how true this is...

Image credit: http://www.theresurgence.com/

Video Blog: Intro to Acts, Missio Dei

Acts Sermonette: Intro, "Missio Dei" from Josh Saenz on Vimeo.

How Does God Inspire Us Through the Cross?

This is an excerpt from Mask Driscoll's new book, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. I have read the chapter on the Resurrection, and it is good stuff!

I love this excerpt because it explains how practical and necessary the cross is for our Christian life. Discoll shows us how the Cross teaches us how to be like Jesus in suffering: not running to it, not running from it. I'll let his words speak for themselves.

Jesus died for our sins, thereby enabling us to experience new life. Jesus lived as our example showing us what it means to live a truly holy human life.

Throughout Jesus' life he repeatedly stated that the purpose of his life on earth was to glorify God the Father, or to make the Father's character visible. Jesus' glorifying God the Father included dying on the cross. Practically, this means that there is joy not only in our comfort and success, but also in our suffering and hardship, just as there was for Jesus.

At the cross of Jesus, we learn that to be like Jesus means that we pick up our cross and follow him as he commanded. Practically, this means that we glorify God by allowing hardship, pain, and loss to make us more and more like Jesus and give us a more credible witness for Jesus. As Christians we should neither run to suffering as the early Christian ascetics did, nor run from it as some modern Christians do. Instead, we receive suffering when it comes as an opportunity for God to do something good in us and through us. We rejoice not in the pain but rather in what it can accomplish for the gospel so that something as costly as suffering is not wasted but used for God's glory, our joy, and others' good. . . .

At the cross we see that the love of God is not merely sentimental but also efficacious. When people speak of love, they usually mean an emotional love that feels affectionate but may not do anything to help the beloved. Thankfully, God does not merely feel loving toward us; his love actually compels him to act on our behalf so that we can be changed by his love.

From Doctrine, Chapter 8. Cross: God Dies (pgs. 274–276).
Order Doctrine now.

Marriage as a Gospel Magnifying Glass

Beyond the books and conferences on theology and relationships is a seldom visited world called Reality. Unlike the television "genre" that hijacked the name, this place is real.

With marriage as my passport, I have traveled to this land many times and found my home there. This passport has forced me out of my neat theological ideas and cute, fantastical thoughts (the kinds where I picture myself as the greatest guy in the world, waxing eloquent and romantic words while I lovingly serve my wife as Christ did the Church).

Marriage magnifies the Gospel: I am a sinner. I need Jesus.

Marriage is like the red ink on a D+ paper. You are able to see your mistakes...a lot. Marriage shatters my rose-colored glass view of myself and I see my errors and inadequacies, which are usually fueled by my selfish motives/idolatry (Read Romans 1).

In this way, marriage is similar to the Gospel: our sin is exposed for what it is and we realize that there is absolutely no way that we can do this on our own. We cannot live righteously apart from Jesus Christ. His sacrifice and atonement on the cross is the only way possible for us to be forgiven, justified, and cleansed of all unrighteousness. In addition, we receive the righteousness of Christ instead!

Grace is poured out to the saints in the Lord Jesus Christ who cling to the cross as their only true means of life and right standing with God. In marriage, we can model the Gospel to the world and to one another. My wife is a gracious woman, especially when it comes to dealing with me. She forgives me and reminds me of the forgiveness I have received from God. She is hopeful for my life as a new man, rather than the old man (2 Corinthians 5:17). She even loves me enough to say the difficult truths so I can pursue holiness, rather than mere happiness. Together we can show the world that the cross of Jesus Christ is the only REAL way that messed up people can love each other for a lifetime! All of this grace poured out is the fuel for godly living. This grace-fuel precedes any hope of "[Loving my wife] as Christ loves the Church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

Reality is taking the theological ideas and living them out. You'll know it's happening when there is an appropriate and simultaneous amount of pain and joy!

Jesus Wants the Rose

It's All About Jesus!

I borrowed this image and the series title from Mars Hill Church, but found it an appropriate truth to proclaim and prayer to renew my mind. In addition, I am preaching through the book of John on Sundays in our youth group. The truth is, in Orange County, we make it ALL ABOUT US! It is clearly NOT, for one day "Every knee will bow on heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tounge will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!" (Philippians 2:10-11).

Tomorrow, I will preach on John 1:6-9:

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

A couple of things stand out to me:

1. John the Baptist had a specific MISSION and MESSAGE: He was sent by God to testify concerning the light (Jesus) so that all men might be saved.
2. John understands that he was NOT the light...it was not about him!
3. He is pointing people to the light, because it's ALL ABOUT JESUS!

