The Grace Store

Romans 5:20

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁰ God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

God's grace is so inexhaustible that however great our sin might be, He is able to pardon it completely in Christ Jesus. - Conrad Mbewe (pastor at Kawbata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia) 

God's love has no limits
His grace has no measure
His power no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. 
--- from He Giveth More Grace by Annie J. Flint (1866-1932; Christian poet)

 

Contentment in Christ

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

What is the secret to being content? It seems normal for us to want something new, to hear something different or new, to watch the latest episode, to see the most recent movie. And yet we hear of this virtue of contentment from the Bible. 
 
Defined
Here is the dictionary definition of "content" -- satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else

One thing that I mention to the kids often that I am sure they get tired of hearing is that society trains us to not be content. If we were all content then I would be out of a job. The source of the City's revenue is gross receipts tax which comes from people buying things, including things at the mall or department stores; this includes the latest phone or MP3 player as well as food at a restaurant. While I despise this at times, my employment depends on this. It must be okay then to want things.

It is easy to see contentment with relationships. My wife Pamela of 22 years is someone I am completely content with. There is no one else I want and there isn't a new improved model I am looking for. I can say the same about each of my children. I enjoy their growth, but I never want to trade them in for someone different.

But, the windows on our house, the carpet on our floors, the landscape of the yard, are all things I would like an improvement. Obviously, there are things that break, like the washing machine and dryer or the porch roof or another appliance.

Context
The verse above was written when Paul was in prison. As a prisoner, Paul had to provide his own comforts and it was often the Philippians that wanted to share what they had with him. Yet, Paul, reminds them that he has learned to be content in whatever situation he is in (Phil 4:11). But, he also wants to share that his contentment is not because of his own effort, but because of the strength the Lord gives. And so his contentment is not meant to be done at our own doing.

So, we see the virtue of contentment and wonder how we are going to be able to have this virtue. And God (through Paul) is showing us that we can be content because of the power or strength given to us by the Lord.

Conclusion
The secret is Jesus and realizing that, like everything else, our life is not based upon our own doing, but upon the strength of the Lord. Don't trouble yourself with the "what-if's" of life, meaning, well, if I don't buy something then I won't get paid and my family won't survive. I may not understand it, but strength in the Lord means God will give me strength.

Does this mean we are to want nothing? That my money should only be spent on things that need replacement? I think it is okay to receive things, but we should be careful that we don't get in the habit of having to receive that which is new just for the sake of getting something new. If we couldn't get stuff that is new, would we be able to still be happiness and content? If not, then our focus has veered off center.

Providence of God

Many years ago, I heard Andy Stanley say that he uses the following prayer in his life:

Lord, I surrender to you, help me to accept what You provide.

This simply prayer is a phrase that I have, over the years, also stated on a daily basis and encouraged others to speak as well. 

An attitude of surrender has become more and more compelling to me over the years, especially as I learn about the true Grace of God that has been gifted to me and what it means to then walk In Christ. My walk, as I have been seeing, is one of gratitude, where I am compelled to walk in a worthy manner. But, I also see the Word expressing to me that discipline is a choice. So, while my motive for living is not to be in order to receive something, but instead as a thank you to God for what He has done for me, I also each day, must commit to surrender myself to Him. But, in this surrender, it is not about me then wielding or willing myself closer to God. God has provided this. 

As I read in Tabletalk for August 28, 

Providence comes into the English language from the Latin terms pro and vide, which mean “see” and “before,” respectively. Thus, providence refers in the first instance to what the Lord sees in advance. Such seeing beforehand is not merely temporal. Indeed, God sees the end from the beginning, although this is not because He merely looks into the future but because He Himself Has ordained it, even down to the exact length of our lifetimes (Ps. 39:4; Isa. 46:8–10). But divine providence goes beyond the temporal to also encompass the spatial. Nothing in creation, no matter where it is, ever escapes God’s view (Ps. 139:7–12). 

Believers should take great comfort in this truth. If even the sparrow is ever before the Lord, then certainly God is far more concerned with us, for we are more valuable than the sparrow (Matt. 10:28–31). Divine providence tells us that the Creator sees our sin, but more than that it tells us He also sees and cares about all of our joys, tears, aches, and fears.

This really adds more understanding to my daily prayer. My attitude daily is one of surrender. I am surrendering not to my will, but the will of God. And I'm accepting not what he will provide, but what His will provides. God sees in ways I cannot see. He sees it all and nothing escapes His view. I still pray. God commands me to seek Him. I still request God's work. He wants to hear from me. He asks me to intercede for others. Why? "God works through our supplications to execute His plan."

Lord, I surrender to you. Help me -- to accept -- what You provide. 

Thank You Lord for your hand of providence. 

Church Recap 2

Well, it is not the Monday after church and I'm 5 days overdue with this post, but I had a moment and thought I'd talk.

