Rescue Mission

What’s the cost of following our Lord Jesus Christ? What’s the value of God’s saving grace? The Gospel Message of salvation is a rescue mission for desperate men. Rescue means to save from danger, to deliver from a desperate condition by force if necessary. The spiritual battle is to rescue the hearts and minds of desperate men who have come to the realization that, “I have found the enemy and he is me.”

In the book of Mark, a rich young ruler had asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said, “go sell all of your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and come follow me.” The man left sorrowful and grieving because he had many riches. He had forgotten the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Like many Americans, this rich young ruler worshipped another God… His God was the almighty dollar.

The message of the gospel of the good news of salvation is a message of deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. Desperate men are ready to turn from the darkness of our fallen sinful nature and unto the glorious light of the gospel of truth. To be desperate means to be moved by extreme anxiety and motivated by hopelessness and frustration. God will humble those he’s called. He will bring us to our knees to the point that we realize that “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”

Luke 19:1-10 is the story of Jesus’ encounter with another rich man. His name was Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector who received a cut from the other tax collectors in his district. He was desperate to see Jesus but he was “vertically challenged” so he ran ahead of the crowd as Jesus approached and climbed up into a sycamore tree. Even though Zacchaeus had many riches and lacked nothing in this world, he was desperate for the Way, the Truth and the LIfe. He was desperate to see Jesus.

God had prepared Zacchaeus’ heart. The beatitudes say that “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Zacchaeus was full of material blessings but he knew Jesus had something he lacked. He was hungry for the things of the spirit of God. Zacchaeus threw dignity to the wind and climbed up into a tree to see Jesus.

The word Zacchaeus means “righteous one.” However, he was despised and hated by the Jews. As the chief tax collector in his district, the people considered him a “turncoat.” He worked for the Roman government and taxed his own people. In the process, he impoverished them while enriching himself. Finally he came to the realization that he did not live up to his namesake. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus whose reputation had proceeded him. He was desperate to follow the true righteous one.

Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, come down out of that tree for I’m coming over to your house today.” Many people turn away in shame and guilt when Jesus calls them. However, a man who is desperate runs to the Lord and not from him.

Many are invited but few are chosen. We didn’t choose him, rather, he chose us. We had no choice over our natural birth. Likewise we have no control over our spiritual birth. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.

To approach a Holy God, we must forsake our pride and run to the Lord Jesus Christ with the heart of an innocent child. A child runs to his father when he’s desperate and in need of rescuing. Like an earthly father, our loving Heavenly Father will embrace us in his arms. Jesus said, “come unto me all ye who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

It’s not the miracles and great and mighty works or swelling words of man’s vanity that calls a man to repentance. Rather it is the love, mercy, grace and goodness of the Lord that calls us. This is the gospel message. They don’t care that we know until they know that we care. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you. That’s why the Word of God says recompense to no man evil, provide all things honest in the sight of all men for the Lord is at hand.

Zacchaeus was desperate and need of a Saviour. He ran to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was joyful to make restitution to those whom he had wronged. He wanted to come clean before his lord and before the people. Zacchaeus said, “I’ll go beyond the requirements of the law and give half of everything I have to the poor. I’ll also return back to those I’ve defrauded four times over. Zacchaeus had a change of heart. Like David said when he repented of his sin, “create in me a new heart O Lord.”

When we repent by running to our Lord, and from our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus Christ is our peace, he is the one who reconciles our hearts back to our Loving Heavenly Father. There is no peace with God without the Prince of Peace. When we turn from ourselves in desperation, he will rescue us from our sin and iniquity. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus said in John 14:27: My peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

On Purpose

What is God’s purpose? Ephesians 1:4 and 6 says: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:… To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:17-23 continues, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is”“to come: 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Pastor Pete McKenzie says that there are four reactions upon hearing the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone . The first reaction is outright rejection. The second reaction is by those who try to do the will of God but never enter into God’s saving grace. The third reaction is those who think that they are saved by their good works. The fourth category is those who know whom they have believed and are persuaded that he is able to keep that which he’s committed unto them against that day of righteous judgement.

