THE GOSPEL FOR THE SAVED

Sitting at Starbucks this morning working through some small group questions based on the sermon from this past Sunday at Harvest Granger, my heart is convicted once again by the Gospel.  The Gospel-centered life is something I've become passionate about, and I feel like I've written towards that a lot on this blog, but as I'm convicted and reminded of the importance of the Gospel in the life of the BELIEVER, I get excited.  The question that sparked my thinking this morning was:

Have you ever thought the gospel was primarily for unbelievers who need to be saved rather than the truth in which believers continually live according to Christ? How does believing deeper of the gospel produce growth in a Christian?  

Well, the answer to the first part of that question, is yes; absolutely there was a time where I thought the gospel was simply what got people saved.  In fact, I was convicted of this whole topic about a year and a half ago talking with my good friend Ryan Flanigan, when he said, "If we asked our church congregations today to define the Gospel, I don't know that many could really even articulate its true definition."  This got me thinking, and I praise God for the convictions He began to work in my life concerning re-preaching the Gospel to myself daily, and letting it be the ultimate drive for living in Christ.  

Thinking through the second part of that question, I believe the Gospel is the doorway to every holy and perfect attribute of God that we use to ascribe worth in worship.  The Gospel makes worshipers. The daily re-believing of the Gospel for the saved opens our eyes to more of who our God is! Paul declares in Galatians 6:14, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." The Gospel gets us out of the way, and puts Christ in our place. For the believer, the Gospel crushes pride and sin, and turns our attention to the only one worthy of our boasting...JESUS!

This is an ever-improving conviction in my life; one in which I fail at time and time again, but I rejoice in the Gospel, that looked at my sin and failures, and rather than leaving me in my helpless state, sent the the perfect remedy to die in MY place, giving me a way to new life and grace to stand firm on. That is worth remembering and re-believing daily!!!

For more on the Gospel in Worship, read my previous posts:
~Worship Through the Gospel
~Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing

BE DISCERNING

As we continue to walk verse by verse through the book of Colossians at my church, we recently came across verse 8 of chapter 2, which says,

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.


As Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, he was challenging the people to be discerning as false teachers were throwing around philosophies based on human tradition and teachings that held no value pertaining to life in Christ.  Not only does Paul call these teachings empty deceit, but the human traditions could most likely be traced back to the influences of demonic forces, resulting in pagan teachings and false religion. Verse eight is Paul's warning to the church, that though these teachers were persuasive, and sounded like they knew what they were talking about, the church should not shift from the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For some reason in my mind, every time I am in a big book store, or even a "Christian" bookstore, looking at the walls of books this verse pops into my head. I praise God for brilliant minds and men of God in our day who write great books pertaining to the Bible, Christianity, life, and the never ending list of topics.  However, it is vital to remember that the books that fill "christian inspiration" sections and the books that fill the shelves at "christian" bookstores were and are written by men and not God.  Discernment for studying and growth in the faith is key! Does the author's writing, thoughts, and teaching line up with the truth in scripture? There is only ONE book that holds no fault, has been preserved through the ages, and stands true "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2Tim.3:16)..."the BIBLE.  Man's thoughts, philosophies, and views can be persuasive and can easily take us down the wrong path for living, and off the path that is "according to Christ," if they do not line up with the Bible. 

So this is simply a challenge to you and a reminder for myself to be discerning and to view every book, teaching, philosophy, and thought through the lens of scripture.  How does this pertain to worship? When we get off the truth of the Gospel and our minds are filled with philosophies that are false truth according to scripture, our eyes can be jaded to the true object of our worship.  Matthew 15:9 says, "in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." The pharisees of the day thought they were worshiping, but they were missing the true object of worship because they were blinded by the philosophies of man.  We must be discerning and guard ourselves from doing the same.

TO COMPLAIN OR TO WORSHIP???