Men's Breakfast
The breakfast last Saturday, July 20th went great. There were about 25 men present. It was a good group that had a mix of ages, not just older, so it was different than the last time I spoke to this group about men's group. I started my talk affirming their community, stressing the importance of meeting together, but also piggy backed off of something one of the men had said regarding his recognition that he couldn't do ministry alone. I had a lot to share, but his words really were the catalyst for my conversation. Evangelism is important, no doubt about it, but as men, we need to be meeting together in close fellowship, keeping one another accountable. I continued to speak on this and gave some of the danger signs for why men aren't accountable, mostly stressing that we don't like to be transparent and we like to hide and not confront our sin. Then, prompted by the leader, went further into my discussion about sharing my faith at the mall and focusing on the question, "What will happen to you when you die?" I really enjoyed speaking and the time flew by. I had a lot to say. I stayed vocal as there wasn't a mic. In the end, many men came up to speak to me and really appreciated my words. It was a great time. I was glad Tyson was there, to eat, but also to hear me.

E-class
I sent an email to our pastor earlier in the week about the class. I kind of had a revelation. God really spoke to me earlier in the week through an email I found from our pastor from a question I asked him 3 years ago. It was back when he wasn't pastor yet, but he was responding to a question I had asked about discipleship and the emphasis that you don't do discipleship like it was a check list system that once you complete you are a disciple. He mentioned that the pastor at the time often stated, out of the being comes the doing and it really is the idea that when we surrender and submit to the Father, acknowledging Him as our Savior and Lord, seeing our sin, then God changes us. It will happen. We don't have to manufacture it. So, I thought that instead of having a class that showed a step by step method of evangelism, we could have a class of encouragement, a class of evangelism discussion. The class would be called E-class to hopefully force people to take the time to read the class description since the class name won't explain to them the class or cause them to guess what the class is all about. The pastor loved my idea.

Church
My wife and I went to church. We got into the auditorium towards the end, but did hear a song. It was good. I went into the service expecting to hear from God. I didn't want to go in with a poor attitude, expecting not to hear something, but wanted to accept what God would have to share with me. The message was a good one, focused on husbands and there primary role to love their wives. 4 points stood out (this wasn't the pastor's outline):

1.  Should - (Eph 5:28 ) "husbands should love their wives" - should is a word that means ought to or bound to it. So, our love is not part-time, but it is always. 
2. As their own bodies - (Eph 5:28) "husbands should love their wives as their own bodies." This is a great picture Paul uses because it begs the question, "how do we love care for our bodies?" As I thought about it, we protect it, we are careful with it, we don't take chances with it, we shower, we exercise, we take care of our appearance. We go to great effort and time to look after our own bodies. We sacrifice a lot for ourselves.
3. Nourish and Cherish - (Eph 5:29) "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it." - I am to nourish my wife by providing for her. I am to cherish my wife by protecting her. Marriage is a covenant relationship.
4. Hold fast to your wife - (Eph 5:31) "a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife." - Hold fast means we are joined; we are viewed as one; can't separate something that is joined together; divorce shouldn't happen. 

I really enjoyed reading this and seeing all the pictures that are used: (1) Jesus' love for the church, (2) How man love's his body, (3) Nourishing (food) and cherish (Physical), (4) 2 pieces joined as one.

We don't talk about ***** anymore

I’m not sure there has ever been a subject in the church or among Christians that is just not talked about or mentioned as much as ******. I mean, guess there could be and I just did not know about it. But, I just don’t hear anyone mentioning it on Sunday morning. Are we just scared? I mean, we know it’s wrong or we should know it’s wrong. Scripture clearly speaks against it. And yet we are nt talking about it. For that matter, we really are not addressing any of the other stuff either. I don’t hear any talk about ***** or ****** or **** or ***** or *****. I mean, nothing. It’s like we have just changed our landscape. And yet I thought that was the crux of the gospel. It’s funny because I’m always telling my pastor he does not preach the gospel but every week he says he does all the time. I just realized that he asks people if they have said THE prayer and now I realized, that’s the redefined gospel, so he thinks he is giving people everything they need. He just talks about the final piece now and avoids all the other talk of why the gospel is even necessary because in order to talk about why it is necessary somebody is going to have to use a word like ***** and we have already realized we just don’t talk about **** anymore.

I think it’s over all this tolerance. I mean tolerance is not really tolerance because we are not supposed to tolerate people’s intolerance, right? See, that just does not make sense. So, to be tolerant then ***** has to be okay. Well, actually, I may not like it, but I just need to keep that to myself and if I see anyone engaging in *****, just smile and keep walking.

But, then there is the problem that just smiling and walking past is not good enough. I mean I feel like I’m expected to now to now cheer for anytime I see *****.

