Why Worship Matters

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Why does worship matter? It matters because God created mankind for His own glory (Is. 43:7) and worship is the means that we give God the glory He is due. If the chief end and purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever then worship is absolutely necessary, for through worship we not only glorify God but we get to enjoy Him and become captivated by His majesty, splendor, greatness, beauty, glory, grace and love… Living in this broken world with injustice, greed, murder, immorality, deceit and evil it is so refreshing and delightful to focus in through worship on our God who is Holy, Just, Loving, True, Righteous, Pure and Faithful. It is the best thing for mankind to worship God. Those who don’t worship The Lord will something else, which is called are idols or gods. David wrote that those who chase after other gods will be filled with sorrow (Psalm 16:4). Idolaters set themselves up for the worst heart break when they give their highest allegiance and affection to something else rather than God. God knows that He is the only one worthy and trustworthy of all our affection and allegiance. He is perfect. He will never let us down. He will always be faithful, just and true. Those who love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength will not be in any way disappointed or heartbroken. Actually they find their highest joy and satisfaction worshiping and loving God (Psalm 16:11). Worship matters because it brings God glory and it is for our own good that we worship Him.

We know that worship matters because Satan tempted the Son of God to bow down and worship him. But Jesus standing firm in His allegiance to the Father quoted Scripture saying “You shall worship The Lord your God and Him only shall you serve (Matthew 4:7-10). The spiritual battle for worship in these last days seems to be intensifying according to the book of Revelation (13:15-18). Those who don’t worship the image of the beast will be killed and those who don’t receive the mark of the beast won’t be able to buy, sell or trade. Those who are true worshippers of God now will resist the temptations of the evil one to worship anything else.
Worship matters because it is what we Saints will be doing for all eternity and it is what taking place in Heaven right now. Jesus taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). When the glory of God covers the earth like the waters cover the sea and all the earth worships God then we will see the fullness of the the kingdom of God and will of God done on earth as it is in Heaven. Worship matters because is manifests the kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. The book of Revelation gives us some glorious snapshots of the extravagant worship that is taking place around the throne of God (Rev. 4-5).
The closer we get to God and the more clearly we see Him the deeper and more extravagant our worship will be. The deeper and more extravagant our worship becomes the more others will see The worthiness of the God we worship. Or as Edmund Clowney said “When we worship God as we ought that’s when the nations listen”.

The Gospel’s Influence On Our Work

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The very first mention of work in the bible is of God’s work in creating the heavens and the earth, from which rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:2-3).
God works and He made man in His own image and gave man work to do. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:2). The Lord did not leave mankind idle without direction or purpose. God blessed mankind gave them a responsibility to be fruitful & multiply, fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it and freely eat it’s fruit (Genesis 2:15-16).
Man by God’s design is made to work and God gets glory from His intended purpose being fulfilled in man. As image bearers of Almighty God whose work is faithful and good (Psalm 33:4, Genesis 1:31) we reflect His glory as good and faithful servants or workers. The biggest problem with mankind is that we have all sinned and fallen short of reflecting and rendering God the glory that He is due (Romans 3:23). In our sinfulness we have failed to work diligently, faithfully, justly, generously, wisely, righteously, honestly and good, as God created us to. The glorious truth of the gospel of Christ is that Jesus came and did the great work of redemption, that no one else could ever have accomplished. Jesus said that His food was to do the will of the Father and finish His work (John 4:34). As a man who real experienced hunger and thirst Jesus found his nourishment and satisfaction from doing the will and work of the Father. This statement by Christ was mentioned in the context of evangelism, with the Samaritan woman, at the well. Jesus said the Father is working and so was the Son at work (John5:17). And Jesus also said that He only did what He saw the Father doing. The Father had given works for Jesus to do while He was on earth as a man (John 5:36) and Jesus carried out every one of those works. Before Christ was went to the cross He prayed saying “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4 ESV). Then right before His death He said “it is finished” (John 19:30).
Christ suffered and died so that He might redeem his own special people zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Those who are in Christ Jesus are created for good works that God had prepared beforehand for them to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Genuine saving faith in Christ will produce good works. If someone says that they believe in God but don’t have works that demonstrate their professing faith, then that is what the bible calls dead faith or not even faith at all (James 2:14-26). Our faith in Christ must produce good works in general but it must also effect the work we do as an occupation and how we work on the job. Paul in writing the Colossians expounded on the preeminence that Christ has over all things (Colossians 1:15-20) and building on that he exhorted them to put Christ first in every area of their lives, including work. He wrote “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23, 24 ESV).
This is how the gospel should influence the work ethic of every Christian. Christians are to work heartily or diligently as unto to God not seeking the approval of man or “kissing up” so to speak. They must keep in their perspective that Christ will reward good hard and faithful work. True believers in Christ will one day hear these words from Christ “well done good an faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

