Tag: Religion

What is True Faith? | Part 2

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals3 Comments

Faith

What is true faith? We talk about faith all the time. When we call someone to follow Jesus, we tell them to have faith in Him. When someone is struggling, we encourage them to exercise faith. We use salvation and faith interchangeable. Faith is a word we use all the time, but what does it mean? For the next few weeks I will answer that question.

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

The Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 serves as an excellent example of faith. Over the next few days we will glean four things faith is from her story.

(2) True Faith is Persistent

The Canaanite woman was persistent. She kept coming after Jesus, even when He ignores her and the Disciples are annoyed. But she doesn’t care. She doesn’t turn away. She is persistent.

All those who exercise faith in Jesus are persistent as well. They know who He is. They know He has control over all things. They know He is Lord. They know He is the Messiah, so they continue to go after Jesus. They don’t give up.

How does this work out practically?

Some of you might be out of a job, and praying for another one, but God hasn’t answered you. Instead of giving up on God, we have to persistently trust Him, knowing He will answer in His own time.

Maybe some of you are sick, having difficulties at home, or need guidance. You have been praying, but God hasn’t delivered. Instead of giving up on God, we have to persistently trust Him. Again, knowing He will answer in His own time and in His own way.

True faith doesn’t allow situations, circumstances, or barriers to dissuade us from going after Jesus and trusting in Him. True faith is persistent.

The Content of True Faith

Continuing to build our definition of true faith, we see:

  • True faith believes – It specifically believes Jesus is Lord and the Son of David. He is our authority and the only way to a reconciled relationship with the Father.
  • True faith is persistent – It continues to go after Jesus not allowing anything to dissuade it or act as a barrier.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Have your circumstances caused you to stop chasing after Jesus?
  2. Do you continue to chase after Jesus no matter what is going on in your life, recognizing only He is Lord and Messiah?

Resources

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Post adapted from my most recent sermon The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

What is True Faith? | Part 1

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals11 Comments

Faith

What is true faith? We talk about faith all the time. When we call someone to follow Jesus, we tell them to have faith in Him. When someone is struggling, we encourage them to exercise faith. We use salvation and faith interchangeable. Faith is a word we use all the time, but what does it mean? For the next few weeks I will answer that question.

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

The Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 serves as an excellent example of faith. Over the next few days we will glean four things faith is from her story.

(1) True Faith Believes

The Canaanite woman believed. She believed Jesus could heal her daughter. She believed that because she recognized Jesus was Lord and the Son of David. These titles reveal a good deal about Jesus and the content of believing faith.

1. Jesus is Lord, He has authority over all things.

By calling Jesus Lord, the Canaanite Woman recognized rightly He is the One who directs her life. He is the One who has the right to call the shots in her life. The same goes for you and I.

You see, if we place our faith in Jesus, we allow and trust Jesus to direct our lives. As well as we submit every aspect of our lives to Jesus. He is our Lord, our King.

2. Jesus is the Son of David, He is the Father’s chosen Savior, the Messiah.

By calling Jesus the Son of David, the Canaanite Woman believed there is no other way to the Father but through Jesus. She recognized He is the only way. He is God’s chosen One. Essentially, she recognized nothing but belief in Jesus could right her relationship with God.

Connected to the belief that Jesus is the only way to God is the idea that we can do nothing to earn a relationship with God. We can’t work our way to God. We can’t repair our own relationship with Him. Only Jesus can repair our relationship with God.

Jesus is the only One who lived a perfect and righteous life, so He is the only One who doesn’t deserve God’s punishment, which means He is the only One who can take our punishment for us.

On the cross Jesus does just that, hanging in our place. As our substitute, He takes God’s wrath for us. In other words, God pours His wrath out on Jesus instead of us, even though we are the One’s who deserve punishment.

The Content of True Faith

So far we see true faith believes. It specifically believes Jesus is Lord and the Son of David. He is our authority and the only way to a reconciled relationship with the Father.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you believe Jesus is your Lord?
  2. Do you believe Jesus is the only way to the Father?

Resources

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Post adapted from my most recent sermon The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Resources for Growing Christians

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Leadership, Pastoral6 Comments

Increase Faith

I recently put a list of resources together for my church members. It is a list to encourage Christian growth.

Books

Gospel

  • Gospel by JD Greear | Designed to introduce you to a gospel-centered perspective.
  • What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert | Short yet informative. Answers the question posed in the title.
  • Stop asking Jesus into your heart by JD Greear | Weird title but great book about salvation, repentance, and growth.
  • The Transforming Power of the Gospel  by Jerry Bridges | How the gospel, not trying harder, changes us.
  • Counterfeit God’s by Timothy Keller | Dealing with idolatry from a gospel-centered perspective.

