LENT 2015
JOIN US IN OUR ONGOING JOURNEY OF GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION!
WE’VE SEEN SUCH GROWTH IN PAST LENTEN SEASONS
THAT WE CANNOT HELP BUT COME WITH ANTICIPATION AT WHAT GOD WILL DO.
FIRST, A COMMENT ABOUT “LENT.”
Beginning this Wednesday, and not counting Sundays, there are 40 days until Resurrection Sunday, paralleling the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness before His journey to the cross began.
Traditionally Christians, as they journey toward the cross, have “given something up” during Lent, but we must be careful here. In Abba’s Child Brennan Manning points out that we have a legalistic tendency to make secondary concerns primary. For example, the Pharisees focused on “not working” on the Sabbath, but that was secondary. The primary reason for the Sabbath was to press into God, and not working was a secondary reason to aid the primary reason. But the Pharisees reversed that and forgot the primary reason and were proud of their rule-keeping.
We have done the same for Lent. The purpose of Lent is to reflect on the death and resurrection of Christ and allow God to transform our lives. The reason Christians began to “give something up” (from preparing a meal to watching television) was to give themselves time to focus on Christ or to allow their hunger to make them hungry for God. But eventually the primary reason was lost and people were giving up things without knowing why and feeling proud they were doing so.
Here is what I would suggest — identify what you run to when you are sad, stressed, or bored and find a way to run instead to Jesus. In Idol Lies, Rebecca told of replacing her nightly eating/tv ritual with edifying books that dealt with intimacy with God. Rachael replaced her checking Facebook and coupon deal sites on the computer with God’s Word. For many of you, in order to do the Bible study on this blog, something will need to go or to wait so that you have the time to do it. Others of you may want to memorize, pray through the Word more, or read Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, One Thousand Gifts by Ann VosKamp, Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning, or another classic. Ask God and begin where He impresses you to begin.
For Lent of 2015, we want to experience what Brennan Manning calls “the risenness of Christ.” Manning tells of a newspaper reporter interviewing G. K. Chesterton, asking him: “If the risen Christ suddenly appeared at this very moment and stood behind you, what would you do?”
“Chesterton looked the reporter squarely in the eye and said, “He is.”
What I believe Chesterton and Manning were proclaiming is that Christ’s resurrection should not just be seen as a historic reality, but a present power in our lives. I would like you to be alert to where you see Him and His reality in your study of the Word, in your life, and in your world. I’m going to keep asking you where you see Him. It may be through an answer to prayer, through seeing Him at work in a friend or in your own heart, through a passage becoming radioactive, or through circumstances you know where engineered by Him.
Let us press in together through the 40 Days of Lent by doing this study and allowing it to transform our hearts, dying to where we might want to resist, so that the power of Christ might be evident in our lives.
This week will be a review, for some began this journey 6 weeks ago, but we will catch everyone up. Also, on Ash Wednesday, this coming Wednesday, I’d like you to share your plan for pressing in and experiencing the risenness of Christ in your life, so be asking Him to show you.
Sunday Icebreaker:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
Monday: Review and Overview of Where We Are Headed (Read carefully and be prepared to comment)
THE GOSPEL CAN DELIVER US FROM NOT JUST THE PENALTY OF SIN,
BUT THE POWER OF SIN IN OUR DAILY LIVES.
TOO OFTEN, AS BELIEVERS, WE HAVE SEEN THE GOSPEL
AS ONLY THE ABC’S OF CHRISTIANITY, WHEN IT IS TRULY THE A TO Z.
WE THINK OF IT, AS J. D. GREAR PUT IT,
AS THE DIVING BOARD INTO THE POOL OF CHRISTIANITY
WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY THE WHOLE POOL!
One of the most important concepts to grasp is that the gospel of Christianity has the power to rescue us, whereas irreligion and religion do not. Irreligion, we understand, is like the rebellion of the Samaritan woman, moving from man to man, in hopes of rescue.
Religion is personified by the Pharisees who were caught up in rules and rituals but did not have intimacy with God. They too were trying to rescue themselves.
Though many would call Christianity a religion, the Bible doesn’t use that word except somewhat sarcastically when James addresses the hypocrisy of those who claim to be religious but are not controlling their tongues, taking care of widows and orphans, or staying unpolluted from the world. (James 1:26-27) You see pressing the will, as religion does, has little power, but the gospel has dynamite power, the power of the life of God in us. James puts it like this:
The “word of truth” could also be translated gospel. It is organic — life — the very life of the risen Christ in us. That’s why Paul said in Romans:
Salvation, we must realize is bigger than rescuing us from guilt, but also from the power of sin. And that’s what we are going to ponder and practice this Lent, all the way up to Resurrection Sunday, when we celebrate that risen LIFE!
3. Summarize:
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
D. What other comments do you have on the above?
Tuesday: “I AM ACCEPTED THEREFORE I OBEY”
Debbie is a life transformed by the power of the gospel. Though her story began before the foundation of the world, her husband Ron says, “This all started with pickle ball.” My friend Twila and I play pickle ball (sort of an indoor tennis that is less rigorous) and have been befriending people there. Debbie was one.
Debbie came to one of my retreats and approached me afterwards: “Why can’t I stop crying when you talk?”
I smiled. “I think God must be wooing you, Debbie.”
“I think He is!”
Then she came to our Bible study. I could see that she was as close to the light of new life as a baby in a birth canal. But like that baby, she was feeling pressure! As we studied the first chapter of John she said, “My head hurts. How could Jesus have been born at Christmas and yet have always existed?”
A few weeks later I invited Debbie and her husband Ron over for dinner. At one point, Ron, a big man who works with FEMA in disaster relief, leaned over the kitchen counter and pointed a finger at me:
“What you have been teaching my wife is not what I have heard in church all my life.”
“How is it different, Ron?”
“You told her that if she trusts in what Jesus did for her at the cross that she will be forgiven and go to heaven.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“So she doesn’t have to be good?”
“Religion teaches us we need to be good to be accepted by God. But Christianity is different than the world religions. It says there is no way we can be good enough to gain favor with a holy God. Therefore Jesus paid the price for our sin at the cross.”
“That’s too easy.” Ron shook his head and gripped his hands together in frustration on the counter.
Moved with compassion, I covered his hands with mine. “Ron – that’s why they call the gospel amazing grace.”
One of the primary differences between religion and the gospel is this:
| Religion | The Gospel |
| I obey, therefore I’m accepted. | I’m accepted, therefore I obey. |
4. Perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16. What does it say and how does this express the amazing grace of the gospel?
Debbie and Ron were confused because they had had false teaching in their past. They began to search the Scriptures to see what it taught. This is so important, for just as there were false teachers in Jesus’ day, there are false teachers today. Jesus said to be careful of them, for they are blind leaders of the blind. “And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit.” (Matthew 15:14) Usually these leaders think they are of God, but they are not. Today you’ll get a taste of a typical argument between Jesus and the Pharisees.
5. Read John 8:39-44
A. Why did the Pharisees think they were in?(39)
B. How does Jesus refute their claim in verses 40-41?
C. What is a crucial characteristic of children of God according to verse 42?
D. Why, according to verses 43 to 47, are the Pharisees resisting the truth? Find all you can.
ASH WEDNESDAY: MY IDENTITY IS AS A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD
6. What thoughts do you have on this Lent — on how you might begin to better press into Christ? (If you haven’t prayed about it, do so now, being still before Him. Some find it helpful to choose the same time and place each day to meet with Him. Some find it helpful to read an edifying book. Some find it helpful to give something up, and use that time or hunger to turn to Christ.) I suggest keeping it simple but following through.
Two other differences between religion and the gospel are:
| Religion | The Gospel |
| When I am criticized, I am furious | When I am criticized, I struggle, |
| or devastated, because it is critical | but it is not essential for me to |
| that I think of myself as a “good | think of myself as a “good person.” |
| person. Threats to that self-image | My identity is not built on my |
| must be destroyed at all costs. | record or my performance, but |
| on God’s love for me in Christ. | |
| Motivation is based on fear and Insecurity. | Motivation is based on grateful joy. |
7. In what ways can you see the above negative emotions in the Pharisees in John 8:39-47? Be specific.
8. How do you respond when you are criticized and why? What might this show you about where your identity?
Religion presses the will by “putting on morality.” C. S. Lewis said, in Mere Christianity:
“It is not like teaching a horse to jump better and better but like turning a horse into a winged creature.”