I’m kind of nervous about what is next. I mean I think most everyone agrees that ***** is not right, but that may change, too.  

Church Recap

Here is a new weekly post that I'm doing. Every Monday I will give a little observation about church life. I'm beginning today and will never repeat this again. Ha. Get it? That gives me permission to not follow through.

Men's Breakfast Prep

Anyway, this week I'm prepping for a talk I'm giving this weekend at church. Men’s group that meets this Saturday. Fellowship group of 15-20 men that meets monthly at the church. Has breakfast. $5. They asked me to give them a witnessing update at their 7:30 time. Uggh. That’s early for Saturday. They had me talk a couple of years ago on men’s group and the importance of men getting together and meeting. At that meeting, I shared my passion and then tried to coordinate guys start meeting. A daunting task for 1 guy and as usually, I failed and didn't follow through. My problem was I approached it like an opportunity to get men’s groups going in the church. I have learned now. This is a meeting of guys like you might go to in the business world for any various type of organization you belong to and that organization is looking for speakers for their monthly gatherings. Just men getting together in fellowship (which is great), but just encourage them.

E-class in fall

My pastor sent me a note as well saying he wanted to talk to me about the evangelism class for the Fall I taught last Spring in which I ended up with one participant, though it was great. He agreed with my initial assessment to change the class to a hybrid of teaching and field work. I sent a little note to the coordinator for the fall asking for clarification on the class name, how it will promoted and such. She didn't respond. I later apologized. Again, no response. Get tired of how inept people are when it comes to email and common response courtesy. O well. It’s not intentional. Just trying to take stuff in stride. 

Church model

I think I have expected too much out of my church leadership and their backing of my ministry ideas. You know, the landscape of church now is that church leadership really just hones in on the basics and spends their time on those things. North Point and Sagebrush, now, have got it right. Set up the small home group and let life (and application) evolve from that group. It’s basically the church hybrid of large corporate worship and house church (i.e. cell group).

My problem is I’m still caught up in the old church model (since that's where God seems to have called my wife and I) where you hope the church starts a ministry, get 400 people engaged, active and everyone involved. But, there are just so many aspects of ministry. So, a church has a hard time going off in so many directions. 40 years ago, it was missions, evangelism, discipleship, but now we've veered off into so many different areas while the involvement at times is less than stellar. I’m waiting for this magic moment for things to change, but it’s not happening.

The problem is blooming where we are planted. It can be frustrating partly because I think my church leadership, unintentionally, frustrates people. The demographics of the church are primarily made up of people over 60, the wealthy class of the church as well, who have extra giving often for the church and so the funding for the church often comes from these folks. And the leadership seems really apprehensive about changing much in the church because it doesn't seem to want to upset these individuals. So, I've had talks with the senior pastor in the past about men's ministry, discipleship, outreach, greeting visitors, follow-up---all good things and basic things in most churches, but all things that would require change and it is clear the 60+ generation doesn't like change. So, he usually loves the conversation, but when I start talking application, he states, "not now." I could be way off, but that's the way I see it. Baby steps.  

Progress is happening

And yet maybe the church is developing, but just not in the way I see it. Take greeting visitors. We do have a greeting team now, but it's not different from what we've had and for the most part, the only difference is name tags. We do get a weekly update on new folks coming to the church and the deacons are reaching out to them, so that is progress. I'd prefer a face to face, but that's me. Discipleship remains absent, but actually, not sure what this will look like because not sure how much senior leadership even agree's with having a discipleship program. So, I guess things are happening. So, what is the problem still? 

Maybe what I see is still just this split in the church. There remains so much emphasis on fellowship inside church walls. And my concern they are just re-training current adherents in an old model. 

I've been trying to shift the way I look at worship, focusing more on God versus my own selfish needs. And yet, it's so hard to listen to a message absent of the gospel, and absent of application, while just getting the same theme the pastor likes to give. Last week was awesome, but this week was back to just submit talk and not just talk, but in your face wake-up talk. I don't know. Maybe the problem now is we have so many choices. As a kid, to hear a different message, you stayed home from church and watched TV or you went to a different church. Now, you can pull a new message from a pastor you like out of your pocket. And so you go to church because God tells you to, but you just sample the areas that you like. 

I talk to people every week that gave up on the service. But, they love their small group class and have community there and their kids love the classes they are a part of and so they just do their thing and skip church service. What are they missing? Worship songs? I don't know. Corporate fellowship I guess. I wonder if they are giving. 

And life goes on. 

Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges - An overview

Chapter 1 - The Performance Treadmill

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? - Galatians 3:3

He used the analogy of bankruptcy to talk about our position before God: permanent bankruptcy and temporary bankruptcy. First of all, every person in the world is spiritually bankrupt. Because of sin, they have a debt before God and it is a debt they cannot pay. In the business world there are two types of bankruptcy, Chapter 7 and Chapter 11. Chapter 11 is temporary because given time, the company can work through its financial problems. Chapter 7 speaks of a business that has lost everything. Its all over and everyone loses. The Gospel speaks of permanent bankruptcy and most Christ following Christians say they embrace this permanent bankruptcy and yet they often live like with the idea they can earn God's blessings in their lives. We act like we can sort of pay back our debt. The one difference though is with Christ, unlike the business world, there is no possibility of going into debt again and Christ covers all future sins.

The problem is we are engulfed in the false security that "rights" correct "wrongs." But these wrongs are not a temporary or momentary issue in our lives, but our condition. In our world of self-improvement, betterment, progression, we believe the idea we can improve ourselves.

Improving oneself is a good thing. We want to be a better person, but for the purpose of obedience to God, thanking Him for the eternal life he has given us, and realizing that following His plans make us content with life. It is interesting, though, how we daily get reminded of this notion of "you give, you get" and how innately we want hard work to be rewarded. At my job, when someone works hard, does their best and then gets promoted, we cheer. We cheer over merits receiving a reward or acceptance. and we don't cheer when just because of a relationship, someone gets promoted. 

Grace means that Jesus has completely paid our fine through his death. God provided grace. This grace makes us righteous before God. Grace is His Son dying for us. Jesus didn't offer grace, though, he was the result of God's grace.

3 Distinct phases of the Christian experience.

1. Justification - being declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a point in time event.
2. Sanctification - our growth in Christlikeness.
3. Glorification - is the time we depart from this life to be with Christ

Each phase of the experience is covered by grace.

Grace is God's free and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve only judgment.

Romans 11:6 shows how grace and works are mutually exclusive. "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; it it were, grace would no longer be grace."

Great story of Mephibosheth, the son of David's friend Jonathan. Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet at age five. Through his kindness, David allowed to sit at his table and be like one of his sons. He was kind to Mephibosheth, but he offered this because of Jonathan.

Chapter 2 - Grace - Who Needs It?

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24

Through an analogy (I decided not to reflect here), this chapter reiterates the message of Chapter 1--grace is completely free from any of our works. It then talks about the misconception that grace covers what we can't (cover). Meaning, our good works get us some of the way, but grace gets us the rest. Using another analogy, it is not like the Grand Canyon and thinking that someone could leap across the canyon (all nine miles or 47,520 feet). But any of our leaps of any size are worthless. Whether we can jump 5 feet or 30 feet Jesus bridge over our sin reaches the entire distance, not just stopping short of our leap.

Its interesting because he brings up the point, that I say, when we are sharing our faith, that a person is never on a quest to live a good life and then they will get to heaven, but rather each person, upon asking them the question thinks that at that moment they have merited heaven by being a good person. It is not that they think they are trying to get to heaven, but that they are already there. 

The book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, begins with the assumption that people are basically good. But Paul said in Romans 3:10-12 that we are all bad.

"--going our own way. Your way may be to give money to charity, while another person's way may be to rob a bank. But neither act is done with reference to God; both of you have gone your own way."

"Rather we are all born sinners with a corrupt nature, a natural inclination to go our own way."

Psalm 51:5 - Surely I (David) was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."

It is amazing to hear how most people barely think they are a sinner. The Bible references sin as wickedness and rebellion. The Bible "charges another man of God with defying the Word of the Lord, when all he did was eat and drink in a place forbidden to him by God (I Kings 13:21). God takes a far more serious view of sin than man."

We need a grace that completely cancels our debt. "Grace considers all men and women as totally undeserving and unable to do anything to earn the blessing of God."

Based on the words of C. Samuel Storms quoted, Bridges concludes that if we even feel for a moment that we deserve an answer to prayer or a blessing because of my hard work or sacrifice, then I am living by works, not by grace. Ouch. It could be the other way around as well, thinking we don't get something when we haven't done what we know in our heart we should have done.

"If you are trusting to any degree in your own morality or religious attainments, or if you believe God will somehow recognize any of your good works as merit toward salvation, you need to seriously consider if you are truly a Christian." 

In answer to the title of the chapter, Grace, who needs it? All of us. Equally.

Chapter 3 - Grace - It Really Is Amazing

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 3:20-21

This chapter pits man against grace. It focuses on the idea that man is incapable of saving himself, not because his deeds are inadequate, but rather because, quite simply, he is a sinner.

Righteousness is completely apart from the Law. We must stop thinking that deeds or good works make us right before God. If this were so, then righteousness would be self-attaining. Instead, righteousness comes from God. God sent His Son to be our righteousness and then impute it to us.

Sin results in death. Sin's result or wage is charged to His Son. Through our faith, Christ's righteousness is then credited to us.