Christian Living

  • Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney | A short yet challenging read about living for Christ.
  • Hard to Believe by John Macarthur | A hard hitting book on following Jesus.
  • Who do you think you are? by Mark Driscoll | Deals with identity.
  • Work Matters by Tom Nelson | He shows us how to connect Sunday to the rest of the week by answering the question: How can we be a Christian the rest of the week, especially at work?
  • Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller | A book that connects Christianity to the work place. It is thought provoking and deep, really good.
  • I Am A Church Member by Thom Rainer | A short informative book discussing what it means to be a church member.
  • What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile | A short informative book from 9 Marks on church membership.

Evangelism and Apologetics

  • Show me how to share the gospel by Larry Moyer | A short informative and practical book on evangelism. Walks you through different gospel presentations.
  • Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman | Shows you how to do evangelism through everyday conversation by asking the right questions.
  • The Reason for God by Timothy Keller | An apologetic resource helpful when talking to post-modern or modern people.
  • Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer | Deals more with the theology of evangelism, but has some practical advice.
  • The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever | A short informative book on evangelism.

Family and Marriage

  • Shepherding A Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp | How to discipline your kids from a gospel-centered perspective.
  • The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller | An excellent book on marriage. Written for both married couples and singles.
  • The Shepherd Leader at Home by Timothy Witmer | Information on how to lead your family well.

Theology

  • Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware | An easy to read and informative systematic theology.
  • God’s Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts | A easy to follow overview of Scripture. It answers the question: What is the story of the Bible?
  • Basic Christianity by John Stott | A classic book on the Christian faith.

Studying the Bible (Interpretation)

  • Living by the book by Howard Hendricks | Provides Bible Study techniques.
  • 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert Plummer | Answers question about biblical interpretation.

Preachers

  • Timothy Keller – Redeemer Church | New York City
  • John MacArthur – Grace Community Church | California
  • Mark Driscoll – Mars Hill | Seattle
  • John Piper – Retired recently DesiringGod.org
  • Alistair Begg – Truthforlife.org
  • Matt Chandler – The Village Church | Flower Mound, TX
  • Kent Hughes – Preachingtheword.com 

Radio Program/News 

  • The Briefing – It’s a daily podcast of news from a Christian perspective. You can find it on the iTunes Store or through the Podcast app on your iPhone.
  • KCBI 90.9 – Christian radio station out of Dallas, TX.

Blogs

Magazines

  • Table Talk Magazine by Ligonier Ministries | A devotional magazine exploring important Christian topics and Scripture. It is designed to help you grow in your knowledge of God’s Word.

Question for Reflection

  1. What resources would you add?

Resource

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6 Marks of A Missional Church

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Evangelism, Leadership, Pastoral2 Comments

Missional Church

To be “Missional” is all the rage these days. I am not knocking it. I believe it is a good thing. I would even identify as “Missional” I believe we need to live as missionaries in our own communities, recognizing we live in a Post-Christendom society.

What, however, does a “Missional” church do? Timothy Keller sketches an idea for us in Center Church.

6 Marks of a Missional Church

(1) A Missional Church must confront societies idols

Missional churches recognize those in our society are searching for happiness and self-actualization. Everything is about fulfilling our talents and our dreams. Others do not matter.

A Missional Church must be able to confront this idol. As well as they must be able to diagnose and confront other societal idols, if they want to free those in the community from bondage and make an impact for Christ.

(2) A Missional Church must contextualize skillfully and communicate in the vernacular

Missional churches recognize the need to understand their context so they spend time learning the cultural narrative. They know the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of their culture. As well as they understand the nuanced meanings certain concepts have in their culture.

Not only that, but they recognize concepts such as God, sin, and redemption may not mean what they think they mean to those they are trying to reach.

As a result, they spend time examining their cultures understanding of these concepts and gaining a deeper understanding of the gospel, so they might accurately present it to those they are trying to reach.

Since those in Post-Christendom usually have different ideas of God, sin, and redemption than those in Christendom, our most popular gospel presentations need to be adapted to the context and vernacular of the people. That is not to say, the gospel needs to be changed to match the cultural ideas. No matter the culture, the gospel must remain the gospel.

(3) A Missional Church must equip people in mission in every area of their lives.

Missional churches recognize the laity needs to be equipped to:

1. Be a verbal witness to those they know.

2. Love their neighbors and do justice within their neighborhoods and city.

3. Integrate their faith with their work in order to engage culture through their vocations.

As a result, a Missional Church finds ways to support its people outside its walls, whether that is at work, home, abroad, or in leisure activities.

(4) A Missional Church must be a servant community and counterculture for the common good.

Missional Churches present a strong alternative society in which sex and family, wealth and possessions, racial identity and power, are all used and practiced in godly and distinct ways.

Missional Churches also pour out their resources sacrificially for the common good of the city.

