A Bigger and Broader Salvation - John Alan Turner

A Bigger and Broader Salvation

The Kingdom of God is the reign and rule of God. It broke into this world in a new way through the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus. It confronts, combats and overcomes evil, holistically spreading personal and communal well-being. It takes hold of God’s people, blessing them completely and demanding allegiance from them.
A local church is supposed to be a community of people who live as citizens of God’s kingdom, a model of what a group of people look like when they come together under the reign and rule of God, being rightly related to their Creator and rightly relating to one another for the good of the whole world. It should be a startling alternative to any other community available.
For now we eagerly await a time when this kingdom will be completely fulfilled even while we celebrate those places where it has come and is advancing. At that time in the future when the kingdom is fully consummated, our bodies, our society and our universe will all be renewed. Sin, pain, frustration, anxiety, disease and death will all be forever eradicated. Life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will be our experience for the rest of eternity.
Salvation is a bigger and broader concept than we often communicate.
Why in the world do you think we so often reduce it to being let off the hook for our sins?

Tom Norvell: You See...

You See...


"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ
died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6, NIV)
You see, at just the right time when it appeared that life could not
get any worse, when you felt hopeless and when you wanted to give up,
God stepped in and did something amazing and unexpected.
A friend showed up.
An envelope appeared in your mailbox with the exact amount of money
you needed for that bill. No name. Just money.
Someone you had not heard from in years called because for some
strange reason you were on her mind.
The job offer came.
Your husband realized he and had made a terrible mistake and asked for
another chance.
The contract was accepted.
The call came from your son ... he wants to come home.
The church you had visited started a ministry that reached out to you.
The urge to drink lessened.
The professor asked you to come by for a chat because he was concerned
about you.
The doctor discovered a treatment he thought would work.
Did these things just happen? Was it a coincidence? Or, was God
working to help you see that He cares and that He is working for good
in your life...even when you do not realize it. He wants you to see
that He loves you. He wants you to know that He cares about you and is
genuinely concerned about the day-to-day events in your life...big and
small. Not only is He concerned about you but, you see, He responds at
just the right time. His timing is always right.
The guilt from your sins was so heavy that you wondered if you could
be saved.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ
died for the ungodly."

William Willimon’s comments on Acts 20

From William Willimon’s comments on Acts 20:

This is one of the New Testament’s earliest definite references to weekly Sunday worship. The Christians have continued to gather in the synagogue — unless they have been expelled. But they also apparently gather on Sunday, the first day of the Jewish work week, the day which is for Christians a day of resurrection. The church Luke describes is thus moving toward a distinct day of worship of its own, a day symbolizing clearly that while there is much uniting the church with Judaism there is also much dividing it from Judaism. The day of worship, as well as the stories and actions which occur around the table, constitutes the church as a distinct entity, gives it an identity, keeps reminding the church of who it is. Sunday is the Lord’s Day when Christians gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Around the table in the gathering for worship, in the breaking of bread, Christians sustain one another through the presence of God as experienced at the table. As the Reformers agreed, word and sacrament belong together. Here is where the Body of Christ is made visible (1 Cor. 11:17-32). Here is where the Body re-forms, receives nourishment and encouragement in this weekly rhythm of renewal and reiteration of our identity as God’s family.

Salvation and The Kingdom of God - John Alan Turner

Salvation and The Kingdom of God

I don’t have a completely definitive definition, but these days I like John Stott’s statement:
“Salvation is a radical transformation in three phases, beginning at our conversion, continuing throughout our earthly life and brought to perfection when Christ comes.”

This fits well with the New Testament’s teaching that — in some mysterious way — we already are saved, we are currently being saved and one day we will eventually be saved.

One of the ways Christians have minimized and trivialized salvation is by separating it from the Kingdom of God. We’ve made it sound sometimes as if the two are different things entirely, but in the Bible it’s not so. In the Bible, Isaiah 52:7 for example, we read that those who declare the good news (i.e., gospel) of peace are also those “who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

In other words, wherever God reigns (kingdom), God also saves (salvation).