Often the mundane nature of an occupation can make it difficult to work heartily or to put your heart into your work. But you must remember that our Lord Jesus became a man and worked as a carpenter, in the foot steps of Joseph. It wasn’t until Jesus was about 30 years old that He started his exciting ministry, which lasted for about 3 years. Before that He was being faithful to do what the Father had given him to do. During this time Jesus grew in wisdom and stature finding favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). This certainly implies that He was doing what the Father wanted. Jesus recognized the times and seasons of life. In the gospel of John he referred several times to “his hour” (John 2:4, 7:6…). We must be diligent and faithful in the mundane day to day work that God has give us to do and there will be a time when the Lord will exalt or reward us. But we must seek to exalt Christ in all that we do even our eating and drinking (1 Cor. 10:31).
May you be steadfast, immovable, always increasing in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Gospel Gratitude

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20130222-140230.jpgThanksgiving is a great time to reflect on the many reasons we have to be thankful, remembering the the sources of all those good gifts (James 1:17), and then giving God the thanks that He is due. There are so many undeserved gifts that God has given humanity that we never even consider giving thanks to God for nor acknowledge that those blessings came from him (Romans 1:21). It is good to start with the gift of our life or existence. God in His goodness created us and gives us every breath & heart beat of our lives (Acts 17:25-28). He is the creator & sustainer of all life. In Him we live and move and have our being.
God not only created us but He also faithfully cares for us and provides us with everything we need in life. Jesus taught us we need not worry about anything in life because if God the Father cares for birds providing for each tiny little creature, than He will most certainly grant us humans who have been made in His image what we need, especially those whom God calls His children (Matthew 6:25-27, 1 John 3:1).

Of all people the child of God should be the most grateful. For not only has God given His children sustained existence, but He has granted abundant life & eternal life through Jesus Christ (John 10:10, 1 John 5:11-12). The children of God are forgiven of all their sin, which lead to death. The penalty of for their sin has been placed on Jesus and in exchange they receive eternal life as a FREE gift (Romans 6:23). A free gift like that is worthy of much thanksgiving towards God the giver. An abundance of gratitude overflows from those who have been saved by the amazing grace of God. When a person begins to grasp what has been done for their sake in the gospel and also grasps how undeserving of such blessing they really are, then thanksgiving arises from their heart. That is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians stating “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV). Notice the progression; grace extended, thanksgiving increased and glory rendered to God. These three things should mark every child of God. The gospel produces gratitude in the hearts of its recipients, causing glory to be given to God. The link between grace & glory is thanksgiving. Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to give God glory in everything that they do, even their eating & drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31). How does one eat and drink for the glory of God? It is by receiving the gift of food with thanksgiving & recognizing God has provided it for us (Psalm 145:15). God created every good food for us to receive with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:3-4). Also, God gets glory when we enjoy what He provides us with. Paul wrote Timothy saying that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). God also gets glory when we share our food with others and demonstrate the same generosity that we have experienced from God (1 Tim. 6:18, 2 Cor. 9:11, Hebrews 13:16).

It is good & fitting for us to give thanks for life & provision, but our gratitude for God sending Jesus Christ to save us from our sins should be the greatest reason for thanksgiving. This is what is loudly proclaimed in Heaven: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! … Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 5:10-12 ESV).
Give thanks to God for such great salvation found only His Son Jesus Christ!
Child of God, know that God has taken care of your greatest need through giving you Jesus! So don’t worry about the little necessities of life but rather believe that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 ESV).20130222-140236.jpg

