Lately, if you listen close you hear admiration for all kinds of things, most of them good. Living in Alabama I hear more about College Football than anything else. Sometimes my Christian Consumer ears hear more about the next upcoming big thing that stirs excitement and expectations, but for what or who? Reading about the life of a certain Christian in the 1700's helped me get my focus and affection back on the centrality of Christ and Christ alone.
"The writings of Jonathan Edwards comprise only part of the explanation for his legacy. The other part is the depth of his encounter with God. Edwards remarkably managed to hold together what we tend to split apart. He saw Christianity as engaging both head and heart, while much of popular evangelicalism suffers greatly from pendulum swings in this regard. He had an overwhelming vision of the beauty and excellency of Christ, the love and sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, and the glory and majesty of God, while simultaneously seeing wrath and judgment, punishment and justice, an also comprising the divine nature. He had a profound sense of grace and forgiveness, coupled with an acute sense of guilt and repentance. In short, Edwards knew the beauty of Christ because he knew the ugliness of sin". Stephen J. Nichols
There may be a good question here for us to ask ourselves. What or who is stirring our religious affections in our heads and hearts? Is it a holiday, a Christian gathering, a speaker or worship leader, the way you dress - if that doesn't make sense to you, thank the Lord you are not to deep in evangelicalism. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to throw off anything that entangles us in our pursuit for Christ. Our souls long for Christ, and nothing less than Him will ever be good enough!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Praise Jesus For A Bad Economy!
Even though we see countless times in God's word to rejoice in times that are good, we also see reason to praise Jesus in times that are bad. We see Paul writing from prison to the Philippians, and any logical person would say that if your writing from prison your theme should be sorrow. However, as Paul was writing from Prison, his theme was Joy. We see also in God's word that Job was a major highlight of trusting in the Lord no matter the present conditions. But what about our present circumstances? Here are a few reasons to praise Jesus for this present time!
1) First and foremost - the Gospel should be heard clearer, now more than ever. People are starving for answers in the midst of bad circumstances.
2) True Identity is not found in our bank account but in our view of who Jesus is! Is Jesus the Christ, or our wishing well and crutch? Who is your Messiah?
3) The Prosperity Gospel is out of commission!!!! AMEN! Burn your "Best Life Now" books and read Lamentations! Find a church that preaches the deep waters of God's Word, no matter if the shallow one's claim that they are fastest growing in America! The Churches that preach the true Gospel are the fastest growing churches in heaven, not in the eyes of the sinful religious.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).
1) First and foremost - the Gospel should be heard clearer, now more than ever. People are starving for answers in the midst of bad circumstances.
2) True Identity is not found in our bank account but in our view of who Jesus is! Is Jesus the Christ, or our wishing well and crutch? Who is your Messiah?
3) The Prosperity Gospel is out of commission!!!! AMEN! Burn your "Best Life Now" books and read Lamentations! Find a church that preaches the deep waters of God's Word, no matter if the shallow one's claim that they are fastest growing in America! The Churches that preach the true Gospel are the fastest growing churches in heaven, not in the eyes of the sinful religious.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
When Tragedy Changes our Theology
Even though the prosperity gospel has been laughed at more than any SNL skit, it is still common to hear that God is not a God who allows his people to hurt or go through hard times, and that being a Christian means never being in debt or going through any hardships. Here is a reminder of an old saint who actually read his Bible and knew better!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Holy Affections part 1. photo by Rachel Jones
I don't know why I never realized it before, but I found the answer in a very strange place. I was thinking the other day as to why there is this desire and urge within all of us during Christmas. We desire so many things but it's never enough. We want presents, friends, SNOW, memories, but if I'm really honest I am always looking for something else. I have been seeing this in myself for years and wondered what this desire for something else was all about. Make fun of me if you will but I was driving around looking at Christmas lights the other night, by myself I might add, and got real excited about Christmas but noticed yet again, that I was wanting something more. I finally realized what it was. My desire that was so overwhelming but hard to notice, was the desire of heaven. The desire to see Jesus face to face and worship Him forever. I guess there are certain things about Christmas that bring it out. For instance, I was preaching on the attributes of God the other night using some photos that a friend of mine, Rachel Jones took. One picture was of a tree with snow on it. The very first time I saw snow it reminded me of God's grace, because every time you see snow it makes everything look different. When a landscape has snow on it, it doesn't look the same, it looks clean, pure, and right.
Jonathan Edwards the great preacher of the 1700's called this Holy Affections. Edwards says that, "He who has no religious affection is in a state of spiritual death and is wholly destitute of powerful quickening influences of the Spirit of God." These affections that Edwards talks about are things like a strong desire to be with Jesus and follow Him no matter where He goes, hatred for sin, Godliness, hoping in God's promises, and thanksgiving for Salvation through Jesus Christ. If these desires and longings are nowhere to be found in a person, this is a clear sign that there is no saving faith in the person. For the Christian, there is a longing to be with Jesus now and forever for the supreme purpose of giving Him glory that is due. This Christmas I challenge you to understand the deep longing to be at home with Jesus that lies within you and use it to strengthen your faith in the promise of Jesus that one day He will return to take His Children home!
"And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, these are the true words of God." - Revelation 19:9
Check out more photos at www.racheljonesphotography.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Enduring!
Church Planting isn't easy, so for lunch I resort to a bowl of corn! My roommate thought it was funny!
For His Namesake,
JP
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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