Preparing the Path

There is no other character in the New Testament, outside of Jesus of course, that intrigues me more then John the Baptist. This man grew up like any normal kid with 70 yrs. old parents, in a pastor's home, knowing the Scriptures and then, like many young men of that day going into the same business his father had, by becoming a rabbi. But here is where the similarities end and sheer conviction and obedience begins.

John starts his ministry not in some pristine pulpit, with thousands gathered to hear him but rather he begins in the desert, he sets up a box and begins to preach a message of repentance, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, he addresses the inward character and not merely the outward. This was an unique message, since Jews did not get baptized, that was something that Gentiles did to become Jews, but John ushers in the Messiah, by saying it has nothing to do with your heritage it is all about your heart (Luke 3:7-9), this would later lead to his imprisonment and eventual death.

One of the things that absolutely fascinates me with John was his commitment to preach the Gospel and prepare the way for Jesus. No matter the cost, no matter the mocks and rebukes, even the imprisonment, John preaches well the Gospel. He points people not to a religion, that had become more about duties and obligations, but he points them to a terminal heart condition that needs a Savior to rescue.

How similar our job as the regenerate, we point people to the coming King, we point them to a Jesus who is reconciling all things to Himself, and we get to do this not for our own glory or praise but we have the great opportunity to deflect anything we get back to HIm (Luke 3:15-17). This is what I love about John so much, he had the opportunity to build himself a kingdom, but he did not, rather with every ounce of energy he pointed it to Jesus as the One who would save and redeem.

Today as you live on mission, remember John the Baptist and draw strength from a man whose ministry was not defined by numbers or growth, but by a constant pursuit and proclamation of the Gospel.

LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE

6 Ways to Engage Culture - Jonathan Dodson

We live a world marred by sin and it is so easy for the regenerate to withdraw from culture in our attempt to abstain from sin. But I believe that Biblically this is a sin and we must strive hard to fight sin, all the while engage those who find themselves caught in its grasps.
In this post Jonathan Dodson shares with us wisdom in how to engage culture biblically and humbly.

Here are six ways to promote critical and redemptive engagement with culture.

Engage culture prayerfully. I'm not suggesting that we should actually bow our heads and recite a prayer before reading a newspaper or book, watching TV or a movie, or going shopping, though that certainly wouldn't hurt. Instead, we are to live life and engage culture in a spirit of dependence upon God; we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). We should approach culture just as we should approach all things: prayerfully.
What should we pray? We should thank God for the gift of culture, confessing that all cultures contain truth, beauty, and virtue, asking Him to help us recognize and rejoice in these good gifts, which come down from the Father of lights (James 1:17). Alternatively, all cultures also disdain truth, beauty, and virtue. Thus, we are dependent upon God to enable us to recognize and reject those things that are harmfully false, ugly, and immoral. By asking God to give us the perspective of His Spirit, "the Spirit who searches out all things, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 2:10), we can begin to discern between the things which are true, beautiful, and good and the things that are false, ugly, and evil.

Engage culture carefully. When approaching any given issue, from parenting to politics, we all have our biases. In order to engage culture well, we must strive to avoid the paths of both the sectarian and the secularist, of both blind rejection and uncritical acceptance. This will require careful investigation into the issues we face, taking the opposing view seriously and weighing its merits. Make a habit of hearing both sides of an issue before you baptize your opinions. Be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19).

Engage culture biblically-theologically. Why hyphenate biblical and theological? Why not just say "think biblically"? Well, the plain fact is that the Bible does not explicitly address most cultural issues. It does not tell you who to vote for, which school to go to, what movies to watch, whether or not you should date, whether or not to abort your baby, or how to respond to cloning. Instead, the Bible offers theological principles which we can appropriate in order to form opinions and convictions about cultural issues. For instance, there is no verse in the Bible that reads: "Thou shalt not have an abortion." However, the Bible does inform us that God is the author of life and that to take human life is murder, which is prohibited by God. The circumstances surrounding abortion can be complex. A mother's life may be threatened if the life of the baby is not taken. The Bible does not say, "Preserve the mother's life." However, there are principles and practices in Scripture that can help us make wise decisions about cultural and ethical dilemmas.
The problem, however, is that we often start with cultural assumptions about what is right, beautiful, and good and go to the Bible to prove them. Instead, we need to bring cultural questions about what is true, good, and beautiful to the Bible, reflect on them theologically and then prayerfully, and carefully form our opinions. Don't begin with cultural convictions and end with biblical proof-texts; end with cultural wisdom by beginning with biblical-theological reflection. Start with the biblical text and reflect theologically on cultural issues. Move from Text to Theology to Culture, not the other way around.

