Pastor's Blog » Montrose Baptist Church http://www.montroseministries.org/blog Montrose Baptist Church Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:35:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 In The Beginning… http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/03/31/in-the-beginning/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/03/31/in-the-beginning/#comments Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:35:05 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=161 If you were asked, “What is the gospel?” where would you start?  Jesus?  Your personal testimony of faith?  John 3:16?  Christian, where does the gospel begin?

Oftentimes Christians express the gospel by first talking about their experience or the circumstances leading to their accepting Christ.  Indeed, one’s decision to repent and receive faith in Christ is something everyone must do to be “saved.”  As important as that is, in actuality the gospel begins with God.  As Christians, a complete understanding of the Gospel necessitates a right understanding of who God is, of God’s attributes, character and actions.  Why?

1. Without God, the Gospel is unnecessary.

Don’t miss the obvious: If there is no God, the whole discussion and purpose of the gospel is a moot point.  Without God there is no righteous standards, no sin, no One to hold anyone to account.  Further, without God, should the need ever have arisen, there would be no one to save humanity, either (see, Ephesians 2:4-9; Hebrews 12:1-3).

2. Without God, the Gospel is impossible.

The gospel begins with God because humans are incapable of saving themselves.  Ephesians 2:1-3 makes this abundantly clear (as does Isaiah 64:6; Romans 1).  Even in sinless perfection, the first man and woman sinned against God (Genesis 3).  Clearly, even at our best, we still would sin against God– God must do something on our behalf!

The Bible is God’s self-revelation of who He is and what He does (and has done).  Within its pages we find that gospel that while we were still sinners, God provided for our salvation (Romans 5:8).  In other words, the Gospel begins with God. Now that is good news!

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/03/31/in-the-beginning/feed/ 0 Vocabulary of the Gospel http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/08/vocabulary-of-the-gospel/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/08/vocabulary-of-the-gospel/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:15:22 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=154 “Gospel” is a rich term that, while it is not the only term used to describe God’s salvation, it is the summary term used.  The English word “gospel” comes the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euaggelion, “aye-oo-on-ga-leon”), meaning  “gospel” or “good news.”  Interestingly, prior to biblical use, this Greek word was often used to describe good news being delivered by messenger from a king or someone in authority.  While this word occurs 76 times in the New Testament, your study of the gospel has only just begun.  You would find help understanding what is the gospel, but you would also miss a great many of the passages describing or elaborating upon the gospel.

A few additional key words include will help (to name a few):

  • Atonement [NIV]/Propitiation [NASB] (Leviticus 16-19; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 9:1-10:1; 1 John 2:2; 4:10)

  • Redeem/Redemption (Exodus 6:6; Ruth 3:13; Jeremiah 31:11; Galatians 4:4-5)

  • Salvation (Isaiah 45; Zechariah 9:9-10; Luke 1:68-69; Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-11; 9:1-10:1)

  • Cross (Acts 2:22-24; 1 Corinthians 1:18-19; Colossians 2:13-16)
  • Renew/Born of God/born again (John 1:12-13; 3:3; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9-10; 4:9
  • Law/Grace/Justified (Romans 3; 4:13-24; 7:1-8:11; Galatians 3-5)

Word studies are just the tip of the iceberg- the New Testament is saturated with the gospel on almost every page.  The discerning Christian recognizes that it is vital to begin with key words, then look for the gospel pattern throughout all of Scripture.  The pattern is simple: God raising up someone to redeem/rescue His people.  You can find this pattern in places like Genesis 22, Exodus, and Ruth 3-4.  Carefully study the stories, themes and issues of Scripture beyond the word studies that provide us a fully-developed understanding of the depths of the riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 11:33-36).

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/08/vocabulary-of-the-gospel/feed/ 0 What is the Gospel? http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/04/what-is-the-gospel/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/04/what-is-the-gospel/#comments Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:37:58 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=147 What is the gospel?  Upon asking, someone once replied to me, “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.”  Though we may chuckle at the answer, in one sense, she was accurate.  Those are the biblical books referred to as “the gospels.”  They do contain the story of the good news.  But I could not lead someone to Christ by simply saying to them, “Hey, you need to believe in good news of Jesus Christ: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.”

So, Christian, what is the gospel?  Does one need to include a description of the Bible?  Do I need a theology degree to comb through the details of the Trinity with a non-believer?  Is it simply enough to say “Jesus saves… you must believe!”?