Bill Kauble was in category three. He and his wife were both leaders in their church. Bill’s wake-up call came two years ago when his wife Debbie said to him, “I want a divorce.” Bill was completely shocked. Debbie had been a faithful wife and never once asked him to check off the items on her “honey do” list. Even though Debbie had studied her husband, Bill realized that he didn’t even really know his own wife. That night, Bill prayed, “Lord what shall I do?” God’s answer was, “Stand your ground and love her.”

Debbie had been abused by her own father from the age of five through sixteen. Because of her abuse she built herself a mental prison. However, even though her father had died many years before at the age of forty nine, her father was still stuck with her in her mental prison. She kept these thoughts locked up in the recesses of her mind.

Creativity is sometimes born of repressed unresolved feelings, pain and anguish. Debbie had become an accomplished song writer and musician. She worked with renown song writers and producers in the music industry. Collaborating with a music executive in Nashville, she developed an intense infatuation for him even though they had never met in person.

Shortly after Debbie had asked him for a divorce, Bill attended a retreat with the Christian Men’s group “Solely Business.” At the retreat, God showed Bill a vision of his marriage like Ebenezer Scrooge’s dream in Dicken’s story “A Christmas Carol.” God gave Bill a picture of the ghosts of his marriage past, present, and future. Bill recalled that when Debbie was twenty nine and walked into a room, she was so beautiful that every man’s eye was drawn to her. Many years later when she announced that she wanted a divorce, Debbie confessed that she had absolutely no feelings left for her husband. At the men’s retreat, the assignment was to spend some alone-time meditating with God. The Lord said to Bill, “what you’ve done to your wife, you’ve done to me. You never had a real love relationship with either your wife or me.” God answered Bill’s prayer, “Lord what shall I do?” with the command, “Stand your ground.” From that point on, he felt an unconditional committed love for his wife. When she asked him, “why don’t you just move out?” He said, “God told me to stand my post and to love you unconditionally.” Even though Bill’s heart was broken, “it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Bill thought that you were supposed to flee fornication. However, there was an opportunity for Debbie to travel to Nashville to collaborate in person with the man with whom she had fallen in love. She was about to book the flight. However, the man refused to meet with her. Thank God for divine intervention, for all things work together for (God’s and our) good to those who love him; to those are called according to His purpose.

Bill recalls that his Master’s degree at Stanford was “strategic planning.” God taught Bill that you might as well throw your strategic plan out the window. For his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways. When Bill asked God what direction he should take, God said, “you are to encourage older men.” Bill realized that Jeremiah 29:11-13 was God’s plan: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

God wants each of us to know that he has given each of us a future and a hope. Our calling is to love him above all. He called married men to understand that we must love our wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. God answered Bill’s prayer and today Debbie honors, loves, and respects her husband in the Lord.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace according to the power of the Holy Spirit. For our purpose is this: to live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

May the God of peace give unto you wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

RSVP

God calls individuals and nations with a specific invitation. Whosoever will may come. This is the gospel of the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. As individuals and as a nation, how we RSVP to God’s invitation will determine our eternal destiny. Some Christians don’t understand God’s purpose for calling them. Jesus came for one purpose only: your redemption and mine. The Apostle Paul said, that ye may know him and the power of his resurrection that we should be holy and acceptable before him in love.

Jesus often spoke in parables to teach a spiritual truth with an earthly illustration. According to Matthew 22:2-14, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day and compared the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast. In Matthew 22:2-14 Jesus said: 2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Jesus compared the future of Israel to a king’s invitation to his son’s wedding. The Jews and their leaders were invited to the wedding feast. However, they rejected the invitation. This rejection was an affront to the king and the king’s son.

Our RSVP to God’s personal engraved invitation will determine our eternal destiny. Jesus said, “come unto me all ye who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He said, “whosoever will may come” for whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. However, Israel rejected the king and his son. They didn’t have time for the things of God…their priorities were not their King’s priorities.

The first of the Ten Commandments is “thou shalt have no other Gods between your face and my face.” The greatest failure in life is not to fail in something but rather to succeed in something that doesn’t really matter….after having climbed the ladder of success to discover that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.

According to verse 5, those who received the invitation were insidiously preoccupied with themselves. Jesus said, “if you love the world the love of the father is not in you.” The context of John 3:16 says, “he that doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God.”

