I had the privilege to speak at ONE28 Ministry's recent summer retreat. (ONE28 is the youth ministry of Foothill Bible Church.) We had the chance to look at the theme "Nothing Compares" from 3 passages in Philippians. I have the audio of each message below, for your and my mom's enjoyment.
Audio (Click on the link to listen! CTRL + click to open in new tab)
Nothing Compares with Joyful Service- Philippians 1:19-26
Nothing Compares with Humble Community- Philippians 2:1-11
Nothing Compares with Knowing Jesus- Philippians 3:1-11
Scripture Passages
Philippians 1:19-26
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 3:1-11
Enjoy!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Bible is a Big Deal
Notes from Sunday's Refuel study...
THE WORD OF GOD is SPOKEN by God.
Many times, we want God to “speak to us” and tell us
something new and amazing about how to live our lives, or what purposes He has
for us. We need to realize that he speaks to us daily through his Word, the
Bible- as long as we open it.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21- “Knowing this first of all, that no
prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy
was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16- “All Scripture is breathed out by God…”
THE WORD OF GOD gives INSTRUCTION to live a new life.
Through his Word, God instructs us on truth about himself,
the world, and ourselves. Through his word, God gives us power to live a new
life that pleases Him.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17- “All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work.”
- Hebrews 4:12-13- “For the word of God is living and
active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and
of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions
of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and
exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
“Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives.” (Howard Hendricks)
“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from
this book.” (John Owen)
There are ETERNAL REWARDS for following God’s Word.
Psalm 19:7-11- “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the
soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts
of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is
pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired
are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings
of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them
there is great reward.”
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
God's Notifications
If you're anything like me, you have a love/hate relationship with notifications. You know what I'm talking about. The red number in the corner of your Facebook page; the blinking LED light on your phone; the bold number in your email inbox. When I see these notifications, I have to click on them. I hate seeing unread emails or unchecked social media notifications, and I therefore compulsively check these things to make sure I receive all the notifications.
My (somewhat pathetic) eagerness in this area led me to question my heart recently. How eager am I to check the invitations, alerts, and notifications that God is giving me? When I see the blinking LED light indicating a new tweet or text message, I immediately check it. Yet, how often does God reach out to my heart through his Spirit or his Word with an alert, a notification, a conviction or message? And how often do I delay in responding to his message? Do I check God's communication with me as eagerly and passionately as I check my smartphone? Or do I ignore God and pay him little attention?
Read the verses below. They (along with the rest of Scripture) clearly show that God reaches out to us, to get our attention and call us into relationship with himself. Be honest with yourself. Like those who rejected God in the verses below, do we "resist the Holy Spirit" and pay God "no attention" because we are "not willing"? Or do we eagerly wait for God's alerts and notifications in our lives?
Acts 7:51- “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you."
Luke 13:34- "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Matthew 22:4-6- "Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them."
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
God wants to redeem all of you...
Walking with Jesus has many seasons. Many peaks, and many valleys. Sins that were struggled with yesterday may not even tempt you today. Sins you never thought you'd struggle with may be what weighs you down most today. And so, I want to offer us a quick, encouraging reminder as you battle with a sin, temptation or struggle: think big picture. Jesus doesn't want to cure you of one struggle. Your walk with Him is not exclusively defined by one sin, by one battle. Jesus wants to redeem all of you.
Let me explain. Many go through a time of sexual struggle, and allow their failures or victories with that struggle to completely define them as a Christian. Many do the same with a struggle with speech. Many struggle financially, and we feel loved by God and closer to Him when he provides materially, and possibly less so when he doesn't. So remember, as you battle a specific sin or test in life, that Jesus doesn't just want to make you pure sexually, or conquer your potty mouth, pride issues, envy, etc. Nor does he just want to provide for you materially. What he wants is to redeem all of you, and make you completely like him in every way.
CS Lewis puts it best,
"Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect— until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’"
Let me explain. Many go through a time of sexual struggle, and allow their failures or victories with that struggle to completely define them as a Christian. Many do the same with a struggle with speech. Many struggle financially, and we feel loved by God and closer to Him when he provides materially, and possibly less so when he doesn't. So remember, as you battle a specific sin or test in life, that Jesus doesn't just want to make you pure sexually, or conquer your potty mouth, pride issues, envy, etc. Nor does he just want to provide for you materially. What he wants is to redeem all of you, and make you completely like him in every way.
