A Prayer for Gospel Snobs and Scribes, Like Me

"And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” "  Mark 7:5-8

Dear Jesus, we tremble at the thought of you speaking these words to us. What could be more sobering and painful than to hear you say, “You talk about me a lot—using multiple Scriptures and well crafted theological language. You’re quick to recognize and correct false teaching, and you’re quite zealous to apply what you know to others. But your heart is far from me.”

It would be one thing to garner such a rebuke for mimicking the worse Pharisees and the Galatian Judaizers (Gal. 2:11-21)—putting people under the yoke of performance-based spirituality, and failing to acknowledge your work as the sole and sufficient basis for our salvation. But it would be an altogether different thing to be chided for being a gospel snob and scribe. Have mercy on us, Jesus, have mercy on me.

Forgive us when our love for the truth of the gospel and the doctrines of grace is more obvious than our love for you… as impossible as that may seem.

Forgive us when we enjoy exposing legalistic, pragmatic and moralistic teaching more than we crave spending time with you in fellowship and prayer.

Forgive us when we invest great energy in defending the imputation of your righteousness but have very little concern for the impartation of your transforming life.

Forgive us when we are quick to tell people what obedience is not, but fail to demonstrate what the obedience of faith actually is.

Forgive us when we call ourselves “recovering Pharisees” or “recovering legalists,” but in reality, we’re not really recovering from anything.

Forgive us when talk more about “getting the gospel” than we’re actually “gotten” by the gospel.

Forgive us for being just as arrogant about grace theology as we were obnoxious about legalistic theology.

Forgive us when our multiplied uses of the word “gospel” in our conversations does not translated into multiplied evidences of the power of the gospel in our lives.

Forgive us when we don’t use our gospel freedom to serve one another in love, but rather use it to put our consciences to sleep.

Forgive us for creating gospel-fraternities and gospel-posses which taste to outsiders like ingrown tribes or “clubish” elitism.

Forgive us for having a PhD in the indicatives yet only a kindergarten certificate in the imperatives of the gospel.

Forgive us when our passion for the gospel does not translate into a passion for holiness and world evangelism, and caring for widows and orphans.

Lord Jesus, with convicted and humbled hearts, we ask you to change us, by your grace and for your glory. So very Amen, we pray, in your magnificent and merciful name.

Remembering Keith Green

29 years ago today the 28-year-old Christian singer and songwriter Keith Green went to be with the Lord, along with his two young children and another family.

Here’s an hour-long documentary on his life:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/07/28/keith-green/

Here's a Good Visual of Repentance

“Repentance is the vomit of the soul”

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) in Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1450539114/deyorestandre-20

Reposted from Kevin DeYoung, here:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/

A Prayer about Stuff and Contentment

by Pastor Scotty Smith here:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/07/11/a-prayer-about-stuff-and-contentment/


"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven."  Prov. 23:4–5

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."  1 Tim 6:6-8


Loving Father, we continue to live in a difficult economic season. Some of us who thought we’d be retired in a couple of years are now thinking it’s ten, if ever. Some of us have lost jobs, even homes. Some of us are selling stuff and downsizing out of necessity, not choice. Some of our marriages are being stressed to the point of breaking. Some of us are actually being tempted to steal for the first time. Lord, we need wisdom, we need a work of your Spirit, and some of us really do need jobs.

Father, we look to you. Give us the perspective and power of the gospel as we make hard decisions, and reflect on our relationship to money and “stuff.” Free us from an attitude of entitlement and place within us a Spirit of contentment. When did we first assume the right to excess? When did abundance get relabeled as need? Why did we think only first-century disciples of Jesus would ever actually have to pray for daily bread?

In our “iWorld” of new gadgets and cool widgets, help us ponder the fact that over half of the population on the earth exists on three of our American dollars, or less, a day. Free us to share with others from the much or little that we have. Help us to raise our children not to love money as much as we have. Don’t let us grow bitter, shame-filled or fearful.

Father, if we would wear ourselves out for anything, let it be to become rich toward you (Luke 12:20–21)—to have the gospel so penetrate our hearts that we cry out with spontaneous joy, “Who do I have in heaven but you, O Lord, and being with you I desire nothing on the earth . . . You are my portion, sovereign Lord.”

Lord Jesus, you who were immeasurably rich in all things became incomprehensibly poor for us, so that we, who were desperately poor in sin, might be made inconceivably rich in grace. We worship and adore, with humility and gratitude. We thank you for the daily bread of both wheat and the gospel. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and gracious name.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

Jesus in John 12:32

Real, True, Eternal Freedom

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

John 8:36

I read several blogs that are helpful to my soul.  Pastor Scotty Smith posts a daily prayer here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/.