A culture that forsakes God will become “wise in their own conceits.” The devil, the God of this world convinces people that he doesn’t exist. Those who live in sin deceive themselves that there is no right or wrong. They have been indoctrinated according to the world’s systems. When they forsake the truth of the Word of God they cannot believe that there is a righteous judge who judges according to the righteous standard of truth.

Those whom the King invited to his son’s wedding rejected the invitation. When he sent his servants to confirm their RSVP, they attacked and killed the King’s messengers.

There is only one sin that cannot be forgiven. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake. The king does not desire that anyone will perish. He is gracious, merciful and long suffering. However, the good news of salvation is on God’s terms, not ours. It’s not sin that keeps a man from salvation but rather the rejection of the Saviour from sin, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The king had made ready the wedding feast: his servants had prepared the the food, the music and the accommodations for the celebration. When the Jews who were initially invited rejected the invitation, the King said, “go into the highways and extend the invitation to everyone who will accept.” The Gentiles who accepted the invitation were both evil and good. Salvation is not because we are good but because God is good. Jesus said there is none good (in the flesh,) no not one. When we accept the gift of God’s grace, our righteousness is because we are clothed in his righteous robes, not in the filthy robes of our own flesh. The right credentials to enter into God’s celebration is to “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ….clothed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

The gospel message is an exclusive message. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father except by me.” We must approach a holy God on his terms not ours. There is a narrow gate that leads to the narrow way, for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. For he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.

The question is, “Is it well with thy soul?” Our wellness is in Christ alone. He is the propitiation, the full payment and the never-ending sacrifice for sin…he is our reconciliation. Therefore we have peace with God because Jesus Christ shed his innocent blood in exchange for our guilty blood. This is the gospel message. He has called us to his salvation so that we can hold forth the word of life. Jesus Christ himself is the word of God made flesh. He is the meaning of the Word. Therefore, preach the Word of God…Jesus Christ the truth of God’s gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Childlike and Christ-like Humiity

Sam Parsons our worship leader reminds us in a song he wrote that “the best is yet to come.” Even though Sam is being treated for stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he shows by his example that the afflictions of this present world are not to be compared with the glory that shall follow.

The prerequisite for receiving the gospel message is meekness and humility. Jesus taught this lesson to his disciples. According to Matthew 18, “AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,”“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted (turn around,) and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.”

In order to approach a holy God we must forsake our pride. Like a little child who is not ashamed to run to his father for help, we must approach our Heavenly Father with childlike humility. Unless we’re converted, turn from our pride, and become as a little child, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Christ himself is our example of humility. Philippians 2:3-11 says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,”“and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

To serve our Lord Jesus Christ, we must serve his way and not our way. Jesus often said after he had healed a person, “do not tell anyone about this.” He wasn’t looking for vain glory, but for the praise of his Heavenly Father. Verse 5 says, “let this mind, this attitude be in you which was also in Christ.” His was an attitude of humility. Humility seeks to serve God by serving others. We cannot choose the circumstances of our lives. However, we can choose our attitude. Pete’s wife Susan often said, “Joy is not the absence of pain, rather joy is the presence of the Lord.

Mother Theresa said, “accept what God has given us.” Therefore in all things give thanks. All God requires is that we keep a heart of awe and gratitude.

Each moment in time is an opportunity to demonstrate “the praise of the glory of His grace.” The purpose for which he created us is to praise him no matter the trials and tribulations of life. The test of life is that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

Jesus Christ is our example of humility. He for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. As he was hanging on the cross Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.

Grace is caught and not taught. Jesus Christ was grace personified. We cannot know grace unless we know our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was God’s only begotten son, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. Therefore let this attitude be in you which was also in Christ. Let nothing be done in strife or vain glory but let each esteem others better than themselves.

The world’s standard of success is the opposite of God’s definition of success. According to the word of God, meekness and humility are the hallmarks of God’s success. As the Apostle Paul said, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” However, he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jesus confronted the Pharisees about their pride and arrogance. He told them a parable about a Pharisee who prayed, “I thank God that I’m not like those sinners over there. I keep the Ten Commandments and all of the Old Testament laws.” The other man, a tax collector, beat his chest and prayed, “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Which prayer do you think God heard?”