One day, before Debbie’s transformation began, she said, “I think if it happens for me, it will be gradual.”
“It might be,” I said. “Many cannot tell you exactly when they were found by Christ. It is as if they were driving from Nebraska to Colorado and they don’t know when they crossed the border, but there comes a time when they know they are not in Nebraska anymore. It may be like that, Debbie. Or it may be a dramatic moment. God knocked Paul off his horse.”
A few weeks later I got a text from Debbie:
3:00 P. M.
South of Egg Harbor.
I get it. I don’t have to do anything, do I?
Debbie told me later she had been driving and was so overwhelmed by His love that she had to pull the car to side of the road where she wept to grasp His love for her. The next time I saw her she said, “I don’t have a headache anymore!” She was out of the birth canal and into the light.
9. What comments do you have on Debbie’s story?
10. Read John 3:3 What does Jesus tell the Pharisee?
11. Though the phrase “born again” has been mocked and twisted to mean many things, what do you think Jesus was trying to communicate to this religious teacher?
12. How might this be different from the way Nicodemus might have thought a person changes?
THURSDAY: THE GOSPEL CHANGES US FROM THE INSIDE, FOR HIS LIFE IS IN US
When a baby is born, it is an event! But following the event is the process of that child becoming mature in body and spirit. So it is with the gospel. The gospel produces a new life, and that is an event, but it is followed by a maturing process. As C. S. Lewis says, “Those who put themselves in His hands will become perfect, as He is perfect – perfect in love, wisdom, joy, beauty, and immortality. The change will not be completed in this life, for death is an important part of the treatment. How far the change will have gone before death in any particular Christian is uncertain.”
Debbie’s husband texted me a few weeks after she received new life.
How do I know if I am a Christian or not?
That led to a discussion concerning believing the facts of the gospel, but then also seeing if there was fruit in Ron’s life. When those who had prayed a prayer of salvation asked the Puritans if they were now God’s children, the Puritans would say, “We’ll see.”
Christianity is organic, meaning that if it is real growth will happen, just as a branch connected to a living tree will bear fruit.
Indeed, we are seeing growth in both Debbie and Ron, fruit that indicates that indeed, the life of God is in them, and that inevitably produces joy, peace, and more.
I stopped by to see Debbie and Ron last week. Ron had Mere Christianity, the Bible, and a commentary on Luke by Michael Card open on the table. He said, “I have questions!” I see the power of God working in him because of his hunger.
I also see tremendous gratitude in Him. He is looking for ways to serve and thank God. One way, which certainly pleased me, was to build and hang a deer feeder for me in my yard, for he heard I wanted one. Last winter, which was so brutal, the deer were skin and bones by spring, and it broke my heart. Here is Ron, this week, in very cold weather, getting my deer feeder just right. I see the power AND love of God growing in Ron.
Then we prayed the deer would find it, which they did in a day! Seeing how hungry they are reminds me to ask God to make me hungry for Him. For indeed, the reason we do not spend time with Him is because we are not hungry for Him. So let us pray we will be hungry, that we will love Him more.
13. What stands out to you from the above and why?
14. Read John 15:5.
15. What does Jesus say here?
16. If you have put your trust in Christ, share an area where you see evidence of God working in you. How are you seeing His risenness in you?
Friday: 5 minute Tim Keller video answering, “What is the Gospel?”
Watch and share your comments and insights.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0g-s4Qhtyk
Saturday:
17. What is your take-a-way (what you will remember) from this introductory lesson and why?
320 comments
All I could say now is “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see you.” The next few weeks will be some of my busiest in school. May I press in to Christ and not be distracted by the world’s concerns. Be my PRIMARY, Lord. I need help surrendering everyday.
Bing — the prayer we all need!
1. Well, Dee. I read through the whole week’s material briefly. The Spirit has given you words of such power, hope and beauty as you shared the gospel with us! The tears were rolling down my cheeks through the whole thing. Debbie and Ron’s story of conversion so dramatically illustrates the simplicity and reality of the risen Christ. I LOVED hearing more about their story and seeing the marvelous photos of them too! Once again I can’t help but reflect on the gift of seeing Christ turn my parent’s world upside down! From very religious and good people to lovers of Christ and followers of Him on life’s adventures. My heart sings as I look at these two couples and say “yes, yes, yes!! Christ is LIFE!!”. I had heard the story of G.K. Chesterton and the reporter before, but how cryptic his reply “He is!”. Oh, how we need to be set free to LIVE that – “He is risen!”. My heart is so hungry for the feast you have prepared for us this week, Dee! I can’t wait to dig in. 🙂
Jackie I so agree with what Dee said such an encourager out of the overflow of a heart so touched by the Lord and a life dedicated to follow Him. I personally thank you for that. The Lord has given you such treasures thru your suffering and we all get to benefit thru that on this blog.
Jackie — you are an encourager, not just by being intentional, but because of the overflow of your heart the mouth speaks. How thankful I am you are with us, and how thankful I am Christ transformed your parents.
I am having trouble posting. Will try again later!
BING: I was feeling badly for you and then my friend Christy, who is visiting, said, “Obviously she isn’t having trouble posting because I can read she is having trouble posting!” 🙂 My morning smile…
Hahaha! Serves me right for not finishing my thought. Tell Christy I like her sense of humor. I actually triggered a security pop up supposedly because of certain words I copied and pasted from a website on butterflies. It was so good but now I can not post it.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The feeling of hope that this can be and will a time in which I truly experience more of Christ in a lasting way.
In the last few years I have approached Lent with the mindset that I’m probably going to fail with what I “give up” so I may as well make it something that really can’t be pinpointed such as doing less of something instead of giving it up all together.
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week. I asked for prayers for my depression and I felt it lifting almost immediately. I have been able to connect with others in a more “normal” and relaxed way. I want to be a light to others and it’s hard when I feel clouded in darkness and I just want to be at home 24/7.
this is huge, Dawn. Thank You, Lord!
Oh Dawn to feel that lifting. I am celebrating with you!
What an answer to prayer, Dawn!
Dawn, so thankful with you for the answered prayer, and I will continue to pray for God to keep lifting that darkness and encouraging you!
Such a beautiful post, Dee. Like Jackie, I had tears streaming–mine came in seeing Ron fix your deer feeder–and then the deer receiving the gift of his labor–there was something there–in the picture of this humble, dependent deer–must have waited, trusting he would be fed, and then amidst the storm–love showed up. I will ponder this this morning ” identify what you run to when you are sad, stressed, or bored and find a way to run instead to Jesus.”–thanking Him again for your selfless ministry here, faithfully turning our eyes back to Him…and OH HOW I LOVE EASTER! 🙂
And I love that you love Easter, Elizabeth.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The truth of people giving things up for lent and not knowing why they have done so. The swimming pool does look inviting, as we have gotten yet another foot of snow today. Church is canceled for the second week in a row! We are buried! I love it, but oh how warm and relaxing the swimming pool looks!
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
I am going through a “tough patch” right now…feeling blue. The sisters on the blog have really been an inspiration to me over the past week; praying and offering songs and words of rememberance of how much God loves me. I want to focus on His love of me during Lent and forget the pain of the world. My hope is for that in this season.
Laura we are in the same state:) It has been a rough Winter for sure! Would love to meet you sometime my friend. Praying the Lord lift those blues.
Liz, remind me where you are? Vermont?
And we for you, Laura.
My church was canceled this morning due to more snow. I just had church here this morning on this blog. So rich. Something that stood out to me was the butterfly picture going thru its transformation. It is always a reminder to me we are being transformed and it is a struggle at times. For myself not to give up, keep pressing in, keep transforming, such beauty does result. For others we have to trust the Lord and not overstep to assist them in ways that could end up hurting them. As a parent especially it can be so hard just to watch sometimes especially during the struggles. Bringing them to prayer and trusting The Lord is doing the work even when sometimes we do not see it in those secret places.