Here is his prayer for July 4th:

Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the morning of the 4th of July, and I’m very thankful to be living in the “land of the free.” But I’m still not as free as you intend, nor as joyful, for that matter. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do or am; though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by doing more goodness and less foolishness; though the chains of condemnation have already been obliterated and the fears of death, judgment day, and the future have been sent packing by your perfect love—I’m still not as free as you intend.

As I read the Scriptures and reflect on my relationships, I feel very much like a babe—a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Only the gospel helps us see and own our sin, brokenness and bondage. Only your grace keeps us from going to shame and self-contempt as we do so. Hear my prayers and bring more grace.

Jesus, please free me for loving others as you joyfully and relentlessly love us. There’s no freedom more central and powerful for revealing your glory. Help me return kindness for coldness, pursuit for avoidance; gospel for gossip. I want to be less irritated more often with fewer people. Help me to use fewer words and more listening when talking with others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control in my relationships and annihilate my commitment to a pain-free heart. To love well is to hurt often.

Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people that I don’t know and less standoffish around strangers.

Jesus, break even more of the shackles of my insecurities. Empty my closets of all fig-leaf coverings and clothe me in the garments of grace. Liberate me from grave-clothes of shame and feelings of incompetence. Unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not by showing me more of you and who I am in you.

Lord Jesus, grant me greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. Hallelujah… it is for freedom you have set us free. So very Amen I pray, in your most compassionate and powerful name. Amen.

I HATE That This is so Convicting!

Pastor Scotty Smith is the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN.  His daily blog is a prayer I receive on my newly acquired "smart" phone (as opposed to the "dumb" phone I had in Italy!).  This is today's prayer

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/

A Prayer for Those of Us Easily Annoyed

"Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult."  Prov. 12:16

Jesus, of all the prayer-worthy things I can think of, “annoyance” has never made it onto my supplication list, until now. Through the convicting work of your Spirit, I see and grieve that I’m way too easily annoyed. Free my foolish, fretful, fitful spirit. How can I possibly reveal the beauty of the gospel when I’m showcasing the ugly of my annoyance? Have mercy on me, Lord, and change my arrogant heart.

I’m annoyed by the guy who races me when two lanes are becoming one. I’m annoyed when the bar code reading machines in the self-checkout lanes can’t read my items. I’m annoyed when the gas pump trickles way too slowly. I’m annoyed by waiters who fish for a bigger tip. I’m annoyed by fish that won’t bite. I’m annoyed by humidity when I want to jog. I’m annoyed when I can’t get a wifi signal. I’m annoyed when I take my dogs for a walk and every three steps they stop and sniff.

I’m annoyed by low talkers and loud talkers. I’m annoyed at people easily annoyed. I’m annoyed when there’s not enough milk for a late-night bowl of cereal. I’m annoyed when I have to repeat myself. I’m annoyed at whiners, so much that I start whining. I’m annoyed at people preening in front of mirrors at the YMCA, as though I never peek. I’m annoyed when people use too many and too big of words to say something very simple, as though that’s not me.

I’m annoyed at ever having to wait in line for anything. I’m annoyed by people who turn up the three sub-woofers in their car so loud it vibrates my car at an intersection. I’m annoyed by anything breaking before it should. I’m annoyed at any box that has the words “requires some assembly” written on it. Oh, Jesus, if only those were the only things that annoyed me!

My prayer? Gentle my heart with your kindness and grace. Grant me much quicker repentances. Help me to slow . . . way . . . down. Help me to live in the moment and not simply live to get somewhere on time or get something done. Let me see people with your eyes and respond to them with your heart. There are no ordinary people around me. Everybody matters. Everybody has stories of heartache, foolishness, fear, and longing, just like me. Jesus, thank you that you died for all of my sins, including my “annoyability.” I love being loved by you. I have no greater hope than knowing one day I will love like you love. So very Amen, I pray in your gracious and patient name. Amen.

Evangelism @ 35,000 Feet

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom
Psalm 90:12

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time
Colossians 4:5

The flight from Portland to OC was not full. My usual back-of-the-plane-on-the-aisle seat was screaming, “Nap”! Exhausted, my bobbing eyelids were ready to settle in the down position when I heard, “Are you a good talker?” Stunned into wakefulness, I saw the young woman’s hand stretched out to shake mine.

Admittedly, my first thought was fleshly, as my body really, really didn’t want to exert the effort of conversation.

