“Man of Sorrows”
-Ex Nihilo (Rain City Hymnal)
The last paper I wrote for my Survey of Theology course with Moody Bible Institute.
Because the emphasis of preaching and teaching in the modern American church has largely shifted to “personal salvation” and seeker-friendly “gospel calls,” most Americans who would call themselves Christians have a minimized view of the gospel and its implications. Many American Christians don’t understand the indicatives (who they are) and imperatives (how they are to respond and act as a result of that identity) presented in Scripture; thus, they are unable to understand what the Bible says about sanctification. However, the topic of sanctification is impossible to overlook in the pages of the New Testament, and the consequences of a lack of proper teaching on the subject (following an incomplete presentation of the gospel) are evident in U.S. churches today. Wayne Grudem defines the Bible’s teaching on sanctification as “a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.” (Grudem 746) More specifically, Scripture teaches that sanctification begins with regeneration by the Holy Spirit and ends with glorification at our death, that the Christian plays a cooperative role with God in the process of sanctification, and that the result of sanctification in this life is the “fruit of the Spirit.”
We are told that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) That means that God defines love. The Bible doesn’t say, “Love is god.” Instead, it tells us that there is an objective standard for love, and it is found in the living God of the Bible.
My third paper for my Independent Study Course through Moody Bible Institute.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has also come the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:14-22)
Churches devoid of Godly men become museums - Jesus is the epitome of manliness. We cannot be true men until we are men after God’s heart - repentant, servant-hearted leaders who love Jesus and desire him glorified in all that we do. Lord, please help us to be servant-hearted, gracious, leading, loving men that reflect your Son - only by your grace, through faith and trust in his perfect life, death, and resurrection.
What a scandal to say such a thing, that You love me.
Sorry for the poor recording quality.
Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent reads from the memoir of Justin Bieber. Comedy gold.
You deserve so much more than I could ever give you, and I think that’s what frustrates me the most - I can’t put you in my debt, and I can never be sufficient on my own.
It’s true pride.
I may as well be saying to you, “Jesus just wasn’t good enough,” or, “I can do better than Jesus, just let me handle this.”
All of my righteousness is but filthy rags before you (Isaiah 64:6), insufficient offerings that testify to my arrogance. Trying to pile my own righteousness to impress you is like piling filthy rags before you - they are worthless, they reek of self-righteousness and pride, and they are not what you’ve asked of me.
Please help me to trust your Son - He is infinitely good, more than sufficient, worthy of all adoration. He’s my solid rock, my living water, my bread of life, my way to you, and my only hope.
There is nothing within me to trust in, stand upon, or boast about except for Jesus Christ.
Help me (and all of us) to stop trying to put you in our debt, and help us stop trying to be “good enough.” Help us to trust in your Son.