Like!
‘2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
Oh my last week I so saw the risenness of Christ and it came in so many ways. It started by me humbly asking for prayer in a situation( actually the week before) and then having such heaviness lifted. Then at a woman’s breakfast at church something that was spoken to me into the situation that at first I actually wanted to hop over the table and wring a neck (just being honest) but the Lord quieted me I did ask a question back and then broke and was prayed for, the Lord really did speak to me thru that but it came slowly over the next day or so. So I broke thru my initial resistance to listen. On Monday I had such a time of prayer I felt as if the Lord blessed my listening and He confirmed it in my prayer how sweet it was. Our blog topic on suffering and Nila’s story. Then Diane sharing that piece by Shane Barnard and John Piper oh my that so spoke to me!!!! I shared that out with so many and it blessed so many as much as myself. Thank you Diane! Then Sherryl shared something in her post that came to me as another confirmation of something the Lord was speaking to me. Our Lord is Alive and active. How exciting! I still do not know what my future holds( none of us do ) but I know He holds Me and I know He holds all of you! Lets lean in! Thank you all for your prayers and thank you Dee for this blog.
I hope I did not make myself seem too scary talking about wanting to wring a neck:( That was all in my flesh and all internal. Hearing some things sometimes initially does not get received well. I am being transformed and as Diane shared it is work! Not work we are meant to do alone. We need HIM!
Liz – not scary, just honest!! 🙂 I love that you can have a way of communicating in such a “direct” fashion – Laura also does that and I find it refreshing and needful! Often I read your words and smile because I “get” precisely what you are saying. In fact, the way you shared your reaction is a very good picture of how we often respond initially to the Holy Spirit’s conviction! Of course the key is that you didn’t leave it there and allow your initial anger and hurt to fester…..you let the Spirit do His work in your heart and He turned it around to a heart of gratefulness for this woman’s words! 🙂 Such a beautiful testimony and the glory goes to the Lord! Amen.
Jackie Thank you my grace giver friend:)
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? “The Gospel calls us out of religion as much as it calls us out of irreligion” Wow, that is a powerful statement. I know a lot of Christians who would be really taken aback by this thought. I am grateful for what God is teaching me here, through this blog, that is transforming my heart and seeing the gospel throughout all of life. I began on the blog last year at Lent and I can truly say it is the best Bible Study experience I’ve ever had. Dee, my heart is full of gratitude for your labor of love here, week after week. It has made such a huge difference in my life! I also scrolled ahead and I just love the picture of the horse with wings. “It is not like teaching a horse to jump better and better but like turning a horse into a winged creature.” Yes! This is how I am beginning to see the work of the gospel in my heart. I run to Jesus much more often as a first response instead of trying and trying to jump through the hurdles life sets before me. I also love Ron and Debbie’s story and smiled with intrigue at the wonderful deer feeder he built and installed for you, Dee. Wonderful! Oh, I love that.
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week. The questions about Job really helped me understand his story more than I ever have before. And Nila’s story too. The thought that “nothing is wasted in the hands of our Redeemer” impacted me. I’ve been spending a lot of time learning and doing, appointments and changes, to address several health issues. I just want this season of life to be done and move on to a smoother one. I have sometimes thought, ‘what a waste of my time’. But last week’s lesson helped me see that nothing is wasted. It’s not the external circumstances but the ways my heart is changed that matters. Job didn’t have the written word of God, he lived so long ago, he didn’t even have the oral tradition of the prophets and patriarchs. But he knew the Living God! And he proclaimed, ‘I know that my Redeemer lives and that in my flesh, I will see God’. I am utterly amazed at this. He knew the risen Christ! That realization in itself showed me Christ’s risenness last week.
Dee,
I, too, just read through this week’s lesson and tearful over what you have for us. I love Debbie and Ron’s story.
2. Share one way you observed the risenness of Christ in your life last week?
Tim Keller’s sermon. My husband and I listened to it together en route to Colorado on Thursday…… my disheartened husband took heart from that.
(And then this morning, when I saw the winged stallion with C.S. Lewis quote here on the blog, it grabbed my attention and I showed my husband. This weekend, even this morning, he is drawing and painting a winged stallion for a children’s production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”.)
Nila, I didn’t see that it was a CS Lewis quote, but that image was so striking, it has stayed with me all day. How great that your husband is painting a winged stallion!
Wonderful, Nila!
Loved this “Valentine” message and want to share with everyone here. You have to scroll down to the video.
http://blessings.buzz/2015/02/12/video-this-is-the-best-valentine-anyone-could-ever-get/
I need to play it everyday!
LIKE 🙂 !!!
Laura, that was really neat! Thanks for the best Valentine! I’m saving it to my favorites.
Laura I shared the Valentine with my Mom. She has been a bit down. Lost 2 close friends and being more house bound. Personally I love this kind of snow just been a bit too cold and windy to get out and enjoy it I walked my dog the other day and my face hurt in the wind! But on a sunny 30+ degree day heaven. I love the feel of the cool air and sunshine. I am in the Lakes Region of NH
Isn’t it funny how 30 seems “balmy” when we have been in the teens and below for so long??? Liz, we must plan to meet sometime; we live so close to each other! Are you on the FB page? I will message you if so. Stay warm tonight! I have a delay in the morning due to high winds and bitterly cold temps.
When it hits 30 in Minnesota, the high school kids (and the young at heart!) are sure to be seen wearing shorts 🙂
(Sorry. I came scrolling back here to open the valentine link you posted, and couldn’t resist!)
Laura I am not on facebook. I would give my email here but it is my work email and I would rather not do that.
Thanking God for this inspiration!
Welcome, Rosalie!
Welcome here Rosalie 🙂
Greetings, Rosalie…welcome! So glad that you found you way here…looking forward to getting to know you better in the lenten study…:)
Rosalie–welcome! And Mary-Canada, so happy you are back with us! Sorry for all of you who are snowed-in, I’m a cold-weather wimp, but I am reminded how God uses technology–allowing you to experience the fellowship of believers via this blog–pretty amazing! That’s a gift, and again, makes me so thankful for Dee’s faithfulness~
Rosallie. Beautiful name welcome to this inspirational place:)
Rosalie – welcome! what a lovely first entry for you to share. 🙂
So happy you are joining us Rosalie! You will be blessed by Dee’s study, I’m sure of it!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
We also did not have church service this morning because of the storm. Eastern Canada is getting blasted. My daughter and grandsons 4, 6, and 8) are here so we had a time of singing (using my old autoharp which they find fascinating and want to help with) and my hubby read a Bible story about Jesus and said a prayer. This is the second Sunday we have had to do this since Christmas.
I am always reminded by the picture of the butterfly emerging from the chrysalis that transformation takes work. Although God gave the larva the instinct to weave a cocoon, and God gave him the ability to build one, the insect itself must go through the struggle or he will not develop properly into a beautiful butterfly. That is what I am doing now; going through the struggle of transformation into the person God made me to be.
Yes, Diane, transformation does take work ! And I think we all struggle going through it. Last week we would have said that we all suffer through it!
Good thoughts Diane! What is an “autoharp?”
Thanks for the reminder, Diane, that transformation takes work. We can’t just sit back and say, “God, You do it”…
I do apologize for my silence and absence. When stuff happens, I seem to drop off the things I really need and retreat into myself, which I do know the Lord doesn’t wish me to, I seem to retreat anyway. I hope I am at a place where that can change.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“Allowing it to transform our hearts, dying to where we might want to resist, so that the power of Christ might be evident in our lives.” is my hope. I am a failure when it comes to daily resting in the Lord. This is a relationship that suffers and it is entirely my fault. I can use a number of “excuses” too numerous to mention. Even though I talk to Him and ask for His peace, am I focused on the reasons I want this, not His actual peace? I remember the picture from a few weeks ago (Arguing with the Great I AM) where Jesus is holding and comforting the child. His comfort stands out more in that picture than her reason for seeking it. My hope is to be more consistent in taking my eyes off my situation and put them back on Him and the power of His comforting arms. I do know that if He walks with me I can walk through everything. I need to remember that it is not really me doing the walking, because then it is about me, it needs to be about His power that carry’s me.
