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I am about halfway through the book, Why the Reformation Still Matters   by Michael Reeves and Tim Chester.  I am reading it in preparation for preaching this summer.  Here are some quotes from the first 5 chapters: Nothing matters more than justification by Christ alone through faith alone...This is why Luther described justification as "the summary of Christian doctrine" and "the article by which the church stands or falls." So Christ is central to the Bible. And Christ is central to the interpretation of the Bible. All true interpretations of the Bible lead us to Jesus. Corrupted all the way down, we cannot fix ourselves. Our hearts must be renewed, and that can happen only through the gospel being preached and the glory of God being unveiled. For them, grace was not a "thing" at all; it is the personal kindness of God by which he does not merely enable us but actually rescues and freely gives us himself...In other words, the grace and righte...

I recently finished reading The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson.  Here are some great quotes from the book: There are no conditions that need to be met in order for the gospel offer to be made. everything we need for salvation is in him and not in us. Is it obvious to me, and of engrossing concern, that the chief focus, the dominant note in the sermons I preach (or hear), is "Jesus Christ and him crucified"? Or is the dominant emphasis (and perhaps the greatest energies of the preacher?) focused somewhere else, perhaps on how to overcome sin, or how to live the Christian life, or on the benefits to be received from the gospel?...Is the dominant theme, the lasting impression, the most natural word association, in relation to preaching I hear "Jesus Christ and him crucified"--or something else? Christ himself is the gospel...what we receive in the gospel is not benefits but Christ and that therefore the focus on public preaching and private pasto...

Introduction : How many of you remember playing the game “Follow the Leader” as a kid?   I still get to play the game with the kids in Children’s Church. In the game, the leader does an action (marching, clapping, running, crawling, etc.) and the followers imitate the leader.   Today’s Scripture sounds like a game of Follow the Leader as Paul is writing to the Philippians. Video of Molly singing at a year old-trying to follow sound of piano and her mom Read Philippians 3:17-21 Guide (vs. 17) ·          Paul’s example o    His behavior- §   Is Paul being egotistical or prideful? Is Paul saying that he is perfect or superior to others? Paul answers these questions in previous verses in Chapter 3.            ·          Paul does not want the glory for himself—see 3:1-rejoice in the Lord and 3:3-who glory in Christ ...

I would highly recommend The Pastor's Justification by Jared C. Wilson to all people in ministry.  It is also very relevant the Christian in general. Here are quotes from the chapter, "The Justified Pastor" Left to my own devices and trusting in my own power, I can never be the pastor God has called me to be or the pastor my church needs. But the message of our faith is not "I am justified because I obey," but "I obey because I am justified." Embedded in the gospel is the power to fulfill its implications. To be hidden with Christ in God is to be as secure as Christ is. but there's great contentment to be had in finally realizing that the salvation of the souls of those in the pastor's care is not ultimately up to him. It is liberating to realize that the spread of God's kingdom in not ultimately dependent on the work of the pastor. Herein is the justification for the sin-prone pastor: because of Christ's perfect work on your beh...

Here are some quotes from books I am reading right now: If the gospel is regularly being preached in your church, you will eventually become a magnet for the messiest kinds of sinners. I remind myself and my church that a message of grace may attract people, but a culture of grace will keep them. Messy people own their stuff. Sinners repent into the safety of the gospel. when we cease praying for our churches, we cease serving them and instead think ourselves powerful enough to mange quite well without the Holy Spirit's illuminating and enabling power. But the gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ frees us from hypocrisy. It frees us to boldly own our inadequacies, our flaws, our failures, and especially your sins. As we mature in the faith, then, He increases and we decrease. The gospel is fuel for courageous unself-consciousness. Therefore, wise parents aim their discipline at the heart. Fundamentally, Christian parents discipline heart attitudes, not behavi...