Be thankful for what God has done through Christ coming and also be thankful that Jesus will return one day soon and will restore all things. He will make all things new (Revelation 21:5). He will bring forth judgement & wrath on the wicked (Revelation 19-21) and redemption & perfection to His people. He will wipe every tear from our eye and there shall be no more pain, death, mourning or crying because the former things will pass away and all things will be made new (Revelation 21:4-5). Great is The Lord and He is greatly to be thanked and praised (Psalm 96:4, 145:3).
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)

The Gospel of Grace

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Believers possess every spiritual blessing – Ephesians 1:3

God has given every one of His children an abundance of grace upon grace “in Christ Jesus”. We are not lacking any good thing in Christ. We are complete “in him” and we have everything thing we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Jesus became poor in coming to earth, leaving the glories & privileges of Heaven so that we, through His poverty, might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Why do we feel at times that we don’t have the resources to be who God has called us to be & do what God has called us to do? I believe it is because we don’t see what we have in Christ and we need to have the eyes of our understanding enlightened (Ephesians 1:18). That is what Paul requested in prayer for the church to see.

Let’s look at some of the spiritual blessings that believers in Christ have been given through the Gospel of Grace.

We are chosen – Ephesians 1:4

You are not a Christian merely because you chose God at one point in time. You are a Christian because God chose you before the foundation of the world. You are not an accident or an afterthought. God thought about you and picked you before He ever said “Let there be light”. If God loved and chose you then how could you do anything to earn His love or choice of you? No, He didn’t choose us because He saw something good in us. He chose us on the basis of His grace and for His glory, according to His good pleasure and His will. Salvation is about God the Savior. Salvation is of the Lord, His gift of grace granted to us for the praise of His glory. He has chosen us to be holy & blameless and this should be the mark of those who are chosen. Their lives ought to look different than the world. Peter exhorts the church to make their calling and election sure and growing in godliness, holiness & Christ like character is how one can do that.

We are predestined-Ephesians 1:5

Many Christians have trouble understanding, believing and receiving this glorious truth as the bible presents it. But this is a blessing from God, an expression of God’s grace that should “humble the best of saints and give hope to the worst of sinners”, as John Piper put it. Because many Christians struggle to understand & receive this biblical truth there has been much debate over it, but for the Apostle Paul it was a reason to praise and thank God (Ephesians 1:3, 6). Praise Godthat has made plans for our lives before we existed. Praise God that He foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). Praise God that by His grace He determined that we would become His very own for all eternity. Let this gospel truth humble you & stir up gratitude & praise to your Heavenly Father. Rest assured that He who began this God work of salvation in your life will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:30).

We are adopted – Ephesians 1:5

We are now children of God and He is our Father. We are greatly loved and cared for. We belong to a family and are highly valued by God. God has promised to provide for our every need according to the riches of His grace and we don’t have to live like orphans striving to survive. Our Daddy in heaven is watches over us and everything in life is Father-filtered. Nothing comes our way in life without first being approved by Him. And He will work together all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Every good and perfect gift that we experience in life comes down from our faithful & unchanging Father. He is good to us all the time and He always has our best interest in mind.

We are accepted – Ephesians 1:6

We are accepted on the basis of Christ and what He has done on our behalf. He is the Beloved in whom the Father is well pleased and through Christ we also are pleasing to the Father. He delights to be our Father and gives us free access to His presence. Through the gospel of Christ we can boldly approach our Father’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16). Never do we have to earn our acceptance from God because Christ has earned it for us. Never do we have to seek acceptance from men to meet our emotional needs because Christ meets our deepest need for acceptance. No longer should we fear the rejection of men & seek the approval of man because we can be content with God’s acceptance & approval.

We are redeemed – Ephesians 1:7

We have been bought by the precious blood of Christ and rescued from slavery to sin & Satan’s captivity. We have been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God’s Beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). No longer are we ruled by the god of this world or love for this world. Our God & King is the God of gods, the King of kings & the Lord of lords and He has overcome the enemies of our soul. Jesus is now our Savior & Redeemer and no one can pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28).