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
I saw it in the tears of my sister and the joy of my nephew. They have been having a hard time recently (my brother in law is still recovering from a car accident) and I stopped in and witnessed a blessing of the Lord to them and their reaction to it.
Mary, SO GLAD you are back! I’ve missed you.
Mary, it is wonderful that you have returned. Lent is a really good time to do it also!
Welcome back, Mary…so good to see you. How is your Dad doing these days?
Everyone, thank you for your grace, I have missed being here as I know this is a place where truth and grace are present. Nancy, thank you for inquiring about my dad, sadly he wasn’t able to recover and he went home to be with the Lord six weeks ago. It is harder now than earlier and it is an effort not to retreat inward, but to turn outward and press into the Lord. Some days are easier than others though. I know it will eventually get better.
My sympathy, Mary. I understand the retreating when one is grieving. So good that you’re here on the blog and that your dad is with our Lord. But oh….the sorrow. Prayers for your peace tonight.
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of your fathers’ passing. I am praying for your peace.
I am so sorry, Mary…
Thank you everyone for your sympathy, yes I do miss my papa. I expect there will be times the rest of my life when I will wish he was there so some specific reason. There were sacred moments that the Lord gave to me with my dad before he passed away, I am very grateful for those. He is with the Lord so that gives me comfort too. Thanks again for your kind words.
So glad you are back, Mary!
Mary – it’s good to see you posting here again and I was blessed by your honest pondering in question #1. Thank you.
Mary, welcome back, and I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. You must miss him so much.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Once again, EVERYTHING! First, I was curious about the monarch butterfly and cocoons — wondering how there could be so many different stages on one stick (and wondered if it was fake; decided not to investigate this too thoroughly, though).
Then, the 40 days of Lent. I had no idea that is how the number of days were calculated 🙂 Hard to believe that I never interrogated anyone about this before!
Brennan Manning was mentioned again: Might get one of his books. (I think I may have had him mixed up with another author I didn’t like, didn’t finish a book, and donated it ?? Not sure)
I wasn’t too thrilled about this when I read it the first couple of times, because I couldn’t think of what I run to!” : “Here is what I would suggest — identify what you run to when you are sad, stressed, or bored and find a way to run instead to Jesus.” When I read this again and became curious about the cocoons on the stick, I realized that I don’t have to follow through with investigating EVERYTHING! I’ll pray about this more; I also wondered about giving up sleep because, lately, about once/week I become so tired that I crash for a few hours during a day
Saw lots that stood out to me in what is upcoming, too 🙂
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week. I LOVE this question because I observed the risenness of Christ many times. Cheating here & sharing two times!! 1) Early in the week, a friend commented on the difficult, busy day I had ahead of me. I responded that I knew that the day seemed challenging, and also said that I thought it would be okay. I said (probably with some hesitancy) that I thought my identity had been changing, and that because I am more secure in Christ, difficult situations weren’t as overwhelming. He affirmed that he sensed my identity had been shifting the last couple of months (SoS is soaking through another layer:) )
A second time when the risenness (hope this word doesn’t change to ripeness or riskiness again 🙂 ) of Christ was SO evident was when I was responding to the martyr and heaven questions last week. It was so clear that these questions had huge implications for life today, that He is Emmanuel. The power of heaven, the risenness of Christ, is with me, preparing me to be with and honor him forever.
Anyhow, right now, the word transformation is a little intimidating. He has been changing me, renewing my mind, at a pace that makes the changes difficult to describe. I’m thankful that He is gentle, kind, and wise. I had become so introverted that the cocoon is a good comparison. I LIKE being in the cocoon (don’t miss the caterpillar too much, though) and am not so sure I want to come out!
Renee….I loved the caterpillar to butterfly photo but didn’t think twice but that it was ‘photoshopped’ to illustrate the whole metamorphosis. (But, now that you brought it up, I’m second guessing it.) 😉 And the winged horse standing right to the edge of the roaring waterfall? ?? Maybe? 🙂
But, actually, your thoughts about ‘not needing to investigate everything’ gave me pause. When I read through ‘Idol Lies’, the question that kept coming to me was, ‘Do I make ‘knowledge’ (even trivial at times) an idol? Because I can have 10 books open beside me and 10 tabs open on my computer and totally be drawn away from focusing on Jesus.
Oh my, I didn’t even think about photoshop (duh!). I was trying to figure out how some scientist or nature person put all of them in a row 🙂 Photoshop would be a little easier!!And I only have 10 tabs open on my computer right now (on only one browser) 🙂 I had to restart because with 80 tabs open, the computer wasn’t running very well!
Wanda, Loved that you said: ‘Do I make ‘knowledge’ (even trivial at times) an idol? Because I can have 10 books open beside me and 10 tabs open on my computer and totally be drawn away from focusing on Jesus. Because I can do that very same thing!!
INTERESTING! I haven’t thought about this:
I LOVE the implications of this, “The “word of truth” could also be translated gospel. It is organic …” –related to God’s timing as well as His power. It’s so freeing that I’m not “stuck with” living up to the standards of religion or of the world. The most painful times of my life have been because I’ve pressured myself or felt pressure from others to fit a mold God never intended for me.
I agree! These statements and thoughts were really new and fresh to my mind.
Dear snowed in sisters, my prayers are with you. How difficult it is to miss church, yet what a blessing in this blog. I pray the Lord will speak in the quiet moments and lift your spirits with His kisses. I pray also Lord for an early spring.
There was a lot that stood out to me here but if I just pick one thing it would be the winged horse. I am not learning to be a better horse but rather a horse that is a new creature. One that is no longer earthbound but new and free. My horizon is changed. I LOVE that!
Dear sisters,
I am one of the snowed in ones. Actually the cold and wind is too much and my church was canceled,also. It is too hard to keep warm with this blowing cold wind.
So I had a chance to listen to last week’s sermon on suffering… Good time as I feel like I am suffering
just by being housebound. A little melodramatic, but I am tired of this snowy month.
What stood out to me? It was the flower growing through the cement wall! Hope for beauty
where it seems unlikely! Looking forward to this Lenten study.
Last week I was touched so much from the story of the blind man who was healed and the discussion about the reason he was blind.
I had cataract surgery on the 3rd and I feel like a miracle happened to me, as my vision is so wonderful in my operated eye! When I went for my follow-up visit and thanked my surgeon I shared the miracle of the healed blind man(briefly). I will pray for her, Dr. Balin, that she would be drawn to Jesus.
Shirley, That is so wonderful to hear about your restored vision. So glad for you and for the overflow of gratitude that came out when you spoke with your doctor.
I pray that for Lent I will be able to blend 2 studies.
I have experienced the riseness of Christ this week. It began last week at church. There was a man there who prayed for me. He said that I have the gift of healing. He asked me if I remember praying for people when I was a little girl and them getting well. I don’t remember that, but it has happened as an adult. I have been sort of fearful that prophecy might be my gift but healing, that IS my heart for people. It resonated with me. Another thing that touched and stayed with me were his words “when you were a little girl”. I realized that what I want is to be my Father’s little girl, and I am. All week as I have been reading Ruthless Trust I have savored my place in God’s family. It is a wonderful paradox that I can be His little girl and also a daughter growing to maturity.
And, as I study Numbers I wondered why, if God pardoned the Israelites as Moses asked, did they wander in the wilderness 40 years before entering the promised land? Why are consequences sometimes necessary? Then I realized, it is the consequences that changes hearts. Dee has taught us that hardship and suffering changes us and I believed her but the penny just dropped for me because I see how it happened in my life. I realized that it has been 40 years since I decided to go my own way at 18. I spent 10 irreligious years, 20 religious and 10 waiting on the Lord. My pastor says this is the year of Jubilee. We began the year with 40 days at the foot of the cross and he says now that we should just focus on God for the rest of the year. I don’t know but it seems like God is preparing His people. That can only be by the power of His Spirit in the risen work of Christ.