That this was the common understanding during Jesus’ teaching ministry is made obvious when Jesus told his friends, “How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God” and they responded by asking, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:24-26).

They equated entering the kingdom with being saved.

But if salvation means entering into God’s Kingdom, well, that’s a much bigger and broader concept than we tend to discuss during the altar call on Easter Sunday.
So, if salvation means entering into the Kingdom of God, maybe we should talk about exactly what that is. Anyone want to take a shot at that?

What is the Kingdom of God?

Walking With God - Keith Brenton

Walking With God
by Keith Brenton

It is said of Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) and Noah (6:9) that they walked with God. Then a time came when men like Abraham and Isaac were said to walk before God (17:1; 48:15). Then a time came when He gave law to Israel's children, and He instructed them to walk in His ways (Deuteronomy 5:33; 8:6; 10:12, et al).

The prophet Micah pleaded with Israel's remnant to return to the days when people walked with God, and humbly (6:8).

When Jesus came to this world, God kept the promise He had made to walk among His people (Leviticus 26:12) as He had in the garden east of Eden (Genesis 3:8). It is no wonder He saw to it that the lame could walk and praise God (Matthew 15:31, Mark 2:12, et al) - and that He shared that ability with His followers (Acts 3:8-11).

It isn't really said of people that they did or should sit with God or rest in God - but, rather, walk with God. They should journey at His side, following where He leads, doing as He does, speaking as He speaks, helping and healing others in partnership with Him. Many did so, literally, when He walked our world in the person of His Son.

Do we seek to walk with Him today?

Tom Norvell: First Of All, Relax

He is a young man in search of God's plan for his life. Presently he is living in Australia involved in a ministry that brings him into contact with a wide variety of people. He touches lives that many of us would ignore or avoid. He genuinely loves people and does his best live like Jesus in their presence. In a recent letter he shared a few stories, described some of the people he has met, shared some of what he is learning about himself and the Lord, and asked for specific prayers.
In one paragraph he talked about the continuing search for his place in the world. He spent a couple of days in meditation and prayer and asked a man of wisdom and experience "...for any advice in terms of spiritual discernment, direction, vocation; he said something really interesting: he said 'First of all, relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that.'" He admits he is trying to do that.
I admit that I am trying to do that. "First of all, relax." We get in such a hurry to see God's plan for our life to be revealed. We wonder what is He waiting for? Why doesn't He show us what He wants us to do? Has he forgotten how desperate we are to know what we are supposed to do? What are we supposed to do? "First of all, relax." Just relax. In spiritual terms that means we acknowledge that God is in control, God is aware, God is concerned, and God is working. If you find that you are feeling a bit panicky about where you are headed, or when it seems you are not headed anywhere, "First of all, relax."
"Enjoy your life." It is difficult to enjoy life when we hurry through it at neck-break speed. It is almost impossible to enjoy life when we are constantly reaching for more, living with the regret of what could have been, and seldom allow ourselves to be content. "Enjoy your life."
"Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be." God knows what we need to be doing and where we need to be to accomplish His purposes. He is working His plan for us and through us. He knows us. He understands our gifts and talents. He did create us. So, "Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."
"Trust that." If the other things were not difficult enough, the wise man concludes his advice with "trust that." Simply "trust" that God knows what He is doing and will do what He needs to do when He is ready to do it. There is no need to rush it, there is no need to panic, and there is no need to spend sleepless nights worrying about whether or not we are doing what God wants us to do. "Just trust that God will place you where you need to be."
I am grateful for the letter I received from this young man of God, and I am grateful for the wisdom he was given and has shared. Like him, I am trying to do that. I am trying to "Relax." I am trying to "Enjoy my life." And I am trying "not to worry, that God will place me where I need to be." I am trying to simply "trust that."
Jesus said something very similar,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

"Relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that."

A Life Given - James McCabe

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thingsand the things that are notto nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him.

I want each of us to spend a few moments in personal reflection. Think of where you were before you were called to Christ, by that I mean where were you mentally, in the natural vs. the spiritual.

How are you now? Are you where you want to be? Are you growing in your spiritual journey?How did you previously deal with persistent sins...the daily sins, the every day sin... anger, negativity, desire, deceit?