We are forgiven – Ephesians 1:7

Our sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. He remembers them no more. As far as the east is from the west so far it is that God has removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). The penalty of our offenses has been paid for by Christ and the guilt of sin is gone. The blood of Christ has washed & removed the stain of our sin. Our accuser who seeks to remind us of our past sins is overcome & defeated by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11). We don’t have to work to make up for all the wrong we have done or try and outweigh our bad deeds with good deeds. Christ’s good work on the cross is finished and He has provided forgiveness of sins through His blood. Now we must freely forgive others because we have been forgiven (Col. 3:13). Now we must freely carry this good news of forgiveness to others because we freely received it ourselves (Luke 24:47, Matthews 10:7, 2 Cor. 5:18)

We have revelation – Ephesians 1:9

God has not left us in the dark but He has shared His secrets with us and entrusted to us knowledge of His will. We now know of God’s purpose & plan to unite all things in heaven & on earth. God will restore creation from corruption through what Christ has done. He will make all things new and there will be no more mourning, crying, pain or suffering and God will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4-5). We have been granted wisdom & insight from God to grasp what He is up to.

We have an inheritance – Ephesians 1:11

We have become children of God, heirs of God & fellow heirs with Christ. We can say with the Psalmist “the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance”. (Psalm 16:6). We can be content with the lot that God has granted us and not desire the passing pleasures of sin nor love the world with its lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes & the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17)

We have the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13

Perhaps this is the greatest blessing we have been given, namely God himself. Believers have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whom we have been sealed as God’s own for all eternity. God has granted us His constant presence to lead and to guide us, to teach & to instruct us, to comfort & to help us, to convict & to change us, to empower & to strengthen us, to fill us & to refresh us, to heal us & seal us (John14:26,16:8, Acts 1:8, 2Cor. 3:18). He is our God and we are His people (Revelation 21:3)!

To hear the sermon I preached on Ephesians 1, entitled The Riches of His Grace, go this link:

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http://citychurchintl.sermon.tv/4368646

 

Gospel Transformation

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It is really good news that God is at work in us to transform us into the image of Christ, by the power of His Spirit & His Word. Not only are we pardoned of our sin but we have the power of the Holy Spirit to live a Christ-like life. Sanctification is growing into Christlikeness and obedience to the will of the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The better we imitate Christ and godly leaders He has placed in our lives the more we will experience progress in the sanctification process (Philippians 2). In this process of sanctification we have a responsibility to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” but never are we to work for our salvation (Philippians 2:12, Ephesians 2:8-10). God works in our salvation and we work it out. Sanctification involves God’s working in and through us and our working together with Him, yielding to & following the leading of His Holy Spirit. Any good fruit that is produced through our lives is a result of His work, His grace and His Spirit (John 15:5-8, 1 Cor. 15:10, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 2:13). Therefore we have nothing to boast about before God (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

The Christian life loaded with purpose & power. Our purpose is to be transformed into the image of Christ and reflect the glory of Christ (Romans 8:29). The power we experience is from God’s Spirit and Word (Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 3:18, Hebrews 4:12, Rom. 1:16) working in our lives to transform us into the image of Christ.

 

A Gospel-Centered Perspective

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The Apostle Paul faced many trials & afflictions in his pursuit to do the will of God. He wrote to the Philippians that should rejoice in the Lord always and this was something he personally practiced. When he lost the privilege of physical freedom Paul rejoiced in God through singing & prayer (Acts 16:25). What does it take to rejoice when we are faced with adversity? What is different about the person who rejoices in God when life gets tough & the person who gets bitter?
I believe one thing that enables that kind of rejoicing in adversity is perspective. It helps to have perspective on why you should rejoice in adversity.20130222-135333.jpg
Here is some reasons why you should rejoice in adversity.
1. God commands it (Philippians 4:4, 1 Thess. 5:16)
2. God is at work to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12)
3. God is still in charge and in control (Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 33:9-11)
4. God is for you who are in Christ (Romans 8:32)
5. God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)
6. God is developing character in you (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-3)
7. God’s love for you will never be taken away (Romans 8:39)
8. God has written your name in Heaven (Luke 10:20)
9. God is teaching you to trust Him (Deuteronomy 8:3)
10. God is glorified in you (Philippians 1:21, 1 Peter 1:8)