So good to see you, Anne…I too pray that you will be able to blend your lenten studies; so enjoy your presence on the blog…:)
I’m sorry for everyone who is feeling the drudgery of being snowed in. (It also makes me wistful because I so love snow and relatively speaking, we have had very little this year. I feel remiss when we don’t get snowed in at least once a winter!) Nevertheless, I am truly trying to be sympathetic, because I DO know the hassles and even the dangers that can happen when people can’t get out to where they need to be. Hoping you will all be encouraged today. Prayers that this stretch will soon end for you.
I echo, Wanda…”I’m sorry for everyone who is feeling the drudgery of being snowed in.” I too enjoy winter and snow, but understand the hassles and dangers it can present. Stay safe and sound, sisters snowed in…prayers for your well-being.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“Here is what I would suggest — identify what you run to when you are sad, stressed, or bored and find a way to run instead to Jesus.” This is what I really want to do, making sure that I am not making something that is secondary into something primary. This is the same as replacing your idols with Jesus, right?
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
It is too much of a coincidence — I have to call it a God-incidence. A couple of week’s ago I was part of a group that went to the Rescue Mission to lead a worship service. There were supposed to be three Elders and one pianist. I had made the comment quite openly in advance that I wouldn’t want to go if we didn’t have a pianist, as it is too hard to lead meaningful singing without accompaniment. I had been there and done that a couple of times, and I didn’t want to repeat that experience. So I was delighted when I learned that Miriam (falsified name) would be going along as the pianist. However, I was fairly bummed out when it came right down to the minute and she just didn’t show up! We went ahead and held the worship service, but I felt badly about the way the music went. Two days later, Miriam called me to apologize. She said she was having issues with her autistic son, but the bottom line was that she just plain forgot about her responsibility. I’m telling you, I really had to work to get out the words, “I forgive you!” But I did it! Last Sunday, Miriam approached me saying her son was scheduled to be worship leader at church on Feb. 15 , and now he learned that he had a Special Olympics event at the same time. She asked if I would swap worship leader assignments with him, as I was scheduled for the 22nd. I’m thinking to myself, God has a sense of humor here! This woman who stood me up now is asking me to do something for her? She’s assuming I will come through for her! I could hear Christ speaking to my heart, “You need to do this, better tell her ‘yes’!” So I was worship leader this morning, even though it was a very brisk -7 degrees outside this morning!! I probably haven’t derived all the learning that is available through this experience, but one thing I am sure of — it was not a coincidence!!
Right — Deanna — replacing idols!
Good post Deanna! I am glad you were there for the congregation even though it was -7 outside! They are lucky to have you dear one.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“legalistic tendency to make secondary concerns primary”…I was just reading this exact portion of Abba’s Child last night. When coincidental things like that happen, I know that there is a message from the Lord in it for me; He is emphasizing something that He wants me to take heed of.
The transformation process from caterpillar to butterfly caught my attention…how very cool to see the many stages to final transformation.
The legalism of giving something up for lent struck me…so true, many “give something up” with no thought to the real intention of giving something up at lent. I have been guilty of this in the past; giving up something because “that’s what you do for lent”…similar to saying the Lord’s prayer mindlessly, I refuse…my attendance is to the Lord or not at all.
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
I have been reading Abba’s Child and many points have been hitting very “close to home” and some have been “direct hits;” of course this isn’t coincidental. One point especially poignant…(page 71-72) “My identity as Abba’s child is … the core truth of my existence. Living in the wisdom of accepted tenderness profoundly affects my perception of reality, the way I respond to people and their life situations. … We are not for life simply because we are warding off death. We are sons and daughters of the Most High and maturing in tenderness to the extent that we are for others–all others–to the extent that no human flesh is strange to us, to the extent that we can touch the hand of another in love, to the extent that for us there are no ‘others.’ This is the unceasing struggle of a lifetime. It is the long and painful process of becoming like Christ in the way I choose to think, speak, and live each day.”
Transformation is the word…:)
Yes — not coincidence when the Spirit says the same thing twice. Love having you here.
Thanks, Dee, love being here…thanks for all you do!
Well, I accidentally type up this whole post and then hit submit w/out putting my name or email! So, it just disappeared, if you get it, Dee, it was me! I probably won’t retype it just yet cause now I’m tired! 😀
Mary e hope the post shows up. Hope you are doing okay. I was thinking of you so nice to see you pop up:)
oh mary e–so good to see you, you’ve been on my heart too these last few days, love you sister~
Mary – I’ve been looking for you too! So glad to hear from you…..and sorry your post is lost in space! 🙂 Maybe it will yet be retrieved….?
Bummer, Mary. I had some posts disappear last week too. But they used to tell you if you were missing info, so I didn’t think that was why. 🙁
What stands out to you and why?
The picture of the butterfly being transformed. I looked up some information about butterflies and when I copied and pasted, it triggered a security pop-up. But I love how the author used scientific words to explain the transformation-mysteries…complete change after many twists and turns…completely different…looking nothing like at the beginning. I paraphrased the words not knowing which of the scientific words triggered the pop-up. I was reminded of the new birth: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; behold old things have passed away, new things have come. Praise the Lord!
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
I have observed his risenness in seeing how my circumstances are being engineered by Him-all the way from the timing, things falling into place, His provision of unlikely and unexpected yet qualified people helping me at just the nick of time. I needed to put in the work but God was gracious in keeping me healthy despite the workload and giving me “kisses” along the way like my students winning a contest area last Friday.
3. Summarize:A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
Reminds me of Luther, “all of life is repentance”—our whole existence as Christians is dependent upon our repentance of our sin—acknowledging our deepest need, and faith in what Christ accomplished on the Cross. All of our life, our talk, our activities, are rooted in who the Cross says we are. The Cross, the Gospel, has given us a new identity—it is everything, yes, the “whole pool”! Keller “The gospel is to be applied to every area of thinking, feeling, relating, working, and behaving”.
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
Religion—seeking to be your own savior and lord by what you do; trying to earn your own righteousness; God loves me because of what I do; : “I obey, therefore I am accepted”. Example—if a religious person struggles with a sinful desire or attitude, he will say ‘I must try harder, do better, fix this in myself to be presentable to God’.
Irreligion—they believe that everyone is free to decide what is right and wrong for themselves. God is either so loving that he accepts all, or it is because they are not so bad—they do not believe they are sinners or that God’s love for us cost Him anything. Example—when an irreligious person is met with a struggle in sin, he will say ‘accept yourself’, ‘no one is perfect’
Gospel—As a Christian, I confess I have tried to earn my own righteousness, and continually struggle to not look to an idol. I thank God for His gracious love poured out to me, substituting Christ for my place, granting me full acceptance and access as His child. Rather than trying to obey to win His favor, I want to obey to show Him my love and gratitude. In it only by His Spirit in me that I even desire to obey. I am accepted and dearly loved through Christ, therefore I obey. When I, as a Christian come face to face each day with my own sinful thoughts, words, actions—I go to the Cross, confess my sin, receive His forgiveness, and in repentance and faith trust Him for strength to press on.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion makes me think of the treadmill—it exhausts me and yet takes me no where. I only see my own futility and inability to be righteous. The Gospel is fueled by the love of God through Christ—it is Resurrecting Power—therefore life-changing, from ashes to beauty. The Gospel has power because it is all based on God’s work and none of my own.
Elizabeth, I love this! the treadmill illistration is golden! all the work with no destination! everytime i see your picture of the red daisy it reminds me of how you called me a sunflower 🙂 this cold weather has been hard on this sunflower! we have had very little sun here on the last 10 weeks.
how are you and your little girl dong? Emma and I are a little better but, im still not the mom she needs! I look at my older girls and I KNOW the time is so short! I seem to only have eyes for her shortcomings.
