Resource Review: Death by Love

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Most men don’t like to talk about, but really need it. Women watch TV series and movies about it, but can’t define it. What is love? The bible tells us that God demonstrated his love for us by dying on the cross to rescue you and I from our rebellion and death (see Life Part 5).

This gospel (good news) has implications for our lives today and in this book, Mark Driscoll expertly discusses how Jesus death in our place transforms lives. Death by Love is a great read, which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend – plus it is a real eye opener! The book is a bunch of letters Driscoll sent to members of his congregation, who were struggling with:
* Porn additions,
* Adultery,
* Self righteousness,
* The memory of terrible actions of the past (rape etc),
* Death and cancer,
* Hate,
* How to know God,
* Hell,
* Demonic attack.

Real people. Real sin. Transformed lives. A compilation of heartfelt letters written from a pastor to his people that explains Jesus' work on the cross.

Death by Love is a unique book on the cross of Jesus Christ. While many books debate the finer points of the doctrine of the atonement, what is often lost are the real-life implications of Jesus' death on the cross for those who have sinned and have been sinned against. Written in the form of pastoral letters, Death by Love outlines the twelve primary effects of Jesus' death on the cross and connects each to the life of a different individual.

Driscoll, one of America's most influential pastors, and Breshears, a respected theologian, help readers understand, appreciate, and trust in Jesus' work on the cross in a way that will transform their lives. Both deeply theological and intensely practical, this book shows how everyone can find hope through the death of Jesus Christ.

Hardback, 256 pages
Price: Approx. $22.95

Fellowship: Why is it so Important?

For the past two weeks, I have been reading through the book of Hebrews, which is an absolute gem of a book! Accompanying my study, I have been listening to John Piper’s sermon series on the book, which has been an extremely fruitful experience.

One of the major teachings in this book is the importance of paying very close attention to Jesus: Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1). Over and over again the author of Hebrews urges his readers to consider Jesus. The author lays down for us many clear reasons as to why we should consider Jesus. Firstly, Jesus is God, the creator of the universe. Secondly, as God, he is in control of the universe. Thirdly, he has made it possible for God’s people to be reunited with God the Father through his death on the cross and resurrection (Hebrews 1).

These amazing qualities of Jesus warrant our full attention of him. However, the author of Hebrews continues and presses even more compelling reasons for our undivided attention of Jesus by explaining that Jesus fulfils all that was promised through the Old Testament i.e. the law, the prophets, the sacrificial system (this will be explained in the upcoming “Who was Jesus” series).

The thing that has struck me is the importance of constantly considering Jesus: And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope (Hebrews 3:6). I believe in the doctrine that God chooses his people (Calvinism). But on this side of heaven, can we be assured of our salvation i.e. that God has actually chosen me? My answer is yes we can have confidence. See, this verse is highlighting for us evidence in life to see whether we are saved. The author writes: we are saved, which is stating a fact and then he throws in the conditional statement: if we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. The evidence is in our hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do you see this evidence in your life? Is your life fixed on Jesus? Note that he does not say we will be saved but rather we are saved. We contribute nothing to our salvation- it is purely the work of God in our hearts! Praise Jesus!

So, as the title says, why is fellowship so important? But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). The one thing in our lives that is trying to destroy us is sin! If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is at work in your heart showing you areas in your life that are opposed to God. The biggest danger in our life is if we take our eyes of Jesus. This may occur due to complacency and laziness or maybe a lack of rich fellowship. Fellowship (see Love: The Essential Ingredient for more on fellowship) is so important as the author of Hebrews points out. He encourages us daily to engage in rich Christian fellowship. Why? Rich Christian fellowship, according to the author, is to point us to Jesus. Life can get hard and in these times we may feel like throwing the Jesus towel in. Our only hope is in Jesus!

I will conclude with several questions:

Is your life fixed on Jesus?

Do you value rich fellowship?

Are you in a church or community group?

Do you know any Christians who need your love and encouragement to keep on considering Jesus?

Therefore, how important is church and community groups. We must value these times! I urge you to consider Jesus and encourage your brothers and sisters to likewise, consider Jesus!

Resource Review: Vintage Church

Highly respected theologians Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have produced a great book for those who are interested in finding out what scripture has to say about church. I have found this book quite funny as is Driscoll’s style, very informative and easy to read. Great follow on read from Christians Beleve (5).

This book from the popular Re: Lit series picks up where Vintage Jesus leaves off, beginning with a focus on the person and work of Jesus and then exploring the confessional, experiential, and missional aspects of his church. It defines a biblical church as one that properly balances the eternal truths of Scripture - church leadership, preaching, baptism, communion, and more - with timely, relevant methods designed to engage the culture, such as multi-campus churches and the latest forms of technology, to reach people with the gospel. While Vintage Church is helpful for pastors and church leaders, it is the kind of book you could hand to someone who has questions about ecclesiology but finds the very term ecclesiology intimidating. The authors put forth twelve practical questions about church doctrine and answer them in clear, biblical terms.

256 pages, from Re: Lit
Price: Approx. $24.95

Christians Believe (5): Welcome to the Family

My childhood was one of fun and games. My brothers and I used to have the most intense backyard cricket games. We played with gusto and spirit, as if it were a real Test Match. I remember breaking my dad’s aeroplane models and sticking screwdrivers into power sockets. The most amazing thing about my family was that I knew that my mum and dad loved me no matter how must destruction I wreaked on the house. There were good times and there were bad times, but this love never really wavered.

Today, we stop to look at ‘church’. According to popular polls, church is often viewed in our culture as an irrelevant activity. The general consensus is that church is about religion that consumes your money, hearing sermons and making God happy through attendance, this which can be done in the comfort of the living room and in your own individual way. Is this your view of church? Let’s see what the bible have to say about worship and church?

I guess first of all, we need to define, what is church? A better way of stating this question would be, what is ‘the’ church? Due to misinterpretations, the church has become labelled as a building or a governing body that determines Christianity’s beliefs. However, the actual word ‘church’ means: “an assembly or gathering of believers who come together to worship God” i.e. a family! During these gatherings there will be readings from the bible, the bible is taught and believers engage in fellowship. This is a basic definition and will suffice for this article.

In my introduction, I reminisced about my childhood and family. Church is a family, where those who believe that Jesus is God and died for sins, gather to celebrate Jesus and relate with one another. The most important fact here is that church belongs to God- the creator and saviour, in which we are participants in this family with him. If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15). More explicitly put: And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18) and we (the church are) his body (Ephesians 1:23). Church is a spiritual act where believers of Jesus come together to grow in our Lord. Church, simply, is a family.

Is church important? Absolutely! The Christian life is not about ritual and religion (in the ritualistic sense) but rather, church is about relationship and loving community. The word the bible uses for this community is “fellowship”, which means ‘to participate and share in your life with others of like mind’. This is a preview of what heaven will be like. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:7). When Christians gather in loving fellowship, God’s name is held high. We were made for fellowship with God but have fallen out of relationship with God through our sin (Christians Believe 1 & 2), but can be brought back into relationship through Jesus (see 1 John 1).

Like a family, we have our good times and our bad. We will love each other with brotherly and sisterly love. Church is not some individualistic ritual but it is a family. In the great times we praise Jesus and in the tough times we turn to Jesus. Do you love Jesus? Has he taken all your sins? Why not turn to him now?