“Yes, I am”, escaped from my mouth, as more of a question than a statement, as I reached for her hand of greeting. As I stood to allow her to get to her window seat, it was obvious she had been drinking.

“I’m just really nervous and afraid to die. Can you help me? Can you talk to me?”, was her desperate plea. Let’s call this young woman Frieda.

Holy Spirit, please fill me again to do Your bidding in this conversation, was my quick but ardent prayer.

Long story short, our conversation went ‘round and ‘round as we discussed her “goodness”, God’s grace, sin, love, judgment, heaven, hell, etc. No matter how many times I tried to convince Frieda that her “goodness” wasn’t the point – that she needed perfection – she kept coming back to how good she was compared to others she knew. Frieda was also weeping uncontrollably and speaking very loudly, as ethanol took control of her brain.

As I looked into her glazed eyes, I recalled a couple of Scriptures from 1 Cor. 1 and 2:

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1:18

and

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14

No matter how many times I stuck to the essence of the Gospel:

Substitution - Jesus’ death on the cross satisfies the wrath of God for all those who would place their trust in Him

and

Imputation - Jesus imputes (or, gives) His righteousness to all those who would place their trust in Him…

Frieda kept insisting on her “goodness” as meritorious of heaven.

The things of the Gospel are spiritually discerned, writes the inspired Paul. Unless and until the Holy Spirit enables spiritual discernment, the Gospel is folly. This fact does not release us from trying to persuade (2 Cor. 5:11) for the Gospel.

Finally, near the end of our flight, Frieda asked quite loudly with tears (i.e., so everyone within 5-6 rows could easily hear her), “So, what you’re saying is, if I don’t turn from my current lifestyle and believe/receive that Jesus died for my sins, I’m going to hell?”

“No, Freida, that what Jesus is saying, and he’s God.”

I reviewed these verses with her:

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Peter in Acts 4:12

Please pray with me that Frieda will receive the materials I’ll get to her through a mutual friend (small world), and actually read/view them. Pray also that the Words of God do their soul piercing work (Heb. 4:12).

Also, I WOULD LOVE to hear your stories of personal evangelism! If you have a chance, jot a comment here, or if you prefer privacy, email a story of two to me. I’m certain others would be helped to hear other stories of Christ’s ambassadors making God’s appeal for reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:20).

Pressing on, together for the Gospel,

mark

The Main Thing

An old friend from my days @ The Center for Sports & Wellness @ Mission Hospital posted this image on her Facebook page. I'm not sure what she meant by it, but this image gripped me for the Gospel. The Gospel IS the Main Thing. If we don't get the Gospel, nothing else really matters. The Apostle Paul kept The Main Thing, The Main Thing when he wrote:

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." 1 Tim. 1:15

Pretty clear. Jesus was born to save sinners. That's you and me.

Lots of folks want to sell the Jesus that will improve your marriage, or make your kids obey, or provide you with health, wealth, and happiness. The line is: "add Jesus to your life and everything will be just fine". The problem with that 'gospel' is

1. Everything is not fine, and



2. An improved life in not the Main Thing

So, what's the Main Thing, Mark? Thanks for asking...

Rather than typing a bunch of statements and Bible verses for you to read here, I'll invite you to click here http://sharetheumbrella.org/ to view and listen to a 4-minute animated "Main Thing" presentation. It's called the Umbrella Analogy, and was created by our pastor @ http://www.compasschurch.org/. Simple. Succinct. Serious.

If any of you ever want to talk about the Main Thing with me, I'm always available. I will speak the truth in love, your job is to decide what you're going to do with The Main Thing.

Get Dressed, Christian!

Being from So. Cal., I'm a casual kinda guy. I prefer shorts, T-shirt, and flip flops to slacks, button downs, and loafers. During our time in Italia, we've noticed that folks here like to dress up a tad. This, of course, means nothing to me, but the girls have enjoyed following this Italian suit (ha!).

So, as I've been studying Paul's letter to the Colossians, this text has struck me. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle says,

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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." Col. 3:12-17

Turns out, San Paolo likes to use this phrase, "Put on". For example:

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Rom 13:12

"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15:53

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Eph. 6:11

I like to recommend to "be filled" before you "put on". Meaning: "...but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Eph. 5:18-21.

So, I say we all be filled with the Holy Spirit and get dressed with compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and love so we can:

• Bear with each other


• Forgive each other


• Have Christ's peace


• Be thankful


• Have the Word of God dwell in us richly


• Teach and admonish each other


• Sing songs of thanksgiving to God with each other

So that,

"whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." v. 17

Amen?