Make All Things New

I had the opportunity to preach the last time our church was able to meet (due to the 24 inches of snow in Philly last weekend). The text was John 11. I’d love your feedback.

John 11 – Extraordinary Hope

Many Christians wrongly think that the gospel is simply what gets you saved; it for new believers. The truth is, the gospel is not just for new Christians but it is for all Christians. The gospel is not only for salvation but also for sanctification. In his book, The Gospel Primer, Milton Vincent gives practical, gospel-centered ways in growing in love and knowledge of God through His great gospel. As Vincent says, “This book is offered as a handy guide to help Christians experience the gospel more fully by preaching it to themselves each day.” (p, 5) This is of extreme importance to the Christian for in the gospel, God has provided all we need for life and godliness. So preaching the gospel to ourselves is a source of life and means for growth in godliness. In short, our becoming more like Christ (our sanctification) happens from being transformed through beholding the gospel. Preaching it to ourselves daily is an excellent way to behold the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and be transformed! Vincent says, “I have found that when I am absorbed in the gospel, everything else I am supposed to be toward God and others seems to flow out of me naturally and passionately.” (p. 6)

The book is divided in to three sections. The first section contains thirty-one reasons to rehearse the gospel daily. Each reason is brief and bible-saturated making it excellent for devotions. The second and third sections of the book are what Vincent refers to as A Gospel Narrative” in both prose and poetic forms.

Vincent does an excellent job of laying out many glorious truths about the gospel throughout this short book. Each page is filled with scripture references that makes the content of this book virtually inexhaustible. From explaining what the gospel is to showing how the gospel is applied, Vincent gives the believer a feast of weighty truths about their standing in Christ. Here are examples of some of my favorite “Reasons To Rehearse the Gospel”.

On page 14, Vincent lays out my daily need for the gospel because it is so foolish (1 Cor. 1) and scandalous (1 Cor. 1:23) that I must fight daily to believe it. There is so much in this world, so much in my daily life that works to distract me from the truth and convince me of the foolishness of the gospel, that I am in desperate need to “preach the gospel” to myself on a daily, if not hourly basis.

The transforming power of the gospel is briefly explained on pages 16-17. Vincent states that the glory of God is “the most powerful agent of transformation available to mankind.” (p. 16) This glory is so powerful that all one need do is gaze upon it to be transformed. The Apostle Paul states, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Cor. 3:18, ESV) Therefore, by beholding the glory of God, I will be transformed into what God desires for me to be? Vincent asks, “But where do I find God’s glory to behold?” (p. 17) The answer is not only in Creation but according to the Bible (outside of heaven) the glory of God is most clearly seen in the gospel. (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 1:11). So as I dwell on the gospel daily, it is the primary means through which God transforms me more into the image of His Son.

While there are many more excellent reasons given to rehearse the gospel, the final one I will mention is “Obedience Borne of Love” from pages 28 and 29. Vincent rightly states, “The Bible teaches that genuine love in my heart for God is generated by an awareness of His love for me, and no where is the love of God more clearly revealed than in the gospel.” So through preaching the gospel to myself daily, I may begin to experience God’s love for me and He would generate in me, strong affections for Him.

This is a great book that I highly recommend reading and rehearsing regularly, for your joy and God’s glory.

Tim Keller – Preaching the Gospel from Newfrontiers on Vimeo.

Tim Keller – The City from Newfrontiers on Vimeo.

Tim Keller – Cultural Transformation from Newfrontiers on Vimeo.

If you like Keller, be sure to read his book “The Prodigal God”… awesome!

From C.H. Spurgeon:

“Ye are Christ’s.”-1 Corinthians 3:23

Ye are Christ’s.” You are His by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son; His by His bloody purchase, for He counted down the price for your redemption; His by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to Him; His by relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of His brethren and joint-heirs. Labour practically to show the world that you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin, reply, “I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ’s.” Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ’s, and touch it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day, remembering that you are Christ’s. Are you placed where others are sitting down idly, doing nothing? Rise to the work with all your powers; and when the sweat stands upon your brow, and you are tempted to loiter, cry, “No, I cannot stop, for I am Christ’s. If I were not purchased by blood, I might be like Issachar, crouching between two burdens; but I am Christ’s, and cannot loiter.” When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply, “Thy music cannot charm me; I am Christ’s.” When the cause of God invites thee, give thy goods and thyself away, for thou art Christ’s. Never belie thy profession. Be thou ever one of those whose manners are Christian, whose speech is like the Nazarene, whose conduct and conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all who see you may know that you are the Saviour’s, recognizing in you His features of love and His countenance of holiness. “I am a Roman!” was of old a reason for integrity; far more, then, let it be your argument for holiness, “I am Christ’s!”

Just found this link to some new Keller audio from RTS on iTunes U (seminar on Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World with Edmund Clowney).
H.T. Steve McCoy