I don’t know what is going on…my head is spinning these days…so much information – truths from the Bible, audio messages from Piper, Giglio, Reidhead, Beth Moore and from reputable books. This, in addition to personal realisations in a number of ‘works’ I have been involved in, has led to the beginning of a number of radical steps. Reidhead’s ‘ten shekels and a shirt’, Piper’s ‘God is the Gospel’, and Joshua Harris’ ‘Stop Dating the Church’ have aided me greatly. Reidhead’s sermon can be downloaded/streamed from sermonindex.net and I would encourage anyone reading this blog to download/stream and give it a few listens in a still place. Given that this is posted in Bottear’s ‘Books to Read’ section I shall concentrate on the two books I have referred to.
There is a common thread running through the books I have been reading of late, some of which have been posted on this site. Is it the authorship (all of which so far have been John Piper)? That would be a correct answer, however, the common thread I am referring to is that Christ is exalted and the God-head established in His rightful place and my heart cry is that many, many believers would saturate their minds with such reading and thoughts (Philippians 4:8-9) and live accordingly. God is the Gospel – what words can be used to describe this book? It speaks truth and much like the ever-increasing literary works of Piper does this by quoting and accurately interpreting Scripture in its context and against other Scripture. Piper, in relation to the Gospel writes “There is no Gospel where the glory of God in Christ is not shown. And there is no salvation through the Gospel where the glory of God in Christ is not seen." Wow! I just wonder how many have a desire and have a belief in the existence of God, heaven, eternity etc. in order to attempt in their own minds to save their own skins from the torment of hell? Piper states “The Gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God." I don’t know who may be reading this but if you have to think about the next question then please examine yourself against Scripture – if God was not in heaven would you still want to be there in perceived happiness? I truly hope you are lifting your eyes to heaven while at the foot of the blood soaked cross with the thought of the presence, the glory, the majesty of the lamb Who was slain in every thought and flowing through into every action? This book is powerful and Piper speaks immense relevant truth to the 21st century westernised church. Truths in this book and the Word together with Reidhead’s sermon have provided me with the opportunity to re-think where I’m at along the narrow way and to fix my eyes on the King rather than what ‘works’ I can do for Him. Lord, empty me of self and fill me with the afresh with the presence and power of Your Spirit and mould me into whatever vessel You would have me be for Your Name and renown.
The second book I have referred to is again extremely relevant to the 21st century westernised church. In this book - ‘Stop Dating the Church’ – Joshua Harris quotes accurately from Scripture and picks out specific descriptions of the Church as Christ’s bride, His body and His temple and describes our Lord’s vision for the church. To quote a reviewer “Not only is [the church] essential for our own spiritual well-being, it is the primary way in which we are called to minister to other believers, and to evangelize unbelievers.” Harris, in the US, has seen that rather than commit to a local body of believers, most attendees of congregations are merely ‘daters’ thus belittling God and His desire for His body. This, I believe, is also an issue that needs addressed in our context today. Through committed bodies of true believers who are part of the body of Christ, He is going to mobilise evangelism into surrounding communities, missions locally and further afield, expository teaching and preaching etc as per the early church. Harris gives a list (not definitive I’m sure Harris would admit) of what true believers should look for in a church and to commit themselves to this local body. Through various conversations I have heard many times “no church is perfect”. Yes, we are sinners and no church is perfect, but imagine a group of counted righteous, spiritually mature brothers and sisters each of whom know their spiritual gifts, how to use them biblically and culturally and who have a deep, deep desire to see God’s Name honoured, exalted and glorified in today’s secular society. What kind of a difference could God cause through a team of these like-minded believers? I have a desire at present to see such a team come together, but am waiting patiently on our Lord all the while sitting at His feet. This, as I’m sure you are aware is directed at you brother Boal!
There is a common thread running through the books I have been reading of late, some of which have been posted on this site. Is it the authorship (all of which so far have been John Piper)? That would be a correct answer, however, the common thread I am referring to is that Christ is exalted and the God-head established in His rightful place and my heart cry is that many, many believers would saturate their minds with such reading and thoughts (Philippians 4:8-9) and live accordingly. God is the Gospel – what words can be used to describe this book? It speaks truth and much like the ever-increasing literary works of Piper does this by quoting and accurately interpreting Scripture in its context and against other Scripture. Piper, in relation to the Gospel writes “There is no Gospel where the glory of God in Christ is not shown. And there is no salvation through the Gospel where the glory of God in Christ is not seen." Wow! I just wonder how many have a desire and have a belief in the existence of God, heaven, eternity etc. in order to attempt in their own minds to save their own skins from the torment of hell? Piper states “The Gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God." I don’t know who may be reading this but if you have to think about the next question then please examine yourself against Scripture – if God was not in heaven would you still want to be there in perceived happiness? I truly hope you are lifting your eyes to heaven while at the foot of the blood soaked cross with the thought of the presence, the glory, the majesty of the lamb Who was slain in every thought and flowing through into every action? This book is powerful and Piper speaks immense relevant truth to the 21st century westernised church. Truths in this book and the Word together with Reidhead’s sermon have provided me with the opportunity to re-think where I’m at along the narrow way and to fix my eyes on the King rather than what ‘works’ I can do for Him. Lord, empty me of self and fill me with the afresh with the presence and power of Your Spirit and mould me into whatever vessel You would have me be for Your Name and renown.
The second book I have referred to is again extremely relevant to the 21st century westernised church. In this book - ‘Stop Dating the Church’ – Joshua Harris quotes accurately from Scripture and picks out specific descriptions of the Church as Christ’s bride, His body and His temple and describes our Lord’s vision for the church. To quote a reviewer “Not only is [the church] essential for our own spiritual well-being, it is the primary way in which we are called to minister to other believers, and to evangelize unbelievers.” Harris, in the US, has seen that rather than commit to a local body of believers, most attendees of congregations are merely ‘daters’ thus belittling God and His desire for His body. This, I believe, is also an issue that needs addressed in our context today. Through committed bodies of true believers who are part of the body of Christ, He is going to mobilise evangelism into surrounding communities, missions locally and further afield, expository teaching and preaching etc as per the early church. Harris gives a list (not definitive I’m sure Harris would admit) of what true believers should look for in a church and to commit themselves to this local body. Through various conversations I have heard many times “no church is perfect”. Yes, we are sinners and no church is perfect, but imagine a group of counted righteous, spiritually mature brothers and sisters each of whom know their spiritual gifts, how to use them biblically and culturally and who have a deep, deep desire to see God’s Name honoured, exalted and glorified in today’s secular society. What kind of a difference could God cause through a team of these like-minded believers? I have a desire at present to see such a team come together, but am waiting patiently on our Lord all the while sitting at His feet. This, as I’m sure you are aware is directed at you brother Boal!
1 comment:
my mouth is watering, and i've got goosebumps, and my heart is pounding after that!
How great is our God in giving us "church". the stop dating the church book is an amazing read!
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