Jesus Christ showed us what it means to “humble thyself under the mighty hand of God.” He humbled himself and became obedient, even unto death. Therefore God exalted and lifted him up. That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Our response is our response to God’s ability. For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me……

Victory in Christ is that despite the troubles of this world, we will glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our joy and rejoicing is in the attitude of our spirit. According to Psalm 1, Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law. Doth he meditate day and night. Philippians 2 says that our responsibility is our response to his ability: For it is God who worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

RSVP

God calls individuals and nations with a specific invitation. Whosoever will may come. This is the gospel of the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. As individuals and as a nation, how we RSVP to God’s invitation will determine our eternal destiny. Some Christians don’t understand God’s purpose for calling them. Jesus came for one purpose only: your redemption and mine. The Apostle Paul said, that ye may know him and the power of his resurrection that we should be holy and acceptable before him in love.

Jesus often spoke in parables to teach a spiritual truth with an earthly illustration. According to Matthew 22:2-14, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day and compared the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast. In Matthew 22:2-14 Jesus said: 2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Jesus compared the future of Israel to a king’s invitation to his son’s wedding. The Jews and their leaders were invited to the wedding feast. However, they rejected the invitation. This rejection was an affront to the king and the king’s son.

Our RSVP to God’s personal engraved invitation will determine our eternal destiny. Jesus said, “come unto me all ye who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He said, “whosoever will may come” for whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. However, Israel rejected the king and his son. They didn’t have time for the things of God…their priorities were not their King’s priorities.

The first of the Ten Commandments is “thou shalt have no other Gods between your face and my face.” The greatest failure in life is not to fail in something but rather to succeed in something that doesn’t really matter….after having climbed the ladder of success to discover that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.

According to verse 5, those who received the invitation were insidiously preoccupied with themselves. Jesus said, “if you love the world the love of the father is not in you.” The context of John 3:16 says, “he that doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God.”

A culture that forsakes God will become “wise in their own conceits.” The devil, the God of this world convinces people that he doesn’t exist. Those who live in sin deceive themselves that there is no right or wrong. They have been indoctrinated according to the world’s systems. When they forsake the truth of the Word of God they cannot believe that there is a righteous judge who judges according to the righteous standard of truth.

Those whom the King invited to his son’s wedding rejected the invitation. When he sent his servants to confirm their RSVP, they attacked and killed the King’s messengers.

There is only one sin that cannot be forgiven. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake. The king does not desire that anyone will perish. He is gracious, merciful and long suffering. However, the good news of salvation is on God’s terms, not ours. It’s not sin that keeps a man from salvation but rather the rejection of the Saviour from sin, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The king had made ready the wedding feast: his servants had prepared the the food, the music and the accommodations for the celebration. When the Jews who were initially invited rejected the invitation, the King said, “go into the highways and extend the invitation to everyone who will accept.” The Gentiles who accepted the invitation were both evil and good. Salvation is not because we are good but because God is good. Jesus said there is none good (in the flesh,) no not one. When we accept the gift of God’s grace, our righteousness is because we are clothed in his righteous robes, not in the filthy robes of our own flesh. The right credentials to enter into God’s celebration is to “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ….clothed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

The gospel message is an exclusive message. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father except by me.” We must approach a holy God on his terms not ours. There is a narrow gate that leads to the narrow way, for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. For he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.

The question is, “Is it well with thy soul?” Our wellness is in Christ alone. He is the propitiation, the full payment and the never-ending sacrifice for sin…he is our reconciliation. Therefore we have peace with God because Jesus Christ shed his innocent blood in exchange for our guilty blood. This is the gospel message. He has called us to his salvation so that we can hold forth the word of life. Jesus Christ himself is the word of God made flesh. He is the meaning of the Word. Therefore, preach the Word of God…Jesus Christ the truth of God’s gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

The Good Shepherd

In our Christian endeavors, we’re often so busy that we forget the reason why we’re doing what we’re doing and for whom we’re doing it. We need to be reminded every day of the purpose for which the Designer designed us. Our Father designed us for His purpose. According to Ephesians 1 and 2: That we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace who has made us acceptable in the beloved. For we are God’s workmanship, his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus unto good works in which He has foreordained that we should walk.

