John's gospel is a masterpiece. Perhaps the best thing ever written in the history of everything written. What a unique perspective John has on the most influential and important events in all of human history!
Here is one small nugget from the great gold mine.
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6.63
One of the central themes of John's gospel is life. Jesus consistently reminds us in this gospel that he is the way to life as it was meant to be. He is in fact the way, the truth and the life. He is totally synonymous with life. Life cannot be known outside of relationship with Him. Giving us that kind of life is at the heart of his mission (John 10.10).
This passage reminds us that the way to that life is mediated by His Spirit in us, not our own flesh. We can't do anything worth doing in our own strength. It is only by the power of God the Holy Spirit that any good will come of anything we are a part of. The only lasting fruit of our lives will come through and by the power of His Spirit.
What a relief!
Monday 28 September 2009
One year in the USA
As of last Saturday we have been in the USA for one year. It has been a remarkable growing and learning experience. We have found that Jesus is far better than we could have imagined. He continues to surprise us with his mercy, grace and healing power. He's so good. There aren't words to describe Him.
There's always more of Him to be experienced, loved and enjoyed. He goes on forever. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." He never stops loving, never stops giving, never stops forgiving. What a friend we have in Jesus!
We are so excited about this journey of following Him. It never ends. We get to do this for all eternity. Spending all time in His beautiful presence. If you don't know what that's like you should ask Him to show you!
There's always more of Him to be experienced, loved and enjoyed. He goes on forever. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." He never stops loving, never stops giving, never stops forgiving. What a friend we have in Jesus!
We are so excited about this journey of following Him. It never ends. We get to do this for all eternity. Spending all time in His beautiful presence. If you don't know what that's like you should ask Him to show you!
Sunday 13 September 2009
Dawkins on his soap box again...
Read this by Richard Dawkins on his own website, a self-proclaimed 'clear thinking Oasis'. You be the judge.
http://richarddawkins.net/article,88,The-Emptiness-of-Theology,Richard-Dawkins
And then this reply by John Stackhouse on his own blog.
http://stackblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/what-good-are-theologians
Dawkins is absurd, perhaps even mad, but certainly incredibly short-sighted and narrow minded. Does he not know that the 'science' he so loves was birthed because of a belief in God? Those who made the early great advances in science were monks after all. In fact, scientific inquiry would never have begun were it not for God fearing men and women who believed that God had made the universe to be intelligible. Dawkins is criticising the very discipline that gave birth to his own. It's like he is standing on the roof of the house that he loves, whilst simultaneously hacking away at its foundations.
http://richarddawkins.net/article,88,The-Emptiness-of-Theology,Richard-Dawkins
And then this reply by John Stackhouse on his own blog.
http://stackblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/what-good-are-theologians
Dawkins is absurd, perhaps even mad, but certainly incredibly short-sighted and narrow minded. Does he not know that the 'science' he so loves was birthed because of a belief in God? Those who made the early great advances in science were monks after all. In fact, scientific inquiry would never have begun were it not for God fearing men and women who believed that God had made the universe to be intelligible. Dawkins is criticising the very discipline that gave birth to his own. It's like he is standing on the roof of the house that he loves, whilst simultaneously hacking away at its foundations.
better world or better church
I'm really excited about the focus on mission within the global church at the moment. Whilst there is certainly a lot of guff and spin flying around, the essence of the situation is this; the church has recognised that it hasn't done a great job of representing what the gospel is and actually getting that message to the people who need to hear it.
This cultural basis for 'mission shaped living' - fancy way of saying 'being a Christian' - is joined with strong biblical evidence too. In each of the gospels Jesus makes it his final priority to remind his disciples that the good news about his death and resurrection leaves them with an obvious imperative - go and preach the good news to all the nations. Get out there, tell them about what this all means and show them the evidence at the same time. Pronounce that the Kingdom has come and do it with all the resources that I am about to send you by my Spirit.
This mission is not an add on to the gospel message, but something very central. Just as the purpose of the Old Covenant was that the nations would be blessed through the seed of Abraham, so the New Covenant has the same aim. Jesus came to fulfill the Old and to bring the New whilst continuing the same thread. The difference of course between the two Covenants is that the New includes all who believe on Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile. Secondly, and as evidence for the first, there are new resources given for this work - namely the Holy Spirit! Those who have received the Holy Spirit are now God's people in the world, called to do the work of building His Kingdom and inviting others to do the same.
The point is this. The mission of the church is not to build a better church but a better world. Whilst the latter will obviously include the former, what history has shown us is that those that concentrate on the former never get much further. Instead our starting point as Christians is worship which flows out into Mission, not into ecclesiology (talk of the church). We will of course finally get round to talking about how the church should be shaped in the light of all this but it must never be our starting point.
This cultural basis for 'mission shaped living' - fancy way of saying 'being a Christian' - is joined with strong biblical evidence too. In each of the gospels Jesus makes it his final priority to remind his disciples that the good news about his death and resurrection leaves them with an obvious imperative - go and preach the good news to all the nations. Get out there, tell them about what this all means and show them the evidence at the same time. Pronounce that the Kingdom has come and do it with all the resources that I am about to send you by my Spirit.
This mission is not an add on to the gospel message, but something very central. Just as the purpose of the Old Covenant was that the nations would be blessed through the seed of Abraham, so the New Covenant has the same aim. Jesus came to fulfill the Old and to bring the New whilst continuing the same thread. The difference of course between the two Covenants is that the New includes all who believe on Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile. Secondly, and as evidence for the first, there are new resources given for this work - namely the Holy Spirit! Those who have received the Holy Spirit are now God's people in the world, called to do the work of building His Kingdom and inviting others to do the same.
The point is this. The mission of the church is not to build a better church but a better world. Whilst the latter will obviously include the former, what history has shown us is that those that concentrate on the former never get much further. Instead our starting point as Christians is worship which flows out into Mission, not into ecclesiology (talk of the church). We will of course finally get round to talking about how the church should be shaped in the light of all this but it must never be our starting point.
Thursday 10 September 2009
A book to read
I'm halfway through reading a book called 'Christ is All' by Andrew Murray. It's a wonderful book of small reflections, most no more than 10 pages long. Each chapter contains a deep truth which all point towards the reality of an intimate relationship with God that Jesus promised through the power of His Holy Spirit. Murray is a mystic of sorts. If you like Tozer etc. you will love Murray.
This book has taught me more about the reality of God's Kingdom on earth than any other I have read in recent times. It is amazing to think that Jesus actually intended and expected for us to live a life full of joy and peace. His teachings were never intended to be reduced to theory, or reserved for a religious elite. No, the life of the Kingdom of God is the inheritance of every Christ follower and must be received as a child. God wants to give His very self to normal people. What beautiful news!
Murray's thoughts are so simple, which is wonderfully refreshing in a world that has become obsessed with needless complexity. Nevertheless they are totally profound. God has spoken to me through this book and I hope that if you read it you will find the same. More than anything else I hope that you will come to know in greater intimacy the God who really wants to fill you with His Spirit to such a degree that you walk with Him in great intimacy every moment of your life. Amen.
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