Posts Tagged: sin

Culture / Gospel — No Comments
18
May 09

Accountability, Bailouts, and the Gospel

We have entered an era of bailouts. I have been thinking a great deal about this “new era” and a number of questions have come to my mind – questions I believe Christians in American should be pondering if we are going to adapt and reach future generations with the message of the Gospel.

Consider:

  • Will the concept of the bailout play a significant role in the shaping of future generations of Americans?
  • How will the American concept of accountability and justice change in an age of bailouts?
  • What affect will the bailout have on Americans’ willingness to accept their need for a savior in the presence of a most holy and just God?
  • Will it be more difficult to convince Americans of their sinfulness and depravity?  Further, will it be more difficult for Americans to understand that their sin comes with wages earned: death?

Challenges and Opportunities

dollar sign

Ultimately, this discussion boils down to one question: Will this age of bailouts have an impact on the spreading of the Gospel in America? As I think about the above questions, I am convinced that there are challenges ahead. Opportunities await as well, however. Consider this passage from Colossians 2:

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-14, ESV)

What a great concept with which we might engage those around us! Use current events and news headlines to lead into discussions about the Gospel and the cancelling of our debt by Jesus upon the cross. Compare and contrast the worldly concept of a bailout with Jesus’ perfect act of atonement upon the cross.

Challenges or opportunities? All things considered, it is important to remember that God’s perfect and sovereign will is at work.

 

What do you think? Does an age of bailouts present challenges to the Gospel in America? Opportunities?

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Prayer — No Comments
6
May 09

7 Benefits of Generic Prayer

How specific are your prayers?
Perhaps you’ve never given this question any thought. Take some time and think about it – listen to yourself. When you pray, how specific or general are your prayers?easy-buttonKeep it Generic
You see, I like to keep my prayers nice and generic. Don’t you? Here’s why:

  1. Generic prayer doesn’t leave me disappointed. If I don’t really ask the Lord for anything, then He can’t tell me NO. I do my best to avoid hearing NO whenever possible.
  2. Generic prayer consumes much less time and energy. Convenience is terribly important to me. I have a rather busy schedule, so I prefer to cover all my bases with broad, prayerful strokes.
  3. Generic prayer doesn’t force me to think about my own sin. Instead of repenting of specific sins and sin issues, why not just acknowledge sinfulness in general. Much less messy.
  4. Generic prayer doesn’t force me to grow in holiness. If I don’t ask the Holy Spirit to help me to grow in holiness and Christ-likeness in specific areas of my life, then I’m not disappointed if I don’t. I’m usually able to convince myself that I have experienced “overall net growth.” 
  5. Generic prayer doesn’t force my relationship with my Father to grow in intimacy. Sometimes it’s just easier to keep those we care about at a healthy distance.
  6. Generic prayer doesn’t cause me to exercise my faith. If I keep it general, then there is no need to trust that my God is big, sovereign, mighty, loving, and capable of providing an answer. I do trust Him, but there is no need to press the issue.
  7. General prayer doesn’t force me to wrestle with the heaviness of Jesus’ death on the cross. Enough said.

What about you? Do you pray generic prayers? Are you experiencing these benefits as well?

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3
Mar 09

Mark Driscoll on Cutting Words and Harsh Language

Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA was invited to speak at the Desiring God 2008 National Conference in September. If you have not yet watched or listened to his session, How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words, I strongly recommend that you do so now. I found his message, considered by some to be rather controversial, to be deeply encouraging, impactful, and convicting.

Driscoll’s basic outline contains five main points:

  1. Christians are to feed the sheep.
  2. Rebuke the swine.
  3. Shoot the wolves.
  4. Bark at the dogs.
  5. Pray for the shepherds.

I encourage you to listen to the message in its entirety.  Full audio and video are available for streaming or download here.

What is your reaction to Driscoll’s message? Are there aspects with which you disagree? How might the truth of this message impact our churches, our ministries, our nation? How have you been changed, challenged, impacted, or convicted by Driscoll’s message?

React below.

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27
Oct 08

Lies of Our Culture

Lately, I have been thinking a great deal about the world around us and the lies it tells. At times lies are subtly whispered into my ears. Other times I hear the world shouting them at the top of its lungs. Each and every day we are exposed to messages that cannot be reconciled with a Biblical, Christian worldview.

The following is a short list that came to my mind:

  1. You are a good person.
  2. Humanity is basically good.
  3. A loving God wouldn’t send me to hell. *see #1
  4. A loving God wouldn’t allow evil. *see #2
  5. Jesus was simply a good teacher, a good man.
  6. Satan doesn’t exist.
  7. One must accept the claims of Christianity merely by blind faith.
  8. Christianity is unreasonable.
  9. The Gospel is green.
  10. The Gospel is about the poor, the oppressed.
  11. The Gospel is not about the poor, the oppressed.
  12. It’s your money.
  13. 75% of Americans are Christians.
  14. Multiple paths – One God
  15. Jesus: THE way, truth, life? You are offensive, hateful, and intolerant.
  16. There is no absolute truth.
  17. All Christians are republicans.
  18. You are not “called” to do evangelism. You are not gifted to tell others about the Gospel.
  19. Church is about you.
  20. All Christian music is good.
  21. God is not in control.
  22. It is silly and stupid to believe in the stories of the Bible.
  23. Christianity is a crutch.

Agree? Disagree? What other lies does our world/culture tell?

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27
Jun 08

The Demons Believe – Part II (Ironic Atheism)

You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe─and they shudder.

James 2:19

Consider the village atheists, freethinkers, and secular humanists such as Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins. They openly and aggressively deny the existence of a God. “Reason,” as they call it, has caused them to arrive at a conclusion that not even the demons consider. The demons believe that God is one─and they shudder. Do you see the irony?

The truth illustrated in this verse speaks to the absurdity of atheism. Scripture speaks of the existence of a sovereign God. Creation itself testifies to the existence of a Creator. The shudders of demons declare that there is one God whom we should fear. How corrupt and sinful and vile is humanity, that it would degrade itself to the point of denying the existence the the One who gave it life?

I pray that God would soften the hearts and open the eyes of men and women such as these─that they might accept the truth before the truth is forced upon them.

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5
Jun 08

Foolish Reflections: Works of the Flesh

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

*Galations 5:19-21 NIV

*Christian Emphasis Added
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