Wrath Removed

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I recently heard a Christian leader say that “God is not angry with anyone”.
He went on to emphasize that God is a loving God who forgives. It certainly is true of God that He is loving & forgiving but He is also just, holy & righteous. The God of the Bible is slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 103:8) but He justly has anger towards evil doers (Psalm 7:11, Rom. 1:18, 2:5, John 3:36…). It is not a bad thing for God to have wrath against ungodliness & unrighteousness of men. It is actually a good thing that God sees & knows all the wickedness that is taking place, because He has and will do something about it.
20130222-135442.jpgWhat has He done about it? The Father sent Jesus to destroy the works of the devil and take away our sins (1 John 3:5,8). Jesus bore the wrath of God for our sin on the cross (Romans 3:25). This is at the very heart of the gospel, that he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). The wrath of God is removed through Christ dying in our place. His perfect sacrifice for ours sins appeased God’s wrath & punishment of sin. When a person places their faith in Christ they are made right in God’s sight and God’s wrath for their sin is removed (Romans 5:1). But those who don’t believe in or obey Christ remain under the wrath of God (John 3:36). Those who don’t repent in response to God’s abundant goodness are storing up wrath for themselves on the day of judgement (Romans 2:5). I am aware that this is not a popular message to preach but it is a part of what gives the gospel it’s thrust. Those who don’t understand or reject the bad news of sin, wrath, judgement & hell will not grasp the depth of how good the gospel really is.
God is so good & just and therfore He must punish sin. A judge who allows a criminal “off the hook” after they have committed rape, murder, or molested children… would not be a good judge. Most people would agree with that. A good & just judge would make a good & just decision concerning such a person. And God being perfectly just & abundantly good punishes sinners and never sweeps sin under the rug. Some might ask ‘well isn’t He a God of love & forgiveness’? Yes, He is a God of love & forgiveness and that is why God sent His Son into the world. For God so loved the world that He gave His Son (John 3:16) to provide forgivness of our sins & eternal life. Jesus came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). He saves us from the penalty of sin, which is death, and He grants us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). The glorious event of the cross displays the love of God & the justice of God. Justice was satisfied, wrath & punishment for sin was satisfied. And His love for you & I was displayed (Romans 5:8).
Saints, don’t be ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). May we not water down the message of the gospel in order to make it less offensive to unbelievers. Many will reject the message but there will certainly be those who recieve it & believe unto salvation. Also, let us represent Christ well in our attitudes when communicating gospel truth. Christ is full of grace & truth (John 1:18). Be sure that you know Christ as the one who is full of grace & truth and be sure that you represent Him as the One who is full of grace & truth.

Gospel Truth

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God is the gospel. Gospel means good news and God is good. From his goodness the Father sent his Son Jesus to save us from our sins (Matt. 1:21). Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, declaring & displaying the Kingdom of God. Then he suffered & died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead. Now he has provided forgiveness of sin and freedom from sins dominion, to those who believe in Christ. Christ demands that you repent of your sin and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Not only has Christ provided forgiveness of sin and freedom from sins dominion. He has brought us into fellowship & friendship with him forever (John 15:14, 17:3). Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God the Father and the Son.
Have you experienced the joy of salvation? There is great joy to be experienced by the forgiven saint (Psalm 32:1). There is much joy to be experienced by the one who knows God and spends time in His presence (Psalm 16:11).
Joy inexpressible and full of glory is given to the believer In Christ (1Peter 1:8). Rejoice you Children of God, who have been bought, redeemed and loved by the Father!!!

The Gospel In Jonah

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It seems that there are many professing Christians who do not understand the gospel or treasure it with joy and gratitude. Many of them see the gospel as something that an unbeliever soley needs to hear and respond to. Many cannot even explain what the gospel is or what it means. The gospel is the good news. But why is it good news? What is it about this news that is any different than the daily news you can hear on the TV? Tim Keller says that “the gospel is not the ABCs of Christianity but the A through Z”. As Christians we do not grow out of our need to hear the gospel and believe in the saving power of God found in it . The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to all who believe” (Romans 1:16). Yes, as believers we have salvation. It is ours in Christ. We have been saved, but we are being saved and we will be saved. Though we are saved we still find ourselves doing those things that we don’t want to do. We are still sinners in need of our Savior to cleanse us and keep saving us from sin. Christ has delivered us from the penalty of sin, death! Yet we need Him to lead us not into temptation and deliver us from sin and evil. That is why Jesus taught us to pray this way (Matthew 6:13). As long as we are here on earth, in these bodies, there will be a battle against sin. We must not make any provision for it or let have dominion it over us. Indeed Christ has made us free from the domination of sin, yet we still have to resist the temptation to sin. The good news is that through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection we, who believe, have the forgiveness of our sins, freedom from slavery to sin and fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