CS Lewis puts it best,
"Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect— until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’"
Friday, May 4, 2012
Why I (kinda) like Christian Hip Hop
I am the least likely candidate to purchase a hip hop album. I'm a pasty Bible Major kid from the suburbs who loves guitars. In all honesty, the 2 most popular genres of music from my semi-agricultural hometown are country and mariachi. You'd have a triple take if you heard bass n' beats sneaking out the cracked window of my Corolla with 3 plastic hubcaps. But recently, I must confess I've purchased a few Christian Hip Hop albums, and to my surprise, I really enjoy them. Not just because of the beats or the auto-tune, but for real, substantial reasons.
1. Hip Hop is declarative. Hip hop generally comes across as confident, brash, maybe even arrogant. The genre encourages bold declaration. While most hip hop seemingly declares accomplishments of money-making, women-winning, and other self-centered items, Christian hip-hoppers use that same confidence to declare truths about God and commitment to his purpose. For example, to hear Trip Lee boldly declare "to die is gain!" uses the confidence of the genre to declare a great truth of the Christian faith. And, you know what, it really works.
2. Hip Hop allows for deep, specific lyrical expression. You've all heard Christian "rock" songs that seemingly repeat themselves, tying one Christian cliche after another. It may sound good or feel good, but there isn't much depth there, right? Contrarily, Christian hip hop is a great vehicle for many words to be spoken, which allows for great specificity and great depth when explaining biblical truths or spiritual applications. I mean, what recent Christian rock song unpacks the value of church commitment the way that Stephen the Levite does in his "Church Membership" track? Or how about a track on the importance of Biblical Theology, like the one Shai Linne provides? Hip hop allows for deep, specific expression of truth that goes perfectly with Christian truths and living in a way that other genres don't.
3. Everyone loves a good beat. There's a reason the pastiest of my pasty friends will download top 40 tracks and be caught tapping a foot or 3 to those said tracks. Everyone loves a good beat. And you know what, I've found that Christian hip-hoppers have come a long way in their production quality. How much sweeter that beat is when Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka and company are declaring gospel truths! Much better than an ode to one's own sexiness, in my opinion :)
1. Hip Hop is declarative. Hip hop generally comes across as confident, brash, maybe even arrogant. The genre encourages bold declaration. While most hip hop seemingly declares accomplishments of money-making, women-winning, and other self-centered items, Christian hip-hoppers use that same confidence to declare truths about God and commitment to his purpose. For example, to hear Trip Lee boldly declare "to die is gain!" uses the confidence of the genre to declare a great truth of the Christian faith. And, you know what, it really works.
2. Hip Hop allows for deep, specific lyrical expression. You've all heard Christian "rock" songs that seemingly repeat themselves, tying one Christian cliche after another. It may sound good or feel good, but there isn't much depth there, right? Contrarily, Christian hip hop is a great vehicle for many words to be spoken, which allows for great specificity and great depth when explaining biblical truths or spiritual applications. I mean, what recent Christian rock song unpacks the value of church commitment the way that Stephen the Levite does in his "Church Membership" track? Or how about a track on the importance of Biblical Theology, like the one Shai Linne provides? Hip hop allows for deep, specific expression of truth that goes perfectly with Christian truths and living in a way that other genres don't.
3. Everyone loves a good beat. There's a reason the pastiest of my pasty friends will download top 40 tracks and be caught tapping a foot or 3 to those said tracks. Everyone loves a good beat. And you know what, I've found that Christian hip-hoppers have come a long way in their production quality. How much sweeter that beat is when Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka and company are declaring gospel truths! Much better than an ode to one's own sexiness, in my opinion :)
Monday, April 23, 2012
A Review of 'Days with Jesus'
When seekers and believers alike attempt to learn more about the person of Jesus, they are most often directed to the Gospel of John in the New Testament. And in reading this gospel, several questions inevitably arise. In this book, Days with Jesus, Pastor/Author Jim Jackson has written an extremely helpful counterpart to the gospel of John that will answer most, if not all, of those pesky questions. The author tackles the text, stories, and themes in an intriguing and multi-faceted manner: a dose of history, a helping of theology, a skosh of science, and two scoops of spiritual application amount to an exciting and penetrating read that will certainly have something for everyone. Not only does Jim do this from the written page, but incredibly well-done videos accompany each chapter and are found on the book’s website (www.dayswithjesus.com). These videos offer a great auditory and visual complement to the book and are excellently shot on site in Israel from the locations where each event takes place- color me satisfied!