We should take a lesson from John and carry out the same MISSION and MESSAGE. It's clearly not about us, but ALL ABOUT JESUS! Pray that the true light that gives light to every man would shine brightly in Orange County so that God may receive all the glory!

For more on the Gospel and Orange County, visit The Gospel for OC and follow them on Twitter!

Youth Sunday: LIVE!

Last Sunday, I preached for Youth Sunday.  We wrapped up our summer series: LIVE!  You can listen to the recording here.  The first part is a drama by two of our students (Benny and Alex), playing Nichodemus and the Samaritan Woman.  The sound cuts out in the intro, but none of the important stuff is lost.  Enjoy!

Religion Saves

I recently picked up Mark Driscoll's new Book, Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions. It is wonderful, full of so much truth and practical theology. I really enjoy Driscoll's teachings and find his prophetic ministry (speaking truth into our cultural situation, not "prophetic" in the sense of telling the future) awesome!

Here are the table of contents:

Introduction

Question 9: Birth Control

Question 8: Humor

Question 7: Predestination

Question 6: Grace

Question 5: Sexual Sin

Question 4: Faith and Works

Question 3: Dating

Question 2: The Emerging Church

Question 1: The Regulative Principal

Forget Blackberries!

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit around it and pluck blackberries.

(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Idea Camp

I went to a conference called the Idea Camp last Friday.  It was an awesome conference on creativity, ministry, ideas, and social justice.  The coolest part about it was that is was FREE!!!  The two workshops I attended had to do with the identity of the Church and reaching the :hard to reach." I feel like I grew a lot from it and was really inspired by the speakers in the main sessions.  Adri's blog does a much better job describing the conference. Check it out!

Youth Sunday: "Crazy Love"

Last Sunday I preached on "Crazy Love."  The title and idea was not my own, but came from Francis Chan's book. The Youth Group took over the service and ran everything from sound, offering, greeting, worship, announcements, and artistic scenery.  You can listen to the sermon recording here.  I also showed a video, so you may want to watch it here so you know what's going on.

In the Name of Jesus

Currently reading this book (for the second time...I read it about 4 years ago).  It is an amazing read and really quick.  Nouwen has so much wisdom to share on Christian leadership based on his experiences working with the disability community.  I highly recommend it!

Micro-Gospels

Yesterday I started discipling a student through the book of Matthew.  He wanted to learn what this whole "Christianity thing" really was rather than buy into his parents faith.  I was so excited to see his maturity in the situation.  He really has a hunger for truth.  So as I we went through the first couple chapters of Matthew, I was so encouraged by the micro-gospels I saw within the larger context of the Gospel of Matthew.  In almost every other verse I saw whispers of redemption, salvation, hope, and Jesus!  It focused our time to talk about salvation and the Messiah!  Praise God for his meticulousness in speaking to us and revealing the truth of Jesus Christ! 

Thank God, God Suffers!

"Without Christ, suffering is utterly pointless...it is pure evil." (Doug Mazza)

I am glad to serve a God who is well acquainted with suffering and pain and death.  It gives me hope for all the crap in the world and in my life.  He knows the pain we feel.  I think we all forget that we serve a God who suffers. 

Help me out here!

Okay, I am really struggling with this question and I want to get some responses, so please help me out!

Is it Biblical for us to aim to be "relevant" in reaching people or are we trying to take over the Holy Spirit's role of convicting them and inclining their hearts to Jesus?

I see two or three possibilities:

1. Yes, we need to be relevant in the culture, doing all we can to be "in the world, but not of it" and bringing Jesus to people.
2. No, we are to preach the word of God and leave the conversions up to the Holy Spirit.  We cannot make Christianity look cool, because the Gospel is offensive and Scripture doesn't show people focusing on relevance.  
3. Both.  I hate this answer.  It seems to be the easy way out.  I just don't see both possibilities equal.  One has to be more important.  ...I think.... actually i really don't know...That's why I'm asking YOU!

Help me out here... PLEASE!

crazy love.