In the book of Jonah we see the gospel illustrated for us, through God’s gracious dealing with Jonah, the people of Nineveh and a foreshadow of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In it we see the sinfulness of man and goodness of God. We see that though our sin is great, God’s grace is greater and though our sin reaches far, God’s grace reaches farther. In the book of Jonah we see God’s sovereignty over creation and even the rebellious choices of men. We see God’s greatness and God’s goodness, God’s mercy and His might, God’s glory and His grace. In it we see man’s sin and God salvation. Jonah declares from the belly of the great fish “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). This is the key verse of the book. Jonah is grateful when salvation is given to him but when God gives salvation to Nineveh he throws a fit and gets angry. God teaches Jonah and the readers a lesson of His mercy and grace. God will be gracious to whom He will be gracious. As God, He can freely chose those to whom He will be gracious to and those He will give compassion to. God owes no man grace or mercy, but has the right to freely give it out as He pleases.

Jonah had already been used by God in proclaiming a prophecy that came to pass and then God entrusts Jonah with another task, but Jonah goes AWOL. He tried to go far away from Nineveh, which is where God told him to go. And instead he sought to go to Tarshish. The bible says Jonah “rose to flee from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3). When man is in disobedience that is exactly what he does, he runs from God. Playing “Hide and Seek” with God is really vain. Is there really any place at all that we can hide from God? God says through Jeremiah “Do I not fill heaven and the earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24). Jonah went down, down, down when he ran from God! That is what happens when ones resists God’s will. God humbles the proud and rebellious and He will always discipline His own children. Charles H.Spurgeon says that “God does not allow His children to sin successfully”. God hurls a storm at Jonah and the ship that he is on. Now Jonah’s sin is affecting others. Our sin can bring trouble to those around us. The sailors realized that Jonah’s disobedience was the reason for the storm. God used the storm, the pagan sailors and even the casting of lots to corner Jonah. It is futile to run from the Lord when He has a calling on our lives and a mission for us to fulfill. The Lord knows how to overcome our resistance and rebellion. God’s amazing grace overcomes our resistance and His goodness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). God captured Jonah with grace, in the belly of a great fish and the mercy of God triumphed over judgment toward Jonah. Here is the gospel that though we are great sinners Christ is a great Savior. Though we are disobedient God is our deliverer. Though we are lost God is love and He seeks to save us. Actually Jonah’s experience is an illustration of what Christ did for rebellious sinners. Jesus said that as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights,so the Son of Man would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40). This is the gospel according to the Apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the gospel. I can imagine Jesus after being raised from the dead, walking along the road to Emmaus, speaking to the disciples talking about this event. Luke in his gospel wrote that Jesus explained himself from the law and the prophets (Luke 24:13-47), which would include the book of Jonah.

When was the last time you heard God’s voice? Is there something you have been putting off or avoiding that you know God has called you to do? Do you have a good understanding of the gospel and do your actions display that you do? When was the last time you went up to a stranger or group of strangers and shared the gospel message? Are you more concerned about your own comfort or showing compassion for people?

Charles H. Spurgeon’s Conversion Story

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20130222-133510.jpgTaken from Charles H. Spurgeon: His Faith and Works, H.L. Wayland, 1892.

I was miserable, I could do scarcely anything.Myheart was broken to pieces. Six months did I pray, prayed agonizingly with all my heart, and never had an answer. I resolved that in the town where I lived I would visit every place of worship, in order to find the way of salvation. I felt I was willing to do anything if God would only forgive me. I set off determined to visit all the chapels, and though I deeply venerate the men who occupy those pulpits now, and did so then, I am bound to say, that I never heard them once fully preach the gospel. … At last, one snowy day, I found rather an obscure street and turned down a court, and there was a little chapel. I wanted to go somewhere, but I did not know this street. It was the Primitive Methodists’ chapel. I had heard of this people from many, and how they sang so loudly that they made people’s heads ache; but that did not matter. I wanted to know how I might be saved, and if they made my head ache ever so much, I did not care. So sitting down, the service went on, but no minister came. At last a very thin-looking man came into the pulpit. He opened the Bible and read these words: “Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth.” Just setting his eyes upon me, as if he knew me all by heart, he said: “Young man, you are in trouble!” Well, I was, sure enough. Says he: “You will never get out of it unless you look to Christ.” Then, lifting his eyes, he cried, as only a Primitive Methodist could do, “Look, look, look!” I saw at once the way of salvation. O, how I did leap for joy at that moment! I know not what else he said, I was so possessed with that one thought. … I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away, and in heaven I will look on still, in my joy unspeakable.