The gospel is actually quite simple and can be summed up in four words: God, Man, Jesus, Change.  In his book, What is the Gospel? (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), Greg Gilbert accurately summarizes the gospel with those four simple words: God, Man, Jesus, Change.  At Awana, club leaders are trained to use a similar four word summary: God, Man, Cross, Trust.

Over the next couple of posts, we’ll explore each of these four in turn.  But for the time being, let’s flesh this beautifully simple good news.  The gospel begins with God, who is infinitely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), righteous, gracious and just (Psalm 7:11; 116:5; Daniel 9:14; Romans 1:17).  Man is not (cf., Job 4:17).    Man was created by God, but due to human sin (the bad things we do), is separated from God; as such, we deserve God’s eternal judgment (Romans 3:23; 6:23).  But thankfully, out of His love & grace, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile us to God by take our punishment upon himself (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18).  It is up to us, by the leading of God’s Spirit, to hear and receive God’s gift of salvation by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:1-10).

God.  Man.  Jesus.  Change.  Now that is good news!

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/04/what-is-the-gospel/feed/ 0 Christian: You Are an Emergency Room Nurse http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/02/christian-you-are-an-emergency-room-nurse/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/02/christian-you-are-an-emergency-room-nurse/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:22:40 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=137 A hospital’s emergency room does not guarantee you’ll see a doctor immediately.  A nurse takes your vitals, asks you your level of pain and what is your complaint/issue.  Unless your complaint is a major health disaster, like a heart attack, a failed do-it-yourself lobotomy or some other life-threatening issue, you likely wait to see a doctor.  Why?  Because even in a medical emergency, one must do triage, treating the neediest first.

Every believer is much like that emergency room nurse.  When we discuss Scripture with friends or hear Biblical teaching, even search for a church home, we must be careful to treat the most important doctrines first. I call this theological triage.  It’s the fine art of both knowing what the Bible says, as well as what is worth contending for and what can be left for questioning. Yes, all Christians are expected to know what the Bible says, hence all Christians are theologians— at the very least you should know the gospel (how else are you saved?).  Christians must grow their theological discernment.  Like the emergency room, Christians must learn to discern theological emergencies from theological questions and treat them all, but in their proper turn.

It’s helpful to think of doctrine in at least three concentric circles.  At the core are doctrinal absolutes, the core beliefs essential Christian faith (God, Jesus, gospel, inerrancy & authority of the Bible, etc.).  On these, one cannot waiver.  The second circle are doctrinal essentials, not quite core beliefs, but nonetheless vitally important, having a significant impact on the health & effectiveness of a church, even whether one would join a particular church (baptism, spiritual gifts, women ministers, etc.).  In that third circle are opinions, or what I like to call, “everything else.”  These are doctrinal issues that are less clear issues that generally are not worth dividing over (Christians & alcohol, views on Christ’s second coming, etc).  We might add, for safe keeping, a fourth outer circle called questions, for those issues which are unsettled by Scripture (“grieving the Holy Spirit,” did Jesus go to hell, etc.).

Next time you encounter a doctrinal issue, whether in casual conversation, Sunday School class, Bible study– wherever, remember that you are an emergency room nurse for the gospel.  Not all issues or situations require emergency care, but when the issue is core to the Christian faith, there is no waiting room.

[Adapted, in part, from the English Standard Version Study Bible, (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), pg. 2506-07]

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/02/02/christian-you-are-an-emergency-room-nurse/feed/ 0 A Punishing Peace http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/26/a-punishing-peace/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/26/a-punishing-peace/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:54:08 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=125 Sunday (1/23/11) was another powerful message. Pastor highlighted “the bond of peace” (4:3) and the unifying power of the gospel.  Christians are united together in Christ and ought to live peacefully with one another– because of Christ, there is nothing standing between one Christian and another.  I was later reminded of Isaiah’s words: “…the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Consider that for a moment: Jesus took our punishment and we gained his peace.  Peace with God came at the price of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:6-8 says that God dealt with the our sin by punishing His Son for us while we were still sinning, while we were still hostile to God, the objects of His righteous anger (Ephesians 2:1-3).  Returning to Isaiah 53, Jesus was “oppressed and afflicted…” (53:7) and was taken away by oppression and judgement (53:8).  Don’t miss what comes next: “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer…” (53:10, emphasis added). This was painful suffering that was not “plan B” nor an accident– God wanted things corrected in this manner.

