'Jesus even loves brummies'

In his first letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul invited the early Christians to consider what their life was like before Jesus. He remembers:

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26–29)

God’s Upside Down Economy

This passage is incredible. Over the course of a few sentences, Paul discredits nearly all of the sources we humans turn to for our sense of identity and worth. He says the Corinthians were:

Foolish

Weak

Not of noble birth

Low and despised

Things that are not

God did not choose the Corinthians because they were smart, strong, influential, rich, respected, or any of the other characteristics we long to achieve in ourselves. Jesus chose the awkward kid, not out of pity but to reveal his grace and glory and our need for him.

This may not be a good strategy for establishing a winning kickball team, but apparently God’s economy and priorities are completely opposite from our conventional way of thinking.

How Awesome Are You?

Put yourself in the Corinthians’ shoes. Think about your life before Jesus (or your life now, if you’re not a Christian). Where did you find your motivation and your worth? Were you intelligent, wealthy, beautiful, successful, popular? Compared to whom?

“The Bible helps us see our pathetic state, not to rub our nose in it but to jog us out of our prideful complacency and short-sighted priorities and see the gift of Jesus.”

As for me, I was living to get rich, break commandments, and win praise and approval from other people. Then I met Jesus and realized that, though I may improve my status and station relative to other humans, my life was pretty pitiful next to God’s perfection. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men,” as Paul wrote, “and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

The Gift of Jesus

Does God want us to feel bad about ourselves? Did Paul insult the Corinthians to beat them into humble submission before the great and powerful God of the universe? We are not the point. The point is God, “and because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

The Bible helps us see our pathetic state, not to rub our nose in it but to jog us out of our prideful complacency and short-sighted priorities and see the gift of Jesus. In verse 30, Paul lists five things we have in Jesus:

Life/Identify – “You are in Christ Jesus”

Wisdom – The wisdom of God

Righteousness – Jesus’ perfection

Sanctification – Daily lives that reflect Jesus’ grace to us

Redemption – We are bought at a price (Jesus’ death) and free from the sinful patterns of comparison, posturing, and pride

Jesus gives us everything we need, everything we’re looking for, and everything we want to be, if we relinquish our fleeting glory and receive the gift of his immortal glory, extended to us by grace.

via Foolish, Weak, Clumsy, and Glorious | The Resurgence.

How to Talk to God  - Ed Welch

“Why is God doing this to me?

”These words signal a spiritual train wreck in process.Any version of a “why” question, when it is directed to or about the God of the Bible, is terribly risky. Even if it begins as a simple question, it gradually accumulates other questions about God’s character and promises, while it generates false assumptions about ourselves.

“Why God would you do this to me? when I haven’t done anything like this to you.”

“Why would a good father allow this to happen to his children? If I were God I wouldn’t allow such things to happen.”

Questions like these will only lead us away from God. It’s okay to question God, but how you go about it really matters. Here are two ways to avoid the God-ward accusations and self-righteousness that can so easily become part of the why questions.

Use his Personal Name

First, ask “Why, O Lord?”

When we use his less personal name God we can slip in a few complaints and feel okay about it, but speak to the Lord and everything changes. He is your creator and rescuer. You belong to him. He is both your liege and the lover of your soul. Your response is praise, thanks and humble requests.

This kept the psalmists from going off the tracks.

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1

Not surprisingly, this psalmist ends with hope and confidence.

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. . . . The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. Psalm 10:14-18

The Psalms encourage great freedom of expression. We are strongly encouraged by the Lord himself to speak openly from our hearts. The one thing he asks is that we know whom we are speaking with, which is a normal requirement of any conversation. We don’t talk with a child in the same way we talk to an adult. With the knowledge of his mighty acts in mind, the why question can end well.

Ask in Hope

Second, for a change of pace, and as a way to stay in tune with the psalmists’ style, consider another question.

“How long, O Lord?”

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1

This is the much more frequent question of psalmists, and for good reason. The true knowledge of God is clear and inescapable. He is the one who will deliver his people. There is no question that he hears and responds. The only question is when our eyes will be open enough to see his mighty hand in action. Hope is built into the question; an optimistic conclusion is guaranteed.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6“

Why, O Lord?” This takes our why questions and adds humility.

“How long, O Lord?” This question considers our suffering and infuses it with hope.

via How to Talk to God | CCEF.

Is The Main Thing The Only Thing?

When I was in Bible College I often heard an old preacher tell the students, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” Of course he wasn’t the first to say it, but I loved it. I still do.

Recently someone I respect asked me, “is it possible that within the ‘gospel-centered movement’ some people are making the main thing the only thing?”

 First Importance

It is a great question, and I think it does point to a problem of unhealthy reductionism among some well-meaning brothers and sisters. I believe this brother was essentially saying, “Look, our people need to know what their hope is before God. This is of first importance. But, they also need to know how to pray, fast, love, give, fight, and serve.” Of course, I agree with this sentiment.

There is more in God’s word than the gospel. God has given us his law to show us the way, uncover our corruption and condemnation, and point us to our need of redemption. There are commands to be obeyed, there is wisdom to learn and practice, and affections to feel and be moved by. But, the law itself is unable to create within us new hearts, or empower us to obey its demands. So let me say it this way: The gospel is the main thing, but it is not the only thing. However, it is the only thing that brings life, power, and transformation. The gospel isn’t everything, but it does connect to everything, and preachers and teachers in the church must be able to show that connection lest we allow the church to drift (or even be lead) into various kinds of hopeless, powerless legalism.

“The gospel is the main thing, but it is not the only thing. However, it is the only thing that brings life, power, and transformation.”

Learning and Reminding

Let’s take one example. I need to learn how to pray, but I also need to learn, and be reminded, that I can only pray because Jesus has made peace between God and sinners like me. I need a practical method for praying, but I also need the assurance that when I fail to pray, God’s love for me is secure and not based upon my performance. I need counsel on how to pray without ceasing, but I need the confidence that Jesus prayed perfectly in my place, prayed on my behalf, and currently intercedes for me. These gospel principles don’t merely compliment the command to pray, that satisfy it. They do not remove the need to pray, they give freedom and power to approach God with boldness. Without these gospel principles we are left to our own devices, and at least implicitly encouraged to trust in our work more than God’s grace.

The best teaching of the church preaches the “whole counsel of God,” unpacking all of the subject matter available within, but does so with the aim of grounding the hearers in the gospel. When we fail to do this we show that the functional main thing is the act of teaching or learning, rather than the gospel itself.

via Is The Main Thing The Only Thing? | The Resurgence.

The topics of hell, final judgment, and the Rapture have become prominent water cooler subjects recently.

A common reaction today is to reject the idea of hell entirely, stemming from a suspicion of moral absolutes or a denial of the possibility of final judgment. Some prominent Christian figures have predicted doomsday scenarios which have been widely covered (and ridiculed) in mass media. Depictions of hell become cartoonish and ever less believable.

The question becomes, how do we understand the biblical doctrine of hell in our scientific and secular culture?  Are we beyond believing such things? How do we contextualize this discussion in our churches so that these historic beliefs become relevant in our postmodern age?

Zondervan has just released a new book called Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go To Heaven?  Contributors to the book include Albert Mohler, J. I. Packer, Robert Yarbrough, and Timothy Keller. Readers will find examples from several pastors and theologians to help equip them in engaging both the traditionalists and secularists that enter their church doors.

Tim Keller’s chapter, “Preaching Hell in a Tolerant Age,” is available for free download from our Resources section.  You can find other resources on Preaching there as well.

via Blog – Redeemer City to City.

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

- 1 Corinthians 1:31

“Boast in Jesus” is one of those churchy exhortations that we Christians often toss around without much thought. What does it mean? Is it redirecting all compliments to God? Is it acknowledging God after touchdowns and during acceptance speeches? Is it a statement stamped on our money?

These common forms of boasting in the Lord often (though perhaps not always) amount to empty lip service. Here are six ways to get beyond mere words:

1) Recognize that it’s all about Jesus.

In the context of 1 Corinthians 1:31, Paul discourages the Corinthians from deriving their self-worth from personal achievements and crediting their salvation to their own lovableness. Jesus is the source and sum of everything; we are not. This compels us to live a life marked by grace and humility.

2) Enjoy accomplishments but don’t take the glory.

God created us to work, and there’s a holy satisfaction in a job well done. In fact, Jesus wants us to do a good job (Matt. 25:21). Problems arise, however, when we begin to derive our value, identity, and security from our accomplishments. We drift from dependence on God to reliance on self.

3) Learn from disappointments but don’t dwell on them.

Conversely, when we fail or when life gets hard, we can boast in God by trusting in him. Dwelling on disappointment reveals a faith vested in whatever was lost rather than a faith planted in the infallible God.

“Live generously and show that your hope, your confidence, your worth—your boast—is in Jesus. ”

4) Seek and practice humility and repentance.

We will all take credit we don’t deserve. We will all pout over disappointment. We will all get caught chasing our own glory rather than God’s. This is not an excuse but rather cause for true humility (not the lip service kind) and ongoing repentance, which keeps us close to Jesus and his life and death on our behalf.

5) Redeem the gifts, desires, and passions you’ve been given.