 

Live Worthy Of The Gospel

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20130223-022217.jpg“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” – Philippians 1:27 (ESV)

The Philippian church was made up of people from different backgrounds and there was one thing that brought them together, the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Acts 16 Luke tells us that there was a wealthy Asian woman named Lydia, a poor slave girl and a jailer with his family. They became spiritually connected as family and committed themselves to meet on a regular basis. The gospel tears down walls that divide and unites people for a purpose greater than themselves, namely the glory of God. Paul founded this church and was nourishing them with revelation and instruction from God. His first exhortation in his epistle to them is to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. They had been forgiven, freed and brought into fellowship with God by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were once without hope isolated from the life of God found in relationship with Him. Paul exhorted them to live a life worthy of the gospel, standing firm in one spirit and one mind, striving for the faith of the gospel. He then describes what that looks like in the rest of the epistle. The diversity at the church of Philippi was much like what we have at City Church International in Dallas, Texas. We have people who are different in various ways yet we are united together as a family. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that unites us together. This is our common ground on which we meet.

Paul begins his exhortations to the Philippians after praying for them and giving them his perspective on his own circumstances. He starts off saying “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”. Your life should reflect the reality of being forgiven, free and in fellowship with God, because of all he has done for you and your receiving of that grace. Two things that Paul mentions in this verse that reflect living in a manner worthy of the gospel are; standing firmly united and striving together for the faith of the gospel. Are you living in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Marks of a Gospel-Centered Leader

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Humility20130222-220315.jpg

Paul the Apostle was a humble servant. He “served the Lord with all humility” (Acts 20:19) and didn’t seek to please man or be approved by man (Gal. 1:10), but served as unto the Lord. Paul exemplified what he exhorted the saints to do (Col. 3:23, Philippians 2:5). He viewed himself as a servant who was obligated to give his time and energy to fulfill all that God wanted him to do. He didn’t even consider his life as valuable or precious to himself, so that he could finish the course and ministry, the Lord Jesus gave him, namely that of testifying of the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).Serving the Lord and walking with him requires humility (Micah 6:8). Paul exhorted the Philippians to have the humble attitude of Jesus, who is the ultimate example of humility (Philippians 2:3-8). Paul also exhorted his spiritual son Timothy saying that “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance….” (2 Timothy 2:24-25) Many have tried to serve God without humility and have failed to experience the grace that God gives to the humble (James 4:6). Paul in his humility recognized that the grace of God is what made him who he was, and what made his ministry so effective and fruitful (1 Cor. 15:10). He was aware that apart from Jesus he could do nothing (John 15:5). He recognized his need for God and depended on God to work in and through him (Philippians 2:13). Grace is experienced when one humbly recognizes in prayer their own weakness and God’s great strength that fits perfect in that weakness (2 Cor. 12:8-9, Hebrews 4:16). The grace of God leaves us sinners no room to boast before God (Ephesians 2:8-10) and if we are going to boast about anything it should Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross (1 Cor. 1:29-30,Galatians 6:14).

How can you cultivate humility?

When you recognize God’s greatness & your smallness it will generate humility in your heart. This is what happened to Job when God asked Job where he was when God did all his great work of creating (Job 38). Job’s response to God was “Behold I am insignificant; what can I reply to you? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4). Job was humbled before God and had nothing to say. Consider God’s mercy & grace in your life and you should be brought to a place of humility. That is what happened with the Apostle Paul when he considered how God so graciously saved him and put him in the ministry. Paul knew he was undeserving of such blessings from God (1 Timothy 1:13-14). His identity and ministry was a result of the grace of God and he knew it and acknowledged it (1 Cor. 15:10). This is what helped Paul walk in humility.