There’s wisdom to be gained as we consider pathways to peace in our home, at work, at church– in all facets of life.  First, be leery of the path to peace that is “easy” or “simple”, for in a fallen world like ours it is rarely (if ever) true.  Second, it often takes a war to make peace.  Third, don’t be surprised if it takes there are many battles to maintain the peace.  Who know’s maybe you’ll be called to endure a peaceful punishment to secure the peace.

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/26/a-punishing-peace/feed/ 0 The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Church http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/22/the-best-thing-you-can-do-for-your-church/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/22/the-best-thing-you-can-do-for-your-church/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 21:15:01 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=115 Ever wonder to yourself, “What is the best thing I can do for my church?”  Not, “How can I help?” although that is important, nor “What would the pastor like for me to do?”

The answer is actually quite simple: be holy.  In addition to praying for one’s church, the most important thing a Christian does for Christ’s church (i.e., the church you attend– the church belongs to Jesus Christ) is to be holy.  1 Peter 1:13-16 says that Christians are to stay Christ-focused, for in so doing we fulfill God’s command to “be holy, as I Am holy.”

How does that help Christ’s church?  Holy people do not fight amongst themselves.  Gossip vanishes: holy people have nothing but gospel encouragement to share with each other.  Holy people desire to do God’s work and encourage others in it.  No church is perfect, but no church should be unholy.

So how do Christians “be holy”?  1 Peter 1:13-16 describes it simply, but it’s a challenge to do: Christians grow in holiness by preparing “…your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed… do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1 Peter 1:13-14).  Being holy begins by receiving genuine saving faith in Jesus Christ, then recognizing that growing in holiness is also received from Christ by the work of the Spirit.  That means that Christians must spend time daily in prayer and Bible study, asking God’s help to understand the truths of Scripture more.  Then, intentionally strive to embody those truths in your motives, thoughts and actions, all day, every day.  Ask the Lord to help you grow in all humility and gentleness with patience, and be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)  In short, be holy: that’s the best thing you can do for Christ’s church.

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/22/the-best-thing-you-can-do-for-your-church/feed/ 0 The Gospel Is Meek http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/18/the-gospel-is-meek/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/18/the-gospel-is-meek/#comments Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:51:45 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=104 This past Sunday pastor continued his sermon through Ephesians 4:1-16.  Much was said that we all needed to hear– get the CD if you missed it [i.e., this post is not pastor’s sermon excerpted].  Focusing on the attributes listed in 4:2, gentleness is elsewhere translated “meekness” or “meek”, such as Jesus’ Sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:5).  But what is meekness?  Isn’t meekness what you call a nice person who’s weak?  Not exactly.  Meekness is “strength under control”.  It’s the strength to control oneself and act graciously despite any desire, power and/or authority to do the contrary, to be humble, patient, and gracious where these are not required or convenient.

The most compelling picture of meekness is God’s Son hanging on a cross, dying a criminal’s death.  Those standing there mocking Jesus on the cross unwittingly point out God’s meekness “He saved others… but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God’” (Matthew 27:42-47).  Yes, Jesus is fully God and fully man, and fully powerful enough not merely to bring Himself down off the cross, but to call down legions of angels to destroy these murderous mockers, or blow-up everyone with the atom bomb power of His voice.  Yet Jesus hung there until His work was finished, was buried, then was raised from the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-5).  Sin and death are conquered, people are reconciled to God by faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.  He had all the power, yet He took all the suffering.  God had every right to damn us all to hell (Romans 1:18-32), yet God did everything necessary to redeem us through His Son (Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-10).

That is strength under control.  That is the gospel.

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/18/the-gospel-is-meek/feed/ 0 Good News: You’re A Sinner! http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/13/good-news-youre-a-sinner/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/13/good-news-youre-a-sinner/#comments Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:44:12 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=98 Good News: You’re a Sinner!

We typically refer to the gospel, that the Holy and Righteous God reconciled sinful man to Himself through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, as good news.  Indeed, it is the best news!  But notice that phrase, “sinful man”.  Ordinarily, we speak of this as the “bad news” of the gospel, and rightfully so: being separated from God by sin is the WORST news.  However, in a manner of speaking, this is good news.