Luke 15 is called “The Gospel within the Gospel.” It contains some of Jesus’ greatest parables. One of these is the parable of the lost sheep. According to Luke 15:3-7: “And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Jesus told this story in the presence of the Pharisees. They condemned Jesus for ministering to “publicans (tax gatherers) and sinners.” The Pharisees thought they were superior to others for keeping the letter of the Old Testament Law. People who think that they are right because of their own self-righteousness are today’s Pharisees. They don’t believe that they need justification through Jesus Christ. They think that their self-righteousness makes them better than others.

The devil’s ploy within churches and religious institutions is to “divide and conquer.” He works in hearts of men to sow seeds of strife, division, and “irreconcilable differences.” According to James, For where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work. Peace with others is the result of reconciliation. Jesus Christ came not to judge, but to reconcile God’s men back to God. Meekness is the key to reconciliation. It means that we need to “humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.” For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

Sinners were attracted to Jesus whereas the Pharisees were repelled by him. Repentance is to turn from myself and unto Jesus. True repentance also means that we gladly seek out men of God who preach the truth of the gospel message. People would walk miles to hear DL Moody speak. When one man was asked why he walked by other churches, he said, “those guys love a man.” They loved Jesus Christ, his word, the truth of God made manifest.

The important thing is that we have peace with God through the completed work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “my peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace is the result of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. If we’re to meet each other in peace, we must meet at the foot of the cross.

When we’re married, we pledge to love and honor. In a godly marriage, we must understand the message of the three fold cord. Unless we are reconciled to each other through Christ’s finished work of redemption, then the devil will quickly break us as apart as individual strands. Ephesians says, “husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.” Love is characterized by grace.

As husband and wife, we have nothing to offer each other except grace. God’s gracious gift of salvation is a picture of grace. When we’re under law, we are judged under sin. For he who knows to do right and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin. However, Jesus came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

Recently a couple approached Pete with a problem that was threatening their marriage. The husband had previously been married. His new wife told him that if he ever took a picture with his ex-wife, this would be an act of extreme disrespect. According to her culture taking a picture with his ex-wife would be like a slap in the face. The husband had attended his daughter’s graduation. His ex-wife, his daughter’s mother also attended. Their daughter had insisted that they take a picture together to commemorate this special occasion. After anguishing over his new wife’s request, he finally agreed but he did not tell his new wife. When she found out she was extremely upset. Pete said to the wife, “you husband agonized over this decision. He was torn between offending you and offending his daughter. If you put yourself in his shoes, wanting to honor the request of two people he loves dearly, you can appreciate his heart ache for offending you. The loving thing to do would be to give him grace and say, “I know you struggled with this decision, but as husband and wife, and with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, we’ll get through this.”

Grace builds devotion. People who were true disciples were attracted to Jesus not because of the miracles they witnessed but because they knew that Jesus cared. He said, “come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We can rest in the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we come to him he says, “I’ve got this.” Casting all your cares upon him for he careth for you.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” A shepherd was responsible for each individual sheep in his flock. Isaiah said, “all we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one into his own way, but upon him has he laid the iniquity of us all.” In biblical times, some flocks belonged to the village. They appointed two shepherds to watch the sheep. If only one shepherd returned with the flock at the end of the day, the whole village knew that the other shepherd was looking for a lost sheep. As the good shepherd, Jesus leaves the ninety nine sheep in the sheepfold to look for the one lost sheep.

Pete recalls that he and his wife attended an evangelism training session. They learned about sharing the gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. After the training, their “final exam” was to go into Orlando neighborhoods to knock on doors and share with strangers the four laws of salvation. Everyone in the group was terrified about sharing the faith. Afterwards, they met to talk about what they had learned about evangelism. This was one of Pete’s greatest revelations about the “ministry of reconciliation.” One person said, “when I knocked, a woman came to the door and said, “you’re the guy.” Then when I asked her what she meant, she said, “I prayed this morning that God would show me the truth about the bible. I’ve had many questions about Jesus Christ and you are the answer to my prayer.”

