iFast 2.0
Jul 15, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
Last year, I fasted from Social Media and much of the internet for the month of July and it was a super fruitful time for me. You can read my post-fast thoughts here and here. Because of this, I have decided to do it again. The bottom line is I will be mostly offline between July 15 and August 14.
Here are the parameters I am laying out for myself:
No Twitter. No tweeting, no reading other people’s tweets. A lot of time I’m not really living in the moment, rather I’m trying to capture the moment to share with others in 140 characters or less.
No Facebook. I don’t need to catch up on everyone’s lives, photos, and status updates this month. I also don’t need to share everything from my world. Sorry to everyone with birthdays during this month…you’ll just have to live without me saying “happy birthday.”
No Google+. I am tempted to play with this one over the break to try to figure it out, but nope…it has to go.
No Blogging. Most of the time, I love writing for my blog. Sometimes it’s a chore. This month, it doesn’t matter because I won’t be doing any of it.
No Reading Blogs. This one might be the hardest for me, since I have a lot of blogs I like to keep up on and no one would know if I snuck a peak. But it’s time for some offline thinking.
Limited Email. I’ll periodically check my personal email, but for the most part I’m going to let my assistant handle my work email. If something earth-shattering is happening that needs my attention, I’ll have her let me know but for the most part I don’t think the world will end if I don’t respond to email. To this end, I’m going to disconnect my iPad and iPhone from my work email account so it’s harder for me to access and have my assistant change my password.
So what will I do with all of the time / mental energy I save?
Read the Bible, pray, and plan for the fall. I am really really excited because this fall I am starting a year long journey through the book of 1 Corinthians. I’ll take a bunch of time during the next month to get ramped up and ready for that.
Vacation with the Fam. We have a couple little trips planned (including a Cubs game and some time on Lake Michigan) and I am looking forward to some down time to focus on being a husband and a dad.
That’s about it. My plan is to be back online on August 15.
See ya then!
Tags: facebook, personal, social media, twitter
Baptism
Jul 6, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
During the weekend services at Riv, we are looking at 5 BIG WORDS with deep theological meaning for our lives. On my blog, I’m answering common questions as well as expanding on anything I don’t have time to cover during the weekend services. Today’s post is regarding baptism and whether or not is required for salvation.
This past weekend, we looked a familiar story of Jesus’ conversation with a Jewish leader named Nicodemus. One of the verses we hit was this one:
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
Some have used this text to argue for the position that baptism is required for salvation, however that cannot be what it means. Instead of rehashing old arguments, I want to encourage you to read this excellent article on GotQuestions.org:
Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
GotQuestions also does a great job handling other tricky passages regarding baptism, including:
1 Peter 3:21
Acts 2:38
Galatians 3:27
They sum up their argument here.
With all of this said, being baptized is one of the first steps of obedience a Christ-follower should take in his or her life. If you want more information on baptism at Riv, check this out. You can also email Bret...@RivChurch.com, who oversees our baptisms.
Tags: baptism
Extent of the Atonement
Jun 29, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
During the weekend services at Riv, we are looking at 5 BIG WORDS with deep theological meaning for our lives. On my blog, I’m answering common questions as well as expanding on anything I don’t have time to cover during the weekend services. Today’s post is a little more detail on the subject of the atonement.
The last two weekends, we have talked about the profound truth that God “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21) John Stott reminds us that
“[This verse goes] beyond a negative truth to a positive counterpart…God made the sinless Christ to be sin for us, in order that ‘in him we might become the righteousness of God.’”
Two obvious questions people have about this verse is: who is Paul talking about when he says “all” and who are those “who might live”? This is one of those places where theologians like to fight and other people like to go have a drink. However, there is a significant truth in this verse that has profound meaning for each of us. Earlier in the chapter, Paul gives us a bit of context when he writes, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor 5:14-15 emphasis mine)
Three times in this passage, Paul uses the phrase “all” when referring to the beneficiaries of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. This is consistent with many other passages that speak to a universal application of the atonement. A normal reading of the Bible would lead one to conclude that when the Bible says “all,” it means “all.” The first part of Paul’s argument could therefore be summarized this way: “Jesus’ atoning work on the cross made all humans savable.”
