Philippians 2:1-11

With Resurrection Sunday (Easter season) approaching, I've been reflecting on Bible passages that contain the gospel message. This passage in Philippians is one of my favorites. I also look to this passage as an example of how to apply the gospel to my life. When I am struggling with humility, I look to Christ's ultimate example of humility ("even death on a cross").

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore 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.

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV

Presumption

I recently read the book Gospel-Powered Parenting by William Farley. I have mentioned several times that I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it. Several sections in this book are worth quoting. Today I'd like to share with you one of those sections that stood out to me. It pertains to presuming that your child understands the gospel because they grew up in a "Christian" home. I was particularly struck by the comment about legalism at the end of the second paragraph quoted here.

"Finally they [parents] never presume that their children understand the gospel. We noted in chapter 1 that parents do this at their peril. A young person started attending our church. He was from a Christian home. He had attended an evangelical church every Sunday for twenty years. Yet in a membership interview, when we asked him to articulate the gospel, he said, "It is the Ten commandments."

When I explained this to his parents, they were astounded. They had presumed that he understood the gospel. But the default condition of our flesh is "earn it." We enter the world in love with legalism. We are convinced that we can merit God's favor. We love moralism but we resist the gospel. Parents who understand this never stop preaching the gospel to themselves and their children.-----Gospel-Powered Parenting, Chapter 10, page 184

Cookie Baking Night 03/22/10

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night and it was just Aunt Katrina and Emily (Meghan had a "ton" of homework to do and Carissa was sick this evening so Ethan and Carissa weren't able to join us).

In honor of the first day of spring (last Saturday), we made spring bird nests. Here's the recipe:

Melt in microwave:

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

Stir until smooth

Stir in:

12 ounce bag of chow mein noodles

Stir until completely coated with chocolate mixture

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto wax paper spread on a cookie sheet. Decorate with colored candy eggs (we used malted milk ball eggs).

Regrigerate until set.

Serve.

Enjoy!

Frightening Friday 03/19/10

Spring has not quite arrived in Minnesota. I was hoping to get out to the skate park this evening but, alas, it is still a bit chilly. People aren't out and about just yet.

Instead, I made a quick trip to the mall and handed out some gospel tracts as well as handing out gospel tracts on my errand runs on the way home from the mall. I challenge myself to hand out gospel tracts whenever I'm out in the community. I find the "curved illusion tracts" and the "million dollar bill" tract make this a little easier (you can find them at www.livingwaters.com). They also provide a conversation opening. After I've had a conversation I leave the "Why Christianity?" tract or the tract that I've written myself "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" as a followup.

If you're not using gospel tracts now, I encourage you to purchase some or write your own and start by handing them out while out in the community running errands.

Here's a couple ways I do this:

I use the curved illusion tracts (which one is bigger, the red or the blue?) at the end of the transaction with a cashier before I leave the store. It usually opens an opportunity to hand one to the person in line behind me as well. I always tell them "it's a gospel tract" It is rarely turned down.

When I pass someone sitting on a bench in the mall staring off into space (happens a lot if they don't have a cell phone or mp3 player with them) I stop and say, "Here's something to read while you're sitting there."(this works especially well with the men sitting outside the shops waiting for their wives). Again, when I do this, I find the tract is (occasionally but) rarely turned down. They usually take it and thank me.

Just a couple easy ways to get the gospel into the hands of a stranger. Any other suggestions? Ideas you've pursued? I'd love to hear them.

Thursday Night Bible Study 03/18/10

Last week I posted a quiz that our pastor gave us at the end of his Thursday night sermon series on the basic Christian doctrines. This week, as promised, the quiz with the answers.

Answer the questions below to test your biblical/theological literacy:

The Bible
■Inerrancy means that the Bible tells the truth.
■List two references that teach the Bible is inspired: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 12:1

The Trinity
■Provide one verse that teaches “oneness-in-threeness.” Matthew 28:19 "the name" (oneness); "Father, Son, Holy Spirit (threeness)

The Person of Christ
■How many natures did Christ have? two
■How much of each did He have? 100% (fully God, fully man)
■Provide at least one text on the deity of Christ. Luke 24:39 (John 1:14, Acts 2:31)
■Provide at least one text on the humanity of Christ. Matthew 1:23 (Mark 2:7, Luke 4:12)
■Provide a verse that summarizes both. Romans 9:5 "To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.."

The Work of Christ
■What work did Christ perform in the past? He suffered and died (Mark 8:31)
■What work does Christ perform in the present? He is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)
■What work will Christ perform in the future? He will reign as King (Revelation 19:11-16)

Angels
■How many angels are there? innumerable (Hebrews 12:22)
■T or F: The Devil is God’s evil peer. False. He is not God's peer; God has no equal.

Mankind
■What does every person have that distinguishes man from animals? (see Genesis 1:26-27) The image of God.
■How many parts comprise man? Support with a passage or two. Two. Material and immaterial (2 Corinthians 4:16)
■What is man’s purpose? Support with a Bible passage. To glorify God. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

Sin
■Define sin. Sin is any thought, word, or deed contrary to the commandments and character of God.
■What does Psalm 51:5 teach us about original sin? It is passed down to every person.
■How has sin affected every person? We are totally depraved. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation
■Define the gospel and list at least one passage that supports your definition. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 5: 3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:14)
■Can a true believer fully or finally fall away? Provide Scripture. No. A believer will persevere and be preserved to the end (John 10: 28-29, Romans 8:30)
■What is a synonym for faith? Trust

The Church
■What is the mission of the church to the lost? Evangelism What is the mission of the church to the saved? Equip

Future Events
■What are the two final destinies? Heaven and Hell
■What is the duration of each destiny? Provide Scripture. Eternal (Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:46)

We have started a new series on Thursday nights at our church titled "Your Mind Matters" Click Here to listen to the first message in that series.

Happy St Patrick's Day

On the eve of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would share a video with you from Paul Latour of The Word Street Journal blog (www.thewordstreetjournal.blogspot.com). Paul and his wife, Kim, are street evangelists. They used the St. Patrick's Day parade in their town as an opportunity to share the gospel. Way to go, Paul and Kim!
This video was encouraging to me, I hope it is encouraging to you as well (and you might just learn a little something about St. Patrick along the way).

John 6:16-21

When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." They were glad to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
John 6: 16-21

I have read this account in John, of Jesus walking on water, many times in my life. Though (I suspect because of my unregenerate heart for many of those years), until recently I had not noticed the last part of that passage that explained that once Jesus was in the boat, the boat arrived at its destination immediately. Amazing! Two miracles in one short passage.