November 4, 2009 • 10:57 0
John Piper discusses the heresy involved in the health and wealth or prosperity gospel… which is no gospel at all (Galatians 1)
more about "John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel", posted with vodpod
Filed under: Church, Controversy, Gospel, Growth and Journey, Jesus, Teaching, Worldview
• 10:54 0
A sad reality, and must watch video
Filed under: Church, Controversy, Gospel, Teaching, Worldview
November 3, 2009 • 08:29 2
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
So what does that text have to do with daddy’s? Everything! When I was boy I emulated everything my father did. I wanted to walk like him, talk like him…I wanted to be him, and until I came to know Christ, he held the highest place in my life. He was a great dad.
This is a natural outgrowth of our nature. We come to emulate, hold the desires of, and do the things that those we hold in the highest regard do, even if we don’t perceive that we do.
Jesus was pointing this reality out to a group of blinded men who believed that God was their Father, but looked and acted nothing like Him…as He said, these mens works, ways, and desires all looked like Satan. They were murderous, liars, deceivers, and falsely pious. None of theses are characteristics of God, but of Satan, the enemy of our soul. So what story did their lives tell? Though they said with their mouthes that God was Lord and Father, their lives betrayed their profession.
So the big hanging question is this…what or who do you hold ultimate in your life, and what story is your life telling? Does it match the story of your mouth? Does it match your profession? Or do you pay lip service in an attempt to create a reality where your life, though it doesn’t match that of God the Father, is excused by Him because of a prayer you prayed or profession you made?
There is no neutrality in this, you have a father, beyond the flesh and blood one you may or may not know, and your life tells of which one you emulate, and hold in the highest place in your life…so, who is your daddy?
Filed under: Discipleship, Gospel, Growth and Journey, Jesus, Life, Teaching, Worldview
October 28, 2009 • 11:15 1
I have heard many leaders from the emerging church movement,including Rob Bell and Brian Mclaren, consistently reference the “way of Jesus,” which to the careful ear ends up being an emotion driven attempt at replicating the be-attitudes for the good of the world. I want to believe these men are sincere in their desire to tear Christ away from rigorous religion that is wrought with rules, but empty of life. I want to believe that this is their desire, but what is being shaped by their words and message is a Christ-less Christianity focused on replicating chosen behaviors and words of Jesus, without any significant relationship with or replication of Him.
The “way of Jesus” can not be reduced to replicating what He describes in the sermon on the mount. Even Ghandi, a man quoted as saying he found nothing miraculous in Jesus death on the cross found comfort in the way of doing life presented in the sermon on the mount, but he was not a follower of Christ. And this is what this message of “the way of Jesus” deeply implies. The ability to do life in a manner that seeks to imitate Jesus’ words from that particular teaching, but not to have Him in all His strength and glory.
If we wish to replicate the complete “way of Jesus” then we must talk about hell…alot. Money…alot. And fight religious rule making in an effort to exult the Person of Yahweh. We must speak strongly against sin, and honestly about grace, and humbly about the cost of discipleship. What I have described is the true way of Jesus, and even this limited survey is not complete.
Jesus said that He, in fact, is the way…that Him, in the fullness of His Person was the “way of Jesus” and the only way to replicate that is through His power…in Him, by His Spirit, those were His words. As long as we carve up the scriptures to support the things we wish to define ourselves by, and ignore those that cause complications in our manufactured theology, then we will never know the way of Jesus, and certainly won’t be able to live or communicate it to others.
Jesus is the way of Jesus, He is our great treasure, and without this understanding we are simply green peace, red cross, or the salvation army…and oh yeah, we sing songs about Him sometimes too….
Filed under: Controversy, Gospel, Growth and Journey, Jesus, Worldview
October 25, 2009 • 01:56 1
“Our faith is a person; the gospel that we have to preach is a person; and go wherever we may, we have something solid and tangible to preach, for our gospel is a person. If you had asked the twelve Apostles in their day, ‘What do you believe in?’ they would not have stopped to go round about with a long sermon, but they would have pointed to their Master and they would have said, ‘We believe him.’ ‘But what are your doctrines?’ ‘There they stand incarnate.’ ‘But what is your practice?’ ‘There stands our practice. He is our example.’ ‘What then do you believe?’ Hear the glorious answer of the Apostle Paul, ‘We preach Christ crucified.’ Our creed, our body of divinity, our whole theology is summed up in the person of Christ Jesus.”
C. H. Spurgeon, “De Propaganda Fide,” in Lectures Delivered before the Young Men’s Christian Association in Exeter Hall 1858-1859, pages 159-160.
Filed under: Gospel, Growth and Journey, Jesus, Worldview
October 24, 2009 • 13:56 0
Excerpts from Tim Keller’s Sermon, “What constitutes Gospel-Centered Ministry”
In his message, Keller presented the following:
* Jesus is the true and better Adam, who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.
* Jesus is the true and better Abel, who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out not for our condemnation, but for our acquittal.
* Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar, and go out into the void, not knowing whither he went, to create a new people of God.
