| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6364 Registered: 12-2003  |
In June our pastor, Gary Inrig, had a final meeting with a group of pastors (which included John Piper and D. A. Carson) from a variety of denominations to produce their final statement articulating the essence of the gospel. This group's purpose was to produce a statement of Christian beliefs in response to the popular softening of the tenets of Christianity. The following link is not the official, final statement of the group, but it Gary's summary of it. This link is the June edition of our church newsletter, Connections. Scroll to page three to read the seven-point summary of the final copy of the Gospel Commision's evangelical belief statement. http://trinityonline.org/files/Download/759url.pdf Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1118 Registered: 9-2006  |
Thank you for that bit of news this morning Colleen, I am encouraged that there are Pastors and theologians whom are willing to identify and proclaim the Gospel and will not compromise the gospel. This morning I had the chance to close a meeting in prayer with some of my Adventist friends. Previous to that one man admitted that we cannot come up to Christ righteousness, “and yet” were his words and then he began to falter as he struggled with the IJ to explain that we could come into our own righteousness, you know the story of what this all sounded like. So when I prayed I thanked god that we could look into his word and I thanked God for bringing salvation and that we could know that we are saved and I thanked God that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. I suppose I pretty well sent him for a loop in my prayer, I prayed these things for their sakes, I preached the gospel in a mini-form for their sakes, but it was also my truth and I am truly thankful I am living in the gospel. Yesterday I typed a letter to that man in prison encouraging him in the gospel, yesterday I had the privilege of praying with a man who had lost his wife day before yesterday to cancer, a hurting soul and a heart rending thing to pray beside him and feel his deep grief and I am truly thankful that I am living in the gospel. I am not living it, I am living in it and there is a difference. The gospel is a living gospel and I just can’t think of a place I had rather be, to live in Christ is to find that life abundantly and the thieves and charlatans of this world cannot break through and steal it from us. Truly Christ is the gospel and truly we find Christ in the gospel, but we must live in it, not stand outside as an observer. We can hold talks about what the gospel is, we can remark on it, argue about it. But I am coming to understand that unless we can live in it is the only real way we can proclaim it with much success. Only a growing living vine can begin to bear fruit and we are the branches and so we must abide in that living gospel. This is not going to be popular to the ones who live outside the gospel and are content to be an observer and an arguer, it begins to take on the look and feel of work and time and even money and self sacrifice and a laying aside of pride and it quickly becomes unattractive to them. It reminds me of an aspiring one who hears the Guitar played and aspires to play as others do so they pick up the guitar and no sooner than they pick it up they are appalled at the application it takes to become anywhere near proficient, the exercises, the pain in the fingers, the daily struggle to overcome the lack of coordination and effort that must be put forth to play this instrument so they lay it aside and are contented to be an observer and not a player. Some do learn the basic chords, they reach a plateau and are satisfied to remain there, and then there are the very few that go on to play beautifully. So yes, I am thankful for the dedicated Pastors, evangelist and theologians who are willing to identify the gospel. My question is, can we meet in places like Chicago or maybe New York, identify it and then bring this information back to our churches and show the people how to “live in it”? And then will the aspiring Christian of the cross be willing to do what it takes to live in it, not merely being satisfied to be an observer but a partaker of it. If we can do that and there are willing participants we can set the world on fire and turn it upside down. Jesus ask his disciples “will you also go away?” and that question rings down through time to us today “when the way gets hard will you also go away? I have to ask myself this same question “will I also go away?” will I be content to be an observer having identified it? Or am I willing to go on living in it, it doesn’t call for much, just my life. It is a hard road to become a participant in Jesus gospel, it means laying aside of oneself, to begin applying time and energy and talent, not only to stand statically by and wait for opportunity but to seek out opportunity to minister to others. Upon doing that, Jesus words will take effect “Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down shaken together and running over.” River | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 232 Registered: 1-2006  |
River Thanks for sharing about the SDA co-worker who believes he can bring his own righteousness in the IJ. That theology is taken directly from Ellen White. My Cedar Lake Academy Bible class book taught that identical heresy, with a very clear graph on how our own righteousness increases until we reach perfection and have no further need of Christ's righteousness and can stand before God without Jesus--live sinlessly, while in the flesh, here on earth before the second coming . . . It just makes so much sense! I'll be praying for him, and that the Lord will give you further opportunities to share the gospel with him. Bob | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1119 Registered: 9-2006 |
Yes Bob, I knew you guys would know exactly what I was talking about and what you described is exactly and right on the money what this man described. You know I am so thankful for you guys because you know what I am talking about and I don't have to feel I am talking over your head. It seems like God has furnished me a place in a little corner of the room where I can come and someone will understand what I am saying. Working alone I would become so frustrated so you are part and parcel of this ministry to them. I am grateful for you, and I am grateful for your prayers. River | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 233 Registered: 1-2006 |
River Many SDAs believe that Christ died so that they would have a second chance (a second chance at probation) to keep the law perfectly, and that their perfect obedience is what they will be judged on in the IJ. Acts 15:10 Acts 13:38,39, the book of Galatians, make it clear that fallen sinners cannot keep the law, that in Jesus we are freed (justified) from everything the law addressed, etc. The parable of the King's feast addresses the futility of bring our own righteousness or our own works. So also the offering of Cain, which was also rejected. Bob | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6366 Registered: 12-2003 |
River, thank you for your post above. Yes, I so know that conversation you had with your Adventist friend! I am truly compelled by what you wrote about living in the gospel—that being in Christ means we must live in the gospel. We don't live for it or "live it" or live through it—we live IN it because the gospel is the Lord Jesus. You have clearly identified reality. Arguing theological fine points is not what we're called to do, although we must contend for the faith and cleaerly state truth. But when we are consumed with defending/arguing our understanding, we have turned aside from living IN the gospel. Knowing Jesus draws us deeper into Him, and He does ask us to surrender more and more of ourselves and what we love and live for. But He doesn't leave us empty. He gives us Himself, and He gives us more than we surrender for Him. Thank you for your thoughts, River. Colleen | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 234 Registered: 1-2006 |
Colleen Thank you very much for sharing the trinityonline link above. I would just like to say thanks for the encouragement you have given me along the way. This forum, the online friends, prayers, and fellowship, have meant a lot to me and my family. I have especially appreciated your prayers for my children at the Friday night FAF meetings, Richard's prayers with me in his old office at Loma Linda as I was transitioning out, and your continued ministry. Gary's Good News piece (your link, above) is such a refreshing overview of our "sure and certain hope of life in the presence of God forever. That is good news indeed, news to delight in and news to share." With much appreciation for you and Richard, Bob | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1175 Registered: 4-2000  |
Colleen, Thanks for sharing the link about the Gospel Coalition. The seven points of truth were excellent. I especially liked the first and seventh point of truth: (1) The Gospel is not merely about Jesus, it is Jesus. (7) The Gospel is eternal. It extends beyond time to give the sure and certain hope of life in the presence of God forever. Dennis Fischer (Message edited by Dennis on July 23, 2007) | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1126 Registered: 9-2006 |
I went on the Gospel Coalitions web site and read some of the stuff that they are trying to bring about. I thought it might be of interest. http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/vision.html I am going to bookmark the site and read a little more. River | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4033 Registered: 3-2004  |
Colleen, thanks for sharing the website on the Gospel coalition. I have bookmarked it also, so I can go back and read it in depth. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6375 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hey, River, thanks for the website! The last I checked it wasn't online yet. Thanks! Colleen |