I go to the Cross, confess my sin, receive His forgiveness, and in repentance and faith trust Him for strength to press on.
thanks for this reminder!
oh sweet Cyndi–LOVE it when you’re with us–and I still think of you when I see sunflowers 🙂 and you ARE the mom Emma needs–God never makes a “match” mistake–though much easier for me to say that to you than to myself in my own situation! We must speak truth to each other when we can’t seem to speak it to ourselves! This convicts me too–“I seem to only have eyes for her shortcomings.’–could be a line from my journal…praying to see through Gospel lenses instead of religion……love you Cyndi
Love you back 🙂
3. A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
The justice, mercy, grace and transforming process of our Lord is beyond our comprehension; it is SO MUCH bigger than “a jump.” When one gives his/her life to Jesus, stating his/her belief in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, that is just the very tip-top “tip of the iceberg”… there is so much more that the Lord has planned; we shouldn’t try to limit Him in our minds or hearts; He is limitless.
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
Religion…follow the rules, be perfect, earn the grace of God.
Irreligion…do what you want, when you want, with who you want; there are no consequences.
Gospel…we are all sinners in need of the grace of God; we all fall short and without Jesus are doomed. Our Lord provides for all…He provides grace through Jesus that we might be called children of God. This has nothing to do with us (e.g., efforts), but ALL to do with Jesus. Jesus wraps His cloak of righteousness around our shoulders and brings us home to the Father’s house.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion is dependent upon human power…humans are flawed and imperfect; “powerful” in the “human sense” is possible, but that is NOTHING in light of “gospel” power. The gospel is the Lord’s justice and mercy; His provision…the provision of our omnipotent, all-knowing, timeless God, whose love is unfathomable. Religion is always reaching…the gospel allows attainment through Jesus. Religion is dependent upon us; the gospel is all about the Lord.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I scrolled down past the above..and realized I was supposed to comment on the above but all of this post is powerful! 🙂 what stood out was this: “Christ’s resurrection should not just be seen as a historic reality, but a present power in our lives.” -YES!
In 1988 Jesus came and turned my world upside down with His presence and power. I knew His Spirit was living inside and God gave me excellent teaching that included His resurrection power in my life, but that wasn’t the emphasis most often in the teaching I sat under and so I missed pressing into Him in that way, yet because His Spirit is inside I may not have intellectually been there yet but I experienced His Resurrection power changing me through His Word..giving me compassion I didn’t have before, a desire to serve others which totally wasn’t there before I knew Him, and a desire for people to know Him and be raised to new life in Him too. So even though it wasn’t the emphasis in my church, He showed me His Resurrection power in me anyway.
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
In my relationship with an unbelieving friend. Had He not convicted me, and I bowed down to my idols and not Him it would have gone a different direction. His power rose up in me, opened my eyes AS I was bending toward my flesh and He asked me to trust Him and reminded me of the future with Him. The issue grew so small and He so big. I saw that she was more important to Him than the issue, and was able to repent of my sin and turn. I see Him making her heart softer.
I also was encouraged at church yesterday that having our mind and hearts set in the future with Him determines how we live today. Dee has encouraged us this way on the blog too. I LOVE to be reminded of that OFTEN for it helps me not to bow down to my idols and live a ‘lesser’ life..focusing on His Resurrection power in me-HE IS RISEN..HE IS WITH ME..IN ME making me new NOW and in the future-oh..Walking in this truth more and more is changing me inside-it is a process though and I am taking baby steps but I am SO glad. I am seeing that a lot of the things I get upset about daily like injustice, my ‘rights’ being taken away, etc…in light of His power in me now-HE HAS ME I AM HIS, and in the future when He comes back to make all things new..makes those things insignificant. Not that I shouldn’t care about issues that effect my family, the church, our world and when I can help those in need and work to help correct an injustice..I am not saying that..but to fret over it and let it get me down as if there is no hope means I am taking my eyes off of His Resurrection power.
Rebecca, this little phrase in your post caught my attention, that when we turn to our idols instead of to Him, we “live a lesser life”.
Grear’s pool analogy is rich in water imagery. The water of the Spirit and baptism, made possible in the death and resurrection of Christ. John 16:7. If we try to live religious lives apart from the power of the Spirit we will not be alive or heart changed at all. I did that for years. I believed the gospel but then tried ever so hard to live the life in my own power. I just didn’t t know, or was bogged down by sin or something. The result of that can be so much worse than in people who are irreligious. How vitally important it is that believers be discipled in the church.
Another thing about the imagry. We are made up primarily of water and require it for life. The Holy Spirit is the power of the gospel and God’s kingdom on earth. He works in us and among us as if we were submerged in water. The church apart from the power of the Spirit is like a valley of dry, dead bones.
Anne, your words in John 16: 7 about the Holy Spirit are radioactive to me today when combined with your own words here. I am grateful for the perspective that you bring here. So many times I just long for Jesus beside me in the flesh like He was with the first disciples. But Jesus says, “it is to your advantage that I go away for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.” And as you say, “The Holy Spirit is the power of the gospel.” When I have the Holy Spirit, I have more power than did Peter and John before Pentecost. Awesome thought that I can’t even pretend that I fully understand. HIS Spirit is in me. HE is “everything I need for life and godliness”.
Diane, yes. It is so encouraging to think about how He is with us. It’s so easy to get bogged down and forget. Thanks
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I still love that depiction of the butterfly coming out of the cocoon. I think it is a good visual about putting off the old self, putting on the new; of formerly being dead and now being alive. The butterfly doesn’t fly around all day and then return and try to crawl back into its old shell…it leaves it. I also remember giving up things for Lent, thinking that the giving up was the purpose, just something you were supposed to do. But it had no meaning beyond that. As far as identifying what I run to when I am sad, stressed, or bored, I think I know it all too well. I may run to the internet, to look at clothes, beauty products – I think that maybe buying something will get rid of the sadness or boredom. This may sound strange, but I run to the past. I turn inward to memories of the past and I long to go back to the time when all of my children were young and at home, and my days were filled with being with them. I long for my mom to be the way she used to be before Alzheimer’s. I long for the time when loved ones who are now gone were still alive and we were together. Instead of focusing on Him, or reading my Bible or praying, I close my eyes and retreat into my memories, looking for comfort. I look to other people, often family, to somehow give me a sense of comfort and security. I am glad to be here with all of you, that we may press into Him together, sharing our struggles and victories and encouraging one another.
2. Share one way you observed the “risenness of Christ” in your life last week.
I had a friend at church in my Sunday school class who had read my prayer request and reached out to me through an email. I’ve long sensed that my coworkers at my new job are Christians, but last week one of them approached me about possibly doing a Bible study at work during our lunch hour. I am thankful to be working with these ladies and I have noticed from the start that the atmosphere is different; there is kindness and caring for one another. When I was still working on the past lesson and watched the video of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, I noticed how she didn’t respond pridefully to Jesus. My husband and I had argued before he left for work, and I laid down my pride and called him.
Susan, I, too run to the past periodically especially with regards to my daughter. Enjoy the memories of her young faith and wish she is still in a vibrant relationship with Jesus. But I am trusting God for His promise in Philippians 1:6 “He who has started a good work in you will complete it till the day of Jesus Christ.” I pray for her not too stay too long in the dark pupa of life independent of God. Appreciate the sharing about your husband as well. 🙂 Our pride sure needs a laying down once in awhile. 🙂
Bing I too have a longing and a deep sense of sadness over faith set aside in my children. It is as if they see it as a childish thing and now they are grown up. But as I was praying for Nila’s son this evening I was so encouraged. Everyone longs to return to the days of childhood and innocence. That is the longing that will bring them back to the God who loved them so well. He captured their hearts. We will keep praying and God will answer.
Thank you, Ann for the words of comfort and encouragement.
i notice that you say “i think it will help with the sadness…” you KNOW that it does not, that is such a huge step! I also tend to run to shopping for furniture or redecorating a room when i get sad about my kids being bigger and some not living at home. it is such a hard transition! I miss them so much.
i loved your graces! so glad you have found good women at work and I will pray you make some really good friendships!
You’re right, Cyndi…I KNOW it doesn’t help…like Tim Keller said in one of his sermons on idolatry, we say “I can’t help it…I must run after these things!” Yet…discovering that the gospel can help us overcome the power of sin, and that we can replace our affections for our idols with affection for Him is hopeful. And, it’s always so good to see you on here!