* Jesus is the true and better Isaac, who was not just offered up by his Father on the mount,but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “now I know you love me, because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me, now we can look at God, taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing Him, and say,” now we know that you love us, because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from us.”
* Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserve, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.
* Jesus is the true and better Joseph, who at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold Him, and uses His new power to save them.
* Jesus is the true and better Moses, who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.
* Jesus is the true and better rock of Moses who was struck with the rod of God’s justice, and now gives us water in the desert.
* Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.
* Jesus is the true and better David, whose victory becomes his people’s victory though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.
* Jesus is the true and better Esther, who didn’t just risk losing an earthly palace, but lost the ultimate and heavenly one, who didn’t just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.
* Jesus is the true and better Jonah, who was cast out into the storm so we could be brought in.
* He is the real passover lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so that the angel of death would pass over us
Keller said something curious after communicating this list “That’s not typology,” he said, “that’s an instinct.”
There is something to be said about an instinctual love and vision for Jesus in everything…we want to know that He is at the center of all that is right and beautiful…this can’t be taught, only caught in quiet places before the face of the King.
Thanks to Jared Wilson for posting this list…..
Filed under: Gospel, Growth and Journey, Jesus, Ministry, Worldview
• 13:13 0
This is a must read from Jared Wilson, author of “Your Jesus is too Safe“,
http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2009/09/rant-rob-bell-and-evangel-less.html
October 12, 2009 • 15:30 2
If you are honest, then you would say yes, I agree with the title to this post…and if you are content on lying, then so be it, that again is displaying the need to look better than the rest. It is amazing to me how easily we can slip in to this, even as those who profess to follow Jesus…actually especially as those who profess to follow Jesus. Yes, us, the one’s who are supposed to have the answers. We live in a bubble wrapped world, where, instead of measuring our lives next to that of the exalted Christ, we measure it next to each other…why, because if I can stay just one step ahead of you, then I can consider myself, and look as though to everyone else, that I am a good and faithful follower of Christ.
Lest you think this is some stinging indictment from some exalted pedestal that I have placed myself on, let me tell you we “pastor guys” have it the worst. Always wanting to present this aire of being just a step ahead, so that the people we lead can have someone worthy of following. But here is reality, this is not what Jesus called us to. He called us to radical life, committed to Him, and only being compared to Him in measuring our righteousness. Isn’t that the point of the message? That when we look upon the cross we all realize we are void of anything good, unless He, by His own discretion, give it. Because even the good we do, outside of Jesus, is wrongly motivated, and again, if you are honest(which most of us are not) then you could admit that.
This is at the heart of the peculiar interaction He has with the Pharisee’s in John 8. [3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.] They bring this woman, in their hypocrisy, to expose her broken-ness, and their righteousness in “finding her out”, and in an effort to test Jesus, and look like “good people” they exploit this woman…an Jesus’ answer is strange, but noteworthy. If you are innocent, and better than her, start slinging…of course they retreat, but the point is made. Religion leads to hypocrisy that seeks to expose and exploit the broken-ness of others, while exalting ourselves as righteous and without fault.
So lets recap…we all do this, especially those who are professing followers of Jesus…and He has given us a stout answer. Before you think yourself righteous, and quietly compare yourself to the person in the next row…look at the cross, contemplate the gospel, and realize how truly broken we all are. If you can still sling a stone after that, God help you….
Filed under: Biblical Insight, Gospel, Growth and Journey, Teaching, Worldview
October 9, 2009 • 15:16 0
Filed under: Controversy, Hilarious
• 14:32 0
Recently I did and interview with Mark Lamprecht about Renovation Church, and what the future is shaping up to look like. Here is the transcript:
The name Leonce Crump, Jr. may be familiar to some as All-American Oklahoma Sooner wrestler, Sooner defensive tackle or professional football player for the New Orleans Saints.
Today, Crump can be found in Atlanta, GA not as a sportsman, but as a churchman. This godly man has a heart for Jesus to match his 6’ 4” former heavyweight wrestling frame. Crump is in the process of planting Renovation Church in downtown Atlanta. He was gracious enough to make some time for lunch and to answer some questions for me.
Mark Lamprecht: Describe how you came to vocational ministry.
Leonce Crump, Jr.: God called me to vocational ministry shortly after a serious period of rebellion in my life. I love to hear stories of people who received Christ, and following His saving them; they never experienced any periods of rebellion and set back. There is another contingent of individuals though, that I belong to. This group, though experiencing genuine and true salvation, turned from the Lord to try and do what they thought right in their own eyes, and ultimately ended up being shattered against the rock, before they would fully submit to Christ and His calling…this is my story. I truly believe in some small measure my rebellion can be attributed to the fact that I knew I was called to vocational ministry, and in my mind this was far too great a responsibility.
Following my 22-month downward spiral in college, and the subsequent crash, a man named Mike Wilson began to disciple me, mentor me, and ultimately share the responsibilities of the young adult ministry with me. Within a year I was fully pastoring this group. I did this until I graduated college, and have been in vocational ministry, both part and full time, for the last eight years.
