Spectacular Sins: Introduction

We began our discussion of Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ by John Piper. We began where most good books begin: in the Introduction. We looked at Joni Eareckson Tada’s observation, ”When it comes to holocausts or other horrors, most of us assume God has his hands tied and his back to the wall. We figure the devil wreaks havoc when God’s not looking; we rationalize the Lord’s ‘mistakes,’ figuring he absentmindedly took his hands off the wheel when tragedies happen.” Have you ever found yourself thinking along those lines? How does the author say we can avoid self-pity or rage and endure such catastrophes with faith and hope? The author leads us to the window of the Scriptures to let us know that God has not been caught by surprise when bad things happen, He doesn’t stand aloof and He isn’t powerless. No, He sent Jesus, Who willingly identified with a sinful and suffering humanity, took our guilt and, despite all appearances, won the victory over and through some of the most spectacular sins. Here are some of the questions we discussed:

1. John Piper begins with the creation of the universe. For what purpose does the author tell us the universe was created? What does that imply about our purpose in life?
2. What is the apex of Christ’s glory and what part did evil play in fully displaying that glory?
3. What is the author’s purpose in writing this book? Do you think his assessment of Christians in the West is accurate or has merit?
4. Why do many Christians have a wimpy worldview – what’s missing and where can we go to get what we need to pump up our sometimes wimpy view of God?
5. Are you facing or have you faced suffering or a trial or persecution that put your Christian worldview to the test? What kept you from breaking?

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On Tuesday, our men’s group will be getting together at Java John’s to begin reading and discussing John Piper’s Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ.

From the Desiring God site:

In this series John Piper seeks to provide a biblical perspective on God’s sovereign and righteous governance over even the sinful acts of men.

History’s greatest sins do not thwart God’s purposes to save his people and glorify his Son; they fulfill them. And knowing this is the key to having “Christ-exalting strength in calamity and Christ-exalting courage in conflict.”

We will begin with the Introduction this week. You can read along for free online or purchase a copy here.

Next up will be Miracles by C.S. Lewis, so keep your eyes open for bargains out there.

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We’ve come to the end of our journey through Tim Keller’s return to the Parable of the Prodigal Son in his bestseller, The Prodigal God. I hope those of you who have read along with our Tuesday morning group have been feasting on this retelling of the gospel in a contemporary setting.

The author closes with this summary:

Jesus tells us that both the sensual way of the younger brother and the ethical way of the elder brother are spiritual dead ends. He also shows us there is another way: through him. And to enter that way and to live a life based on his salvation will bring us finally to the ultimate party and feast at the end of history.  We can have a foretaste of that future salvation now in all the ways outlined in this chapter: in prayer, in service to others in the changes in our inner nature through the gospel, and through the healed relationship that Christ can give us now. But they are only a foretaste of what is to come.

Here are the questions we discussed over the past two weeks:

1. Tim Keller tells us that salvation is experiential – like a feast, it involves not only our minds and affections, but all our senses. What are some of the benefits the author finds in the approach that “Jesus’ salvation is a feast?” Can you think of any blessings he missed?
2. After reading page 109, do you identify more with the rational, controlled temperament or the mystical approach to the faith?
3. Did you find it surprising that the Bible speaks of the new heavens and new earth as physical realities? Given that the earth will be renewed and we are to be resurrected, how do you think we should live the life we have here and now?
4. What did Martin Luther say is the default mode of the human heart?
5. How does Paul, the apostle, motivate his readers toward obedience in his letters? How can you and I see our motivations, identity and worldview restructured?
6. What does the author tell us is the greatest motivation to obey Jesus? What are the two edges of the answer to this question?
7. If we believe we are saved by grace, yet we remained unchanged and disobedient, what aspect of grace does the author say we don’t understand? How can we change that situation?
8. Do you think it is possible to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, apart from a community of believers – particularly, a church with elder brothers? Why or why not?
9. I never read the quote by C.S. Lewis on pages 126 and 127 – it blew me away. Have you ever experienced a circle of friends like that? If not, would you like to?
10. Have you seen Babette’s Feast? I remember the film just as the author describes it. How does Jesus resolve the question raised by that film, as well as the parable we’ve been reading: The Prodigal? What is the third way?

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We got together for our monthly men’s fellowship and kicked off our theme for 2010: Make Disciples. We had a wonderful time of table fellowship. The salad and pizza were prepared to perfection and served by Aaron Crew and Pat Brennan. Then, we spent some time in the Word and prayer, with the goal of making disciples, who love Jesus and bear His image to the Brunswick and beyond.

We took our text from Matthew 28:18 – 20:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Discipleship was a common practice in classical world, but a survey of the NT reveals that much more was required to be a disciple of Jesus:

• First, Steve and Lois Rabey remind us that: Jesus doesn’t call people primarily to a social or political movement or even first and foremost to a life or religiosity or ethical living. More than anything, He calls us to love God
• Jesus calls His disciples to “come and see,” inviting them to join Him in a calling that involves all of life.  (John 1:35-39)
• The ultimate goal is to be like Jesus: Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
• We are called to a denial of self and a deliberate choosing of the cross
• We must forsake all to follow Him and exhibit a fervent, sacrificial love for one another in the Body of Christ
• Finally, we share an unswerving commitment to the Word of God and prayer

What are our goals for 2010… what are we aiming for? What can we expect to see by the end of this year, if we are making disciples?

• Greater depth and maturity in our relationship with the Lord
• More and richer relationships between men
• Healthy disciples, like healthy sheep, will reproduce – we expect to see new disciples

What are the values, character traits and content disciples at NCCF will be trained in?

• Prayer
• Bible study habits and skills
• Life skills, living in community and loving others
• Self-sacrifice and giving
• Evangelism

So, we’re spending a year pursuing this one initiative… this one defining goal. We will focus on what it means to be a disciple as modeled in the relationship between Paul and Timothy:

Philippians 2:19 –22 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

If you would like to have someone mentor or disciple you, speak to me the next time we meet or message / call / email me. I will see who’s available and pass that contact info along. If no one is available right now, I’ll steer you to some resources until a qualified mentor is available.

Bo Salisbury

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“That guy really needs Jesus!” Have you ever heard someone say that about a friend, who is lost in the world of alcohol, drugs or pornography? Have you ever thought that yourself, as you stepped over the people on the sidewalk, stacked like cordwood throughout the Tenderloin? It’s flawed gospel-logic according to Tim Keller, who spends this week’s chapter redefining lostness. Rather, he shows us that it may be you or I who have redefined what it means to be “lost,” in order to justify ourselves before God and grant significance to our lives, seeking our Father’s goods, without His grace. Here are some of the questions our little crowd discussed this morning at Java John’s:

1. What do older brothers or moral conformists do, in order to reassure themselves that their lives matter – that they are significant?
2. What is at the root of the moral conformist’s performance- driven life?
3. When our prayers are only used to control our environment, what do they sound like?
4. What is a “recovering believer” and what is it they need in order to be healthy and whole?
5. The author says it’s important that we make a clear distinction between the gospel and religious moralism. Do you agree? Why?

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Last Tuesday we read along with Tim Keller, who defines sin not simply as doing wrong, but also conforming and obeying from wrong motives. The author sees the elder brother in the parable as a moral conformist and the younger brother as following the way of self-discovery – He concludes that both want their father’s possessions, but not his heart. While both are estranged from him, the younger son returns in a story that certainly surprised (and insulted) Jesus’ religious listeners:

At the end of the story the lover of prostitutes is saved, but the man of moral rectitude is still lost.

Here are a few of the questions we considered:

1. Would you agree that there is a stark division between “moral conformists” and “pioneers” in our culture? Do you think people who take these two approaches to life can find justification for their philosophy in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles?
2. In what ways are the hearts of the younger and older brother alike?
3. What is the radical alternative Tim Keller teases us with on page 33?
4. What is the project that everyone is involved in, regardless of the approach to God?
5. How is the gospel distinct from other ways that people seek to relate to God?
6. Do you think, in the words of the author, we should “be there every time the church door opens?”

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Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology is now available, all 52 chapters, as a podcast on iTunes. But, here’s the best part: it’s not a narrator reading the text, but Dr. Grudem instructing the course at his home church. Each session includes question and answers from participants. You can also download individual chapters or subscribe by going to feedburner.

This is probably the most widely used theology ever and the men at NCCF have gone through it a couple times on Sunday mornings over the past ten years. Now anyone can join us in the study and discussion. I know that this has been a valuable resource for a number of us, as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.”

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This Tuesday, we will be discussing the first chapter and I came up with a few questions, as well as a couple from the discussion guide. Some of these questions are meant to be considered and answered privately.

1. The parable is traditionally referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Who is Jesus really speaking to and how did you come to that conclusion?
2. Was it a revelation to you that the first Christians were called atheists? How do you think we differ from those first believers and how are we alike?
3. Do you think it’s a true statement that “people like Jesus, but not the church?” If so, why do you think the church in America is so unlikeable?
4. If you agreed that “people like Jesus, but not the church,” do you think you might part of the problem?
5. Do you think our Christian institutions, our buildings and programs are a barrier to the “younger brothers” in our culture? What do you think our attitude to such things should be?
6. How can we be more inviting to the “broken and marginalized” around us?
7. Tim Keller shifts from Jesus and His attraction to “younger brothers” to ask if our churches are inviting to those outside the faith? Do you think that is a valid question – I mean, do Jesus and His church serve identical roles?
8. What do you think about a Church, where a crowd of “younger brothers” always seems to be around? Would you consider it a healthy Church or a “worldly” one?
9. How do you resolve the tension between Jesus’ frequent rebuke of obedient, religious, “older brothers” in the Gospels and Scriptures like Matthew 5:20 when He says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven?” (ESV)

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This Tuesday we will begin reading and discussing Tim Keller’s book, The Prodigal God. It’s a nice change-up from the more technical books we’ve been reading at Java John’s and I think it will be helpful to a wider audience. Please feel free to join us in reading and dialogue online or in our gatherings. Don’t panic if you haven’t gotten a copy yet… we will begin slowly and let everyone catch up. This week, we’ll warm up with the Introduction and The Parable.

From D.A. Carson:

There is more than one way to run away from God and defy him. But there is only one way back: God is so prodigal in his grace that he reaches out to humble and restore and receive both. Few books unpack this theme with greater force than this slim volume from Tim Keller.

This is a book that fits nicely with our Mission and reaching out with the Gospel

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The Tuesday morning crew at Java John’s  just finished George Eldon Ladd’s Gospel of the Kingdom — it was a very worthwhile look at the Kingdom of God and the “already and not yet” quality of Christ’s reign on the earth. We closed with this thought, which is both timely and relevant to our mission at NCCF:

Do you love the Lord’s appearing? Then you will bend every effort to take the Gospel into all the world [beginning with the Brunswick and Nevada County]… All authority is His. “Go ye therefore.” Wherefore? Because all authority, all power is His, and because He is waiting until we have finished our task. His is the Kingdom; He reigns in heaven, and He manifests His reign on earth in and through His church. When we have accomplished our mission, He will return and establish His Kingdom in glory. To us it is given not only to wait for but also to hasten the coming of the day of God (II Pet. 3:12). This is the mission of the Gospel of the Kingdom, and this is our mission.

Over the next couple of months, we will be discussing The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller.  Even if you don’t join us on Tuesday mornings at sunup, please get a copy and join us in online discussion or when we get together.

Before I move on, did anyone have any comments about The Gospel of the Kingdom?

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