
Fearing God with Great Delight
Oftentimes the biblical concept of “fearing God” can be fuzzy in our minds at best. Psalm 112:1 helps understand three important truths connected to the idea. The verse reads, “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments.” (ESV)
First, fearing God is synonymous with delighting in his commandments. When you find your greatest joy in doing what God commands, you’re fearing Him.
Second, the result of fearing God/greatly delighting in his commandments is blessing from God: “Blessed is the man. . . .”
Third, the person experiencing God’s blessing on account of fearing him/delighting in his commandments will have a heart full of praise: “Praise the Lord!”
So, instead of allowing mental images of drudgery or joyless duty entering your mind when you think of fearing God, think of great delight, blessing, and praise.
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