We find factual statements of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Bible. We may think, for example, of the protoevangelium in the third chapter of Genesis, where God promises the offspring of a woman victory over Satan.[2] We may think of the ram in the thicket substituted for Issac in Abraham’s sacrifice on Mount Moriah.[3] We may think of the statement of redemption in the introduction to the Ten Commandments.[4]
Tag Archives: Worship
Crucified with Christ
Such renouncing is not turning from something to nothing, as if we are to empty ourselves of all desire, but to everything that Christ is for us. Let us not look back to what we have said goodbye, like Lot’s wife, but look to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). The shame, suffering, and death of the cross were not joy for Christ but looking through it, he focused on the joy to come, his resurrection, the salvation of his people, his eternal glory. And his joy is ours, as we have been crucified with Christ, we love him supremely, die to self daily, and live for him truly, serving as salt in a world that needs to “taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Ps. 34:8).
To the Highways and the Hedges
When you are invited to a dinner party, what things might you say to your host? “Thank you,” is always appropriate. Perhaps, “What a lovely home you have,” or “The meal was excellent,” “The conversation was engaging,” “You are a gracious host,” or even “May I have that recipe?” What you are likely not to say is, “You invited the wrong folks.” But Jesus, in a sense, said it.
The Wisdom of Humility
He was shamed, slandered, and tortured for nothing he did but what we did, even to the point of death, even death on a cross. He deserved none of it and took all of it, humbling himself that he might bring “many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10). And as God’s sons and daughters, we glory in God’s son. For he who died for our sin and resurrected for our life has ascended, and “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). Amen.
Christ’s Course Victorious
When Christ returns, the words of the psalmist will be heard loud and clear throughout the world, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Luke 13:35). It will be sung as a worldwide anthem, blessing the One who was faithful to complete his course and live and reign victorious. And Jew and Gentile, reconciled to God in one body through the cross, will rejoice in Christ’s course victorious, confessing, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33, 36).
The Inclusive Exclusive Christian Faith
In summary, it is the belief that Christianity is merely one or many ways to heaven, eternal life, the next life, call it what you will. What is required to go heaven, per se, is good intentions, sincerity, and a sprinkling of good works (on a sliding scale). Heaven, it is thought, will be filled with a variety of faiths and people, except Adolf Hitler and that guy you don’t like at work.
Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow
Through God’s outward and ordinary means of grace Christ’s church will grow, both near and far. The world won’t take notice. Why should they? But in the eyes of God we are a mustard seed growing heavenward, leaven spreading across the globe. For, Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
Better than We Deserve
If you live long enough, you will witness or experience tragedy of some kind. Perhaps you would be amazed at the tragedies experienced by those seated around you. I don’t know everyone’s story, but I do know this: tragedy is common to the fallen human condition. And because it is, and because we were created reasonable beings, we may wonder, why do bad things happen?
Life Lived in the Love of God
It seems to me the modern Evangelical pastime is to lament the condition of our culture. We are seemingly surprised at the prevalence of the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life[2] in a world following the prince of the power of the air, who continues his work in the children of disobedience.[3] And yet, I am often asked, “Can you believe how bad’s it’s gotten?” To which I often reply, “Yes, almost as bad as the days of Noah,” which is of course sarcasm, since as bad as we perceive our age to be, we cannot say that every intention of the thoughts of our neighbors is only evil continually[4] (although perhaps a few we know come close). But really, think about it: What was the condition of the culture of Noah’s day? What dominated mankind’s thoughts? Only evil continually. What motivated his actions? Only evil continually. What did he do all day, every day? Only evil continually. Literally, “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
Hope in Her Offspring
And so, while time continues, history repeating itself with seemingly endless consistency, there will be a last day, and every person will stand in judgment before the Son of God. On that day, the offspring of Satan will be revealed and readied for eternal damnation, the anguish of their suffering even more consistent than their sin upon the earth. But all who look to the promised Son of Hope in faith will be found righteous and right with God. And though our human hearts may cry with little Anne of Green Gables, “I’ll try to do and be anything you want me, if you’ll only keep me,” God’s Word tells us Christ has done it all, redeeming us the image-bearers we were created to be, kept in Christ, for all eternity.
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 