A Model of the Cross-Centered Life
Trying to think through some categories for living a cross-centered life that focuses on the person and work of Jesus. To download, just click on the image.
Trying to think through some categories for living a cross-centered life that focuses on the person and work of Jesus. To download, just click on the image.
At a Key Life pastor's conference, Dan Allender, said, "The Christian faith and the grace at its heart is so radical that most congregations can't deal with it." I will raise my hand to confess that I am one of those who wants to believe the gospel at a radical depth, but who struggles. Fear of failure and rejection. Insecurity and a need for approval and praise. These are often what influence me the most.
What if I were able to live completely under the liberating influence of the cross? What if I were to embrace the grace of God in Jesus that Tullian Tchividjian says is "way more drastic, way more offensive, way more liberating, way more shocking, and way more counterintuitive than any of us realize."
How would it affect how I pray? How I parent my kids? How I love my wife? How I treat my enemies? And what I do when nobody is looking? Nobody but Jesus. He would become the One for whom I long to live—to honor my Savior as a fully devoted disciple, enraptured by the immensity of his love, grace and mercy, knowing that I am that only because he was and is fully devoted to me... even when I wasn't devoted to him... even as I continue to wander, much of the time being much more devoted to my own reputation than to his.
Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus was that they would know this kind of transformative love and grace more and more deeply. That is what I want for myself, my wife and my children. May that be our prayer together at Creekstone as a community of ordinary folks who are coming alive to the wonder of the gospel by living all of life in view of the cross!
This is the message from the Community Lenten Service on March 27, 2012.
In 1875, Philip Bliss wrote this timeless hymn, Hallelujah, What a Savior, to remember and celebrate the gospel. It is the perfect theme for gathering together on a Sunday, being reminded that "in my place condemned he stood."
Man of Sorrows! What a name, for the Son of God, who came; Ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude; In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!Guilty, vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; “Full atonement!” can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Here is the message on Matthew 27:45-50 that I taught on Tuesday, Dec. 6, for the Dahlonega community advent luncheon series, entitled, "Waiting Through the Pain." Both audio and sermon notes are included below. I love teaching in that context, where believers from all over the community come together to celebrate the gospel of Jesus. Thanks to St. Luke's Catholic Church for hosting!
In case you were providentially hindered from attending today, here it today's Creekstone message from 1 Peter 2:13-25, "Practical Humility."
