Love

Jesus Christ told his disciples in John 13:34-35 that the world would know that they were his disciples by their love for one another. One of the greatest ways that we can show Jesus to the lost and dying world is to love each other. More specifically, to have each other's back, to serve one another, to consider each other better than ourselves, to confess sins to one another, to pray for each other, to provide for one another when in need, to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, to challenge and confront each other when needed, etc.

Mark Dever writes in his book the Deliberate Church that "Showing distinctively Christian love for one another, then, is a critical evangelistic tool for the spread of the Gospel and growth of the church". As a community of saints, our corporate witness to non-believers hinges a great deal upon our love for each other. Furthermore, our vocal witness will be annulled unless we take Christ's words in John 13 seriously and begin biblically loving each other through the working power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Once this corporate love comes to fruition, the proclamation of the Gospel that flows from our lips will be consistent with the way we treat each other and love the brethren.

And that my friends is very powerful.

The Precious Gospel

Over the past 2 months I have taken a break from classes at Liberty in lieu of my desire to finnish my MDIV through Southeastern Seminary. As of late, I spend most of my time with my wonderful family, preparing sermons and reading. I have finished up some quality books such as The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer, Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias, and The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhaffer. Reading books that challenge my mind and my soul cause me to think.....all the time.

Lately, I have been thinking about the Gopel. As a child of God, I have the distinct privilage and opportunity to allow God to use me to ADVANCE His gospel. That is special! Further, Christ has commanded me to promote and live out His gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit working inside of me. I'm sad to say that so many times I stay in my own little "comfort zone" and WASTE MY LIFE! I firmly believe that if I am not available for God to use me to advance His Gospel, then I am simply wasting my life here on earth. Christ has given me a task and I have not been created to merely sit on the sidelines.

As one team with one purpose, may we do whatever it takes to advance the precious gospel of Jesus. Life is too short to waste time participating in wordly and self indulgent activity. When I stop and meditate upon God's Word, it becomes crystal clear that there is so much more to life than working a 9-5, earning a nice pay check, and watching episodes of Lost and American Idol. In comparison to the precious gospel, those "luxuries" are filthy trash and count for nothing. Let's not waste our life. Let's allow God to use us to advance His Gospel. Not to us but to His Name be the glory!

-My next post will include practical ways we can advance the Gospel as a team. We are praying for you.