Jesus is the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Psalm 23 says, The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Because Jesus laid down his life for his sheep, we were saved by grace. For he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him. Because we were saved by grace, we can give away the grace we have received. Grace is caught and not taught. To understand the grace of God we must dwell in the presence our Lord Jesus Christ. We are the only bibles that some people will ever read. We are God’s love letters, his living epistles, known and read of all men.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

The Gospel Purpose

Oswald Chambers wrote about alone-time with God in his devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. When God gets us alone through heart ache and we are speechless, and unable to ask even one question, then he will begin to teach us. The disciples didn’t understand the answers to their questions until they received the Holy Spirit. We cannot understand the problems and questions of others until we’re alone with them. Likewise, until we’re alone with Jesus, we cannot quiet our own hearts to hear one on one what he has to say to each of us individually.

The important thing is to understand the purpose of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we don’t understand because of poor teaching. Other times it’s because of apathy. However, there are two foundational verses in the scripture that answer the questions about the purpose of the gospel. One is Galations 2:20. The other is Ephesians 2:8. Many of us have memorized these verses. The question is, “do you understand these verses?”

According to the King James Version of the New Testament, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Some organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous were founded on the truth of scripture. Their 12-step program came directly from biblical fundamentals. Like the AA program, the constitution of the United States was also built on the truth of scripture.

John Lynch describes the purpose for the gospel in his book “The Cure.” According to John’s illustration, there are two paths. One path says, “please God.” The other says, “trust God.” The first path leads to the room of good intentions. It contains passionate immaculate people. However, this room is masquerade party where everyone wears a mask. The unspoken message here is that God loves you, but he disapproves of you when you mess up. Most days you receive an “atta Boy.” Other days he condemns you for having missed the mark. After a while, you come to the realization that everyone in the room is hiding behind his mask. When no one is looking, you slip out the back disillusioned at the hypocrisy. The road takes you back to the fork in the road. The other path is the road of grace. This road leads to a room of messy people. Everyone in this room talks about their failures and shortcomings. However everyone in this room believes that God loves them and likes them even when they mess up. In this room even though everyone confesses his failures, God is in the room. He smiles and says, “I’m big enough to handle anything that comes up. I’m wildly in love with you ,even on your worst day. I just want you to love me no matter what. You can love me when you experience my unconditional love for you.”

The average guy feels unworthy, guilty, and ashamed because he is. However, the essence of God is unconditional love. For even while we were dead in trespasses and sins, Christ died for the ungodly. Jesus came not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. He took our sin and nailed it to his cross. When God sees us he doesn’t see the filthy robes of our sinful flesh. Instead he sees the righteous robes of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17-18 says, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one (Adam); much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.). 18. Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus Christ) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

Sin is missing the mark. However, we’re forgiven not because of our righteousness but because he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him. We’re righteous not because of who we are but because of who he is.

The world says that we’re justified and made righteous because of our works. The culture says, “You get what you work for…life is a meritocracy based on good works.” However Ephesians 2:8 says, “by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

The context of this verse says in Ephesians 2:1-2, “AND you hath he quickened (made alive,) who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. As the apostle Paul said, “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this dead body?” According to Ephesians 2 verses 4-5: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Upon salvation, God breaths new life into those who are born again of his spirit. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Salvation is not because of who we are but because of who God is. Jesus said blessed are the meek and humble, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the poor in spirt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

James 4:17 says, he who knows to do right and does not do it, to him it is sin. God has given his word so that we have a standard for righteousness. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Christianity is a rescue effort for desperate men. Therefore, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent means to change direction. It means to turn from the will of my sinful flesh to the will of God. Jesus said before he raised Lazarus from the dead, “I am the resurrection and the life. Though he were dead yet shall he live.”

David repented after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba. He wrote Psalm 51 from a broken and contrite heart of repentance. He said, “HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” David continued in verses 10-12: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

The gospel message is the good news of salvation. Even though sin means to miss the mark, the emphasis of this word is not on “missing” but on the mark itself. Therefore I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It’s not about what we do but rather for whom we do it. Therefore whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men.

The question is, “do you want to spend the rest of your life learning to become just like Jesus?” It’s not about me, it’s about him. Galatians 2:20 says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Our worth, our value is not in our own flesh. Our value is in him alone. Therefore as the Apostle Paul said, there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus… We have been made righteous according to the spirit of God in Christ in us the hope of glory. According to Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore brethren that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy (and wholly) acceptable unto Him, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We are not what the world says we are…we are what God made us in Christ. We rejoice not in our sin but because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice in him alone…He is the object of our affection… Our reasonable act of worship…

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael