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Book Review – Gospel Wakefulness

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I’ve had a huge appreciation for author Jared Wilson ever since his book Your Jesus Is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior came out a few years ago. This, coupled with the tweets and blogposts that drip Gospel gold, meant that when I received his latest book, Gospel Wakefulness I knew I would be in a for a huge treat.

In recent days, certain places in evangelicalism have seen a growth in all things Gospel-centered.  Conferences that attract large numbers of pastors center on the basic message of the Gospel.  And, while many understand (rightly) that the Gospel is for those who don’t have a relationship with God, the Gospel is so much more.  The Gospel is the message the church most desperately needs.  In many ways, Gospel Wakefulness tells Wilson’s story: how he went from serving in Bible belt churches to being captured by this central message of Christianity.  The result has been a profound effect in both his life and ministry.

As Wilson weaves this book together under the heading of Gospel Wakefulness, he helps you and I realize that OUR greatest need is the Gospel.  He opens the book defining what he means by Gospel Wakefulness, then unpacks how this relates to themes like humility, brokenness, worship, spirituality, sanctification and even depression.  He applies it both individually and corporately.  This truth is meant both for today and for our future.

Time and again in reading this book my heart was crying out, “Yes!”  In many ways, Gospel Wakefulness is my story and yours.  I heartily commend this.  I wish I could get this in the hands of every person I know.  What makes this book pack the wallop that it does is not Wilson’s words, make no mistake about it.  It’s that his words point to the truth of first importance: the Gospel itself.  Read and see if Gospel Wakefulness doesn’t come alive in your life as well.

Weekend Preview – Perfect Sacrifice

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As we think about approaching God in corporate worship this coming Lord’s Day, 11/6/11, we will be looking at Hebrews 9:23-28 (read this if you can carve out time this week).  This passage brings together many of the big themes we’ve found in these first nine chapters.  Specifically, we will again see the temporal nature of earth and the eternal work done in heaven by Jesus.  It is quite staggering really.  One truth that stands out is at the end:

“Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

You’ve maybe heard it said that Jesus came the first time to save, but next time He’s coming as King.  This is clearly taught in our passage for Sunday.  Come expecting to worship your Savior and King this Lord’s Day.

Weekend Recap – Haggler / Prayer

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We enjoyed an amazing Lord’s Day yesterday.  My sermon from Hebrews 9:15-22 entitled The Haggler (New Covenant Mediator) is online.  The sermon sought to show the amazing nature of Jesus’ help for those who stand to inherit promises under the new covenant and how this was only obtained through His spilling blood in death.  We also celebrated the Lord’s Supper in the AM.  What a rich time of fellowship.

In the evening, as it was a 5th Sunday, we gathered for corporate prayer.  We realize that nothing happens of eternal consequence without God moving.  We prayed for needs and upcoming events in our church’s life.  What a blessed Lord’s day.  I’m still full from it.

Gospel and Nothing Else…

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Have you ever heard anyone talking about the good news of salvation found in Jesus alone, how God has done everything to save us and gotten nervous.  Maybe you’re a believer and think, yeah, but I still have to do this or that and it’s all about my life, now right?  This objection comes often in circles where grace exists.  A few years ago, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones predicted as much:

There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. That is very good test of gospel preaching. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. (from his exposition of Romans 6)

Undoubtedly, we are not to continue in sin that grace may abound.  However, this underestimates the power of the Gospel to change.  You are not the person you once were.  You are a new creation.  The old has passed away, the new has come.  Today, rest in the amazing Gospel of grace.  God has chosen to save you apart from anything you do.  Faith is merely tapping into that reality.

Weekend Preview – Hebrews 9:15-22

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This coming Sunday, we hope to return to Hebrews 9:15-22 and look at our New Covenant Mediator Jesus.  There are lots of tremendous truths in this passage.  We’ll see what Jesus did as our Mediator, why death was necessary and (closely) related why all this blood?  Oh, there will be blood.  Just read the text and see.  Blood cleanses and without the shedding of blood there’s no forgiveness of sins.

As I thought about this text and what Jesus has done to reconcile to God, I’ve realize how futile my own efforts at achieving righteousness fall short.  I need a Savior like this.  Come and see God’s plan through Jesus, our Mediator this Sunday.

We plan to gather back in the evening for corporate prayer.

Weekend Recap – 10/23/11 with Dan Dumas

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We had a great weekend at Crestview with Dan Dumas visiting. I was really impacted by the book he co-wrote with Randy Stinson entitled Guide to Biblical Manhood. Having heard Dan unpack what the purpose of the book was a few times this weekend, I would say it is a tremendously helpful, practical book on fleshing out what manhood looks like according to the Bible. Upon reading that, I knew I needed to get Dan here around our men and yesterday was our day.

During the SS hour, Dan preached from James 1:19-25 a message entitled God’s Mudroom for Worship. God has given us His Word as basic functioning for life. Specifically, this passage calls us to hear and heed God’s Word by application.

In the AM Worship Service, Dan preached from Job 1 a message entitled Spiritual Ruggedness. This message really unpacked how Job could be a point where he worshipped after suffering hit and his anchor proved to be a Sovereign, Immovable God.

Finally, in the PM, Dan preached from 1 Kings 2:1-9 on the DNA of Biblical Manhood. Seizing upon David’s deathbed charge to Solomon, Dan gave rich application to the men to Fear God, Tremble His Word, Be Tough As Nails, Do Hard Things First, and simply Act Like Men.

All is all, my soul was very nourished and refreshed. Weaknesses were exposed in both my life and leadership. Many applications need to be pursued as a result of this weekend. I hope your Lord’s Day was profitable as well.

Relationships & Eternity…

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I’m reading Paul Tripp’s latest book, Forever, and today was privileged to read a chapter entitled Forever and Your Relationships.  Read this amazing excerpt unpacking how forever reminds us of where we are living:

Most if not all relationships will go through times of difficulty and stress. A good relationship, then, is a humble and needy relationship in which both parties admit that they haven’t arrived and are not perfect. They are approachable, willing to listen to the concerns of the other, willing to admit and face their shortcomings. They do not give way to thinking that they are mature and the other person is not. A good relationship doesn’t get stuck in a cycle of expectation, disappointment, criticism, and punishment. It doesn’t give way to the hopelessness that often grips relationships when change doesn’t seem to be happening. A good relationship is good because each person is patient and understanding. Each seeks to encourage the other to grow while resisting laying unrealistic burdens on the shoulders of the other person.

And Tripp’s point of pursuing this is that

“Forever tells us that all relationships exist in a world that is broken in need of redemption.”

Might it be that one reason your relationships are so frustrating and not “good” is that you are not viewing them in the light of eternity which is screaming to us that one day God will make all things new. We are in process. Therefore, be patient with your spouse and those you relate to. God’s not finished the work of sanctification in you or them yet.

Weekend Preview for 10/23/11

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We anticipate a great weekend at church this weekend.  First off, on Saturday, October 22nd, our Ladies have a Prayer Retreat.  Always a great time for them.

I’m really excited, though, for Sunday when we have Dan Dumas from Southern Seminary and author of Guide to Biblical Manhood in to speak.  He will preach in the morning and speak, specifically, to our men at the Men & Boys Chili Feed, Sunday night at 6PM.

The Gospel changes everything, especially how you act as a male and female in the unique hardwiring God created for you.  Come this weekend expecting this glorious Gospel to be on full display as we flesh out what being a man and woman is all about.

Weekend Recap – Better Sacrifice (2)

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My sermon from 10/16/11AM entitled Better Sacrifice (2) from Hebrews 9:11-14 is now online.  We don’t like people claiming to be the best.  When it comes to Jesus, as C.S. Lewis famously said, “He’s either a liar (not the best acting as if He is), lunatic (acting like He’s out of His mind) or Lord (He is the best).”  The stakes could be any higher for the writer of Hebrews.  Jesus is the best.  He is the Lord.  And, He’s proven that His work is way better than Old Testament sacrifices and law keeping by giving His own blood to secure freedom from sin and a pure conscience. This sermon unpacks these types of truths.  Hope it’s a blessing to you.

Weekend Preview – More on Jesus

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This coming Lord’s Day, we hope to complete the thought we began in Hebrews 9:1-10 by looking at Hebrews 9:11-14 and how Jesus’ sacrifice is a better sacrifice.  Think of it, under the old covenant, the conscience of the worshipper was never made perfect, but in Christ, we have secured an eternal redemption and have pure consciences from dead works to serve the living God.  There is truly reason to praise.  Hope you can enjoy God’s work for you in the Gospel this week.