The Mission of God and Teens

One of the greatest books that came out over the past ten years has to be The Mission of God by Christopher J.H. Wright. In this book, he goes through the story of Scripture to reveal how God has had a mission from the beginning; a mission that is centered on a plan and purpose of redemption for all nations. I encourage everyone to invest in this book and apply it to your life. It will cause you to obey the Great Commission, and propel missiological functions in your ministries (i.e. home, family, work, church, small group, etc.).

One of my favorite biblical texts that mention the mission of God is in Ephesians. Paul writes to the Ephesians a biblical-theological, redemptive-historical summary of the mission of God similar to what Wright discusses in his book. Paul's message to the church in Ephesus was to know the goal of the Gospel - to reconcile sinners to a holy God. It is this reconciling Gospel that brings harmony and unity between God and man through Jesus Christ. Hence, from the beginning, God has been actively involved throughout redemptive history seeking and saving the lost, and it was this reality that came true in Christ among Jews and Gentiles. God does not just bring soteriological unity between God and man, but also among men, Paul says. Thus, Paul's emphasis about the mission of God is revealed in the unity of believers who have been saved through the Gospel. Those who believe in Christ are saved by grace, and therefore are apart of the plan and eternal purpose of God to know him, and are called to now make him known:

"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory." (Ephesians 3:7-13 ESV)

Although this passage resonates with unity among different ethnicity and nationality people groups, I believe "the plan" and "eternal purpose" Paul is explaining absolutely encompasses and involves ages as well. The specific ages I am interested in is teens.

God desires to use the youth and has proven this to be true. Did you know that it is "college students" who lead the majority of recent revivals and great awakenings for missions over the past five hundred years? And how do you think these college students were able to go out and preach, teach, and reach the nations with the Gospel? They were taught the Word of God as teens. Faithful parents and laymen taught them the fundamental doctrines and truths of Scripture in their young age. God commanded the Jewish people to do this everyday with their children (i.e. teens) in Deuteronomy 6, 11. Throughout the Bible, the word "children" occurs the most in the book of Deuteronomy. The reason why it occurs the most in Deuteronomy is because of the casuistic instructions to remember, repent, and repeat the Word of God given by Moses during the Exodus so the younger generations would worship the one true God, Yahweh. Moses gives timeless instructions, "Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 12:28)." Thus, Deuteronomy tells us to wake up and teach the younger generation so they will be apart of the tribe when they get older and lead the next generation. To lead the next generation, Moses says, is to participate in the plan and purpose of the mission of God he started in the Exodus (and later is fulfilled in Jesus Christ as Paul mentions).

There are two ways the mission of God unfolds through discipleship. First, biological discipleship is grounded in creational means because the Lord taught Adam to be fruitful and multiply "image-bearers" for God's glory (i.e. raise your children in the ways of the Lord). Simply, believers have children and make them into disciples with the hopes they will do the same when they get older. Second, generational discipleship is grounded in age groups (i.e. do not wast your youthfulness). Teens are to not waste their youth, but use it for the glory of God and reach others their own age. Therefore, in the plan and eternal purpose of God, I would suggest he desires for teens to know Him, and make Him known more than any other age group because of their diversity and ability to reach the massive numbers of the youth in the world.

I have a heart for teens, and for them to know Jesus Christ. However, that is not enough. My burden is broader than just that because intellectual assent (just a faith, no obedience) or biological acceptance (raised as a Christian) is emptiness. The true way for teens to know Jesus Christ is to know the truths of Scripture (apologetics), the doctrines of grace (salvation), and the love of God (sanctification). All of these things encompass the mission of God. I hope teaching these things to teens will get them involved in the plan and eternal purpose of God as Paul so clearly articulated.

Dads Need to Read the Bible and Pray

I found this so true. I am so disgusted at the fact Christian Dad's are not reading Scripture and praying, specifically in front of their teens. Mark Driscoll went to Twitter with this and tweeted:

Dads: If you don't read the Bible or pray, your kids will grow up thinking that a real man doesn't read the Bible or pray.
— Mark Driscoll (@PastorMark) June 12, 2013

I am a firm believe alongside Driscoll because any teenager can use a cop-out and say, "You tell me I have to read my Bible and pray everyday, but I never see you read or pray, Dad!" Wow. Being a Dad is ministry.  Being a soon to be Dad, who is in ministry, I want to make sure my children will see their Dad reading Scripture and praying in front of them (and with them of course) everyday. There is a visual display of active obedience to the Gospel that all parents must demonstrate. Do not be unrealistic or super spiritual. Reading Scripture and praying in front of our kids is not for personal boasting, but for boasting in the Gospel and importance of reading, studying, mediating, and  living out the Scriptures! Be a witness in your home, Dads!

New Middle School Minster @ MABC

God works in mysterious ways. I ended up getting the job at Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church as the youth pastor for Middle School students (Jr. High). I am stoked! There is a lot of work that needs to be done, so pray that I can get on top of it. From worship to Bible study to outreach, I have developed a vision for the ministry to thrive. It is fresh and vibrant, and includes multiple activities to do. I pray the Lord will grow these students in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ unlike ever before (2 Peter 3:18). Teens are part of God's plan, and they need the Gospel! Therefore, it is my aim to do as Paul did and make sure they know Jesus Christ and him crucified above all else (1 Corinthians 2:2).