I was convicted the other day. I was up early, driving to where I needed to be, noticing the temperature in my car said -1degrees, and I HATED IT!!! It was so cold!!!  So as I arrived where I needed to be, as fast as I could I jumped out of the car, ran into the building, and began to try to warm myself up.  As I came upon my good friend, I continued to acknowledge how stinking cold it was and how I could not stand this winter weather...My friend said, "Oh but God is at work out there," and he continued to explain how on his way there that cold morning, he couldn't help but notice the work of our Creator God all around.  He noticed God at work in the cold smoke that rose off the snow covered objects, and the barren trees covered in ice and snow, and the ice sickles that hung from buildings....My friend was noticing God at work and responding in worship! I was to busy being cold, hurrying, and missing God's initiation to worship Him.

I love that reminder that I got that morning! That is why I love Psalm 34:8 and named this blog after it, "O taste and see that the Lord is good..." The constant in that scripture is GOD IS GOOD! That never changes and God never fails to show His goodness. The call to believers is to stop and notice His goodness and to respond in worship.

So, this morning I got up early, had to be somewhere, it was cold, but as I drove I noticed the intricacy and the creativity of the giant ice sickles, and the snow covered trees, and the white snow.  Most would say that's just how winter looks, works, and acts, but I know my God was at work and is sovereign over all His creation! This morning, I praise Him, for allowing me to stop and notice and respond in Worship to His perfect and creative work all around!

Don't miss a chance to worship the Lord! Everything around us gives us a chance to respond! Let's not miss it by complaining!!!

SERVICE REVIEW: 1/9/2011

This past Sunday, we pulled some last minute changes to the order of service and I feel it ended up being an extremely fresh morning of worship.  Due to a TON of snowfall in the area, we weren't really sure who the Lord would bring to Church Sunday morning, and simply with some events going on in the life of our church, we felt it was a perfect Sunday to do things differently.  The order of service was as follows:

CORPORATE SINGING:
Hosanna (Praise is Rising)
One Way
Always- new song by Kristian Stanfill
 **Prayer in Silence; intentionally had no music behind the prayer...in order to listen to God. Out of "Always" we bowed our heads, I quoted "I look to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth..." Continuing in the truth that our God is for us and in the trials, He does not waver...shifting us to the Holiness of God, his worthiness, and a complete vertical response to Christ!
Revelation Song


ANNOUNCEMENTS  


NEW CORPORATE SONG: 
Hallelujah What a Savior(Praise to the One)- AWESOME hymn re-write! Everyone caught on quickly and we invited them to stand and join.

DEVOTIONAL STYLE MESSAGE: The adoption of MAN into GOD the Father's Care

CORPORATE PRAYER: 
People broke up into groups of about 7-12 and prayed out loud:
1. Personal Prayers based off what we are called to in 1 Timothy 6:11
2. Prayers for our church from Colossians 2:9-10, that Christ would be the Head of any growth and steps

RESPONSE:
God of This City
Our God


I believe people were stretched out of their comfort zones this past Sunday, but I believe the LORD met with us in a fresh way, as He promises to in 2 Chronicles 7:14.  Even a midst the moving of chairs and getting in groups, the worship of God resonated throughout the gym as His people prayed humble prayers for their own spiritual walk and for that of their church body. Corporate prayer is something we are clearly called to in scripture, but it lacks in the way we so often do "church" today. Sure we pray, but  prayer has easily become more of a transition in our services, rather than an earnest seeking of invocation, repentance, intercession, illumination and all that going before a Holy God can be for the body of Christ!

Constance Cherry writes in her book The Worship Architect, "...Not only is corporate prayer not the reason for dull worship; it is perhaps the one thing that can renew our worship when done in a vital manner." We NEED prayer. We NEED to pray in our churches...together! I am so thankful to be at a church that "believes firmly in the power of prayer," and this past Sunday excited me to see the Lord work as His people prayed and sought His face corporately.

What do you think? If you were there what were your thoughts? OR how can we make corporate prayer a priority in the church as we worship the Lord in a way that is biblically faithful?

ONE PURPOSE

ISAIAH 43:20-21
"...for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise."