A few weeks ago, I started two new books on the same day.  The first is Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments by Geerhardus Vos and the second was The Pastor's Justification by Jared C. Wilson.  Here are a few quotes from the first chapters of each: Vos revelation does not stand alone by itself, but is inseparably attached to another activity of God, which we call Redemption. In the case of Biblical Theology this is historical, in the case of Systematic Theology it is of a logical nature. Each of these two is necessary, and there is no occasion for a sense of superiority in either. Biblical Theology draws a line of development. Systematic Theology draws a circle. The highest practical usefulness of the study of Biblical Theology is one belonging to it altogether apart from its usefulness for the student. Like unto all theology it finds its supreme end in the glory of God. Wilson And I have learned in ministry and out over the last twenty years the ...

I am continuing to read The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall. It was recommended to me by my friend, Russell from Dallas.  It is heavy book, but it has a lot of gospel gold in it.  Here are quotes from Chapter 2: If you want to keep God's law, he must equip you to do it. Sheer willpower is neither holy nor unholy in and of itself. You can use your willpower to serve either God or Satan. You cannot truly live a holy life unless you are totally assured of your justification and reconciliation with God, totally apart from the works of the law. You will not be able to do any good works that please God unless God, in his great love and mercy, does them through you. You cannot love God if you are under the continual secret suspicion that he is really your enemy! You cannot love God if you secretly think he condemns and hates you. Forgiveness is the horse that pulls the cart of good works. Therefore, God wants you to know that you h...

Below you will find the handout I referenced in a previous post.  It is written by Byron Yawn. He shared this during a men's breakfast at CBC Nashville on May 9. I have learned a lot from Byron via his podcast on CBC Nashville and meeting with him and talking theology while on sabbatical.  Thanks to Byron for allowing me to share this with all of you!

On my trip to Nashville to visit Byron Yawn, he recommend the book below so I purchased it.  As he explained, there are many writing about the practice of justification, but this book focuses on the root which is theology of justification.

How would you answer that question? Many people have made a decision to follow Christ but struggle with the assurance of their salvation.  They continue to sin & wonder if maybe they are not really saved because they conclude if they were, they would not struggle with sin or disobedience. J.D. Greear has a great little book entitled, Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart which deals with this subject.  Here are some helpful quotes from the book: "Repentance and faith are heart postures you take toward the finished work of Christ." "Salvation comes not because you prayed a prayer correctly, but because you have leaned the hopes of your soul on the finished work of Christ." "Until you know that you are His and He is yours, your obedience will be limited." "You will never have the strength to say "no" to sin until you realize the unconditional "yes" that God has given to you in Christ...That's what true obedience is--beyon...

This past week, I have been discussing with several people via Twitter justification and sanctification. I have always understood justification as something that Jesus did for me. Sanctification, on the other hand, seemed to be about what I do. One of the verses that was shared was from Galatians 3.  Here is that Scripture: 2  Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3  Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by [ a ] the flesh? 4  Did you suffer [ b ] so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5  Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6  just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Galatians 3:2-6 ESV) We know we are saved by grace through faith not through the law.  The Law clearly exposes our need for a Savior. And t...

If you have heard me speak or read this blog often, you know I say a lot, "Grace is for all of life."  Many Christians know grace gets them saved, but then they believe it is up to them to do the rest.  We get in by God's grace, but then we better work hard to show Jesus how much we love Him.  Below is a quote from Jerry Bridges that reinforces this belief of grace for all of life: God is not keeping score, granting or withholding blessings on the basis of our performance. The score has already been permanently settled by Christ. We so often miss this dimension of the gospel. We are brought into God's kingdom by grace; we are sanctified by grace; we receive both temporal and spiritual blessings by grace; we are motivated to obedience by grace; we are called to serve and enabled to serve by grace; we receive strength to endure trials by grace; and finally, we are glorified by grace. The entire Christian life is lived under the reign of God's grace.

Do you struggle with either of these?  I know I do.  I appreciated the thoughts from Matt Chandler in Recovering Redemption on these real life issues all of us face. I encourage you to read the quotes and then pick up the book at your local Christian bookstore. While both of them (guilt, shame) do indicate the falling short of some kind of standard, the one that guilt fails to meet is more often a clear moral code, a legality. The standard that shame fails to meet on the other hand, goes much deeper to the core of who we really are. Our identity. Guilt is more about what we do; shame is more about who we are. It's important to see this distinction. Guilt (robbing us of innocence) and shame (robbing us of honor) are the double helix that creates the DNA of our worst behavior. Shame is deeply rooted in identity. And the "self-ideal" we create for ourselves can often incorporate a lot of expectations that simply aren't included in God's ideal for us. Guilt ...