My first sermon was on the lifestyle of Romans 1:16, not ashamed of the gospel and living the cross-centered life. God is on the move at MABC Middle School Ministry!

The G.O.S.P.E.L. - D.A. Horton

This guy is LEGIT! I love D.A. Horton's passion for the gospel. He is the creator of the acronym, G.O.S.P.E.L., a clever way to explain the gospel in urban context:

G - God's Image
O - Open Fellowship
S - Sin Introduced
P - Penalty and Price
E - Enter Jesus
L - Life Everlasting

There is something I find in common with Horton. I line up with him in his vision on the gospel in ministry: Contextualizing the gospel without undermining the biblical content. He believes biblical ministry needs to have one foot in evangelical academia and the other in the church, so his service for the gospel contains a healthy biblical exegesis and exposition of the Scriptures in order to explain the gospel clearly and boldly to others in the urban context. I love this perspective because it is so "Pauline" you can say (cf. Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 2:15).

Enjoy the short message below about sharing the G.O.S.P.E.L. to those in an urban context, and how you can share the gospel in your own urban context for the glory of God!

Going Public With the Gospel

I came across this wonderful book called, Going Public With the Gospel, by Lon Allison and Mark Anderson. It describes the street witnessing ministries I served in for many years. The book, on the other hand, speaks of going public with the gospel, not in just an old school street witnessing fashion, but sharing the good news everywhere and anywhere necessary in your life. This means going public with the gospel at work, in your neighborhood, in your city outreach, recreational activities, going grocery store, etc. The means of the books is to encourage Christians to understand the wonder of public proclamation, the need for biblically-centered evangelistic preaching, and taking the gospel to the streets (i.e. public). Basically, get in your Bible and get off the couch and share the good news with others in the world.

I loved street-witnessing when I was younger in my faith. If there was a student ministry that encouraged and equipped students to share the gospel, it was SWAT at Harvest. The ministry taught me how to preach the gospel at public venues and on school campuses. Doing this enabled me to go all over the world with the Harvest Crusades evangelism outreach teams, and granted me the opportunity to pray with many people to accept Christ. Now I find myself married, ten years in my faith, and not going street witnessing per se. Have I lost my desire to share my faith? No way!

There are several reasons why I have not made it an effort to go street witnessing with the students in SWAT at Harvest, which are not excuses but realities. First, I am married. My wife is my main ministry. Once I got married, my time is focused on her and my family. Second, I bear more responsibility than I did when I was single and served the Lord faithfully in my singleness. Being married full-time, working full-time, and trying to complete school full-time is very difficult and limits availability. Third, I learned it is not just on a street witnessing night the Lord can use you to share the gospel, but you can do street witnessing in many different ways by going public with the gospel everywhere and anywhere in your life. 

Sharing the gospel at my work and at school are perfect examples. Even at a Christian school, there are people who do not know the Lord and are trying to find meaning in their lives. I found myself witnessing to people at my former jobs and got to pray with many people, and teach several devotional Bible studies with fellow Christians who needed encouragement  At school, I was able to counsel and direct several people because they did not know what to do in their lives. Several times I went to Angels baseball games and Disneyland not knowing the Lord was going to use me to bump into someone and share the gospel with them. It is amazing if you think about the gospel wherever you go and you can be use anywhere by Jesus Christ.

How's Your Bible Reading Going?

I came across an article not to long ago about Bible illiteracy and Christians who fail to read the Bible. I had to copy the article and post it on my blog for future references so I can locate it since there are so many good points that are practical for ministry and life. It is so important we become Bible readers for life. God wants us to know his "whole counsel [OT and NT]" (cf. Acts. 20:27), and study it (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). The Bible is the most important book we can read in our lives because it does not just inform you, but it transforms you because it is God's Word! As A.Z. Conrad once said, "The Bible outlives, out lifts, outloves, outreaches, outranks, outruns all others." I believe this article will help you see where you are in your reading of Scripture, and what you need to do to increase your reading of Scripture.

The article was posted on the Gospel-Coalition:

"January has come and gone. A little more than 8 percent of 2013 has already passed. Now is an especially good time to ask ourselves (and each other!) how our personal Bible reading is going. Many of us began a new Bible reading plan on January 1. Such plans can be helpful. You should try one. They can help you to be more consistent in your Bible reading; they can help to get you into a steady, daily diet of the Word; they can help you get through whole books and into previously unexplored parts of the Bible over the course of the year. It's never a bad time to get going on one or get back on one. 

Regardless of your Bible reading plan (or lack thereof), you probably had a general desire for your Bible reading to be better in 2013 than it was in 2012—to read more, to read more consistently, to read more thoughtfully, to read more passionately, and/or to better apply it to our daily life. So how's it going? Maybe so far in 2013 your Bible reading hasn't gone according to plan; it hasn't increased or improved as you'd hoped. Let me suggest several possible reasons why Bible reading might feel weak and wearisome, and suggest some ways in which those weaknesses might be helped. 