How are you dealing with persistent or daily sins now?

Today, I want to challenge you to take up your calling.Today, I want to challenge you to step out and make a difference to those who are lost. I want you to go out and make a difference that others may see He is the way, He is the way to our peace, and He is the way to our happiness.

With some practice, we can make a difference. We can make a difference with just a smile.We can make a difference with a word of encouragement. We can make a difference with prayer.

Today, I challenge you to accept this cost of Christ, Give of yourself, that others may see Him in you. Give of yourself that you may see Him in you.

Do something extra at home or work, before your asked. Try to give a little bit more than you expect to receive.

Do something for an elderly neighbor. Give of yourself, that others may see Him in you.

Today, I challenge you to find the value of Christ. Give of yourself that you may see the value of following Christ.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect ... -- 1 Peter 3:15 My prayer today is that you take another step closer to God.My prayer today is that you take another moment in your day to Glorify God, to worship our gracious Lord.

My prayer today is that you spend another moment in prayer, giving thanks to your Heavenly Father for all that you have.Where are you at in your spiritual growth? Do we realize the blessings that we have? That you woke up... how many thousands of people did not? That you have a roof over your head... as opposed to how many millions that do not? That you will eat today... when millions will not. That you have a place to worship God... when millions do not. That is what we are talking about today, accepting this cost of Christ, give of yourself...then find and understand the value of Christ. You, yes you, can make a difference in the lives of those around you. Make yourself a blessing to others, and thus grow spiritually.

Where are you at in your spiritual growth? Do you think an hour or two of church a week, with little else attention paid to God is going to get it? I am here to tell you the more time you spend with God, the more time he spends with you. The more you serve, or help others, the closer you become to God. The more you give of yourself, the more you will grow spiritually.If you truly want inner peace, inner strength, true joy, you have to work for it. It is just like anything else, musicianship does not just happen, athleticism does not just happen, good grades, or promotions at work do not just happen; you have to work for them. The same goes for your relationship with Christ. Will you be sinless? Of course not. Will you be perfect? Of course not. Nevertheless, are you working towards that end? Are you in fact striving to sin less, to pray more, to devout yourself more, to serve more, to help more? Are you trying to move closer to God? Come on now, can I get an Amen?

It is not about a life without any problems, it is not about a life without challenges. It is about humbling yourself before our God. It is about a life of giving, it is about a life of service, it is about a life of humility; it is about a life given for a life received. It is about this old life given for a new life received in Christ.

Do we realize what it means to be on this mission? That this mission, our mission, is important to God. We are a part of His plan. We are important to God, because He uses us to reach others. Grinding out what was a tough day for you, may have been great encouragement to someone else to keep on keeping on.

In fact, if we are having problems and struggles right now, that means we are needed even more. Because how we handle those problems and struggles gives hope to others. How we persevere, how we overcome shows others they too can make it.

Our perseverance will give others hope. Somewhere along the way we have gotten the wrong idea that the best, most powerful Christians are the ones who seemingly have no problems. But in reality, everybody has problems...all the problems they can handle.

I have problems, and you have problems. I don't want yours and you darn sure don't want mine. So those people with their seemingly "perfect" lives only perpetuate a myth that, in the long run, isn't as helpful as the "survivor," the folks who just won't quit no matter what happens to them.

You see we are all on this mission, His mission and everybody gets to play. Deeper struggle makes deeper reward. Deeper struggle only makes surviving that much more crucial and rewarding. This is not about you, it's about His mission. We are not only talking about you making it. We are talking about the mission that you will have, making that journey, showing others the path. Showing others the pathway to peace goes through the valley of struggle.

Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort others. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:6)Do you remember where you were at when you were called? Where are you right now? Jesus Christ is the rock, He is the foundation from which to take your stand, He is the base from which you fight and overcome your struggles. Others see you fighting the good fight, and your perseverance blesses them, as it blesses you. Hang in there, don't quit, with Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have already won the war, and the reward for following Christ is the reward, and it just doesn't get any better than that. Where are you at in your spiritual growth? My prayer is that on your spiritual journey you are growing everyday!