Depravity– that human beings are inherently sinful and separated from God– is good news because it explains so much about who we are.  How does a toddler know how to say “No!”?  Depravity.  Why is a “good person” merely “good”?  Depravity.  Why do people do morally disgusting acts– or not do morally upright things more often?  Depravity.  Romans 1:18-23 teaches us that we are given, as an act of God’s common grace to all, a moral conscience containing a general understanding of right and wrong.   However, God is fully justified to condemn us all because we are incapable of reaching God’s perfect standards.  Ephesians 2:1-3 says that all humanity is spiritually dead, to the extent that even in our best moments, we are still merely satisfying our own depraved desires.  That’s bad. In other words, we’re so bad we don’t even know it.

But that’s such great news, too!  How? Because now that we know who we are, we can (a) better understand how great God is, and (b) rightly understand both how and why He saves us.  Read Ephesians 2:4-10.  The good news is that though we were dead and depraved, because of God’s rich love and mercy and grace, HE saves us!  The gospel begins with God, who saves depraved human beings, and that is good news!  (See also, Romans 5:6-10)

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/13/good-news-youre-a-sinner/feed/ 0 Are You A Healthy Church Member? http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/10/are-you-a-healthy-church-member/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/10/are-you-a-healthy-church-member/#comments Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:26:46 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=91 Sr. Pastor Ken Fentress preached this past Sunday on Ephesians 4:1-16 and being a healthy church member. Reflecting on his message (i.e., what follows is not a summary of his sermon), Ephesians 4:1 stands out as a vital first step to identifying a healthy church member: “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (NIV).

What a loaded statement!  Christian living begins with God’s calling on one’s life to saving faith in Jesus Christ.That’s why our salvation is “received.”  God calls, we answer.  In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul explains the theology behind the practice Christians are called to in 4:1.  In Ephesians 2 Christians are formerly “dead in your transgressions and sins,” we were “objects of wrath”, hostile and separated from God.

Yet, notice 2:4, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us” (NASB).  Don’t miss the contrast: we are doing all the bad stuff and are dead to God; it is in that depraved state that God saves us.  Romans 5:6 says that “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

Praise God that salvation depends upon Him, not us!  Healthy church members are Christians who recognize the depth of God’s mercy and grace demonstrated in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection.  Healthy church members are Christians who strive to live a life worthy of God’s calling on his or her life, to reflect God’s character as demonstrated in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

If you missed Sunday, I encourage everyone to get the CD and listen carefully.  The challenge is clear: is the way you live life worthy of the gospel?

]]> http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/10/are-you-a-healthy-church-member/feed/ 0 Saved To Pray http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/08/saved-to-pray/ http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/2011/01/08/saved-to-pray/#comments Sat, 08 Jan 2011 06:12:50 +0000 Ps Timm Hein http://www.montroseministries.org/blog/?p=83 Why did God call you, Christian, to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ?  To what purpose did God choose you before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-13)?  Milton Vincent eloquently explains in his book, A Gospel Primer for Christians, that among other things, Christians are chosen to pray (page 35-36).

Consider three key passages.  First, in Ephesians 1:4.  Here it is made plain that God chose those who would be Christians before the foundations of the world.  In other words, before Genesis 1:1, before the time began and before any person or thing was created, God chose who He would save.  Second, consider John 15:16. These words come as Jesus explains Christian discipleship and growth, telling the disciples that anything they ask in Jesus name will be given to them.  Third, Hebrews 10:22 tells us that because of what Jesus did for us, we can confidently draw near to God with sincerity and purity of heart.

Amongst other things, this means that when God saves a Christian by faith in Jesus Christ, Vincent shows us that Christians are saved to pray.  Prayer is so important that God sent His Son to die and be raised up from the grave so that Christians can pray, can “draw near to God”.  Prayer is therefore a high priority– or ought to be– to all Christians.  Prayer is not only communion with God, it is an expression of our faith in the good news of Jesus Christ– the act of prayer is itself a declaration of The Gospel.  Further, these passages imply that the substance of our prayers is rooted in The Gospel.  God hears and answers my prayers according to His will because of Jesus, yet it is because of Jesus that I come to God in prayer.  And when I pray, I am practicing the act of faith, by bringing requests to the God who saves, trusting in Him to do what He wills and submitting myself to it.

The Good News is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  The Good News means that Christians are saved with a purpose (see also, Ephesians 2:10).  God called each Christian to faith in Christ so that Christians would pray.

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