Maybe you're a type-A personality who's fallen behind on your reading plan. 

Maybe you're using a plan that assigns texts to specific dates. Falling behind means you're now on the wrong date. So you leave the Bible alone and decide to straighten or alphabetize something. Don't! Just keep going. Or switch to a reading plan that doesn't use dates. Remember, Bible reading plans were made for Bible reading; Bible reading was not made for Bible reading plans. 

Maybe you've become accustomed to not eating. 

If we fast from food for a few days our bodies become accustomed to not eating. The Bible is likened to food more than once (e.g., 1 Peter 2:2). We need it for our spiritual survival and sustenance. But if it's been a long time since you've had a steady diet of the Word, your spiritual stomach has shrunk and become indifferent to spiritual nourishment. This isn't healthy, and it can't go on indefinitely. So resolve to nurse yourself back to health even if you have to start small. 

Related, maybe your new reading plan is too rigorous, at least for now. 

Whether you have a spiritual appetite or not, you may have bitten off a bit more than you can chew. Going from a random verse for the day to the McCheyne Reading Plan is a step in the right direction, but if you're not keeping up with McCheyne, you might try doing it at half or one-fourth of the pace. 

Maybe you're approaching your Bible reading in a performance-based way. 

 It's good to keep track of progress no matter the discipline. But if you're reading the Bible only to feel better about yourself or appease God then a checklist can be dangerous. Go to the Bible to get more of God, not to get more gold stars. Go to the Bible to get your soul happy in God, not satisfied in yourself. 

Maybe you're paralyzed with guilt for having done poorly yesterday. 

Have you ever felt unworthy to pray or open the Bible? I have. How ironic when it's a book about and for sinners who need grace. We need the Bible most when we've read and obeyed it the least. Confess your sin boldly and in faith open your Bible to find comfort. Soak yourself afresh in the gospel. 

Maybe it feels dry, mechanical, and, truth be told, you even wonder why regular Bible intake is needed. 

Here's where another discipline should be partnered with Bible reading: preaching to yourself about what the Bible is, what it does, and why you need it. Psalm 119 is basically 176 verses of this encouragement. When the Bible feels stale and our reading feels empty, go to Psalm 119. Pray to God and preach to yourself about the need to feel the weight and worth of God's Word in our lives. 

Maybe you have false expectations about the work and discipline of Bible reading. 

Are you under the mistaken impression that Bible reading is easy and glorious if you're spiritual enough? Remember, Paul told Timothy, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7). It is not unspiritual to do what the flesh resists. Determination, resolve, and self-discipline are necessary for even the most consistent and experienced Bible-readers. 

Maybe you have too high of expectations for this season of life. 

Perhaps you're a mom of a few tots. Before children, your times of Bible reading and praying were sweet, slow, and steady. Praise God for those seasons! But you're not in one of them now. Do what you can, starting with reading this new mom's testimony and this good advice from Don Whitney. 

Maybe you're in a part of Scripture right now that is new and unfamiliar to you. 

Maybe you don't understand the "big picture" of the story. The Bible is a big book; it is a long, multi-millennia story, each part building upon and pointing to others. Maybe you didn't grow up in church hearing the stories of the Old Testament. Then again, many of us grew up in church hearing the stories but still have no idea in what order they go or if it even matters. A little book, God's Big Picture, is helpful in laying out, well, the big pictureof the Bible. Read it alongside your Bible plan. 

Maybe you find yourself all too often scratching your head wondering what a word or phrase means. 

If so, get something like the ESV Study Bible. Look down in the footnotes when you need some help. Go to the back for a longer explanation about a biblical or theological concept. Or check out this article that recommends other resources for interpreting the Bible. 

Maybe you haven't found a consistent time or place to do Bible reading and prayer. 

Habits form much more easily with consistency. In our busy culture, consistency has to be planned. Chances are, there are some bad times of the day for you to try to read and pray. Chances are, there some good and some bad places in your home for Bible reading. Find the best spot at the best time and keep to it. By God's grace, in time, it will become a sweet, familiar place and time for you to meet with the Lord. 

Maybe you're compartmentalizing your Bible reading from the rest of your day. 

Healthy Bible intake seeks to bring the Bible to the whole of life. No matter how consistent our schedule, if our thoughts about the Bible are separated by 23 or more hours, we will not use our "swords" like we should. Here's a practical recommendation: No matter the amount of Bible you read in your "quiet time," take one verse, something that stood out to you, and write it on a 3x5 card or sticky tab. Put it in your pocket, on your desk, or on your dash. Several times per day look at it, say it, think on it, pray it back to God. If the Bible is like food and eating, remember, snacks are good! 

Maybe this part of your life is actually too personal.  

Do you have anyone in your life who will ask you how it's going and what you've been reading? If not, seek one out. Find someone and read the Bible together. Find a more mature friend who can help you with how to read and understand the Bible. 