What Do You Treasure? by Russ Lawson

What Do You Treasure?

by Russ Lawson

Years ago, when I was a child, my grandparents owned Overman's Shoe Repair and Sales shop in Springfield, Ohio. I have many fond memories of that shoe shop as a child. Being the oldest grandchild, I probably got to spend more time with my grandparents than some of the younger grandchildren — at least I got to spend my time there before I started school. I can remember spending many a day in the back of the shop. Grandpa would give me a piece of old leather and I'd work on whatever my child's mind thought of making that day.
I remember being fascinated with all of the containers and boxes of small nails, toe and heel taps, glue, heels, replacement shoe soles, brushes, polish, and of course the powerful grinders and polishers. One of the most fascinating pieces of equipment was the large sewing machine that so amazingly hooked those two pieces of waxed string together repairing thousands of shoes and other leather articles. I remember the smell of the new leather, the smell of rubber cement, and smell of shoe polish as I relive those times. I still have the pair of sandals my grandfather hand made for me as a toddler. My brother Lynn, who owns a leather shop in Florida, now has the old sewing machine.
In the front of my grandparents store were shelves full of men's and women's shoes and boots. To one side they had an old roll top desk and a big safe. The desk was always stacked with all sorts of things, and I loved to look through all of the papers, drawers and various items that ended up on and in that old desk.
On the counter, they had an old manual (not electric) cash register, and at special times, I would be allowed to push some of the big keys and watch the numbers pop up on top.
Those times are long past and the shoe shop has been closed for many years. My grandparents have departed this earth, yet the memories remain of those special things and special times.
What do I really treasure?One thing especially stands out in these memories. Many people often paid my grandparents with silver dollars. You don't see that any more, it's too inconvenient to carry those big pieces of metal now. Of course you didn't need to carry near as many of them in those days. Silver dollars are a special memory to me for another reason: they were grandma and grandpa's savings. They put aside the silver dollars that came into the shop to purchase special things. They also used these silver dollars to give to their grandchildren on their birthdays. I still have a couple of those old silver dollars they gave me. No, they are not collector's pieces, they are not worth a whole lot more than a dollar to anyone else, but to me they hold memories and are priceless.
I can't help remembering once again Jesus' words about realizing what is really important in life. Jesus said:
Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT).
As I remember these times from my past, I have to stop and consider what it is that I truly value most in my life? My relationship with God is first, of course, and then my family and friends. But the "things" I have really don't mean very much to me; it's relationships that are really most valuable. "Things" sometimes represent the memories of relationships — that is what makes them precious, not their monetary value. That's why many people treasure a simple Cross in their home, because of the memories it provokes in them. That's also why Jesus instituted the "Lord's Supper" or "Communion," to keep the memories of his sacrifice fresh in our minds.
The question perhaps each of us needs to ask ourselves is, just what is it we really treasure? What is it in our lives we would most hate to loose and why? We remember that, "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." We know that what we choose to treasure will be the path we have chosen not just for this life, but also eternally!

Praising God Through Unity - Keith Brenton

Praising God through Unity

posted by Keith Brenton

How we relate to each other as followers of Christ is worship to the Father. - Or not.Having hearts for unity with - and accepting - other believers imitates Christ, Paul writes to Rome:"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." ~ Romans 15:5-7

It isn't always going to be easy. God made each of us unique. We have different points of view. So He gives "endurance and encouragement" because we need it in order to live together peacefully (Ephesians 4:3) - but it is up to us to keep what He has given us.

If we do not have a spirit of unity, Paul implies, we do not have the Holy Spirit by whom we worship God (Philippians 3:31).

Do They Know They Are Free? Tom Norvell

Do They Know They Are Free?