Engage culture redemptively. Strive to connect your theological reflections regarding culture to redemption. We can redemptively engage culture in two ways: practically and positionally. To practically redeem, identify what is broken, what is in need of redemption, and take restorative action. Ask yourself questions like "How can I bring the gospel to bear on this issue?" or "How can I restore, forgive, or reconcile in this situation?" For example, if you come to the conviction that abortion is ugly and immoral, think about how you can help those who are suffering from the devastating affects of abortion. Don't just debate others. Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. Learn how to counsel mothers. Don't become self-righteous and inactive; practice your cultural convictions. Live them out redemptively.
Our practice should flow from our position in Christ. Our actions ought to reveal our redeemed identity, not form our identity. Consider the danger of mistaking your newly-formed habits for who you are. For instance, do you think of yourself now as an environmentalist or as a citizen of Zion with an environmental conscience? Do you draw significance from being a "pro-lifer" or from being new creation in Christ Jesus? Ask yourself, "Am I confusing my practice with my position?" or "Am I finding my significance in what I do instead of who I am in Christ?" Guard yourself from subtly allowing cultural convictions to take the place of your identity in Christ. Ground your identity in the gospel and your practice will be more redemptive and more honoring to the Lord.

Engage culture humbly. Recognize that you have much to learn from a given culture. Read, converse, and reflect on cultural issues with a teachable heart. Ask God to shape your convictions through whomever or whatever He wills. Avoid proud dogmatism and cultivate humble conviction. Don't put others down who believe differently from you. Consider others more important than yourself without surrendering your convictions. Yet, be willing to revise your opinions through a process of Text-Theology-Culture.

Engage culture selectively. Realize and embrace the limitations of your own time, experience, and interests. Spend your time wisely. Don't sacrifice time with God, church, or family in order to become more culturally savvy. Everyone has been created differently, to live a unique life. Make the most of your experience by redemptively engaging culture, but try to avoid making the experience of others your own. There are too many issues in the world for you to become an overnight expert on Christ and culture. Be selective about what you engage.

4 Ways to Know Your City

Jonathan Dodson Acts 29 Pastor - Austin, Texas

As we settle into our cities or as our churches grow, it can be easy to assume we have “a handle” on the culture of our city, suburb, or town. However, a good citizen-missionary never “arrives” in cultural exegesis but is always knowing, exegeting (studying & interpreting) their culture. To that end, here are some general and specific suggestions for continuing cultural exegesis:
1. Ask Questions
Ask your neighbors and fellow citizens lots of questions. Don’t interrogate them but show sincere, intentional interest in them and the information they possess. Anecdotal information about your city and fellow citizens is unbeatable.
Ask them the What, How, and Why questions: What do you think is broken in our neighborhood or city? What gets you excited about life? What do you think should be done about economic decline in our city? Anything you would like to change about your neighborhood?
Are you fulfilled in what you are doing in life? Why do you drive across town to do X? Why do you dislike traditional Christianity?

2. Read Local Authors
Read local and independent publications. Op-ed pieces in your local paper will reveal the local voices in your culture or city. Listen reflectively not aggressively. Allow yourself to learn from your city. After all, chances are you are a newcomer. History has much to teach us.
Don’t write off unimpressive, independent publications. Very often the stuff that looks like a waste of time contains some of the clearest voices from within your culture. Get local (not just national) opinions and reviews on movies, books, culture and politics.

3. Study Your City's History
Gather historical information on your city and neighborhood. How did your city evolve—geographically, architecturally, politically, commercially? The history of a city or town often reveals its profound strengths and deep idols. What political and cultural and economic issues have shaped the ethos and beliefs of your city?
Read local authors and histories. Look for commissioned writings by local universities on the city. Check out popular books on the city or even tour guides. Jump on a tour!

4. Enjoy the City!
Participate in local art, music, food, and business. Learn to love your city, celebrate its strengths, learn from her citizens, love her citizens! Support local business, go to art shows, listen to local music, eat local food. You should become an expert on local fare and fun! As you participate in local culture, do it reflectively. Consider why certain events, institutions, or groups flourish. Praise what is good, beautiful, and true. Bring the hope of redemption into what is not.

Message from the Prince of Preachers Part 2

God's Kindness Should Lead To Repentance
Charles Spurgeon The Prince of Preachers
The Forbearance of God: Click | View Series

Romans 2:4—"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

God not only acts kindly to sinners, but when they misuse his kindness he labors to set them right (Isa. 1:18, Hosea 11:8). It is a sad thing that any who have seen God's judgments on others, and have escaped themselves, should draw from this special mercy a reason for adding sin to sin (Jer. 3:8).

God's Kindness Should Lead To Repentance

The forbearance of God should lead us to repentance. For we should argue that:
He is not hard and unloving, or he would not have spared us.
His great patience deserves recognition at our hands. We are bound to respond to it in a generous spirit.
To go on to offend would be cruel to him, and disgraceful to ourselves. Nothing can be baser than to make forbearance a reason for provocation.
It is evident from his forbearance that he will rejoice to accept us if we will turn to him. He spares that he may save.
He has dealt with each one personally, and by this means he is able to put it, as in the text, "God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance." He calls us individually to himself. Let each one personally remember his own experience of sparing mercies.
The means are so gentle; let us yield to them cheerfully. Those who might refuse to be driven should consent to be drawn.
O sinner, each gift of goodness draws you to Jesus!
Forbearance causes humble repentance to Jesus! Long-suffering waits and woos you to Jesus! Will you not turn from sin and return to your God, or "do you presume on the riches of his kindness?"

Charles Spurgeon