Romans 3:25 - "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." A sacrifice of atonement means Jesus by His death turned aside the wrath of God from us by taking it upon Himself. I deserved condemnation. I deserved pain. I deserved separation from God. 

Ephesians 2:1-3 describes the plight of the unbeliever: "dead in our sins, under the sway of Satan, captivated by the world, prisoners of our own sinful lusts, and objects of God's holy wrath." The plight is a condition. It does not represent deeds per se that could be contrasted with good deeds. Hopeless. Only answer: grace.

Titus 3:3-5 also shows the clear contrast between our lost condition and how this is solved by grace. We were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 


Psalm 103:13, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Our sin is removed an infinities distance. Psalm 103:10, "He (God) does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." The grace of Jesus Christ removes the sin.


Isaiah 38:17, "You have put all my sins behind your back." Out of sight. 


Micah 7:19, "You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Lost forever.


Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remember your sins no more." Removes the record from the file. Blotting out is a legal act. Remembering no more is a relational act.


Grace doesn't just cover our past, but our daily life as well. And because God has dealt this way to us, we can forgive others as well.

Chapter 4 - The Generous Landowner

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:32

The bookends of this chapter is a good discussion on God's generosity toward us. In the world we live, we have the idea that we are rewarded in proportion to our work, but God makes it clear--grace is a gift.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..."

The bulk of the chapter is about the parable many know as the Parable of the Workers or Laborers in the vineyard, Bridges focuses on the Landowner. 

The parable is about the landowner hiring workers. At the beginning of the day, workers are hired and told they will earn a denarius for their work. As the day goes on, he hires workers at the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, each time stating he will pay them whatever is right. At the end of the day, each worker is paid one denarius. 

Some may be upset with the outcome of this parable because it doesn't seem right, but once again, that is looking at life through man's eyes and how man defines worth. The landowner (God) makes payment not based upon hours of labor, but based upon His generosity. "He chose to pay them according to their need, not according to their work. He paid according to grace, not debt."

Earlier when Peter heard the message about the rich young man who was to sell  his possessions and give to the poor, Peter thought his sacrifice should merit great results. But, Jesus responds to Peter by stating that his reward would be one thousand percent more than his offering. In essence, God's generosity goes beyond what we can comprehend.

Bridges then tells us how, since the beginning, God has been all about grace and generosity. In the garden, he provided trees with fruit, not just a one tree. When man needed a helper, God gave him a gift--woman. And even after they sinned, while consequences occurred, God was still gracious in providing them clothes.

He also talks about God's goodness and gives examples from Jeremiah 32:38-41 and God showering His goodness on people who had been sinners (Jer 32:30) and from Joe's prophecy of locusts in Joel 2:25 where God tells the people they will be repaid, not simply restored, for the years the locusts have eaten.

He speaks of Peter and all the problems he had with his obedience and yet, all the blessings and high positions God continued to show Peter. "It looks not to our sins or even to our good deeds but only to the merit of Christ."

The problem is most of us don't live the full life Jesus promised us (John 10:10) because we don't really believe in Jesus' words, completely. Do we believe that Jesus loves to answer prayer or do we think He is a reluctant giver? In Philippians 4:19, God promises to meet everyone of our needs. Really?

Atheism speaks of evolution which speaks of survival of the fittest. The concept of grace stands in direct opposition to survival of the fittest. RC Sproul stated, "Grace is for other people - for beggars." Grace is a sign of weakness, not strength. This is why the theology of man getting to heaven on his own boot straps, on his own merit is such a popular one as it is basically survival of the fittest. Grace, on the other hand, states that man isn't strong and man can't do anything to save himself. And so the 11th hour worker (homeless guy) in the parable of the landowner (or laborers) receives the same wage as the beginning of day worker (Billy Graham) and to us, we don't like that.

Thank goodness for God's generosity.

Chapter 5 - Does God Have a Right? 

‘These last (men) worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:12-16, ESV)

How is it God rewards people at the 11th hour in the same way as he rewards those at the 1st hour? Everything in our being makes this out to not be fair. In life we want merit or good work to be rewarded. One big problem with this thinking though is people reward differently. Two teachers grading an essay will probably grade it differently. And since we are a culture that is merit based, Satan has done a thorough job setting up a myriad of faiths that each basically grades people differently. The LDS states they are the true church and have many ordinances set up to follow. The JW's state they are the true ones and have their good deeds, somehow in concert with grace. Islam, again, like LDS and JW's state they believe the scripture, as long as it is translated correctly. This means they are the only ones to translate it correctly. And Catholicism is the same way, focusing on works or deeds and doing certain things. The result is 4 main beliefs accounting for million adherents, each focused on ultimately the same thing, grading merits in their own way, each stating they are right, everyone else is wrong.