However, that is not the end of the story. As John Walvoord puts it eloquently,
“God’s purpose in the death of Christ, while including the salvation of the elect, was a broader purpose to render the whole world savable or reconciled in the provisional sense.”
The second part of Paul’s argument in 2 Corinthians 5 is: “he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor 5:14-15 emphasis mine) “Those that might live” represent those who have responded in saving faith the message of the Gospel. A few verses later Paul refers to these as those who are “in Christ.” (1 Cor 5:17). Paul appears to defend a both/and position that God has provided a means of salvation to all people of all time that only becomes effective by the personal faith of an individual person.
Many contemporary theologians hold this view of the atonement, with various points of emphasis. Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears call this position “Unlimited Limited Atonement.” They write,
“Simply, by dying for everyone, Jesus purchased everyone as his possession, and he then applies his forgiveness to the elect—those in Christ—by grace, and applies his wrath to the non-elect—those who reject Christ. Objectively, Jesus’ death was sufficient to save anyone, and, subjectively, only efficient to save those who repent of their sin and trust him.”
Bruce Ware calls this the “Multiple Intentions View” and writes,
“Christ died for the purpose of paying the penalty for the sin of all people making it possible for any and all to be saved. God loves all and wants all to be saved. In his love for all, he sent Christ to make the payment for the sin of all. Belief in Christ is necessary, however, to receive the benefits of Christ’s death and be saved. The gospel must be preached to all, and, upon hearing the gospel, any can come because Christ died for the sins of all people in the world.”
Millard Erickson argues for what he calls Sublapsarianism. He describes it as
“the view that God logically decides first to provide salvation, then elects some to receive it.”
It can also be argued that reformer John Calvin himself held to this view (although this irritates modern Calvinists who disagree with their founder), having written,
“Though Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and is offered through God’s benignity indiscriminately to all, yet all do not receive him…Our Lord Jesus suffered for all and there is neither great nor small who is not inexcusable today, for we can obtain salvation in him. Unbelievers who turn away from Him and who deprive themselves of Him by their malice are today doubly culpable, for how will they excise their ingratitude in not receiving the blessing in which they could share by faith.”
Practically what does this mean for you and me? We are either savable or we are saved. Through Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, we are offered reconciliation with God. I’ll talk more about what this means this weekend at Riv.
Expiation
Jun 22, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
During the weekend services at Riv, we are looking at 5 BIG WORDS with deep theological meaning for our lives. On my blog, I’ll be answering common questions as well as expanding on anything I don’t have time to cover during the weekend services.
This past weekend, I taught on the atonement Jesus provides for the world (and especially those who believe in him) through his work on the cross. One of the deeply powerful aspects of is work is EXPIATION where
Jesus’ work on the cross cleanses us from sin and its shame.
Check out this familiar passage (some of the words we sang last weekend at Riv):
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
A significant result of the cleansing work of Jesus is the removal of our shame. Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden and hid their nakedness from him and each other because they were ashamed. The Samaritan woman at the well drew water at noon to avoid other people because she was ashamed. I’m sure that as you look over your life, there has been some point (maybe now) that you have hidden because you are ashamed.
Because of Jesus, you don’t have to be ashamed. Just like God sought Adam and Eve in the garden and Jesus sought the woman at the well, the Holy Spirit is seeking you. He wants you to know that if you are in Christ, you don’t have to be ashamed! God looks at you and he sees his son! Jesus has cleansed you until you are white as snow. He is not ashamed of you, so you don’t have to he ashamed either!
Propitiation
Jun 20, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
During the weekend services at Riv, we are looking at FIVE BIG WORDS with deep theological meaning for our lives. On my blog, I’ll be answering common questions as well as expanding on anything I don’t have time to cover during the weekend services.
This weekend, we talked about the atoning work of Jesus on the cross and what that means for our lives. One of the significant parts of the atonement that I didn’t have time to cover is that Jesus has become our PROPITIATION. Essentially, this means that
Jesus took on himself the wrath of God that was directed at us, so that now God looks on us with favor.
Let that sink in for a second. God’s wrath was rightfully bearing down on us like a hurricane, Jesus absorbed the hurricane and the sky cleared to blue. We are no longer living under God’s wrath but under his favor if we are “in Christ.” We can and should live every moment of every day in light of this reality.