Church planting came “naturally” meaning, it was a clear gift and calling that God had given me, and intended for me. When I took inventory of every ministry I have ever been a part of or led, I realized that I either founded it, or played a significant role in doing so. There are many more twist and turns in this story, but this is the best-abbreviated version I could provide.
ML: Why Atlanta?
LC: Atlanta was actually our last choice in places to move to plant, but in spring of 2008 I began getting recruited by North Point Church to possibly plant with their partnership program. This pursuit ended amicably, but after having visited four other cities and feeling fairly excited about the prospects of moving to one of them, we came to Atlanta for our final interview with North Point. It was at that time that I suddenly felt a massive burden for this city, specifically the downtown/midtown area. I can only describe it as a tangible longing to love and serve this city unlike any I had felt before. We needed to be here, and God has continually confirmed and affirmed that initial calling. I love this city, and I am desperate to see those who Christ is calling to Himself reconciled to Him truly.
ML: As someone might be considering a church – why Renovation?
LC: Renovation will have a very particular ethos, and someone considering being a part should weigh each of our distinctive carefully. We want to be a deep, infectious part of the Grant Park community and surrounding neighborhoods. For Renovation to be effective in its vision/mission it means that people cannot drive in to worship with us. We want to be an indigenous church, made up of the residents of our community. If you cannot drive here in 15 minutes or less, or take the train, then we won’t be able to serve you or have you serve and be fully invested.
Renovation is deeply committed to serving the poor and disenfranchised, uncompromised teaching of the scriptures, and making Jesus the hero of every story. If He is not the centerpiece of all we do, we are wasting our time. Renovation is also committed to life on life discipleship/relationships. We want to do life together both structurally as well as organically. This means doing the things we always do, but doing them with gospel intentionality; that is true community. We value depth over width; dynamic worship environments; are accepting of all people; incarnation over attraction; A Gospel worldview; steps over programs; mentoring and discipleship. We value being multicultural, an even in our meager initial gatherings we have over 9 different ethnic groups represented. If these are things that are of high value to you, then Renovation will be a place to grow, be challenged, and give your life away to see Atlanta made into a great and beautiful city.
ML: What is your strategy and vision for reaching the culture?
LC: Our Heart & Context: Incarnating Jesus in the Concrete Jungle
Young Professionals
Young Families
Students & Artist
gatherings or small group gatherings (i.e. study hours with food during finals)
Urban Influx/Existing Residents
All of these “strategies” are simply proposed vehicles for engaging our neighbors in their natural contexts with the gospel; they are not an end unto themselves. The aforementioned are the primary groups of people we will lovingly engage with the gospel and focus on for building the kingdom and the church. Underneath the surface of these broader groups are families with children and those without; those in poverty, living within two blocks of those who are affluent; angry white idealistic “emo” kids, and disconnected young black kids with dreams but no tracks to run on. Also woven into the fabric of our context are subgroups that we will turn our attention to when we have equipped followers of Christ to engage them; the Muslim community here in downtown, and the socially disenfranchised (fatherless, homeless, prostitutes, strippers, children being trafficked) are also heavy on our hearts, but, we cannot address these issues without willing and able people to labor with us in this mission.
ML: How do you want yourself and Renovation to be thought of in the community?
LC: If, in 5-10 years, by God’s providence Renovation Church must close its doors, I want the community to feel a sense of mourning. Not because we conformed so greatly to the culture that they miss agreeing with every decision we have made, but because we have served them so genuinely, worked and prayed for the welfare of our city, and loved them so completely that our absence is noticeable…and more than that, that it is painful.
ML: Is there anything you would like to tell the readers about Renovation church?
LC: This is not, and by God’s grace will never be church as usual. I don’t mean that in any sense of trying to be hip, cool, or cutting edge, but in the sense of there being an expectancy of changed lives, and because of that, and radically renewed and changed city, restored and reconciled to God and with each other. We will be restorers of streets, seeing crooked things made straight, and broken things made whole in Atlanta and from here effect change in our state, our nation, and the world as we invite the continued breaking in of the Kingdom of God, for His glory and our good. This is our vision, and I hope that if God is calling you, and it makes your heart burn within you, that you would join us on this foolish mission, so big that only God can accomplish it.
ML: How can Christians pray for Renovation?
LC: Pray for wisdom, clarity, and the name of Jesus to be made great in us and through us.
Leonce Crump is seeking to integrate his ministry as a visible part of the community in the city of Atlanta. Despite his incredible athletic ability and two Master’s degrees Crump will tackle this task with the only transcendent and cross-cultural message known to humankind, the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the only message that transforms lives and makes one acceptable before a holy God. Crump’s goal, through the love of God and neighbor, is to take the gospel to his community to trasnsform it to the glory of God. Anyone who shares Crump’s vision for changing Atlanta with the gospel can contact him at Urban Mission Blog. Also, Crump was a presenter at Fight Club 09 in Metro Atlanta where free audio and video are provided.
Filed under: Acts 29, Atlanta, Grant Park, Renovation Church