Luke 7. Centurion healed.  People bring Jesus the Centurion. “And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying,“He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” (Luke 7:4-5, ESV)” Elders pleaded to Jesus. “Jesus, heal this guy. He’s done so much for you.” Our problem thinking: We must work hard to get God’s blessings.

Centurion’s response. “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. (Luke 7:6, ESV)” Centurion got it right. Jesus isn’t focused on rewarding us based upon our faithfulness. He rewards based upon His generosity.

Love that. Opposite of what trains us daily. What trains is Do, Do, Do, then you will Receive, Receive, Receive. Centurion got it right. The problem is our condition. We are sinners. Focus on Him redeeming us and His generosity. The world focuses instead on how we are to be faithful. 

Bridges uses a great example about obeying the traffic laws our entire life. What do we get at the end of life for our obedience to laws when driving on the road? Nothing. We have simply lived the way the laws intended. Same way with God's word. It isn't there with a reward dangling at the end. We live that way because that's the Law set up by God. 

"I have merely done my duty." God isn't obligated to give me something for my obedience. 

Bridges continues to give example after example from God's word. It's refreshing to see how God's word confirms the message of grace over and over, backwards and forwards. 

Romans 11:35 - "Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?"

As people, we think the government owes us, our jobs owe us, society owes us, our parents owe us. We are focused on entitlement. James 1:17 states, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who not change like shifting shadows." Don't live with the idea that God owes you something. 

This reminds me of the Steve Taylor song, "You don't owe me nothing." Catchy tune that speaks of people doing things for God then expecting a blessing. 

I know you'll give me what I need
They say I need a shopping mall
I claim the victory over greed
Lord Jesus, I surrender all

And yet God wants us to have peace through difficult circumstances. And realize He is working out all things for our good. God's promises are "yes" in Christ. To meet our needs during difficult circumstances we depend on God for His work, not on our own good deeds.

Chapter 6 - Compelled by Love

Romans 6 is written because grace alone could be misunderstood. People can easily see "grace alone" as a license to sin. The response to grace and good works should always be about gratitude. Our lives are lived as a "response" to grace and not as a "condition" for grace. Problem - we often preach grace to the non-believer and duty to the believer,

The book of Romans is the foundational letter to believers (those called as saints) on salvation. The first 11 chapters is doctrine. Chapter 12 is the first mention of application. Verse 1 shows us that our offering is in view of mercy. And this offering is living and perpetual. Motive is as important as performance. If we ever think that we must be obedient otherwise we are not saved then we have misunderstood grace. Our motive can never be to prove ourselves worthy. Motives are not based upon having the right feelings for God. Motives are about the reason we do what we do. For example, with my wife, do I serve her with a pure motive or is my serving in hopes of receiving something in return?

Christ and His love for us compels us to do works for Him. It is gratitude based living. Freedom from the law is too often preached without first really teaching grace. And so people end up not doing because they think the Law does not constrain them. I think we often look at the roles in the church (pastor, elder, deacon) and think people earn this positions from faithful living. But we do these roles because God has called us to them.

We are also compelled by our reverence to God's greatness.

• He is worthy; 
• He is majestic; 
• He is infinitely perfect. 

While His blessings are numerous, our service is not due to what we have received but for who He is.
Run from merit based programs in your walk in Christ.

A free gift (Response to LDS follower)

I asked a Mormon whether Jesus' shed blood and resurrection completely saves us.  His response was, "It is a free gift. But as in all gifts, it has to be accepted. It cannot be forced on us. We accept the gift by obeying his commandments."

Here is my reply:

Thanks for your words and understanding where you are at. Isn't this a fascinating conversation we are having. To think, we are each seeking to know God with all of our being and yet, at a foundational level, there is not unity in understanding and belief. Interesting and scary at the same time. I mean, I only expect you to be attached to your beliefs because you believe them and yet I would hope you see the same in me.

I believe a gift is a gift with no strings attached. You stated "we accept the gift by obeying his commandments." When I give my child a gift, all they do is reach out their hand and grab it.

Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

If I'm ticketed for going 55mph in a 20mph school zone. And thrown before the judge with a $20,000 fine I can't afford. If a man from the back of the court room comes forward and says, "I'll pay his fine." When I hold out my hand to take the money, my hand does not make or earn the money, nor improve the money, nor do I deserve the money. It's a gift. I receive it.

Have you ever seen someone receive a gift and they say, "I can't accept that." The value of the gift is so great that the individual receiving it feels unworthy to receive such a valuable gift. The giver usually states, "But, I want you to have it."

Faith is chosen by God to be the receiver of salvation. It does not pretend to help it.

Luke 7:50 - Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Obviously, using the court room example, a person who receives this sort of gift should want to do something for the giver. He should want to get to know him. To learn from him. To be with him. And if the giver asks him to do something, he would do it. But, if the receiver does nothing, is the gift taken back?