Susan — I am thinking God is answering our long standing prayer for friends and for you to use your gifts in a study!
3. Summarize:
A. What did J.D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
I think it means that we often think that the gospel, or the ABC’s of salvation, is what gets us in, just as the diving board gets us into the pool. Then we begin to try to swim or just stay afloat as in living the Christian life, in our own power. Paul said to the Galatians, “After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” At least I didn’t used to know that the gospel is the whole pool, which is why I began to sink and to despair of ever “getting it right”. The good news is that God gives us His Spirit, that living water welling up to eternal life…we are immersed in it just as we are immersed when we jump into the pool. His life in us gives us “buoyancy”.
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
Religion – man’s attempt to get to God. I will be good and follow the rules; I will build my own ladder to get to God. I may not be perfect, but I’m better than her. God will accept me based on what I do.
Irreligion – I will live for myself. I can never please God anyway, so I might as well go after the things this world has to offer.
Gospel – I am empty, and I need to be filled-up. I can’t fill myself up and the world has nothing to offer that can truly fill me up. I have failed to be what God requires; I am separated from Him with no hope of getting to Him. But God bent down to me. I was dead to Him and He made me alive. He did for me what I could not do for myself. He forgave my sins because Jesus paid for them. My very faith was a gift from Him.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion is dead works; it has no power to transform. It relies on human effort and as humans, we grow weak, tired, and give up trying. The gospel has power because it is God’s power at work in us. We are to let Him live His life through us, and when we submit to Him, He gives us the power to do things we never imagined possible.
D. What other comments do you have on the above?
I love the painting of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. He was not like the picture of the angry Pharisee who would have pointed a finger in her face accusingly. Jesus opened her eyes to see the truth about what she was doing to herself, to see that she was running from Him as she sought love and comfort in man after man. The Pharisee finger-pointing would have only brought her greater guilt, shame, and running even further away. I love the way Jesus’ eyes look so probing but not condemning.
What stands out from above: Your introduction, Dee, and my husband’s sermon from yesterday were on the same focus: getting closer to Him via suffering and understanding His suffering for us. He even used a similar description of Christ visiting the church. Definitely the Holy Spirit.
Where have I seen the risen nature of Christ this past week: Yesterday my daughter called to say her son would have to go to YMCA day camp while she and her husband, both teachers, had workshops today. He was very afraid and nervous, as the last time he went, another child bullied him and he got in trouble when he responded back to the bully with unkind ways. My inclination was to volunteer to drive up to her home and keep my grandson so he would not have to be put in the situation. However, Christ told me to not volunteer. My daughter and her husband were giving my grandson the opportunity to revisit a hard place in his life and to work through the difficulty, using Christian coping techniques, like being kind, asking to speak to an adult Y worker he is comfortable with, etc. My daughter admitted that the situation has grown out of proportion due to their failure to reintroduce their son to the Y day camp sooner. While this is tough on parents, child, and now me as the grandparent, the better action is teaching him the role of trusting God with this situation, and to allow God to produce a victory.
The whole pool: Looking back to the illustration I gave regarding my grandson today at YMCA day camp – the Christ via the gospel message, is using the experience of my grandson returning to day camp to build into him life changing principles that will dictate how he responds in the future to similar situations. Instead of the situation being a one-time only confrontation with truth, the situation has become life-transforming, impacting how he matures.
This is the reason I could not intervene – I would have been thwarting God’s plan for my grandson’s growth. This is also why God many times does not protect us from the hard times as those experiences are used by God to teach us life transforming lessons.
That’s a really good example of how God allows us to go through suffering, for us to mature in our dependence on Him. Thanks, Sherryl.
I love the picture of the stages of the butterfly. It reminds me that once I have become the butterfly I am made to FLY. not to stay attached to the old,comfortable cocoon! So often we are content to stay where it is comfortable, to rest after the hard work of Gospel transformation. We do not transform for ourselves, but so that we can change the world around us with that transformation.
This week has been so full of HIS graces. My husband gave me a list of things he loved about me for Valentines day, and as many of you know our relationship has not always been easy. It was easy and fun this week, and that has been more and more true as God is transforming us both into less and less selfish, prideful people.
Also, many alumni of the ministry I work for donated to a fund to help the current students go to retreat. Many of us had life changing encounters with God on these retreats and the fact that so many were willing to help others go was such an encouragement to me.
I was able to have 3 Saudi Arabian woman in my home for a tea. two of them I have never seen their faces because they cover everything but their eyes, it was such an amazing blessing to be able to see their beautiful smiles and to talk about young wife life with them.
For Lent I am going to ADD instead of give up, I have found in the past if I give up, all I can think of is the thing im giving up, it does not make me replace that with Jesus. SO I am going to add this blog every day and write in my prayer journal every day. I am also going to commit to saying 3 positive things to my youngest daughter every day. I struggle being positive with her and i know that it is an area in my heart that Jesus wants to work on!
I enjoyed reading about your extraordinary week, Cyndi. “A week so full of HIS graces.” Treasures!
Cyndi, thanks for sharing your week’s graces.
Loved your post, Cyndi! I always enjoy hearing about your campus ministry. Things like having the tea with the Saudi Arabian women may sound simple but are soooo important! I also want to ADD instead of GIVE UP for Lent. I am presently still pondering how the Lord wants me to do that. So glad you will be posting on this blog for all of Lent!
So good to have you here Cyndi. Your energy amazes and inspires me.
Susan, This is ALL so rich. (so glad you’re back in ‘real time’ smile) When you said, ‘I run to the past’, I immediately had an ‘aha’ moment. Yes, I do that too. In many ways. But I had not seen it in this context at all…so the Lord used your words to show me that.
Also, I am so glad to hear about your coworkers at your new job. It encourages me to see the Lord’s hand there! And your humbling yourself and calling your husband. So hard but so good.
Oops. I meant for this to be a reply to Susan above. I forgot to refresh the page and post it as a reply.
Salvation, we must realize is bigger than rescuing us from guilt, but also from the power of sin. (can’t turn off the color of the quote) This is so powerful. While guilt is a powerful influencer in our life, we must remember, that the power of our relationship with God comes from the power of the Holy Spirit in our life, directing us to correct behavior and thoughts before we commit the sinful action. The Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ as well as the will of Christ to be obedient to God’s wishes and desires. When we realize the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily life, God is glorified and people around us want to know Him.
LOVE
Glad the above post corrected itself before posting.
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?” He compared becoming a believer through the gospel to the diving board of a pool. That is our ‘entry point’. The gospel has reached us and by God’s grace, we have been given new life. But, as we dive into living this new life, the gospel’s work in us is just beginning. Now, everywhere we go, everything we do, in every situation we encounter, the gospel message is there. By God’s grace, we need to rely on the power of the gospel to be shown to us and to increase in us. Example: While I sit here in my house, reading the Word and speaking about the gospel, I am simultaneously looking out the window at my next door neighbor’s home. She is a recent widow. I am reminded to call her to ask how things are going and see if we can get together this week. This particular example fits James’ illustration precisely. But the gospel needs to permeate my day to day living in countless ways. Living in the ‘gospel pool’ is like being so immersed in it, that the water (ie the gospel truth) becomes my ‘normal’ environment.
thanks wanda, I did not get that at all, your explination helps a ton, i love the picture of being immersed in the gospel!
Wanda, how fortunate for this lady that you are her neighbor! You are always reaching out to others to show that you care. I love how you put this…reading and pondering and simultaneously looking out the window at her house, wanting to extend His love to her.
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
I actually got confused about this question so I am asking the good Lord to make it clear to me. There are obviously other ways to get into the pool and one is the diving board. Do I have to jump off the diving board or can I just walk into it? I thought about the first time I learned to float on my back in a pool. I have to let go of every tension in my body or I start panicking and then sinking. But when I relax, the pool keeps me buoyed up without me putting in effort. So like the gospel! It does not need any effort on my part except to trust the object of it, Jesus Christ. As Tim Keller puts it, the gospel is the primary not the secondary. Gospel equals Christianity.
