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As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 2  I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. (Galatians 2:2)   5  to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (Galatians 2:5)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 8  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)   11  For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. (Galatians 1:11)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 7  Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? (2 Corinthians 11:7) 6  I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7  not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.   (Galatians 1:6-7)

This past week, I wrote a guest post for our local paper, The Hesston Record.  It originally appeared in the March 9, 2016 edition.  This column will feature different pastors from area churches in the weeks ahead.  For those who do not receive The Hesston Record, I wanted to share my thoughts with you.  Have a great week! #HesstonStrong We are #HesstonStrong. This has become the rally cry for those affected by the recent shooting in Hesston at Excel Industries. We, as pastors, of the Hesston churches will be writing weekly reflections as to what this motto means to us.  Check back each week to see a response from pastors from other churches. Strong. What comes to mind? I know as a teenager I wanted to be strong which involved time and work in a weight room to build abs, biceps, quads, and shoulders.  As I grew up, strength became something that was portrayed in the workplace, home, and community showing others that despite circumstances, yo...

Today I preached on the topic of "Give More" from Advent Conspiracy.  Below are my notes from my message which tied in with our kid's Christmas program. My theme is Give More. I have one point this morning- Give More Gospel   Define the gospel or draw a picture of what the gospel is.   How people understand gospel §   It’s what you say or what is shared at end of sermon that gets people saved §   It’s what starts the Christian life, then we move on to something deeper §   It’s a philosophy. For example, the gospel according to JL. §   It’s a genre of music §   It’s evangelism-It’s door to door, shouting from street corners (Repent) §   It’s a lifestyle or how we live (be the gospel or live the gospel) You might be the only Jesus someone sees. It’s being good. It’s WWJD. Quotes on the gospel §   We are not only saved by the gospel, but we also now grow by the gospel…We never leave the gospel behind. (...

I am currently reading Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson.  She is also the author of Give Them Grace and a family devotion called Exploring Grace Together. She has so many good things to say in Chapter 3 that my book is full of green highlighter.  Here are a few quotes to think about: We have too high a view of our ability to do things right if we just have the right instructions...we also have too low a view of God and his love for us. In our laser-like attention to the doing, we forget what has been done. We can get so caught up in the doing that we forget about the people we are supposed to love. Here is another reason I think most relationship books are off: They focus on the doing. As you taste (Psalm 34:8) this multifaceted relationship with God, it will transform all of your other relationships. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to relationships. The whole Bible is written in such a way that in most verses we see the done before we see...

Today, I preached at Hesston MB from Ezra 2 and my title was "The List".  Below are notes from the message: Introduction: What lists have you been on during your lifetime?   There are good lists. School-Honor Roll/Music or Drama Program/Team Roster   Work-Most Successful/Membership in organizations (professional or civic) Personal-Most Popular/ Best Looking/Most intelligent/ Republican/Democrat/Independent/Other?   Family-Good Parent, Spouse, Child Church- Good Christian There are also bad lists that we don’t want to be on.   Hypocrite? Unpaid taxes? Felon? Addict? Gossip? Judgmental? Ashley Madison? Today’s passage from Ezra 2 is about being on a list.   I told Brad that it was convenient to be gone this week since this is a difficult passage to preach.   Isn’t it just a bunch of names?   Why does it matter?   We will see people included and excluded from the list. If every Scripture points to Jesus, what about Ezra 2? Read E...

Here's another new feature on the blog.  I am amazed at how God is working in our world.  The message of grace is everywhere you turn.  It started as more and more churches/pastors preaching grace to more and more people talking about grace to more and more songs on the radio.  I decided to share songs that are gospel drenched (point to Jesus and what He has DONE).  Enjoy this first installment with a new song from Plumb. Songs is called "Exhale" and lyrics are below.   It's okay to not be okay This is a safe place This is a safe place Don't be afraid Don't be ashamed There's still hope here There's still hope here No matter what you've done or who you are Everyone is welcome His arms Just let go let His love wrap around you And hold you close Get lost in the surrender Breathe it in until your heart breaks Then exhale Exhale Spirit come tear down the walls That only You can That only You can Reconcile this heart to Yo...

This is a new weekly post connecting who God is with who we are because of what He has DONE.  These are true because it is about God and His relationship toward us not anything we must DO. Jesus is our Savior For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior , who is Christ the Lord.  (Luke 2:11)  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14) So...We are Saved! For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power. (Psalm 106:8) And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved . (Joel 2:32) 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 . (Acts 4:12)  ...

Last week, I finished reading Jack Klumpenhower's book, Show Them Jesus. I will be writing a review of the book in the next few days.  Here are some quotes from the final chapters: Jesus calls his people to love-based life together. Moral reform is not the same as Christian growth...But performing for God and ignoring God are both ways of bypassing Jesus. Alex needed to fight sin but to do it with God, instead of performing for God. He needed to hate sin but not keep a scorecard. He needed the good news. Being close to your Father brings true sorrow for sin and helps you fight sin better next time. . .So don't think you have to fight sin first so you can come to God. Instead, come to God so you can fight sin.  If we want believing kids to change how they act, we must teach them--perhaps counterintuitively--to focus less on how they act. We must first remind them who they are. They're joined to Jesus. It's the Holy Spirit who changes kids. He brings rebirth a...

If I have not convinced you by now, you need to go and purchase Jesus , Continued by J. D. Greear.  It is a helpful book on the Holy Spirit and Christian life.  I definitely think it will be included in Go Deeper Class next year.  Here are more quotes from Chapters 6-7: A heart that truly understands the gospel overflows with gratefulness to God. Extravagant grace produces extravagant givers. Realizing the love of God for us produces love of God in us. God steers moving ships--ships driven by the winds of worship, gratefulness, love to God for what he's done, and compassion for those he cares about. Wonder at his sacrifice for me compels my sacrifice for him, making it a joy and delight. The Holy Spirit, you could say, is always leading to the cross or from it, to carry its message of healing to others. Our waiting is not passive, however; it is extremely active. Because we already have the Holy Spirit, we don't sit around in inactivity, waitin...