The Gospel in 6 (or 3) Words

In Is 53.11 this morning where Isaiah writes: And he shall bear their iniquities. 6 words. Six words that contain the whole of the gospel, the whole message of redemption. In Hebrew it is three words. Implicit in this statement is the fact that 1) People have iniquities; 2) That someone needs to bear the punishment for their iniquities; and 3) That the Suffering Servant is able to bear their iniquities. The whole of the gospel of redemption, in three words.

What is of True Value (Hint...Not my Life)

So says Paul in Acts 20.24. What is of true value to Paul (and by extension anyone who is a follower of Christ) is that he finishes the course—δρόμος, which means race, or a figurative expression for race and so means "mission" or "assignment." Paul's mission was of such importance that in comparison his own life was of little value. What was this important mission; this all-consuming assignment? To testify to the gospel of the grace of God. That's it, simple and straightforward. His message was that the good news is that the grace of God has come to all men through Jesus' death on our behalf. For this message he was willing to sacrifice all, even his own life.

Powerful. Are you willing to sacrifice all things? Am I?

Primus Ergo Sum

I am first! (Just not in a good way). So says Paul in 1 Timothy 1.15. However, the cool thing that I got out of the verse is how Paul summarizes the gospel in 8 words (in Greek)—Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς ἦλθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἁμαρτωλοὺς σῶσαι. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. That was his mission. That was his assignment. That is what he accomplished.

Oh...and Paul was first in that he was the chief of sinners, but the Lord had mercy on him.

Relentlessly Gospel Focused

Paul's prayer request in Ephesians 6.19, demonstrates his relentless focus on the gospel. He asks the Ephesians to pray for him, not for safety (he is in jail when he writes), nor for health, nor for his needs to be provided, nor even to be released from prison!?! He asks them to pray that words may be given...to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. Now THAT is what I call being relentlessly focused on the ministry that God had given him. Not freedom, not safety, not protection, but words to preach. Remarkable.

Come, Thirsty One!

The first verse (Isaiah 55.1) in one of my favorite chapters. Here is an evangelical call to all: Come whoever is thirsty and partake of God's grace because it is free to whoever will have it.

If you are thirsty, come. If you have no money, come and purchase the stuff of life. It won't cost you money, it won't cost you anything. It will cost the Messiah everything. Such is the message of the gospel. Such is the nature of grace.

More on Marriage

I had the privilege of speaking at the wedding of Josh Sawyer, one of the guys that Cherie and I have seen go all the way from 7-12 grade in the youth group (and then on to two years at NTM Bible school in Jackson). I labored over those 5 minutes, wording and rewording it again and again because I just couldn't get it "right." I ended up framing it around Roman 1.16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation for all who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

I wanted to communicate the cross-centered, Christ-exalting nature of marriage. In the process I got to think back over my own marriage and thank the Lord for Cherie and for 24 awesome years with her. God was very good to bring us together and very good to allow us these years of close companionship. I couldn't imagine life without her. I rely on her for advice and for comfort and as a sounding board, not to mention as my biking partner. Funny how the "I" of being single gave way to the "we" of marriage so easily. I've always compared living single with living married as going from like in black and white, to life in color.

Thanks beautiful!