Friday, February 23, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Three Choices (preparing a gospel message on Romans 6:23)
Salvation is about making some basic choices. Romans 6:23 is a good outline of these and as simple a process for presenting the good news of Jesus Christ as any one verse I know.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
Note the parallels in preparing this message:
Wages corresponds with gift:
Thus, we have the first main idea. People must choose between wages and a gift. Here is where you contrast a gospel of grace from a salvation by works theology. Develop it as deeply or present it as simply as is called for, but it is a primary choice.
Why would some people prefer wages (what they can earn) over a gift (that they can only receive, but never deserve)? Pride is one factor. The need to be controlling is another. It is a major conversion of attitude that must take place before a person can receive salvation by grace. It is the first choice to which a person must open himself/herself.
The second parallel forms the second choice: sin and Jesus Christ as Lord. The call to salvation is the call to acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of life and with that acknowledgement, all of His redemptive work and His resurrection. It is a call to follow. Develop this thought in your message, that the call to salvation is a choice of masters. While it is by grace and is free, it presupposes repentance and a change of heart and mind toward God.
Explain what sin is and is not. It is not the accumulation of mini-sins, but the attitude that is at odds with God and His rulership over life. Sins are the results of sin, which is a heart condition. Bring in insights from the word's definition, missing the mark. You can illustrate this with the "i" in the middle of the English word, "sin." When I am on the throne of my life, Christ is not. The encounter between Eve and the serpent in the garden is a great biblical illustration.
The third choice is seen in the parallel and opposite results of the decision: death and life. You can probably handle things from here. Life without Christ is death and leads to death. Life with Christ is abundant and eternal life. If you do not believe that, don't bother to preach the message. If you do, and if you are experiencing it, it Will flow through your own testimony. Illustrate this point with personal experiences of your own and other people.
Bring the message to a conclusion with a challenge and ask for a response. "Will you choose wages or a gift, Sin of Jesus, death or life? It is your choice and you will make it before you leave this room today. Because you now know, you cannot avoid a decision. What will it be?"
Don't leave your people hanging. Take them by the hand and lead them to Jesus.
Salvation is about making some basic choices. Romans 6:23 is a good outline of these and as simple a process for presenting the good news of Jesus Christ as any one verse I know.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
Note the parallels in preparing this message:
Wages corresponds with gift:
Thus, we have the first main idea. People must choose between wages and a gift. Here is where you contrast a gospel of grace from a salvation by works theology. Develop it as deeply or present it as simply as is called for, but it is a primary choice.
Why would some people prefer wages (what they can earn) over a gift (that they can only receive, but never deserve)? Pride is one factor. The need to be controlling is another. It is a major conversion of attitude that must take place before a person can receive salvation by grace. It is the first choice to which a person must open himself/herself.
The second parallel forms the second choice: sin and Jesus Christ as Lord. The call to salvation is the call to acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of life and with that acknowledgement, all of His redemptive work and His resurrection. It is a call to follow. Develop this thought in your message, that the call to salvation is a choice of masters. While it is by grace and is free, it presupposes repentance and a change of heart and mind toward God.
Explain what sin is and is not. It is not the accumulation of mini-sins, but the attitude that is at odds with God and His rulership over life. Sins are the results of sin, which is a heart condition. Bring in insights from the word's definition, missing the mark. You can illustrate this with the "i" in the middle of the English word, "sin." When I am on the throne of my life, Christ is not. The encounter between Eve and the serpent in the garden is a great biblical illustration.
The third choice is seen in the parallel and opposite results of the decision: death and life. You can probably handle things from here. Life without Christ is death and leads to death. Life with Christ is abundant and eternal life. If you do not believe that, don't bother to preach the message. If you do, and if you are experiencing it, it Will flow through your own testimony. Illustrate this point with personal experiences of your own and other people.
Bring the message to a conclusion with a challenge and ask for a response. "Will you choose wages or a gift, Sin of Jesus, death or life? It is your choice and you will make it before you leave this room today. Because you now know, you cannot avoid a decision. What will it be?"
Don't leave your people hanging. Take them by the hand and lead them to Jesus.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
I thrive on "busy." I move amongst projects and big ideas and run on full steam until something intervenes. I love solitude and I love crowds. Go figure. Starbucks is my office. I like some people around me while I am working, but not too many.
I am a dreamer. There are so many big pictures in my mind and heart that I must frequently stretch the canvass. I know about strategies and appreciate them. without strategies, nothing will materialize from the vague to the concrete.
As the somewhat dubious Father Divine said, "The problem with most metaphysicians is that they don't know how to tangibilitate."
I am working on this. However, todays lesson is also centering for me as well as sobering. Psalm 127 is my bookmark in the Psalms for today and it is very specific about the spiritual dimension of our planning:
I am a dreamer. There are so many big pictures in my mind and heart that I must frequently stretch the canvass. I know about strategies and appreciate them. without strategies, nothing will materialize from the vague to the concrete.
As the somewhat dubious Father Divine said, "The problem with most metaphysicians is that they don't know how to tangibilitate."
I am working on this. However, todays lesson is also centering for me as well as sobering. Psalm 127 is my bookmark in the Psalms for today and it is very specific about the spiritual dimension of our planning:
1 - Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Getting lost and discouraged in the vanity of a thing is an occupational hazard for dreamers and
schemers. Futility is the fate of those who run on spiritual empty without regular infusions of divine direction, inspiration, and hope.
2 - I t is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Work ethic will not substitute for God's energy and purpose. It is the essence of working "smart" that we conserve energy and maximize effort when our hearts are beating with the heart of God.
3 - Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
For instance, here are children. Who could think that miracle up or bring it to pass with human effort?
Surprisingly, our greatest accomplishments are those that God has more to do with than us.4 - As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 - Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
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