The strengths of Days with Jesus are many. Here’s why you should read it:
- You will personally interact with the story of Jesus. The voice and tone of the book do not allow one to be an innocent bystander!
- You will learn new things about Jesus. Technical historical, scientific, or theological nuances are explained in a clear and accurate manner.
- You will feel convicted by Jesus. Thoughtful discussion questions, penetrating applications, and memorable quotes all highlight the message of Jesus and urge the reader to be transformed.
- You will laugh. There are several witty remarks, interesting observations, and funny one-liners that keep you on your toes.
- You will meet the true Jesus. As a reader, I was continually placed in the story, viewing Jesus as an eyewitness would have viewed him. It was a fascinating view, indeed.
I imagine that you could enjoy this book as your own personal study, as your family devotions, as your small group curriculum, or possibly as a church-wide walk through the gospel of John. However and whenever you choose to walk through the life of Jesus and the gospel of John, you should certainly do so with Days with Jesus at your side...
(Disclaimer: Yes, my pastor wrote this book, and yes I would love him even if the book sucked. But the book rocks! I'd even recommend it if a Boston Celtics' fan wrote it.)
Friday, April 6, 2012
Remember the Cross
Many today in our culture generally disapprove of rote rituals (especially my young peers). We don't like to be boxed in, controlled, or told what we have to do by some institution. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand, we are generally authentic and don't like to fake things. On the other hand, we may reject rituals that are good for us.
As Christians, we are supposed to remember the cross everyday, to live in light of the cross and the grace that forgives our sins and cleans up our sin-stained lives. We read great books like "The Cross-Centered Life" and "The Gospel for Real Life" and realize that interaction with the cross is not just a once a year event- the cross is for day-by-day, minute-by-minute life for the Christian.
However, with this in mind, I want to challenge you to remember the cross more specifically the Easter weekend. It's a healthy ritual to practice: to think, reflect, pray, meditate, and worship in light of the cross more purposely, more intently this time of year. Similarly, God gave Israel annual celebrations (like Passover) for the specific purpose of remembering his work in years past- so they wouldn't forget his redemption. Even in our own culture, we celebrate past events like birthdays and anniversaries every single year. Does that mean we appreciate our life only on our birthday and not the rest of the year? Or does that mean we enjoy our marriage only on our anniversary and not the rest of the year? Of course not. It's healthy to celebrate and reflect more specifically on these important events- and none is more important than the cross.
So I encourage you to live a cross-centered life- 24/7/365. Live it passionately, live it intently, and live it in light of Jesus' sacrifice every single day. And I also encourage you to remember it more specifically and more deeply on Easter, as it is good for your soul.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
As Christians, we are supposed to remember the cross everyday, to live in light of the cross and the grace that forgives our sins and cleans up our sin-stained lives. We read great books like "The Cross-Centered Life" and "The Gospel for Real Life" and realize that interaction with the cross is not just a once a year event- the cross is for day-by-day, minute-by-minute life for the Christian.
However, with this in mind, I want to challenge you to remember the cross more specifically the Easter weekend. It's a healthy ritual to practice: to think, reflect, pray, meditate, and worship in light of the cross more purposely, more intently this time of year. Similarly, God gave Israel annual celebrations (like Passover) for the specific purpose of remembering his work in years past- so they wouldn't forget his redemption. Even in our own culture, we celebrate past events like birthdays and anniversaries every single year. Does that mean we appreciate our life only on our birthday and not the rest of the year? Or does that mean we enjoy our marriage only on our anniversary and not the rest of the year? Of course not. It's healthy to celebrate and reflect more specifically on these important events- and none is more important than the cross.
So I encourage you to live a cross-centered life- 24/7/365. Live it passionately, live it intently, and live it in light of Jesus' sacrifice every single day. And I also encourage you to remember it more specifically and more deeply on Easter, as it is good for your soul.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
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