Do you understand the gospel?

In light of our recent preaching on the deceitfulness of sin as revealed in Stephen's sermon (Acts 7:39-50), I found this statement by John Calvin to be profound:

[Only those] who have learned well to be earnestly dissatisfied with themselves, and to be confounded with shame at their wretchedness [truly understand the Christian gospel].

Lord, may I understand the wonders of the gospel!

May I Be Relentless?

"...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8

Be edgy; be radical; be revolutionary; be cutting edge....

Ummm....strike that; enough with the agitating, anarchist language.  While I like the word "relentless", I would simply pray this,  

"Lord, make me a man after Your own heart; an ambassador for Christ, a witness of the glories of Jesus."  

If people think I am radical, so be it.  If people call me revolutionary, so be it.  If I be deemed as edgy, oh well.  But that is not what I want to be.  That is not my goal.  Rather, I want to be a true, biblical Christian.  Yes, that should be my "normal" - a true and biblical Christian; telling others of the wonders of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Oh yes, grant me just one extra word please?!  May I be a true, biblical and relentless Christian to the glory of God!

Worship Set and Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, January 22, 2012

Affirmation of Faith:

We believe that from all eternity God decreed to justify all the elect, and in the fullness of time Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification. Nevertheless, they are not justified personally until the Holy Spirit actually applies Christ to them at the proper time. (11.4)

Worship Set:

 Opening Song - "Redeemed"

I Sing Your Power

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross

My Savior's Love (I Stand Amazed in the Presence)

Indescribable

Closing Song - "I Sought the Lord"

"I Sought the Lord"

Text: Anonymous (1878)
Verse 3: Tyler VandenHeuvel (2002)
Music: Ed Godfrey (2002)

I sought the Lord and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him seeking me
It was not I that found O Savior true
No, I was found of Thee

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold
I walked and sank not on the Storm-vexed sea
'Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold
As Thou, dear Lord, to me

It was my sin that bound me fast in pain
You broke the bonds of hell and set me free
'Twas on that day that life I found in Thee
As Thou forgavest me

I find, I walk, I love, but O the whole
Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee
For Thou wert long beforehand with my soul
Always, Thou lovedst me (3x)

True Christianity is always the activity of God...Anything controlled by us, whether lifeless or lively, is not Christianity. DMLJ

The Gospel of Luke - all that Jesus began to do and teach; the book of Acts - all that Jesus continued to do and teach.

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried. GK Chesterton