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Lady Gaga vs. Martin Luther

Next Monday is October 31st. What comes to mind when you think of that date? Halloween, right? Jack O'Lanterns, children dressed up as Lady Gaga, candy, and your house getting TP'd. But may I suggest  that you begin to mold your thinking to honor October 31st as Reformation Day?

It was on October 31, 1517, that a young Augustinian monk and university professor, Martin Luther, nailed 95 topics (or theses) for debate to a church door in Wittenburg, Germany. And when he did, the Reformation was born.

The true gospel of Jesus Christ had been lost amidst the pomp, ceremony, false teaching, and religiosity of the church. But God, as always, had a remnant wholly committed to Him and His Truth.

During that time, church councils and popes spoke with authority which they said was equal to Holy Scripture. Luther called them on it. He used slogans which the average layman could remember:

- Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone is the authority for faith and life, and,
- Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christos, which means that it is by faith alone through God's grace alone through the Person of Jesus Christ alone that we are declared righteous and pardoned by God.

What will you be doing this October 31st? Among other things, I'll be breathing a prayer of thanks to God for courageous men and women who brought forth the Light of the Gospel from the darker recesses of the Middle Ages. Won't you join me?

For an excellent and brief overview of the Reformation, click here.

Forget the Roses. Stop and Smell the T.U.L.I.P.!

A few weeks ago, while at dinner with some good friends over Mexican food, we were catching up on our children's lives, college football, life in general - and in spite of our loosely-applied general rule not to talk about anything too substantive over dinner(!), we somehow ended up on the topic of Reformed Theology...sometimes known as Calvinism, (named for the reformer, John Calvin).

When I spoke of T.U.L.I.P., some were unfamiliar with the term. Maybe you are, too. If so, you might find the following interesting. The "five points of Calvinism" are also known by an acronym, T.U.L.I.P.  and are as follows. I don't personally adhere to all five in their totality; I'm just sharing what this branch of Christian theology teaches as I understand it. If I am wrong, I hope to be pardoned and informed of my mistake(s). Hope this is helpful:

Total Depravity Every human is born with a sin nature. Therefore, we do not come to God on our own, but are inclined toward our own selfish will and desires. This point asserts that our minds, wills, and hearts are so depraved that they are incapable of responding to grace other than by God's grace, bringing spiritual regeneration.

Unconditional Election Certain persons were chosen by God for salvation without regard to virtue or anything those persons could do to gain God's favor. It is only through the mercy of God that anyone is chosen by Him.

Limited Atonement Christ died only for the elect. His atoning death on the Cross is limiting by the fact that it is for some and not all.

Irresistible Grace God's grace is applied to those whom He foreknew and are of the elect. Their resistance to Him, because of their total depravity, will eventually crumble under the unrelenting grace which He bestows, In other words, if He wants to save you, you are going to be saved!

Perseverance of the Saints Those who have been elected by God and predestined will in fact persevere unto death and be saved. God is sovereign and those He calls to salvation and to follow the Lord Jesus will persevere until the end. They will remain faithful to Him.

Image: Available as a t-shirt from http://jlel.deviantart.com/art/5-Points-of-Calvinism-TULIP-58582259

Me or Him?

Blessed Reassurance

Quite oftenI have had people approach me at church and ask to meet sometime during the upcoming week. If it's not a marriage issue, then there's a good chance it's either about God's will for their life or assurance - and the lack of it - regarding their own salvation.

Many Christ-followers struggle - or have struggled - in this area. I am glad to introduce you to a brand-new resource written by Dr. John B. Woodward. John has just released "Blessed Reassurance: Finding Security in Christ." I highly recommend it. Here's what it's about (from the book cover): "How can you be certain that you are going to heaven? Can true believers lose their salvation? How can you discern the difference between true and false assurance? This book presents topical and expository studies to reassure believers in Christ. A balanced treatment of this crucial subject provides incentives for disciples to grow in the grace and knowledge of God.

Are you struggling with your assurance or know someone who is? This 177-page book will help. You may purchase the book here. You'll be glad you did! It's well written, biblical, and insightful.(And the actual cover looks a lot better than the one above!)

It's All About God

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, NIV). I've had the apostle Paul's words marinating in my mind this week. 

I've been thinking about those verses because I have once again been amazed at God's providential grace in our lives.  Over 30 people asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior this past weekend at LCC.  I always believe that whenever we see that take place, we are witnessing multiple miracles taking place.  And I also think we would appreciate it even more if we could glimpse the levels of rejoicing in the presence of the angels when that happens.  I've also been thinking through what my role is as a minister of the gospel in all of this.

In the 1 Corinthians verses the believers of Corinth had chosen their favorite pastor/teacher/apostle.  Lines had been already been drawn; schisms already formed. As I read this first-century ecclesiastical drama, it teaches me a few truths that I, and every pastor and believer best keep in mind:

• Every gift and talent a minister exhibits is given by God.
• Those gifts and talents are to be used to lead people to Jesus and/or equip believers for ministry.
• The moment I think, "Hey, I'm pretty good at holding a crowd and persuading people," is the moment God will remind that I'm really not
• God uses various gifts within different people and molds them together for His glorious purposes. Paul was useful; so was Apollos.  And God used them both to bring people to Jesus.
• The absolute best minister is the one who has an incredible sense of personal insufficiency and whose only desire is for God to be made famous and for Jesus to be lifted up.
• Those Christ delights in using are those sold out for Kingdom work.  We might have our minor disagreements on some theological points, but the proclamation of the Gospel is - and must stay - paramount. 
• Spiritual pride is an abomination.
• I can never be proud of the gifts and talents I have.  And should those gifts and talents being employed for the advancement of the Kingdom result in spiritual fruit and success, my response is to be one of humility and thankfulness - that God would use me in His Great Cause.