The Surprise Gospel!

Here are some telling and enlightening words from Michael Horton concerning the need for Gospel centered ministry.  He exclaims:

"Gospel is the surprise, and it remains a surprise announcement even to believers.  Like a branch that has been bent out of shape, we fall back naturally to being curved in on ourselves unless we are being pulled back constantly to raise our eyes up to God in faith as he has clothed himself in the gospel of his Son.  We do not need a reporter to announce to us that we need to be better parents, spouses, and friends; that we should have integrity in our relationships; to be less selfish and more giving; get in the game of life instead of standing on the sidelines; and so forth.  Give us advice on these matters and we nod.  We begin to take notes and resolve to put them into practice next week.  Our ears perk up when we hear exhortations to be all we can be.  Our self-righteousness springs to its feet when we are told that we have what it takes if we just put the game plan into practice.
As true as a lot of these exhortations might be, the familiarity of law (things to do) can make us wonder why the message of our churches is all that different and why the Christian message is all that radical.  Only the radical news concerning Jesus Christ can distract us from all the trivial pursuits and transform us from the inside out...
It is no wonder that people become bored with church and assume that they can get along well enough in life without it.  We need to see God as the headliner again, instead of ourselves" (22-23)

Horton, Michael.  The Gospel-Driven Life

PS: For those of you who like surprises!

The Cross, Jurgen Moltmann, & Jesus Camp

Several months ago I read a book by German Theologian Jurgen Moltmann called “The Crucified God.” Around the same time I rented the controversial film called “Jesus Camp” from Family Video. As I was watching these two theologies (or ways of life) unfold in front of me I couldn’t help but be astounded by the extreme differences of the two.

Mike Yaconelli on the Bible

"Looking back over the years, I realize that the Bible isn't magic, but it is corrective; it isn't an answer book, it is a living book; it isn't a fix-it book, it is a relationship book.  When I confront God's word, I am confronted; when I read God's word, it reads me; when I seek God's presence, he seeks me."
-Mike Yaconelli "The Core Realities of Youth Ministry"

Video about William Cowper

If you've ever struggled with depression and/or any other form of mental illness this video will speak to you.  Be warned, the video is a bit graphic.



Peace,
Shawn

PS: For those of you reading this on Facebook go to this link: http://theresurgence.com/Rebels_Guide_William_Cowper

How to Meditate on the Passion of Christ by Martin Luther Part II

“Up to this point in our discussion, it is as if we have been in Passion Week and Good Friday. Now we come to Easter and Christ’s Resurrection. When a person, whose conscience has been filled with terror, understands his sins in this light, he needs to watch out that his sins do not remain in his conscience, for then nothing but pure doubt will result. Just as our sins flowed out of Christ and we became aware of them, so we should pour them back on Him again and set our conscience free. Make sure you do not bite and devour one another with sins in your heart, running here and there with your own good works, trying to make satisfaction for them, trying to work your way out of your sins by means of indulgences. It is impossible!

How to Meditate on the Passion of Christ by Martin Luther Part I

“When we meditate on the Passion of Christ the right way, we see Christ and are terrified at the sight. Our conscience sinks in despair. This feeling of terror needs to happen so that we fully realize how great the wrath of God is against sin and sinners. We understand this when we see how God sets sinners free only because His dearly beloved Son -- His only Son -- paid such a costly ransom for us, as Isaiah 53:8 says, “He was stricken for the transgressions of my people.”

What happens to us when we see the dear Child of God struck down like this? We realize how inexpressible, even unbearable, is the Son’s total commitment to saving sinners. How else can we feel when we realize that a person so great as Christ went out to meet this fate, suffering and dying for sinners? If you truly and deeply reflect on the fact that God’s Son, the eternal Wisdom of God, suffers, you will be filled with terror. The more you reflect on it the deeper you will feel this way.

You should deeply believe, and never doubt, that in fact you are the one who killed Christ. Your sins did this to Him. St. Peter struck terror in the hearts of the Jews when he said in Acts 2:36-27: “You crucified Him!” Three thousand people were filled with terror. Trembling in fear they cried out to the Apostles, “Dear brothers, what should we do?” Therefore, when you look at the nails being driven through His hands, firmly believe that it is your work. Do you see His crown of thorns? Those thorns are your wicked thoughts.”

For the full text of this work click here.

Holy Week with the Apostolic Fathers

"O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! that the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!"
-The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus 130 AD