I could go on and on with possible diagnoses for the shortcomings of our Bible reading. I know because I have experienced these and many others myself. Maybe you, too, see yourself in one or more of these diagnoses. Don't think I intend to make Bible reading more complicated or to simply add more tasks. Use this list as a diagnostic tool to help you narrow in on one or two practical or spiritual ways that Bible reading is hindered and might be helped. This thing of God's Word is "no trifle for you, but your very life" (Deuteronomy 32:47). May God do great things in us through his Word in the rest of 2013.

From Pride to Humility - 1 John 2:16

Over the summer, I was given a small booklet on the biblical perspective of pride and humility. 1 John 2:16 says pride is not of God, but of the world, "For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world." 

I received this booklet as an encouragement to avoid being prideful because it was misinterpreted that I was going around on purpose parading around my works (which I was excited to be apart of since I graduated from CBU). I could totally see how some of my words and actions could of been perceived as prideful, narcissistic, and puffed up after the discussion. Therefore, I humbly apologized and acknowledged forgiveness, and explained myself to make things clear and transparent. Initially, it is never a good feeling when someone calls you out (whether they are right or wrong), and thinks you are a prideful individual. Nevertheless, as I have wisely learned over many years in my youth, it is important to listen to people who think things like this because they not only see something that you cannot see in yourself, but they primarily and genuinely care about you and your well-being among others (and in this context, for my future success wherever the Lord sends me). I am thankful for people like this because they want the best to shine out of me for the glory of God. This was specifically the case with me.

The small booklet I was given is by Stuart Scott called, From Pride to Humility: A Biblical Perspective, which is a small except from the book, The Exemplary Husband. It is dated, but I am so grateful for this resource because it ministered to me in many ways by confirming to me the things that I am doing well, and the things I need to seriously consider.  Scott writes, "Pride is blinding...The question is not, 'Do I have it?' but, "Where is it?' and 'How much of it do I have?' We all have the tendency to think too much about ourselves and too much of ourselves." Scott goes on to lay out 30 different kinds of pride in order to try and expose any prideful manifestations of self-righteousness. Each one speaks of pride coming from thinking too much about yourself or of yourself compared to God and others:

Manifestations of Pride (by Stuart Scott)
1. Complaining against or passing judgment on God (cf. Num. 14:1-4, 9, 11; Rom. 9:20)
2. A lack of gratitude in general (cf. 2 Chron. 32:25)
3. Anger (Matt. 20:1-16)
4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke 7:36-50)
5. having an inflated view of your importance, gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 4:7)
6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25)
7. Perfectionism (Matt. 23:24-28)
8. Talking too much (Prov. 10:19)
9. Talking too much about yourself (Prov. 27:2; Gal. 6:3)
10. Seeking independence or control (1 Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 5:21)
11. Being consumed with what others think (Gal. 1:10)
12. Being devastated or angered by criticism (Prov. 13:1)
13. Being unteachable (Prov. 19:20; John 9:13-34)
14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, or degrading (Prov. 12:18, 23)
15. A lack of service (Gal. 5:13; Eph. 2:10)
16. A lack of compassion (Matt. 5:7, 18:23-25)
17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Gen. 3:12-13; Prov. 12:1)
18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong (Prov. 10:17)
19. A lack of asking forgiveness (Matt. 5:23-24)
20. A lack of biblical prayer (Luke 18:10-14)
21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful (1 Pet. 2:13-17)
22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked (Phil. 2:1-4)
23. Minimizing you own sin and shortcomings (Matt. 7:3-5)
24. Maximizing others' sin and shortcomings (Matt. 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14)
25. Being impatient or irritable with others (Eph. 4:31-32)
26. Being jealous of envious (1 Cor. 13:4)
27. Using others (Matt. 7:12; Phil. 2:3-4)
28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes (Prov. 11:3, 28:13)
29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Pet. 3:3-4)
30. Not having close relationships (Prov. 18:1-2; Heb. 10:24-25)

On the contrary, Scott responses with the "put off and put on" principle. Colossians 3:9-10, "Seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." Jay Adams, renowned Christian counselor and author, calls this the "De-habituation/Re-habituation" method. The practical response is to "put off" the manifestations of pride and "put on" the manifestations of humility. The goal is to remove any habitual, prideful characteristics and apply new habitual, humble characteristics. Scott ends his booklet with a list of 24 manifestations of humility towards about others or of God compared to yourself:

Manifestations of Humility (by Stuart Scott)
1. Recognizing and trusting God's character (Ps. 119:66)
2. Seeing yourself as having no right to question and judge God (Ps. 145:17; Rom. 9:19-23)
3. Focusing on Christ (Phil. 1:21; Heb. 12:1-2)
4. Biblical prayer and a great deal of it (1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2)
5. Being overwhelmed with God's undeserved grace and goodness (Ps. 116:12-19)
6. Being thankful and grateful in general towards others (1 Thess. 5:18)
7. Being gentle and patient (Col. 3:12-14)
8. Seeing yourself as no better than others (Rom. 12:16; Eph. 3:8)
9. Having an accurate view of your gifts and abilities (Rom. 12:3)
10. Being a good listener (James 1:19; Phil. 2:3-4)
11. Talking about others only if it is good or for their good (Prov. 11:13)
12. Being gladly submissive and obedient to those in authority (Rom. 13:1-2; Heb. 13:17)
13. Preferring others over yourself (Rom. 12:10)
14. Being thankful for criticism or reproof (Prov. 9:8; 27:5-6)
15. Having a teachable spirit (Num. 22:22-35; 1 Tim. 3:1-8)
16. Seeking always to build up others (Eph. 4:29)
17. Serving (Gal. 5:13-14)
18. A quickness in admitting when you are wrong (Prov. 29:23)
19. A quickness in granting and asking for forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)
20. Repenting of sin as a way of life (1 John 1:9; 1 Tim. 4:7-9)
21. Minimizing others' sins or shortcomings in comparison to your own (Matt. 7:3-5)
22. being genuinely glad for others (Rom. 12:15)
23. Being honest and open about who they are and the areas in which they need growth (Gal. 6:2)
24. Possessing close relationships (Acts 20:31-38)

Propaganda, a Counter-Cultural Rapper

Within the last few years, Christian hip-hop has exploded on the scene throughout the music industry. The Christian music industry has desperately needed new counter-cultural musicians for awhile now, and within the Christian hip-hop movement, there is an army of musical missionaries desiring to spread the gospel to people who would not normally be reached by typical Christian pop/rock music.

Rappers such as Lecrae, Tripp Lee, Tedashi, Shai Linne, Ambassador, Flame, and Cross Movement comes a newer preacher of poetic gospel lyrics named Propaganda. I got to meet him at the Los Angeles Harvest Crusade this year as he was touring with Lecrae. His YouTube videos has gone viral and are extremely convicting, engaging, and biblical. I am so blessed to see these guys, specifically Propaganda, be bold and "unashamed" of the gospel. They are committed to not just singing but teaching God's truth to others.Below are some of the videos:

All I Want To Do - Acts 6:4

The other day I was asked by a few people, "What do you want to do?" Initially, I did not know what they meant. However, I assumed they were asking what I would be doing in the future. That was precisely the question. They wanted to know if I wanted to go into ministry since I have been serving at my church for many years with a joyful servant's heart. I paused and gave them my answer.

My answer was of course a positive one. I shared with them that my heart has been compelled by the gospel. Thus, with the rest of my life I want to primarily invest in all of my efforts to preach the Word of God in ministry, and teach the Word of God in education (as I mentioned my previous post, Back To Blogging!). In some of my older posts, it seems to read as if I do not want to be in full-time ministry, which is not true. I want to do more than just ministry when the opportunity presents itself. I want to teach the Bible academically at either a middle school, high school, or university as well. My desire is to educate students [and adults] with the Scriptures from the pulpit and in the classroom. In ten years, I pray and hope to see my long term goals come to life as a pastor and/or professor in the community. We will see what the God's will is for my wife and I!

The verse below perfectly, simplistically, and accurately defines all I want to do:
Acts 6:4, "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

The apostles were devoted. The apostles were devoted to prayer. The apostles were devoted to ministry. The apostles were devoted to the Word of God. Those who are devoted to "prayer" and the "ministry of the word" find themselves making right choices, living godly examples, and communicating truth to those around them as the apostles did. This is what I want to do. Amen!

Jesus In Romans - The Righteousness of God

One of the ministry I am so blessed to be apart of is a unique men's accountability group called "The Group" Bible study in association with the "Galatians 6:1 Ministry" at Harvest. After several years of being a guest speaker, I was humbled when they asked me to be on the teaching rotation as they go through the book of Romans. I have the opportunity of of teaching four times in Romans 2, 5, 8, 13. This Thursday, I will be teaching on Romans 8:1-39. The chapter is all about work of the Holy Spirit. Paul declared at the beginning of his epistle in Romans 1:4 that Jesus came as "the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead," to make Romans 8:3-4 a reality "by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." In other words, Jesus came as the Son of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a righteous life with the means of justifying unrighteous sinners who would walk in the same power of the Holy Spirit to live righteously for Christ. Wow! What a Christological heart penetrating truth! Jesus came to live a perfect life knowing that I would personally never seek such righteous ambitions, do righteous deeds, or live up to his righteous standards and judgments. Jesus did that for me so I could rest in his finished work as the righteousness of God.

This short sermon clip by John Piper that explains how Jesus is at the center of Paul's exposition in Romans. Jesus is portrayed as the righteousness of God that solely justifies sinners. As Piper says in this video, "[Paul] says in his heart, "It's Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! 37 times in this glorious letter that he wrote." Indeed, the book of Romans bleeds with the atoning work of Jesus Christ as the righteousness of God.

