Many times the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a mechanism for humanistic self-help. We have all seen it and heard it before, “If you love Jesus and follow God he will do this and that, and provide these things for you that you know deep down you really want.” (many times this comes in the form of material possessions and emotional states like happiness, peace, tranquility, etc. Some times the gospel is even presented like it’s primarily meant to make you a better you. “If you truly follow Jesus you will no longer be a fornicator, masturbator, perpetrator, or any other kind of general hater”. What a sham! Now don’t get me wrong, the lordship of Christ is of course evidenced by and shown through ones life and changed mind, attitude, behavior, etc. (see New Testament book of James) but the gospel of Jesus is not primarily targeted at these things, they are merely bi-products. This order of the gospel is imperative. The gospel is targeted at your heart of utter humility and submission, precisely because you cannot do it on your own. The gospel is targeted at your heart of utter humility and submission, precisely because you cannot do it on your own. Self-help is defined as ... you guessed it, helping ones self. Technically it is the use of one's own efforts and resources to achieve things without relying on others. This could not be farther from the gospel. The gospel in it's essence is the reliance on Jesus Christ to do for you what otherwise you could not do for yourself, primarily which is to give an account and present yourself blameless before your perfect and eternal God. So the next time your hear someone talk of Jesus and Christianity as some way to prosper you (though many times it does, and in many different ways) or to make you a better version of yourself (by many standards it does make you a better you, by making you a new you – c.f. 2 Cor 5:17) make sure that this is not your primary motivation (or theirs) for that is contrary to the gospel. Paul doesn’t mention anything under ‘first importance’ of the gospel about you, or me, only about the death of Christ for our sins and his resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-4). #culture #gospelcounterfeit

Today's Christian faith in the western world has taken a sharp turn in modern multiculturalism.   A new faith has, and is, emerging especially in the younger generations of American's that takes the name and shape of "Christianity", but is in fact an anemic and gutted version of traditional Christian faith. Some have termed this emerging kind of faith as "moralistic therapeutic deism" (Smith, Souls in Transition) and is defined as a form of Christianity masquerading as beliefs in: the existence of God, the importance of being kind to others, our ultimate goal of personal happiness, that God is seldom personally involved in individual lives, and that good people go to heaven when they die. Sound familiar? I'll bet you didn't even know that you hadn't believed in Christianity this whole time did you? This modern "twist" on the Christian faith largely comes from the absorption of the Western cultural beliefs inherent in individualism, multiculturalism, and relativism to the point where (especially young) people see little difference between various denominations or even different religions altogether. In other words, once someone has extracted the basic moral code of conduct, there's no need for religious practice. Unsurprisingly, this sort of watered down faith does not have any real traction in the moral lives of those who embrace it. This kind of "moralistic therapeutic deism" translates more into a sort of relational "karma" then Christian faith. Some believe that this type of "MTD" is is now the dominant form of religion in America.  There is such a strong consistency in these beliefs across generations that "MTD" has colonized American churches, and young people tend to think about religion in exactly the way that liberal mainline Protestantism has encouraged us to do for decades in terms of individualism, pluralism, tolerance, and the authority of individual experience. Yet Evangelicalism has also fostered this slide toward personal autonomy, with its anti-institutional bias and it's focus on individualized scriptural interpretation (Grant, Divine Sex). If you are a Christian and realize that this sort of "faith" has infiltrated and saturated your understanding, doctrine, and belief system about Jesus Christ, then I urge you to devotedly and consistently dig into the Scriptures to mine out the heart and mind of God in order to combat the pervasive and even oppressive weight of the culture in which you live (for more on this see here). "Don't think that cultural relativism doesn't shape your vision of Christ." If you are a Christian leader, you MUST consider the ways in which your own teaching of God and his word encourages the modern social imaginary (the construct that culture would have us believe is reality) while undermining the Christian vision of what it means to live in trusting obedience to God in every part of our lives, including sexuality, relationships, pluralism, relativism and moralism. Every good person is not going to heaven according to biblical Christianity. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:17-22 Faith without repentance and deeds to illustrate that faith, is not true and valid faith according to biblical Christianity. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ... You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ... You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:14-26 Christianity is not primarily meant to make you feel good. Christianity is not primarily about making you happy. God did not take the form of a man and die a treacherous death so that you would not have to go to a therapeutic support group. The message of believing in and following Jesus the Christ is to reconcile your mind, body, and soul to your creator, while forgiving your transgressions against him in order that you will not face the just wrath of your creator's judgment. *excerpts from Divine Sex by Jonathan Grant #theology #faith #morality #gospel #discipleship #gospelcounterfeit