While they exist as a distinct counterculture, they situate themselves within society, so their neighbors can observe a separate but servant community.

(5) A Missional Church must itself be contextualized and should expect nonbelievers, inquirers, and seekers to be involved in most aspects of the church’s life and ministry.

Missional Churches know how to welcome doubters and graciously include them as much as possible in community so they can see the gospel fleshed out in life and process the gospel message through numerous personal interactions.

In order to make that happen, believers in the church must be contextual – that is, culturally like yet spiritually unlike the people in the surrounding neighborhood and culture.

A missional church, then, doesn’t depend on an evangelism program or department for outreach. Almost all parts of the church’s life are ready to respond to the presence of people who do not yet believe.

(6) A Missional Church must practice unity.

Missional Churches define themselves more by contrasting themselves with the world instead of other denominations. They seek unity across denominational lines when appropriate, showing the surrounding community Christ unifies instead of divides.

Question for Reflection

  1. What other marks of a Missional Church would you include?

Resources

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Post adapted from Timothy Keller’s, Center Church, 271-74.

Evangelism and the Day of the Lord

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals, Evangelism1 Comment

Locust

There is a day coming when the Lord will return and judge all nations. All those not following Jesus will be slain by the Lord.

Joel 2 Pictures this Day

As a watchman, Joel sounds the trumpet warning of an approaching enemy. An enemy that ultimately destroys Israel. Their destruction points to the Day of the Lord.

Commenting on Joel 2:1-11, John Calvin says,

The object of the narrative, then, is to make the people sensible, that it was now no time for taking rest; for the Lord, having long tolerated their wickedness, was now resolved to pour upon them in full torrent his whole fury.

Table Talk magazine commenting on Calvin says,

Calvin reminds us the final end is not to preach judgment for judgement’s sake, but to warn people to turn from sin.

Challenge

The many disasters lately – New Orleans; New York; Moore, OK; West, TX – should bring to mind the Day of the Lord. Knowing it is approaching and may occur at any moment, should cause us to eagerly call others to repent. Friends, neighbors, family members, and even strangers need the gospel. It is our only hope as the Day draws near. May we bravely and boldly proclaim it to all who will listen.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Does impending judgment motivate you to preach the gospel to your neighbors?
  2. Are you satisfied others will face judgment, or does it motivate you to share Jesus?

Resources

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Table Talk Magazine, June 2013, The Army of the Lord, Friday, June 14

How Do You Know You Value the Kingdom? | Part 3

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

Treasure

Maybe you have called yourself a Christian for a long time, but how do you know you value the kingdom?

The Parable of the Householder

The Parable of the Householder not only tells us what Jesus’ disciples should do, but what those who value the kingdom will do.

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:52, ESV)

Jesus not only compares His disciples to the Scribes – the learned teachers of the day – but also to a household master. He pictures the master bringing out and showing off his old and new treasure.

The old treasure represents the familiar teachings of the day, while the new treasure represents the teachings Jesus revealed to the disciples.

What’s Jesus point?

Jesus’ point is that His disciples are to teach the people how the old and new truths He revealed integrate together. Jesus’ message doesn’t wipe the slate clean. It doesn’t replace the old. It fulfills it, and it is the disciples job to show how that’s the case.

Why Spread Jesus’ Message?

Problems will arise, if Jesus’ disciples carry Jesus’ message to the people. People will reject and hate them. Life will not be easy. Knowing that, why spread Jesus’ message?

The value of the Kingdom should cause Jesus’ disciples to spread His message.

You see, those who value the kingdom will tell others about it. They will talk about it, no matter the cost.

That’s because we talk about those things we value.

How do you know if you value the kingdom?

(1) Is Jesus apart of your conversations with others?

Do you talk about Him with you friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers?

We talk about those things we value. You can know if you value the things of God, you can know if you value the kingdom, you can know if you value Jesus, if you talk about Him.

How else can we know if we value the kingdom or the things of God?

(2) Do you read God’s Word?

If you value the things of God, you will want to learn more about Him. The way to do that is to read His Word.

(3) Do you pray?

If you think God is valuable, you will set aside time in your day to talk with Him.

(4) Do you seek to live according to God’s Word?

If you think His wisdom and commands are valuable, you will want to live by them.

(5) Do you give your money, time, and resources to kingdom work?

Those things we value, we invest in. Do you invest in the kingdom by giving your money, time, and resources to it?

(6) Do you put Jesus first in your life?

The things we value get first priority in our lives. So is Jesus first in your life, or is He 2nd or 3rd, or even at the bottom of your list? We give first priority to those things we value. So is Jesus first in your life?

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do the questions above reveal you value the Kingdom or not? Why or why not?
  2. What other questions would you add to the list of six above?

Resources

Post adapted from my most recent sermon Why Should You Want to Follow Jesus?

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