Romans 5 - Our Justification, Explained

My second time teaching at "The Group" was very fruitful. I got to teach on Romans 5, which is one of the greatest chapters in the entire Bible. I believe there is no greater exposition on the doctrine of justification than in Romans 5. Paul explains how the gospel justifies sinners from a personal and scriptural polemic. He defends his gospel by flowing over the application of his previous arguments from the OT examples of Abraham and David who believed in God by faith and were justified. Those who believe in Jesus Christ receive the same means of justification, but based on the work of Christ on the cross. Paul a how God personally assures us of our justification in 5:1-11, and then scripturally assures us of our justification in 5:12-21. Here are some of my notes from my sermon. May they encourage you as they encouraged me to marvel at the work of Jesus and share his message with others!

Introduction.
What is justification? Maybe you have heard these sayings to help make sense of the doctrine of justification:

1. “Just-as-if-you-have-never-sinned”

2. “Just-as-you-have-always-obeyed”

3. “Just-as-the-Father-sees-his-Son”

Moody Handbook of Theology defines justification:
“Justification comes from a Greek concept meaning ‘to declare righteous.” It is a legal act wherein God pronounces that the believing sinner has been credited with all the virtues of Jesus Christ. Whereas forgiveness is the negative aspect of salvation, meaning the subtraction of human sin, justification is the positive aspect, meaning the addition of divine righteousness [to their spiritual life] (p. 715).

In Romans 5:1-21, Paul explains how all Christians have a secure and final hope in the justification of God in Christ.

Considerate questions relatable to the context of chapter 5:
Have you ever experience a moment in your life where you had no assurance if something was legitimate? (business transaction; relationship status; promises)

Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where you had no confidence in someone?
(a co-worker; family member; neighbor) 

These two questions suggest the lack of security and finality with things and people in the world. It is true that hope in the world will never give us total assurance. We may not have total control over different circumstances in our lives, but we do know the one who is in control of our spiritual lives. Paul explains the security of our justification was established by the work on the cross, and the finality of our justification was solidified through the person of Jesus Christ.

“Perhaps no portion of Romans states more clearly the legal nature of our acceptance in Christ outside of chapter 5.”

Warren Wiersbe correctly explains Romans 5 describes the blessings of our justification (5:1-11) and the basis for our justification (Rom. 5:12-21). If there is no basis for our justification (Jesus), then there are surely no blessings (eternal life).

Theology in the text – Justification is a God-centered work (which is all for him, by him, and through him):
1. We were justified for his glory [“hope of the glory of God”] (5:2)

2. We were justified by his grace [“have the grace of God”] (5:15)

3. We were justified through his gospel [“leading to eternal life though Jesus Christ”] (5:21)

Theology in the text - Justification is a Trinitarian-centered work:
Rom. 5:1a - "We have peace with God [the Father]" because the Father sent his son.
Rom. 5:1b - "Through our Lord Jesus Christ [the Son]" because the Son died for us.
Rom. 5:5b - "Through the Holy Spirit [the Spirit]" because the Spirit seals our faith.

The Message.
The scope of our message will revolve around two main points:
I. The security of our justification in Christ (5:1-11)
II. The finality of our justification to Christ (5:12-21)

I. The security of our justification in Christ (5:1-11).
Chapter 5 begins a lengthy discourse on Christian hope that comes to a close at the end of Romans 8. Paul describes how in the mist of suffering, Christians have a “greater hope” because of what Christ did on the cross (5:21), and the fulfillment of God’s promises whereas saints will be glorified (8:30), and never be separated from God because of his everlasting love (8:39).

Therefore, Paul beings chapter 5 with sequential "we" statements that reveal the benefits believers receive based on the justification of God in Christ.

Romans 5:1-11, notice the text and how Paul includes his audience:
"We have" been justified; "We were" sinners & enemies; "We shall be" delivered and saved. Yet, the basis is grounded ONLY by the righteous work of Jesus Christ.

Being justified means:
5:1a - We have peace from God in Christ
5:2a - We have access to God in Christ
5:3a - We have confidence and joy in God in Christ
5:3b - We have assurance of our salvation by knowing the love of God in Christ

Being justified implies:
5:6a - We were without [our own moral] strength to please God
5:6b - We were still sinners towards God
5:8b - We were enemies against God

Being justified declares:
5:9b - We shall be saved from wrath [judgment]
5:10b - We shall be saved by His life [redemption]
5:11b - We shall be reconciled to God forever [eternal life]

All of these verses indicate Christians have eternal security based on seven blessings of our justification that the righteousness of God provides through Jesus Christ!

Look at all the blessings we receive as unworthy sinners:
“We have peace with God; We have access to God; We have a glorious hope; We have perseverance; We have God’s love within us; We are saved from wrath; We are reconciled to God eternally.”

Because of these biblical realities, our lives should rejoice at all times for the incredible love God has shown to us through the work of Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Christ were “saved to live, now live to serve.”

Take away thoughts:
When facing uncertainty, rest in the work of Christ (which is certain!)
When facing trials, trust your faith in Christ (which will get you through trials!)
When facing insecurity, focus on your glorious hope in Christ (which is secure!)