Gospel=Christianity
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
Religion: Go to church every Sunday-that is what Christians do; Being good
Irreligion: Acquiring more knowledge to rescue me from the trials of this world
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion lacks power because its acts never satisfy my aching soul-they are like filthy rags. The gospel has power because everything of it hinges on the power of Jesus Christ at work in me. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I believe, Lord; help my unbelief.
D. What other comments do you have on the above?
“The gospel is organic, the life of the risen Christ in us.” Oh, how so often I operate like Jesus did not rise from the dead! Getting by on my own day by day and forgetting the victorious life Jesus has given me through His death.
Bing, I loved your answer to A! You raised some important questions like “Do I have to jump off the diving board or can I just walk into it? ” Also your analogy of floating in the pool and trusting Jesus Christ was wonderful!
First I have to say that I LOVE the example of getting out into the community and doing things with non-chiristians! So many stay inside the Christian culture, not hanging out with non believers. Its so important that we are friends with people who dont know Jesus yet, real friends, not just thinking of them as people to “save”
5. I have never read this passage before and I am fascinated. Jesus is saying that the real person they are serving is satan! I find that the more I learn about Islam the more I see how he has tricked an entire population into worshiping him by mascarading as God. on one hand The phar. thought that they “deserved” heaven because of their lineage…..on the other they thought all the laws they kept earned it….just like satan to play such a nasty trick on people, it is an un-winnable circle of futality. you can not earn something that you feel you deserve and you can not deserve something if you must earn it, especially when the bar is always set just out of our reach.
we can not earn, we do not deserve, we will never earn what Jesus has willingly given, we can only except the free gift and live a life of gratitude for that gift.
the way we respond to our “god” is a clear indication of the “god” we are responding to. if we are responding in fear, pride, works, we better check to see what ‘god’ we are worshiping. satan is the master of lies, he is the altimate shape shifter. the proof is in the pudding as they say. if we are living lives of gratitude, forgiveness, grace, peace and joy then it is Jesus we worship, if the fruits are fear, pride, works, discouragement, discontent, envy…..Well, the FRUITS of HOLY SPIRIT are love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control.
3. Summarize:
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
If we think the gospel is only the diving board, then we limit its power for us, and we won’t get into the total “swim of things.” Instead we need to view the gospel as the total pool, that we need to be immersed in, and it will cover every part of us. It will affect every aspect of our lives, holding back nothing. If we view the gospel as just intellectual dogma, then we will be staying up on that diving board, just bouncing up and down, and going nowhere. If the gospel is something that we can feel in mind, body, and spirit, then we will be buoyed up in the delight of His love and we will be freed by the truth of His Word. He will be our all in all!
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
Religion is trying to earn one’s way into God’s good graces and heaven. It involves futile ritual and works. Works are dead, and when we get through, we are not satisfied, but are waiting for a word of praise or thanks, and it is an ever-increasing task that is never totally done.
Irreligion is like having no God or god — you do whatever you want because you believe nothing affects your spiritual well-being. No one is incharge, and life is random and senseless.
The gospel is the understanding that God planned for our redemption and reconciliation with him, by sending His Son, Jesus, who loved us so much he allowed himself to be crucified on the cross for us, and that because He was raised from death, we know we will be also. He is our Risen Christ, and we are freed to follow Him into God’s kingdom.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion is something that man does, and it does not contain power from God. The Gospel is the good news of the love of God expressed through Jesus Christ, and through it we are given the power of the Holy Spirit to carry us through our lives.
3. Summarize:
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
What we think about God affects ALL of life. Either we are being self-disciplined, trying to manipulate God by controlling our circumstances, or self-absorbed looking this way and that trying to find pleasure for ourselves, or we are Christ’s children, learning to let Him lead.
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
Religion: Self-effort. Illustration: This involves self-discipline, pride, constant comparison and putting down of others, anger if I do not get my way. In India, Hindus sacrifice food and many other material things to idols while their children do without in order to appease the gods because they fear them or hope they will grant some favor.
Irreligion: I can do anything that makes me feel good. It is all about me. Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and other celebs are good examples of irreligious life styles.
Gospel: I am more sinful than I am even conscious of, but loved more extravagantly by God than I could possibly. I love Him therefore want to obey and serve Him. Joni Eareckson Tada was paralysed in a diving accident in her teens. Her initial reaction was angry at God, bargaining with God, yet God came to her and now for more than 40 years she has served Him, even through constant pain and breast cancer. She helps others with disabilities, has written book to inspire thousands, sings praises with a beautiful voice and so on. I receive daily devotionals from her ministry that are very helpful. She is real, honest and thoroughly gospel driven.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion is self-effort. We are sinners; we deceive ourselves, thinking we can do it ourselves. We are our own worst enemies. We defeat ourselves. The gospel is God’s power; He changes us. If we believe in Him, His Holy Spirit lives within us, giving us power to truly do good and follow God’s ways.
Joni is such a good example of a gospel-transformed life.
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
Was a bit confused by the question, the gospel is everything you can’t just dive in on occasion. In order to benefit from a pool, you have to actually be in the pool, to be immersed in it. Sitting on the side occasionally or diving in and getting out will do you no good.
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
I wonder if both religion and irreligion have more in common with each other than they appear to. Are they two sides of the same coin? Both focus more on the individual power and what we do, being a “good person”. Neither will save, regardless of how it is clothed. The Gospel on the other hand focuses on the power of Christ to save, it is all about Christ and how we are in Christ, we are a part of Him. It is not external, it is internal.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
Religion lacks power because it is still about the person doing something, not Christ working in them. The gospel has power because it is about what Christ does and He does the work. I like Elizabeth’s analogy of the treadmill, a lot of energy and going nowhere.
D. What other comments do you have on the above?
The word “organic” stood out to me. It made me think of the difference between organic and GMO. The outside they look the same, it’s the inside is where the difference is. The difference is not apparent but shows up in the long term. The example is the recent apple that was in the news where the big claim was that the GM apple will not turn brown (and therefore last longer). On the outside you can’t tell the difference, but given time the organic apple will turn brown like apples are supposed to, the GM apple will not.
Mary-Canada — so good to have you here. Good observations on the similarity between religion and irreligion.
I think the gospel as the whole pool is a deep and mysterious concept and I’m so glad you are here to explore it with us.
I posted and it didn’t show. Here it is again, sorry if it posts twice.
3. Summarize:
A. What did J. D. Grear mean when he said “the gospel is the whole pool?”
I think he means the main point, the “good news” gives us the entire picture; grace, no strings attached.
B. There are three ways of life: Religion, Irreligion, and the Gospel. Explain each with an illustration.
religion – I go to church every week.
irreligion – I don’t go to church.
the Gospel – I go to church because I want to learn more about Jesus, mingle with like believers, and be close to Him.
C. Why does religion lack power? Why does the gospel have power?
hmmmmmm……hard question. I suppose when we, as humans, are told we have to do something, we genuinely rebel. We would like to make choices on our own terms. Example for me…..don’t tell me I need to give to a certain charity, let me make my own decision about where I want to give. The Gospel says I don’t have to do anything but believe in Him; have faith that He loves me that much. WOW! Amazing grace, how can it be? That You my Lord would die for me???? Powerful for sure!
The question about the pool reminds me about coming to Christ the diving board is our initial start of our walk and the pool would be our grace walk in all areas of our lives. also in deep areas of the pool we have to trust Christ to carry us as we are not able to be in control touching bottom. And when our whole life is lived by the gospel it is as refreshing as that pool.
Religion all about rules and routine and not about having the relationship. Going thru the motions as others said my own self effort. Performance based.
Irreligion not acknowledging the Lord or maybe saying I am following but living life as I please. chasing idols as the replacement of God to attempt to fill the void in my heart for a true relationship, but always coming up empty as none of that will ever satisfy.
Gospel accepting Gods free gift of salvation and living everyday so close and in love with Him that out of that, living the way he instructs is what I want to do and I walk closer to him. My life is transforming I am not the same person I was when I first gave my life to Him in 1996. I am not burdened by the rules, I want to walk in freedom and my dependence on Him carries me. I may mess up but I can go to Him and seek his forgiveness and He freely forgives. Havin joy despite my circumstance