If I give my son Derek a present and afterwards my son consistently disobeys me, do I go back and say, “I’m taking my gift back. You don’t deserve it. You didn't fulfill your end of the contract." I don't think so. There is no deal. The love I have for my child is unconditional. Sure I desire him to be obedient. Sure, I want him to follow the rules because as he does it will make him a better person and his life will be more fulfilling, his paths will be straight as obedience has natural consequences of good outcomes. But if Derek doesn’t obey me, my love for him and acceptance of him does not change. I'm still his father. I still love him. Why would I think Heavenly Father is different?

Now, let me say something. Your belief is consistent with the way of the world. Think about it. Living in the world we have been trained with a way of thinking and being and doing that is consistent to "Believe + Do = Good results." Think about McDonald's ad campaign several years ago. "You deserve a break today." The thinking is that you have had a hard day or you have achieved a lot today and now, you deserve a break.

Take a child going to school. It's his first day in a class. The teacher says, "This class is simple. Do all the work. Do it well. You will get an "A."
"Work hard and you will graduate."

And then people get a job. If a person does a bad job, what happens? Do they get a raise? No. They get fired. They lose their job. Bad performance equals bad results. You get a paycheck because you agree to do what has been set out for you do. You work hard and follow the rules and you get a paycheck.

You said, "If we don't repent and obey his will, his atonement will not be save-able for us." So, the gift is no longer a gift. I don't agree. 

New Years Resolutions (2013)

1. Learn Gentleness - strength under control. Do I explode or not even care? Need to be in the middle of those and be gentle. Like breaking a horse.

2. For evangelism to be in my life more, throughout my day. I want to look for opportunities to be intentionally bold in all my relationships, not just when I log onto GMO or go to the mall, but in all walks of life.

3. Pray daily. I want to be more disciplined in my praying.

Defending our Faith - Session 3

Question on People leaving the church because of sins they see in leaders.

 -- Why is it when Tiger Woods has an affair people don't give up on Golf, but when a minister has an affair, people leave the church?

  -- Because people don't associate Golf with moral character. People expect religion to change a person and make them different.

Question of Tolerance. Every one is right, no one is wrong. Remember conversation with Joannah in office. All faiths right. I'm right. Everyone is right. No one is wrong. We preach inclusion.

 -- Christians are becoming a problem because they are viewed as not tolerant.

Think about the new Iphone or any new technology when it comes out. What is communicated? The perks or the reasons this product will change your life. Never do you hear the concerns or problems.

As a society we are only concerned about the goodness of life.

So, Why WOTM? Why not use something else?

Let's think about this:

How do people of another faith see our faith? -- Mormon vs. Christian, List areas.

How do people who believe in God (in some way) view religion or your faith?  -- Answer, list things generally about faith -- all protestant faiths.

How do people who have no faith or are atheists view religion? -- They clump together any religion into one.

Now, let's think about faith for a moment.  We can strip down all religious thought or really all belief systems into 2 options.

1. God saves you. (Christianity) -- Think of the illustration. Jesus saves us, throws down a rope or ladder, climbs down rope or ladder, reaches out his hand, grabs us and takes us up the rope/ladder.

2. Man saves himself (Muslim, Mormonism, Atheism) - God throws down the ladder, people climb up it.

The more I study the Gospel and Grace the more I understand that all faiths can be stripped down into these two categories.

Scripts: Write out scripts to use at a bus stop

Remind people that your neighbors know you go to church (example: neighbor stating I ride my bike)

As I read scripture and study it, there is just an amazement that I am a child of God. As you engage with people and begin to talk with them and begin to understand that how their worldview has been shaped into what they believe currently is so distant from where you are in your faith. How utterly amazing of our position in Christ. You see this enthusiasm as Eric gives the message. I hope you can see and hear his enthusiasm. As you study God's word you walk away with just an amazement that God did what he did and he did it for you, for me. Wow.

Hebrews 3:1 - Consider. Attentively ponder all that is said of the Messiah. Think of his rank; his dignity; his holiness; his sufferings; his death; his resurrection, ascension, intercession. Think of him, that you may see the claims to a holy life; that you may learn to bear trials; that you may be kept from apostasy. The character and work of the Son of God are worthy of the profound and prayer consideration of every man; and especially every Christian should reflect on him. Of the friend that we love we think much; but what have we like the Lord Jesus?

Authority is so important with Mormon’s. They will always try to make it sound like they have the only truth. They have the authority over you. When talking to them, resist the temptation to feel like you are trying to convert them.  It’s important to simply identify the differences.

They will say, “you are wrong, this is the right way.”

Focus on simply the idea that we disagree. God will decide who is right or wrong.

Always make it personal. Versus simply intellectual. 