II. The Finality of our Justification to Christ (5:12-21)
Chapter 5 ends with an analogy to show how much greater Jesus is than Adam. Paul uses OT typology to showcase a drastic theological contrast between the first man (Adam), and the second man (Jesus). His argument brings finality to our justification to Christ.

Romans 5:12-17 explain how all people are guilty of their sins because of the sin that was brought into the world through the transgression of Adam in the Garden of Eden (cf. Gen. 3:17-19). Everyone is guilty of sin before the law was given to Moses because sin was present at the beginning of redemptive history (i.e. Cain & Abel; Noah & the flood; Abraham & Lot; Joseph).

Therefore, as sin has abundantly spread to all men, the grace of God has more abundantly been shared to all men, specifically through Jesus Christ, who is the grace that has come into the world.

Jesus the “Free Gift” – The Righteousness of God (which conquers sin and leads to eternal life)

Romans 5:15, “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.”	-The free gift has the opposite effects of the trespass Adam’s sin. -The free gift has more abundance than the trespass Adam’s sin.
Romans 5:16, “And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.”	-The free gift has the opposite results of Adam’s sin. -The free gift has brought justification, not condemnation.
Romans 5:17, “For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”	-The free gift of righteousness is the life of Jesus Christ. -The free gift leads to eternal life (cf. Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)

Romans 5:18-21, Paul concludes his argument through a biblical contrast of the historical Adam and historical Jesus. His argument resides in the superiority of the work of Christ compared to Adam and his disobedience. 

Paul’s Old Adam vs. New Adam Typology (Adam vs. Christ)

Adam committed sin	Christ did not commit sin
Adam disobeyed God	Christ obeyed God [the Father]
Adam’s act led to condemnation	Christ’s act led to justification
Adam’s disobedience made men sinners	Christ’s obedience made men righteous

As the first Adam brought sin into the world which made men sinners, the second Adam brought righteousness into the world which made men righteous. Paul explains the reversal of the effects of Adam’s disobedience is far greater in Jesus Christ than all who are in Adam.

Throughout Romans 5, Paul establishes the security of our justification in Christ and concludes with the finality of our justification to Christ. He ends this chapter using military language of Christ ruling and reigning over sin and death (5:20). It is only through the redemptive work of Christ can you receive eternal life!

Romans 5:21 - Eternal Life In the NT

John is the most unique because eternal life is mentioned the most in his gospel (ESV 17 times). Matthew, Mark, Luke all mention the term in three ways: 1) It is asked by the rich young ruler, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16 [first occurrence] ; Mark 10:17; Luke 10:25; 18:18). 2) It is given to those who make their faith in Jesus more superior than all other human relationships (Matt. 19:29; Mark 10:30). 3. It is mentioned as a destination place for righteous compared to the destination place of the unrighteous in eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46)

John 3:14-16, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Romans Paul expresses the term in direct relationship to Christ and his righteousness four times. As the righteousness of God, Jesus provides eternal life as the free gift of grace to all men who believe in him and his work on the cross. Pauline Letters Paul expresses this term elsewhere in his writings, which are linked to faith, repentance, and obedience to the gospel (Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16, 6:12; Titus 1:2, 3:7).

Romans 2:6-8, “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” Romans 5:21, “so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Conclusion: 
Paul taught us our salvation is secure and final. There is no other work that could bring eternal security outside of what Jesus did on the cross. Also, there is no other person who could live perfectly to bring finality to the reign of sin in the world outside of Jesus.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the work of Christ will forgive the unrighteous because the person of Christ was righteous.

Wrapping Up.
1. We are justified
We are justified because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

2. We are loved
We are loved because of what Jesus demonstrated for us by going to the cross.

3. We are saved
We are saved because of what Jesus defeated for us through the cross.

Romans 2 - Religion Doesn't Save

My first opportunity to teach through the book of Romans happened last Thursday night as I taught through the entire second chapter. It was a challenge to condense things so I could make it through the entire text with the allotted time that I was given. I was able to manage it. After the message was done, many of the guys encouraged and thanked me for teaching because it revealed to them it is "not how much I do, but it is how much I give" to Christ. Indeed, in my own life I must avoid trying to live off my own righteousness [i.e. my "doing"] and focus on giving everything over to the Lord and relying on his righteousness. It was very inspiring and a great takeaway truth from the lesson for me. Here are some notes from my message. Enjoy!

Religion Doesn’t Save: Paul’s Condemnation of the Religious World

There is not a more dangerous place to be in your life than to think you are religious enough to be saved.

“I believe that human morality, rather than flagrant sin, is the greatest obstacle to the gospel today. If you ask the average law-abiding person why he expects to go to heaven, the answer will be some form of “because I’ve been good.” [Parables such as] the rich young ruler (see Matthew 19:16-20), the prodigal son’s older brother (see Luke 15:28-30), and the Pharisee praying in the temple (see Luke 18:9-12) all had this in common: They were confident of their own goodness [religion]. Their attitude is replicated throughout our society. And the more religious a person is, the more difficult it is for that person to realize his or her need for the righteousness of Jesus Christ.” (Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges, 2002, p. 121.)