I read this incredible verse this morning and have spent some time just meditating on it and on my life.  Thought I would share some of my thoughts that are helping me respond in worship this morning.

My God supplies all I need for one purpose: To declare His Praise and Reflect His Glory!


Read the verse above again!!! It holds value! We have been CHOSEN by God, formed for Him alone, and HE provides water where there is no water...not so we can simply survive; not simply for our own comfort and peace; BUT THAT WE MIGHT DECLARE HIS PRAISE!!! The real truth is our God supplies life where there is no life. He's called us His precious children, when we were His enemies. Why would God choose to redeem that which rejects Him, runs from Him, and crucified Him??? Because it makes Him all the more Glorious!!!

May we never forget, as worshipers of Jesus Christ, our chief calling and goal in life:
1CORINTHIANS 10:31- SO WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD!!!  For He made a way where there was no way...He's given life to the dead...He supplies all our needs that we might make much of Him!!!

NEW SONG: LORD WE EXALT YOU

Here's a new worship song I'm working on. It is a simple acknowledgement of the grace in which we stand, and the blood that has ransomed us for the glory of God.  Romans 5:1-2 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we exult in the hope of the glory of God." The incredible love of the Father, the ONE way made through Christ's death, and the free gift of grace in which we can be firmly planted should only lead to one thing...glorifying God, and exalting His name.

Hope you can worship through it.

Lord We Exalt You from Micah Klutinoty on Vimeo.

VERSE:

Abounding in Mercy, abounding in love

Is our heavenly Father, who gave us His Son

To ‘bring Salvation and life through the cross

Lord You made a way for us

That we might freely come

CHORUS: 

It’s by your grace we stand

It’s by your blood we ransomed

Glory to You Lord

We Exalt You

VERSE:

From the humblest of humble, to the greatest of greats

Lord You’ve been exalted, to the highest place

Now Ruling and Reigning, as Lord over all

            You made a way for us

            That we might freely come

BRIDGE: 

Let every heart, every tongue; raise a shout join as one

Lord we exalt You, Lord we exalt You

Let every knee hit the ground; Bow before Jesus NOW

Lord we exalt You, Lord we exalt You

NEW YEAR...NEW OPPORTUNITY

Happy New Year! I had some great time over the holidays with family and friends, and now I'm excited to get back in the groove of life!

Today, Monday, marks a new day, a new week, a new year, and ultimately a new opportunity to reflect the glory of God in our lives.  We were created for the glory of God, and as God has called us into His kingdom as His children, our daily mission should be one of reflecting the Glory of God! As we live in the joy of our salvation may we point people to JESUS, and respond to the works of our Creator that are all around us!

I have had a great time studying the book of Isaiah and the past week I've been digging into chapters 40-43.  Here are some verses to encourage you in the New Year:

Isaiah 41:10-
Fear Not, for I am with You;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help You,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.


Isaiah 42:6-
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations.


Isaiah 43:1-2-
...Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume You.


I've been encouraged with these verses over the past week, especially in light of some of the things God is convicting me of in my life.  Isn't it comforting to know that no matter where we find ourselves at this point in time, we do not have to fear!?! Sure the hard moments will come, and the frustrating convictions will carry on, but God, who is steadfast in love, rich in mercy, and mighty to save has called us, holds us, and protects us!!!  That gives me incredible hope in the light of my sinful nature.

The sermon at Harvest this past Sunday was coincidentally on Isaiah 43.  It encouraged me greatly and you can listen HERE if you'd like.  But the main points were: God created me, God wants me, God named me, God helps me, God loves me, God is with me, and God is using me....WHY SHOULD I FEAR?

God is good and I rejoice in the life I have in Him! I give thanks for his mercy in giving me a new day, new week, new year, and new opportunity to reflect His glory in my life! To LIVE is Christ, to die is gain! No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, or where God may have you at this point in your life, be encouraged and I pray you find reason to rejoice in the Glory of God this New Year.