“For there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3:22-25
Church Planter Residency
Jun 8, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
If you’ve been at Riv recently, you’ve probably heard about the new church planter residency program we’ve just started. We’re super excited to have our new guy already on board.
So here’s the deal – he and his family need a place to live, and maybe you know just the place. He, his wife, and three kids are looking for a nice rental property in a family-friendly neighborhood, preferably in East Lansing. They’d be in the place for a year or two.
If you have any leads, just shoot me an email at n...@rivchurch.com.
Prayers
Jun 6, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
Would you be willing to take a few minutes to pray for me?
I have a lot going on these days (you may notice I have been a little slow on the blogging front) and I could really use a few extra prayers. Here are some specific requests:
School – I am officially done with school this week and I am presenting my final project for feedback. The final version is due on July 1. What is my final project? Well…
Book Proposal – My final project is a book proposal on the team approach to leadership we use at Riverview. I have been wanting to write this book for 10 years or so, and this is a key moment. Please pray that a publisher would be willing to pick up the book so I can get it written this year.
New Series – I am launching into a new series in a couple weeks at Riv. I will be looking at 5 big theological concepts and will be trying to make them accessible to everyone. I didn’t realize until just recently that kids will be in the service for three of the weeks, which will make things interesting.
Travel – I am doing a fair amount of travel this month, which can be tiring for me and stressful for my family.
Baseball – This is the big month for baseball for all my boys. It started last month but it kicks into high gear this month. Please pray that I am able to make all my boys feel valuable by hitting as many of their games as possible (even when they are all playing at the same time_.
1 Corinthians - This next year, I am doing something I have never done before. I am taking 15 months to cover one book of the Bible. I have done shorter books, but never one as long as 1 Corinthians I am teaching it in chunks (as different series) starting in the fall and I am going to spend a lot of time reading and researching over the summer.
Thanks so much for your prayers! I would love to reciprocate. If you want me to pray for you, just leave your requests in the comment section and I will pray for ya.
Tags: personal
John Piper and Rick Warren
Jun 1, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
I very rarely use my blog to repost content from other sites (with the notable exception of Fridays, which I dedicate to the practice). However, this video is way too good to bury in a list of other content.
In this video, John Piper and Rick Warren discuss doctrine. These are two wildly successful pastors who have decidedly different approaches to how they do ministry. And yet, in the video, you see their kindred spirits and unity in Jesus.
This is a very long video, clocking in at over an hour and a half. It is worth every minute to watch; not just because it is an excellent doctrinal discussion, but because it shows the kind of heart we should have toward those we disagree with in non-essential issues.
Tags: cross, doctrine, election, gospel, heaven, hell, Jesus, John Piper, Rick Warren, sovereignty
God Bless America
May 30, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
I have a complicated relationship with the United States of America.
In fact, a friend of mine once said to me, “I can’t tell if you really really love America or if you are just being sarcastic.” Maybe it’s a little of both…or a lot of both.
I grew up in a very patriotic family. My father and my grandfather are both veterans and personal heroes of mine for their efforts directed toward protecting our freedoms. I find the words to “I’m proud to be an American” to be stirring and the National Anthem has been known to give me chills. The freedoms we stand for and the good we have done as a nation are historically unparalleled.
But we (just like all other nations) are flawed. We, as a people, are greedy and materialistic. We, as a country, often make bad policy decisions and elevate the individual to almost god-like status.
We are a complicated nation filled with complicated people who do a lot of things incredibly well and a fair amount of things poorly.
Perhaps this is why I find myself conflicted when I proclaim myself to be a proud American. It seems many of my friends don’t share my enthusiasm for our country, seeing only the negatives while other friends are patriotic with blinders to our failures.
Today, on Memorial Day, I thought I’d throw this all out there and say simply that I love this country and feel blessed that God decided that this would be where I lived my life. I consider it an honor to live here and to be tasked with taking the love of Jesus to a people as complicated as Americans.
Thank you to the men and women who died so I could have the privilege of preaching the gospel without fear of imprisonment or death.
God, please don’t let me take this lightly.
And God Bless America.
Tags: America