“A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.” (Martin Luther)

“You can have tons of religion without an ounce of salvation.” (unknown)

Outside of Romans 2, Paul affirms religion doesn’t save in Colossians 2:6-23:

“[6] Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. [8] 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. [9] For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, [10] and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. [11] In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, [14] by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. [15] He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. [18] Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, [19] and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—[21] “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” [22] (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? [23] These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Paul says no philosophy, no tradition, no knowledge, no mysticism, no circumcision, no laws, no rituals, no works; no religion can save you from your sins except the sin-forgiving, life-resurrecting, death-triumphing substitutionary death of Jesus Christ!

Introduction to Romans:

When we read the book of Romans, we need to understand the context in which it was written. What is the essential context of the book of Romans? It is Paul’s Gospel, undiminished.

The book of Romans is Paul’s most comprehensive and exhaustive writing among his thirteen letters, which contains 7,114 words, all emphasizing biblical nature of Gospel.

The genre of the book is letter, so it is written “to address specific situations in the Christian communities that it is received. The Writers were most concerned with applying theology in practical ways to real-life situations.” The book of Romans is a unique letter that was carefully written and delivered with precise details to showcase the biblical Gospel because it was not being taught or understood correctly. Thus, when reading Romans, we must recapture the NT context of the letter genre to educate and correct us in biblical truth. Doing this makes us see the book of Romans as it was intended: an authoritative substitute for Paul’s personal presence in Rome, carefully written and delivered to address the Christian communities about “the righteousness that comes from God, the glorious truth that God justifies the guilty by grace alone through faith in Christ alone.”

Therefore, his condemnation of the religious world (the Jews) is much more serious because they believed contrary to the Gospel. The believed their religion saved, but Romans 2:1-29, 3:1-8 indicate they are far from being religiously good.

Romans 2:1-29 - The Big Picture

The book of Romans begins with the first three chapters revealing how we desperately need the righteousness of God in Christ because of depravity.

The thesis of the book of Romans is Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Notice how Paul does not say “the righteousness of religion” or the “righteous shall live by religion.”

Paul made sure that the explicit gospel was emphasized from the beginning of his letter to make sure his audience would understand the seriousness of their depravity and need for saving grace through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anthropology & Harmatology – The Doctrine of Man and Sin

Romans 1:18-32	Paul explains the Gentile world (secular) is guilty of all unrighteousness.
Romans 2:1-29, 3:1-8	Paul explains the Jewish world (religious) is guilty of the same unrighteousness.
Romans 3:9-31	Paul further explains how all of mankind is therefore guilty of all unrighteousness and need the justification of God’s righteousness through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Paul breaks down chapter two by giving us five biblical definitions of several terms to prove religion doesn’t save, but the entire religious world is guilty of the same unrighteousness the secular world practices.

Romans 2:1-5	Definition of God’s Judgment
Romans 2:6-11	Definition of Practices
Romans 2:12-16	Definition of Law Breaking
Romans 2:17-24	Definition of Hypocrisy
Romans 2:25-29	Definition of Circumcision

God’s word teaches us several theological principles in Romans 2:1-29:

1. God is the great judge (v.2)

2. God shows no partiality (v.11)

3. God will judge all things, including the secrets of men (v.16)

4. God shall not be dishonored or blasphemed (v.23-24)

5. God wants our praises (v.29)

Applying the theological principles:

1. We should not judge others because we actually condemn ourselves who are guilty.

2. We should not show partiality because God does not show partiality to others.

3. We should not commit sin in secret because God knows all things and will reveal it.

4. We should not dishonor or blaspheme God because it displays hypocrisy.

5. We should not seek the praises of men but the praises of God for all things.

Studying and Preaching Through the Book of Romans

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to teach through the book of Romans with the "Galatians 6:1 Ministry" at Harvest. On Thursday nights, a men's accountability group comes together to hear the gospel and grow together through Bible study, group time, and prayer. My brother and I were asked several years ago to guest speak at the ministry, and since then, we have loved going there to share the gospel. This year, they asked me to join the teaching rotation. Praise the Lord!


At this moment, "The Group" (as they call the study) is going through the book of Romans one chapter per week. I get the pleasure of teaching multiple times, so I took it upon myself to do a personal study through Romans. Since the letter is theologically packed with truth and fulfillment based on the words and works of Christ, I decided to get two commentaries to assist me. I was encouraged at CBU by my professors to never buy sets of commentaries, but rather buy a set of different commentary books on whatever I am teaching. This way, you build a healthy library and your money it put into your current studies instead of spread out very abroad (even though there is nothing wrong with buying a commentary set!). I have done this and have found it extremely fruitful, resourceful, and wise.

Here are the two commentaries that I decided to buy to assist my studying and preaching through the book of Romans. Both are exegetical commentaries (which I highly recommend). One is a technical approach to the meaning of the text (Schreiner), and the other is more of a biblical theology (Talbert). I have learned so much, and enjoy reading these commentaries as if I was in seminary taking a course on Romans. Good reads always lead to good application!

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
(Romans 15:4)