Wednesday, March 27, 2013

What Makes the Gospel Good News?





 What Makes the Gospel Good News?

Association of Biblical Counselors
by Steve Clay
I’ve been reading, thinking, and praying much about the meaning of the Gospel. As a biblical counselor I believe the gospel is the central element of change. By that I mean that the gospel is necessary in order to change the heart from its natural pursuit and slavery to sin toward the pursuit of things pertaining to Christ. The gospel is good news. But what is the good news? And what is it that we are believing when by faith the gospel applies to us all that is necessary to be changed?
Commonly understood, from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as God’s appointed means of salvation to those who believe. And this is good news. But what is the peril from which a believing person is saved? And, what is it about this salvation that really changes a person?
While I intend to talk not so much about the mechanics of change, I do want to show that the gospel has power in the human heart by virtue of being rightly understood. Right understanding of the gospel has powerful implications in regard to our growth in the Lord. John Piper’s book,God is the Gospel, is very helpful here. After having discussed many facets (implicit benefits and essential components) of the gospel, presented in various texts from the New Testament, Piper’s conclusion is astounding. He writes:
If you embrace everything . . . about the facets of the gospel, but do it in a way that does not make the glory of God in Christ your supreme treasure, then you have not embraced the gospel. Until the gospel events of Good Friday and Easter and the gospel promises and justification and eternal life lead you to behold and embrace God himself as your highest joy, you have not embraced the gospel of God. You have embraced some of his gifts. You have rejoiced over some of his rewards. You have marveled at some of his miracles. But you have not yet been awakened to why the gifts, the rewards, and the miracles have come. They have come for one great reason: that you might behold forever the glory of God in Christ, and by beholding become the kind of person who delights in God above all things, and be delighting display his supreme beauty and worth with every-increasing brightness and bliss forever. (pp. 37-38)
My takeaway from this is that what changes us is delighting in Him in whose image we are being remade. Delighting in divine grace propels us toward Christ. It is not a pursuit of a “must do” list of Christian duties that moves us toward change, but rather submitting ourselves to the one we love to serve. Application of the gospel in the process of changing the heart of the believing sinner is not simply changing beliefs (though that is involved), but rather ever-increasing changes of affection—that is, what the heart delights in.
Piper is right. While the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, what makes it good news is that it provides a means whereby we can get to God, whom by the very grace He freely gives changes us to delight in Him. Spiritual disciplines, in this context, become a means to a pleasurable end—that is, knowing God and enjoying Him both now and forever.
We need to rethink what we are asking people to do when encouraging them to embrace the gospel. Consciously we are asking them to consider that God is the object of the longings of their naturally rebellious and deceitful hearts. In application to our own hearts we are acknowledging the same. Faith, not works, is the means by which we come to know God, taking Him at His word that the end of our pursuit for pleasure, safety, meaning, and life will only be found in Him. Our precious Savior died to this end, that He might bring us to God.
Considering this gospel reality reorients us to a different view of heart change, one that makes Christ the center, because we love to behold His glory, rather than a duty-oriented approach that centers on self. The gospel is God—He is the good news. To live with and enjoy Him is essence of life.


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AFWIS Join Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Cameroon - Africa



Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Mar 27: Cameroon

Mar 27: Cameroon

Cameroon

Republic of Cameroon

Africa

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 475,442 sq km
On the continental "hinge" between West and Central Africa Semi-arid in the north, grasslands in the centre, rainforest in the south.
Population: 19,958,351    Annual Growth: 2.29%
Capital: Yaounde
Urbanites: 58.4%
HDI Rank: 153 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 291 (6% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: French; English    Languages: 279 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians10,737,59353.802.4
Evangelicals1,804,1049.04.3

Challenges for Prayer

Leadership and discipleship training in the churches are urgent needs, as Cameroon’s churches struggle with shallow and biblically illiterate Christianity. Today’s spiritual mess has its roots in a failure in theological training. Pray for:
a) Godly leaders, well trained in the Scriptures. Some church leadership is more noted for pride, power struggles, disunity, moral failure and misuse of funds than for holy living. Pray for the provision of born-again, godly staff for the nearly 20 denominational and interdenominational theological schools in Cameroon. Pray also for a spiritual revolution in these theological faculties and seminaries that will bring new life and biblical standards to churches so long deprived.
b) Pray for lay training programmes that will introduce the Bible to Christians. For many, the pastor’s sermon is the extent of their interaction with Scripture. There are increasing numbers of modular-training programmes, aimed at poorer, bi-vocational pastors and church members. Pray also for the two Christian universities that aim to provide quality academic education within the framework of a Christian worldview.
The growing missions vision and networking are bearing fruit:
a) Greater evangelical cooperation to reach the unconverted. Specific initiatives:
     i Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) is a Cameroonian mission with remarkable ministries in prayer, missions and publishing, all having a global impact.
     ii Cameroon for Christ, launched in 1996, involves many denominations and churches in research and evangelism of the 2,400 villages of the north.
     iii Mission BINAM is a network targeting the idol worshippers of West Cameroon – especially the Bamiléké. It remains very active in evangelism and works with Inserv and GMI to train researchers for church and mission needs in Cameroon.
b) The growing involvement of Cameroonians in cross-cultural missions. Dozens of indigenous denominations and churches send missionaries to the north and to neighbouring lands. CMFI has sent and supports dozens of missionaries in 60 countries. CCCI and the Full Gospel Mission send Cameroonians abroad as missionaries, and the Baptist Seminary has a training track for Cameroonian students in Bible translation.
     For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Cameroon.
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Hebrews 7 (New International Version, ©2010)



Hebrews 7

Melchizedek the Priest

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
"You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."[a]

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'"[b]

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
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Proverbs 27 (New International Version)



Proverbs 27

1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

7 He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

14 If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

15 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;

16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

20 Death and Destruction [a] are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

27 You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.
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1 Chronicles 28 (New International Version)



1 Chronicles 28

David's Plans for the Temple

1 David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the brave warriors.
2 King David rose to his feet and said: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. 3 But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.'

4 "Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my family, and from my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel. 5 Of all my sons—and the LORD has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 He said to me: 'Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.'

8 "So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work."

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the LORD, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. 14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: 15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and shelter the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

19 "All this," David said, "I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan."

20 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command."

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Proverbs 2 (New International Version)


Proverbs 2

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,

13 who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

16 It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,

17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. [a]

18 For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;

22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
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Psalm 86 (New International Version)



Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. [a]

14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life— men without regard for you.

15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. [b]

17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
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