How do we "get close to God". In this lesson we explore the human paradigms we have to answer this question and how it is a false premise of discipleship. DOWNLOAD STUDY HANDOUT HERE #discipleship #gospel #falsegospel #gospelcounterfeit

When we start from the right place and are aware of counterfeit gospel messages we can be ready to multiply the gospel through Christ centered discipleship. See part 1 of this sermon here DOWNLOAD STUDY HANDOUT HERE #discipleship #theology #gospel #gospelcounterfeit

One Another in the New Testament There are several passages in the New Testament (this is not an exhaustive list) where God teaches us the types of relationships that we are to have with one another in Christ. Perhaps one of the best passages that frames this idea is found in 1 John 4:21 - “And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” Assembly with one another: Eph 5:19 - speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, Col 3:16 - Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Concern for one another: 1 Cor 12:25 - so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. Gal 6:2 - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 1 Thes 4:18 - Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thes 5:15 - Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Correction of one another: Rom 15:14 - I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Col 3:16 - Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Different functions in the body: 1 Pet 4:10 - Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Encouraging one another: Rom 1:12 - that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Rom 14:19 - Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 1 Thes 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Heb 3:13 - But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Heb 10:24-25 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Unity with one another: Rom 12:5 - so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Rom 12:16 - Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Rom 15:5-7 - May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 1 Cor 11:33 - So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Eph 4:25 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. #oneanother #biblestudy

Have you ever opened up your favorite social media platform with great anticipation and expectation of fulfillment, hoping to find wonder, meaning, and satisfaction only to find yourself ten minutes later full of despair, jealousy, anger, and frustration at the stupidity of the world? (or yourself?). Yup, I know the feeling well. It is the feeling of let down. It is the feeling of being bamboozled, hood-winked, and getting got. And I don't know about you, but I think social media has been gettin us y'all. The strife, the conflict, the bitterness and distrust. All while the companies, and people behind them, are getting ridiculously rich. I'm tempted to say that social media isn't intrinsically bad, but I don't think that is actually true. Of course, like most things, it depends on the user. But it has been scientifically shown through studies that increased social media usage is correlated to increase mental health problems. (For more on this see: The Social Dilemma, also check out their tips to a social media reboot). Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." - Prov 13:12 This January, I and many in my local church, are encouraging one another to fast from all "non-essential/work related" social media (please don't ask what that means and where the boundary lines fall exactly, you can figure it out lol), in order to try to draw near to one another, God, and to perceive him more clearly together. Creating this space can help us to have greater clarity and focus, to be able to see what is true. It can help us not get so fixated on a mirage (or nightmare) that modern digital media often creates for us. Of course, any time we cut and gouge out (Mat 5:29-30) something we have become dependent on, it is very difficult and painful. But this is why Jesus used such strong language, because he wants us to be enslaved to him alone, for his burden is light and his yoke is easy. We literally can't say that about anything else in life. It is interesting that we think the internet, and social media in particular, tend to give us more access to information (forget the fact that much of it is fake) and thus is a good thing. But as DeYoung said, "We need to fast from the information feast, lest we gorge ourselves on trivialities." Should you fast from social media? The short answer is yes. But if you need more markers to help you identify, simply try it for 3 days and see if it is the least bit difficult. If there is any difficulty, that should tell you enough about the fact that you could really benefit from the discipline of abstinence and simplicity. In a world of increasing tech (that is not alway neutral), may we always be able to say with St. Paul, "I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Cor 6:12). #socialmedia #technology #fasting

