If you're wondering why I'm up at 4:45 in the morning...it's because this sermon by Paul Washer has rocked my world tonight.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Pendleton, Indiana
It's true. I'm home for Christmas! Pendleton Indiana. Very different from Texas life, or should I say, Teen Mania life. Going from Teen Mania life to home life has always been an awkward transition...but in a good way...kinda. Leaving a completely God saturated culture for a worldly culture is a pretty intense experience. But I'm extremely grateful for it, because it gives me time to reflect on what God's been teaching me since my last time home 6 months ago.
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon said something like: "If you're not concerned about the salvation of others, you're not saved yourself." Well, my concern for the lost while I've been home has never been deeper! God's grace is such an amazing gift...and to think...people actually want to live without it?! Bizarre.
What Jesus said in Luke 13:22-33 has been on my mind a lot since being home.
22And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
God has pressed Eternity on my heart. So many are deceived in to thinking they're going to Heaven...but they don't know Jesus Christ. They don't know that Christ is the only way to the Father.
Through this truth, I believe God has revealed to me the sin of Idol time. How much more could I have done for God's kingdom if I didn't play that video game? Watch that movie? Take that half hour nap?
God forgive me for desiring things of the flesh and not your Kingdom!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Prosperity Gospel
Why do I preach against the Prosperity Gospel so much? Why am I convinced that Jesus DID NOT die on the cross so we can live a more fullfilled life? I think John Piper puts it in a pretty clear perspective.
But Josh, doesn't Jesus say in John 10:10 that he's giving us life abundantly? Yes, but we must look at the big picture. Jesus isn't talking about promising great finances or giving you that car you always wanted. Jesus never promises that.
John 10
I Am the Good Shepherd
1"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5(A) A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6This figure of speech Jesus(B) used with them, but they(C) did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you,(D) I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by me,(E) he will be saved and will go in and out and(F) find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and(G) kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11(H) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd(I) lays down his life for the sheep. 12He who is(J) a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and(K) leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and(L) scatters them. 13He flees because(M) he is a hired hand and(N) cares nothing for the sheep. 14(O) I am the good shepherd.(P) I know my own and(Q) my own know me, 15(R) just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and(S) I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And(T) I have other sheep that are not of this fold.(U) I must bring them also, and(V) they will listen to my voice. So there will be(W) one flock,(X) one shepherd. 17(Y) For this reason the Father loves me,(Z) because(AA) I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18(AB) No one takes it from me, but(AC) I lay it down(AD) of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and(AE) I have authority to take it up again.(AF) This charge I have received from my Father."
19(AG) There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20Many of them said,(AH) "He has a demon, and(AI) is insane; why listen to him?" 21Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon.(AJ) Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
We must realize that God is in control. God knows what's best for us. For the Christian, Jesus is our Shepherd, and His ways are ALWAYS better than our ways. We find our satisfaction in knowing and trusting our Father. This is why I don't believe in the prosperity Gospel.
-josh
But Josh, doesn't Jesus say in John 10:10 that he's giving us life abundantly? Yes, but we must look at the big picture. Jesus isn't talking about promising great finances or giving you that car you always wanted. Jesus never promises that.
John 10
I Am the Good Shepherd
1"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5(A) A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6This figure of speech Jesus(B) used with them, but they(C) did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you,(D) I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by me,(E) he will be saved and will go in and out and(F) find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and(G) kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11(H) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd(I) lays down his life for the sheep. 12He who is(J) a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and(K) leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and(L) scatters them. 13He flees because(M) he is a hired hand and(N) cares nothing for the sheep. 14(O) I am the good shepherd.(P) I know my own and(Q) my own know me, 15(R) just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and(S) I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And(T) I have other sheep that are not of this fold.(U) I must bring them also, and(V) they will listen to my voice. So there will be(W) one flock,(X) one shepherd. 17(Y) For this reason the Father loves me,(Z) because(AA) I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18(AB) No one takes it from me, but(AC) I lay it down(AD) of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and(AE) I have authority to take it up again.(AF) This charge I have received from my Father."
19(AG) There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20Many of them said,(AH) "He has a demon, and(AI) is insane; why listen to him?" 21Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon.(AJ) Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
We must realize that God is in control. God knows what's best for us. For the Christian, Jesus is our Shepherd, and His ways are ALWAYS better than our ways. We find our satisfaction in knowing and trusting our Father. This is why I don't believe in the prosperity Gospel.
-josh
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Modern Preachers and the Cross
Why are modern preachers afraid to preach about the Cross? Why are modern preachers ashamed to preach about the wrath of God? Our new Gospel (Good News) Consist of "how to live our best life" or "how to life a purpose driven life." This is not Christianity! We ARE NOT "all that," we are NOTHING! We're sinners given grace by the blood of Jesus Christ.
The grace given to us by Jesus Christ is the most encouraging message in the entire world! We don't need preachers explaining to us how to have the most abundant life, we need a Savior who takes God's wrath on our behalf. We need Jesus.
The death of Christ was the ONLY way to satisfy God's wrath on us...why don't we preach this? Jesus is not an accesory to make our life better. Jesus shed his blood for my soul. I don't need a motivational speaker disquised as a preacher telling me how to live my best life now, I need a Savior. I need someone to bear my sins. I need Jesus.
Please, do not turn my Jesus in to someone who died to simply make my life more satisfying. That's not my Jesus. My Jesus is so much more than that. My Jesus bore the sins of the World. And God's wrath is now satisfied. THAT is the Jesus that I love with all my heart.
-josh
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