I am continuing to read through Recovering Redemption by Matt Chandler.  I highly recommend this book and will be leading a group of adults through it in 2015.  Here are some quotes related to struggles, belief, and changing: repentance growing up out of our hearts is a leading indicator of genuine belief on the inside. It shows us we're His from the roots up. But sin can't be trained; sin must be killed. In the end, godly grief produces within us such a hatred of our sin, we then receive from God the renewed motivation to actually turn from our sin. The secret, of course--the mystery--is that the Judge has rendered His decision based not on what we've done, on our innocence, but on the sacrifice and willing substitution of the innocent, crucified Christ.  His resurrection provides all the objective evidence we need that proves His promises are true, that His ability to conquer death is real, and that His atonement for our sin is activel...

What is the gospel? Was the gospel shared in worship on Sunday? How do you respond to these questions? The answer reveals much of our understanding about God, Jesus, salvation, and the church. Some people believe the gospel means everyone is saved. Others believe the gospel is what is shared to get someone saved. They believe the "altar call" is necessary at every service and if the pastor doesn't share the gospel then he is not concerned with people getting saved. Still others understand the gospel to be about what Jesus has done for us and it applies to all of life, not just a salvation decision. I agree with the last viewpoint. The more I understand of God's love, what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the more I realize I need the gospel daily. It was not just something that got me saved. It is something that also keeps me saved. We rightly teach that salvation is by grace through faith alone. However, once saved, we ...

On Thursday, I finished reading When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey.  This book has been good reminding me (and you) that grace is vitally important in marriage.  The author writes about the need to show the gospel in our most intimate human relationship.  I wanted to share a few quotes from Chapter 8. "The grace that justifies (declaring us holy in God's sight) becomes the grace that sanctifies (making us ever more holy in daily life). It is a prevailing, unstoppable grace that doesn't close up shop the day after the sinner's prayer. It's the power of god to help us overcome sin, and a potent weapon in the fierce struggles that accompany life after the honeymoon of conversion. Conversion, like a wedding, is hardly the end of the story--it's just the beginning!" "Grace is a permanent fixture in the life of every Christian, a divine force constantly on the job, a 24/7 truth applier standing over all we do." "Grace meets us...

This is the title of Chapter 9 in Tchividjian's book, Jesus + Nothing = Everything.   He shares some important truths for us to understand here as well as for the future.  I hope this post is an encouragement of what is yours now. "That's because the gospel isn't the first step in a stairway of truths but more like the hub in a wheel of truth." "The daily reality of the gospel is the reason we can enjoy and revel in the fact that "all the promises of God find their Yes in him"-in Christ. (2 Corin. 1:20)" "It's all there for us--in his promises! Everything we need for life and godliness is there." "The gospel liberatingly declares that in Christ "we already are." If you're a Christian, here's the good news: who you really are has nothing to do with you--how much you can accomplish, who you can become, your behavior (good or bad), your strengths, your weaknesses, your sordid past, your family background, your...

As you know, I am reading Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian.  It is a great book on the gospel.  For those of you struggling with sin (that's all of us, right?) and legalism, I encourage you to buy the book.  Ponder these quotes from Chapter 7 entitled, "Fully Exposed": "In Christless Christianity, Michael Horton identifies "the regular diet in many churches across America today: Do more, try harder . . . The focus still seems to be on us and our activity rather than on God and his work in Jesus Christ." "In the Gospel -Driven Life, Michael Horton helps open our eyes to all that "in Christ" means: Paul does not say, "Be like Jesus." He says, You are like Jesus" . . .  It's easy for us to rely on the gospel for forgiveness and justification but then look elsewhere for our renewal and sanctification. However, Paul says that it's all there: "in Christ."Only after saying this does Paul then issu...