Francid Chan's new book, "Crazy Love" is a real gem.  I am reminded of the fact that one person's passion really does matter, that it's all about God, and it's all worth it.  This book has breathed a spirit of fresh air into my life and ministry mindset.  I have been blessed by good old Mr. Chan!  Check out the website that goes along with the book: www.crazylovebook.com

4 Things I Need More In My Life

1. Prayer.  I need to talk to God a whole lot more.  Not only that, but I need to just listen to him.  A couple weeks ago I was driving in my car, texting, listening to the radio, and eating fast food.  I remember stopping in that moment of craziness and thinking God, I don't want to forget you in the midst of all these noises and distractions in life.  I can combat the danger of these things taking over my life with prayer.  
2. God's Word.  I must see the amazing gift of the Bible to us.  I need to be filled with verses so that I can encourage others.  It must be the lens in which I live out the rest of my life, make decisions, and speak to others. 
3. Wise Counsel.  I was reminded today of the beauty of encouragement by other Christian brothers or sisters.  God uses them to speak to us and point us to Him!  He also gifts others with understanding and wisdom that we cannot always see in our own circumstances.
4. The Holy Spirit.  I REALLY need the Holy Spirit!  I must be filled. Empowered.  Led.  Encouraged.  I don't put enough emphasis on the Spirit's work in our lives.  People I know who actually listen to the Holy Spirit are the ones who seem to "get life."

Cries for the Kingdom

Today it all came crashing down on me in a moment of Divine revelation.  Well, maybe just a good chunk of the puzzle was just pieced together.  Ya, I like that one more.  Anyway, here is how it went: This morning, after reading a bit of Thomas Schreiner's "New Testament Theology" (concerning the miracles of Jesus as signs of the Kingdom of God being present and that Jesus is King), I decided to open up to Mark 5:1-20 (where Jesus heals the demon-possessed man).  I had a great time of reflection and praise for the fact that Jesus brings the fulfillment of the Old Testament expectations that God would begin to rule on the earth, binding the evil and bringing healing to his people.  I personalized this and meditated on the reign of Christ in my life and the healing that he brings.  However, in concentrating on the presence of the Kingdom in the ministry of Jesus and how that still continues today, I was quickly moved from a time of rejoicing to a time of deep sorrow and lamentation.  I realized how many things surrounding my life are broken and how those are still parts of this world that await the final consummation of the Kingdom of God: broken families, poverty, addiction, death, and sickness (both spiritual and physical).  This created a somber rhythm the rest of the day.  There was goodness in meditating on that which awaits fulfillment, for my prayer became "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  

No Limits

I was driving around and saw this sign.  I stopped and chuckled to myself because it was posted in a church parking lot.  It seemed ironic to me that the gate to a church would have limits, times, and days that one could enter.  I know that this is for parking purposes only and has nothing to do with salvation, but I can't help but think of that.

In John 10:9, Jesus says, "I am the door [or gate].  If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."  He is always available!  There are no time constraints or "hours of operation" for Jesus.  He is always there, ready for those he loves to enter into eternal life!

Another thought that ran through my head was a point I preached on last Sunday:  "There is no division between the secular and the sacred!"  We have bought into the notion that Church is what we do on Sunday mornings and small groups, and the rest of the week is our "life."  Not at all!!!  It is all sacred!  God is not so small that we limit Him to a building or place or time!  We are called to be followers of Jesus Christ (continuously), not merely spectators a couple hours a week.  

I pray that we will be people who start to see God in the ordinary.  That we would live out of our identity in Jesus Christ all the time.  I pray that we would start seeing life through the eyes of God, and that we may approach Him ANY TIME... for He has NO LIMITS!

Broadcasting Blessing

God's intention has always been to create a community, a group of people, that broadcast who He is to the world.  

We see that deeply woven into the fabric of humanity is the design to be conduits of God's blessing, shining forth His glory to the nations.  

The promise made by God to Abram in Genesis 12:2-3 is the pure intention for humanity.

I will make you into a great nation

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all the peoples of the earth

will be blessed though you.

There are three important things here.  First, the people of God will be a "great nation," not individuals.  The focus is community.  Secondly, God says, "I will bless you."  It always starts with God, and all we can do is receive the blessings he bestows on us.  Finally, this great nation "will be a blessing."  They are blessed to be a blessing!  This is their purpose on earth.

Therefore, our mission is to be a blessing to the world, pouring out into the lives of others the love and grace and forgiveness that God has poured into our lives.  

Exodus 19:3-6 talks about how the people of God are to be a kingdom of priests.  Priests represented God to the people and people to God.  The same is said not only of Israel in the Old Testament, but also about followers of Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 2:9.  We, as Christians, are "...a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

The Christian mission flows out of the God-given identity as representatives and broadcasters of who He is and what He has done!  May we live our of our identity as found in Him and be faithful to the mission to shine forth the blessings of God.