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Walking In “Truth”

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As a pastor in the Bible church context, it seems that what could be the favorite verse for people in our neck of evangelicalism is something like 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  It’s truth, truth, truth, always the truth.  But, the problem is, often, that our definition of truth is a narrow bit of interpretive secondary issues and not the “truth” that John spoke of at all. 

You see, John had personally encountered the “Truth” when He walked on earth.  He even quotes Jesus in a verse we love: “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one gets to the Father except through Me.'”  We love this verse.  But, when we think about walking in the truth, we often aren’t thinking of walking more precisely in the Gospel, we are thinking about moral or very specific doctrinal confines. 

Therefore, today, let’s heed those words of that grandfatherly apostle in 3 John.  There is no greater joy than to be walking in the truth, than to be walking in Jesus and all the implications that the Gospel has for us.  The Gospel changes us.  Let’s walk in that joy.

Gospel Friday – Do You Really Need The Gospel?

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Every Friday I try to post something related to Gospel centrality.  And, I was thinking this AM about how little I really “feel” my need of the Gospel.  Sure, press me objectively and I realize that as a sinner, I am separated from God and without hope apart from Christ.  But, subjectively, I thought I did pretty well this morning on my own.  And, this is a particularly frightening thing to me. 

You see the reality is that I am a sinner.  In preparation for Sunday’s sermon on Hebrews 4:12-13, it was intriguing to see the way God’s Word is so effective at cutting through the surface to the real, substantial issues of the heart.  Furthermore, God’s Word will render us guilty as we stand before God someday.  I need to be one who enters God’s rest not because I pulled my bootstraps up and finally got with the program.  I need to enter God’s rest by ceasing from my works (Hebrews 4:10).  Therefore, today, in those moments you don’t feel your need of the Gospel, take a moment, pause, and consider your soul.  The reality is that you need the Gospel far more than you let on…

Easter Recap

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Today’s sermon, Gospel 101, from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 is now online. The sermon sought to unfold the basics of the Gospel highlighting: The Gospel Message: Jesus (vv.3-8), The Gospel Effect: Change (9-10), and The Gospel Call: Repent and Believe (1-2, 11). We had a great morning and I hope you enjoyed basking in the glory of God through His Risen Son.

Easter Preview – The Gospel

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Tomorrow at Crestview, Lord willing, we plan to work our way through 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, looking at the basics of the Gospel. Much like we all love Linus saying, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown…” I’m hoping to help people understand exactly what Good Friday and Easter are all about. I hope you come ready to worship our Glorious Savior. If you get a chance, read 1 Corinthians 15 to prepare yourself for our an amazing day.

Men…Don’t Forget…

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We have 7 in ’11 tomorrow, Saturday April 9th, at 7AM at the church.

We continue our series on the seven deadly sins and how they are fought with the Gospel by hearing Kevin Evenson teach about Lust. We will keep our basic format of brief breakfast and fellowship time, followed by teaching and prayer. Join us.