Have you ever heard; we must give people practicals when we preach! If we don't tell them how to apply the word then what good are we really doing when they walk away with some pie in the sky idea, but don't know what to do about it tomorrow?! So we hear many "3 point" sermons, sometimes spelling out nifty acronyms that stick in our heads like an 80's one hit wonder, that end with a: "here are the 2-3 pracitcals to walk away with today". And while some of these things can certainly be helpful and definitely have their place, they can also come with great dangers, especially when used predominately. "Our task is not only to display God's point but to instill God's logic - how he gets to that point." As preachers (and we are all preachers to one extent or another as we carry out Jesus' commission to his disciples - c.f. Mat 28:18-20; 2 Cor 5:18-21) we are to help people not only know what a biblical truth is, i.e. don't be anxious or afraid, but if we don't help people know why that is God's heart, mind, and will for our lives it will be much more difficult for us to actually not be anxious or afraid when the situation arises. "Sermons that are abstracts of Scripture may properly summarize a biblical truth, but they are unconvincing. They do not reorient our thinking. We may know the bottom line, but we don't know how to live what we know. Without a truth trail, people cannot find their own way to the outposts of truth in their own hearts. Sometimes laying down that truth trail, showing the step-by-step thinking of a text, simply cannot be done in twenty minutes", or through a nifty acronym or a series of zingy one-liners. "The bible spends much more time on shaping the spiritual mind than commanding particular behavior. We need far more training in the ways of grace, of spiritual perceptions, and of what God is really like than we do in how to communicate with our spouse. And while communicating with our spouse well is a great thing and will benefit our lives greatly, understanding the glory of Christ is far more practical than you (or your listener) might imagine. Properly preached, every sermon based on a passage of Scripture (not a 3-point sermon based on the preachers own agenda - well intended or not) is fundamentally practical. Every author of Scripture wrote to effect change in God's people". This is the goal of the Holy Spirit, by living and acting in us, and in His work in the creation of the Scriptures (2 Pet 1:21; etc.). 'Truth trail' preaching, the careful and persuasive exposition of Scriptural thinking, shapes ready Christian minds for the everyday decisions unscripted in Scripture. And thus Christians are prepared not only for works of service but genuine maturity as well (c.f. Eph 4:11-14). For instance, when we face an ethical dilemma at work or a discipline problem at home, our minds walk the truth trails we have learned, and we are able to reason our way, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to a biblical conclusion, even when no verse of Scripture directly addresses our situation (which the older we get as Christians, seems to be ever increasing). "In order to do this we must distinguish between various types of implications from the text. Implications may be necessary, probable, possible, improbable, or impossible. For example, a necessary implication of 'you shall not commit adultery' is you cannot have a sexual relationship with a person who is not your spouse. A probable implication is you ought to be very careful of strong bonding friendships with a person who is not your spouse. A possible implication is you ought not travel regularly to conventions or other places with a person who is not your spouse. An improbable conclusion is you should not at any time have lunch with someone who is not your spouse. An impossible implication is you ought not have dinner with another couple because you are at the same table with a person who is not your spouse. Too often we hear preachers give to a possible implication all the authority of a necessary implication, which is at the level of obedience. Only with necessary implication can you preach, 'Thus saith the Lord'." Practical application is quite necessary to preach to modern hearers of the word of God, but it must be done with great care and integrity, otherwise it can be fraught with dangers, including outright (albeit often unintentional) heresy. *Excerpts taken from Robinson: The Art & Craft of Biblical Preaching #preaching #biblestudy

As Christians we are to not "rule" as the world does, but instead become slaves. #biblestudy #leadership #slavery #discipleship #kingdom #Mark

As Christians we are to be slaves to God and obey human authorities that God has placed over us, whether they are benevolent or not. #biblestudy #politics

In this installment of the series Disciple we discuss Jesus' teachings on the topic of hell. #sermons #disciple #hell