Hardships

Paul served God with tears and trials (Acts 20:19). He had enemies out to harm him. He had afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger… (2 Cor. 6-10). He wrote in his last letter to his spiritual Son Timothy, assuring Timothy that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). You may not see that promise on any refrigerator today, but it is one that Jesus himself gave to his disciples (John 15:20) and believers should expect it to happen if they are living godly and serving Christ faithfully. Following Christ is a difficult path to follow but it is not a joyless path (John 15:11, 1Peter 1:6-8). Though there is persecution and tribulation for the Christian we can take heart and be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Remember the lyrics to the old hymn It Is Well With My Soul “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.” Paul had the perspective of a victor not a victim when it came to these hardships.

Paul wrote “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV) For Paul life and death was a “win win” outcome for him. He said “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). If he lived it meant more fruitful labor for him and if he died he went to be with Jesus, but either way Christ was going to be honored and glorified (Philippians 1:20).

Honesty

Paul “did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable” nor did he “shrink from declaring…the whole counsel of God”… (Acts 20:20, 27 ESV). Again Paul was exemplifying what he exhorted the church of Ephesus to do, namely speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). He loved people enough to speak truth even when it hurt or made them uncomfortable. Many times people became angry at Paul because of the message he preached and to whom he preached. He was willing to die for the truth of the gospel and eventually he did. Because he didn’t hold back from declaring all that he was supposed to (the whole counsel of God), Paul was innocent of the blood of all men (Acts 20:26). The implication of him being “innocent of the blood of all” is that one can be guilty of the blood of men. Paul was referring to Ezekiel 33:1-6. God said if the watchman sees the sword coming upon the land and he doesn’t sound the trumpet to warn the people, than that watchman would be accountable for the blood of those not warned. Christian leaders must warn people of the consequences of sin which are judgment, wrath and hell. That’s why God commands all men everywhere to repent because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). This is not the most popular message but it is biblical and Paul didn’t shrink from preaching it. He preached repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Likewise Paul certainly didn’t hold back from speaking the GOOD NEWS of grace and forgiveness found in Christ. Jesus “paid it all” when he went to the cross and he conquered death, when he rose from the dead three days later. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel and he was faithful to speak what the Lord told him to. So, “let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25 ESV) and don’t shrink back in fear of man.

Holy Spirit Led

The Spirit of God guided and spoke to Paul (Acts 20:22-23). He wasn’t doing what he wanted to do but rather what the Holy Spirit had put in his heart and confirmed in various ways. The Holy Spirit is a key character in the book of Acts and he is a key character in the life of every Christian. Luke mentions the Holy Spirit much in his gospel and in the book of Acts. Perhaps we don’t acknowledge and depend upon the Holy Spirit enough, but Paul certainly did and the results were fruitfulness for the glory of God in his life. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and he is not a thing or merely a force, he is God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons yet one. This is a great mystery but it is important biblical truth. The Father and the Son are in Heaven but the Holy Spirit has been given to every Christian to lead, guide, teach, comfort, seal, and empower us. Those who try to lead without following the leadership of the Holy Spirit will be unproductive and unfruitful.

Honorable

Paul guarded his heart from loving this world or the things in this world. He didn’t covet anyone’s gold or silver (Acts 20:33) but rather lived in an honorable way. The love of money has been a snare for many leaders and is mark of a false teacher or prophet (2 Peter 2:3, 1 Timothy 6:5). So Paul was careful not to appear to have a love for money or a self-seeking agenda. He labored in love to help the weak and was eager to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10). Living a holy and honorable life involves more than merely abstaining from what is evil, it also involves the active pursuit of what is right, godly and good. Paul exhorted his spiritual son Timothy with these words in 1 Timothy 6:10-11 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” Notice that he didn’t stop at “flee these things”. He went on to write “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentlness”. This is what a holy and honorable life looks like and Paul exhorted from his own example.

Hardworking

Paul worked hard so that he might help the weak and give to those in need. This is something he exhorted the church at Ephesus to do (Ephesians 4:28) and he pointed to his own example to exhort the elders of Ephesus. He also exhorted the Colossians to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Paul acknowledged that all his hard work in ministry was a result of the grace of God (1 Cor. 15:10) so he certainly didn’t become proud in what he accomplished. He did not work hard to get more comfort and stuff for himself he wanted to help people and honor Christ (Acts 20:35).

To hear the I sermon peached on this titled Leading By Example go to this link:

http://citychurchintl.org/connect-with-cci/english-sermons/