Quotes: Passion is perhaps the most important of these characteristics; it’s the one attribute I find most lacking in the Church as I begin to travel around the country speaking on these issues. Most of us are not passionate about Christian Case Making. We fail to recognize the calling of 1 Peter 3:15-16 on our lives. We’re not excited about it. - J. Warner Wallace

Defending our Faith - Session 2

1st Lesson

Cultivating a Compassion for the Lost - 30 minutes

1. Let's get Psyched before we go out. I do this. Listen to tapes. Listen to WOTM episode. Pray together for boldness and God would lead us to the people he would have us to speak to.

2. Sometimes we think we need to build a friendship before we speak to someone. What I've discovered is the longer I'm friends with someone the longer it takes me to initiate a spiritual conversation.

3.  Pray before each lesson. Pay close attention. Do the homework.

Defending our Faith - Session 1

1st Class
I want to spend 15 minutes in each class at the end, praying. 3 Main ideas to this class and praying.

1. God Draws People. He saves.
2. I need to be Bold.
3. God is in Charge of Outcomes.


Why are we here? 
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)


But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8 ESV)


And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
(Mark 16:15 ESV)

Many do not engage in their faith because of fear and yet fear is a good thing. The response of fear is faith.

How did we get here?
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
(Matthew 9:35-38 ESV)

What is our message?

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
(Mark 16:15 ESV)

Way of the Master

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
(Psalm 19:7 ESV)
Get personal. Focus on conscience (right and wrong), not their brain or intellect (argument).
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
(Romans 3:19 ESV) 

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
(Romans 3:20 ESV)


Mark 10 - Rich Young Man

START of Class
-- When my wife and I were expecting our first child, my wife Pamela went out and bought a book called, "What to expect when you're expecting." It was a very popular book at the time (it might still be). As you can probably imagine it was written on the simple premise of, as you are getting to engage yourself in something that you look forward to, but yet, is a an unknown, here is some information. For a woman, being a mother is ingrained in them. And yet, there is still uncertainty. There is excitement. There is a little fear, mostly in the unknown. It became a book she poured through and constantly consulted.

For us, as we begin this class and time together, in some ways we could write the Title of this course as "What to expect when you are sharing your faith." It's normal.

The Bible is full of individuals that stepped into a situation, by faith, and yet, not completely knowing what lies ahead. Jonah (confirm this). Isaiah (confirm this). David. There are many individuals.

As we begin let's get some basic expectations out of the way. First of all, this is a 13 week course and so, what will transpire in those 13 weeks.

Week 1 - Introductions, Basic understanding of basic conversations with people and faith
Week 2-9, Begin the 8 lessons. Take your time. If people aren't doing the work, then take longer to move through material. Do the other lessons at the end.
Week 10-13 - Wrap up, concluding thoughts, next steps, Field Work continues


-- This is a class about being confident of Christ and Who He is and what he has already done. And just like singing in the choir, or teaching a Sunday school class, we can be of good cheer. In Choir, we practice. In teaching, we practice. In evangelism, we practice. In all of our acts of service, there will be trials and distresses, but through them all, we can still be of good cheer. - John 16:33 (Amplified)

 -- Our focus in Evangelism must be to depend on Christ. January 4 Jesus calling states, "It is through problems and failure, weakness and neediness that you learn to rely on Me."

Homework: This is a course that requires work. I'm not here to give you something that will only take a few minutes. It is amazing that ministry is often a sales effort to get people to do something that won't take much time.

Sharing our faith
1. Face to face
2. Online/Email/Chat (GMO, Facebook)
3. Telephone (Billy Graham, Church follow-up)

Writing out a Testimony
When we think about 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)


Often, when using this verse, a testimony is something good to insert here. So, before the next session, I would like you to prepare your testimony.



but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

Write out the Gospel message.

This is an incredible verse to study and pick apart. It would be good to look at I Peter 3:8-17

But, just looking at 3:15 we see this:

• Be ready to give an accurate reason connected to God's truth
• Honor Christ in your response (speak of Him)
• Be gentle and respectful (think about who you are speaking to; look them in the eye; consider their position; get in their shoes)

With this in mind, here are some questions for self.

1. Am I memorizing God's word? If not memorizing it, am I meditating on it. At the very least, do I have a Bible with me I can refer to. Not, a big Bible, but something to whip out of my pocket or retrieve on your phone.
2. In my normal, everyday life, do I speak of the Lord's work in my life and give him praise? When good things happen; when trials happen - do you give God the credit for his rewards, for teaching you. And here is the challenge for me -- do I only do this around people I feel safe with? Do I voice in God's goodness with my neighbors who I'm pretty sure are not believers?
  -- around church people we easily talk about God and how he is working in our life and the things we are learning from the Bible
  -- around non-church people, we easily don't talk about God, but instead talk about life as just happening, almost by chance.
3. Does my walk = talk? Can I be proud of my behavior?