Maybe God blessed you with incredible talent, extensive wealth, a keen mind, etc. Think about how to use these gifts for the Kingdom. This could simply be doing what you do with excellence and then faithfully stewarding the influence, relationships, and resources God grants you, or it could be more specifically applying your gifts to the work of ministry.

6) Embrace and participate in the work and mission of Jesus.

Give, serve, and become a member at your church. Be hospitable to your neighbors and share the life and things God has given to you. Talk about his work in your life. Invite others to know him. Live generously and show that your hope, your confidence, your worth—your boast—is in Jesus.

via How To Boast in Jesus | The Resurgence.

This post originally appreared on Justin Buzzard’s blog

At our informational meeting for Garden City Church I shared a list: The Top 10 Reasons Why People Should Not Join our church plant.

1.  If you’re looking for the next cool thing in town (We want to grow by conversion growth, not church-goer transfer growth).

2.  If you’re a Christian and you don’t like your current church (You will find reasons to not like this church).

3.  If you have a bad track record at churches of being unteachable and causing problems (You won’t change here, you’ll repeat the pattern).

4.  If you’re a consumer wanting to “go to church” 1x a week for a nice show (We are not a Sunday show, we are a community of disciples on a mission).

5.  If you want religion (This church will be built on the radical gospel of grace).

6.  If you have an agenda (We have our vision, our mission, and our values—your private agenda does not supercede them).

7.  If you’re a wolf (We will sniff you out).

8.  If you think this will be a nice little church that stays the same size, where everybody knows your name and you have my cell number on speed dial and we have a picnic lunch together every week (By God’s grace, we want to grow).

9.  If you think this will be easy and smooth (This will be hard and difficult; this will be a fight, a battle, and a challenging mission).

10. If you want to hold onto your comfortable life (You must lose your life).

I also shared a quote from Sir Ernest Shackleton, from the advertisement he used when recruiting men for his expedition to Antarctica in 1914:

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.

via Top 10 Reasons Not To Join a Church Plant | The Resurgence.

Dr. Ed Welch talks about a fundamental way to help people in everyday conversations.

via CCEF | Restoring Christ to Counseling and Counseling to the Church.

When you see people up close, which is what happens with counseling, you might notice a few different themes emerging in your own soul. First, you will feel unworthy. Who are we that we should be able to see the work of the Spirit from such close range? And we feel even more unworthy because the godliness we observe won’t be broadcast to the entire church, but the display will be shown only to a few. For example, you will hear someone be open with private sin. That is a powerful evidence of the Spirit on the move. Or you will see a person quietly clinging to Jesus in the midst of painful circumstances.

Unworthiness is always my number one response. But there is a second.

Sometimes I am completely freaked out by sin. It scares me to death.

I watch as the world collapses on an adulterous spouse. I see people suffocating in their aloneness after having pushed everyone away. I see poverty and despair encroaching as a result of a person’s belligerent attitudes toward employers. I see addicts who hit bottom, destroy everything in their lives, and then somehow, sink even lower. I see marriages so estranged and trashed that death or divorce seem to be the only way out. Sin is so destructive.

Ugh. Lord have mercy. Where am I making steps down into darkness? Where am I so blind to my sin that only a severe and sudden impact will help me to see? Lord, search me. Please.

Sin scares me. And I want it to keep scaring me.

King David is in us all. A small omission such as not going to war with the troops is the first sign of danger ahead, and David doesn’t see it until many people die.

Small steps. Keep watch for small steps. Our consciences are such that we don’t get addicted to pornography overnight. Too many alarms would go off. But small steps of sin can go undetected.

Is there anything in my life or imagination that I want to hide?

Do I flirt with any temptations because I think everyone else is flirting with them too?

Can I tell someone else, on a moments notice, how I am knowing Christ better?

Am I confessing sin everyday?

Any lingering anger that I keep to myself?

Is my conscience clear?

Am I taking sermons to heart?

These are a few questions that help.

True, being motivated by fear is not the way of change. Fear must give way to being compelled by the love of Jesus. Fear, even of sin, can turn our hearts inward, and we won’t find any power there. But when the destructive nature of sin leaves us unsettled, that is a good thing. Scripture is replete with stories that warn, and a wise person heeds those warnings.

via Scared of Sin | CCEF.

I found this  funny video on the resurgence thought that you might enjoy a little laugh and  it actually has some practical leadership lessons. Enjoy…

via The Dancing Guy | The Resurgence.

Mark Driscoll gave this talk at the Resurgence conference in Orlando, Florida earlier this year. In this talk, he addresses the four theological distinctives of the current global movement in Christianity: Reformed theology, complementarian relationships, Spirit-filled lives, and missional churches.

via Four Points of the Movement | The Resurgence.