On a rainy day while during our vacation at the beach we decided to tour the area and visit some of the shops on the island. While the ladies were checking out the dresses and the tee shirts I sat outside watching three very colorful birds perched on swings and limbs of a tree in a courtyard outside the shops. These were no ordinary birds. They were intelligent. When children waved they spoke. When people said “Hello” they said “Hello.” They spoke any number of conversational words and could recite on cue ... or when they were in the mood.
It was quite interesting! Children were astonished and amazed.
Grownups where humored and entertained.
However, as I sat there watching the birds , the thought occurred to me, “Why don’t these beautiful birds fly away?” “What keeps them sitting here on the perch?” “Is it the audience they attract?” “Is it the seeds that are readily available to them?” “Have they been trained in such a way that they do not want to fly away?” “Have they forgotten how to fly?” “Or, have they accepted fact that although they were created to fly, they cannot or should not fly?”
The birds reminded me of people who have learned, been trained, or been brainwashed to accept life at a level that is much lower than they were created to enjoy.
Paul addressed when he wrote: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. “(Galatians 5:1, NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free but so often we choose to live in bondage, or we settle for a life in prison. Are we afraid to fly? Are we convinced that staying on the perch is safer, more comfortable, or where we belong? Have we been frightened into thinking that if we get off our perch something bad will happen: we will get hurt, we will get lost, or we will not find the nourishment we need? Why? Why do we settle for the superficial entertainment of strangers when we could be experiencing the freedom that Christ planned for us?
I know very little about birds, so there is probably a very logical explanation for why these birds choose to sit on a perch and entertain strangers instead of soaring through the air. But, I cannot understand why as God’s creations we choose to settle for life on perch. Surely He had something more planned for us.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. “

Doing the Best I Can by Mike Barres

Doing the Best I Can

by Mike Barres

Sometimes, I'm just doing the best I can: I might be at the end of my rope, but I just try to tie a knot and hold on! Many of us are familiar with a couple of the old sayings about this kind of commitment:
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" "Quitters never win, and winners never quit."
We talk about this attitude and commitment in terms of perseverance. Webster's Dictionary defines perseverance this way:
continued, patient effort. (It) implies a continuing to do something in spite of difficulties, obstacles etc.

Our church was on a fast, and I noticed something. There were some things that I had been trying to "pressing on through." Then the Lord took care of this situation, and I believe it is because I had prayed about them during our fast. You see I had been persevering, but not praying.

Perseverance is good, but we must not forget to pray about our burdens and struggles. James said to us many years ago: "[Y]ou do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2 NKJV). God can handle things that we are powerless to change. The disciples had been trying to cast out a demon and were not successful. When they asked Jesus why they couldn't do it and He could, the Lord told them: "This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).

Don't despair and don't quit!When we talk about someone doing things in terms of "his own strength," we are usually referring to a person who is proud and self sufficient. However, this can also apply to those of us who "keep pressing on," but don't ask the Lord to help us with our trial or burden.

If we aren't careful and keep trying to walk in our own strength, we can get in to a defeated, victim mentality when things don't work out. We might think, "Why is all of this happening to me? There's nothing I can do about it! I'm struggling, but I'm just going to keep doing the best I can."

Let's remember that there is something else we can do in our times of struggle and defeat. We can pray and believe that God can and will do what we can't.

If you are in the middle of a tough season and facing a trying time, don't despair and don't quit. You need to persevere, but don't forget to fast and pray, trusting that God can do those things that you can't do. Just watch and see!

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Stop Look & Listen

“Is it too much to say that Stop, Look, and Listen is also the most basic lesson that the Judeo-Christian tradition teaches us? Listen to history is the cry of the ancient prophets of Israel. Listen to social injustice, says Amos; to head-in-the-sand religiosity, says Jeremiah; to international treacheries and power-plays, says Isaiah; because it is precisely through them that God speaks his word of judgment and command.
“And when Jesus comes along saying that the greatest command of all is to love God and to love our neighbor, he too is asking us to pay attention. If we are to love God, we must first stop, look, and listen for him in what is happening around us and inside us. If we are to love our neighbors, before doing anything else we must see our neighbors. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in.
“In a letter to a friend Emily Dickinson wrote that ‘Consider the lilies of the field’ was the only commandment she never broke. She could have done a lot worse. Consider the lilies. It is the sine qua non of art and religion both.”
- Frederick Buechner

Our Father Creates His Daily Masterpiece