Hold Fast to Jesus and Not to Legalism Col.2:16-23

Like I promised, here is a summary of the message from this morning. My hope is to post each week some application questions so that you can think about what I shared and how to apply it-- Monday - Saturday. Ask yourself the question, How do I live a life of grace and freedom from Monday - Saturday? Before getting started, I would encourage you to read and reread the passage. Please do not take my word for what the passage says, discover for yourself. Own it and let it take root in your soul.

Summary of the message:
The main idea from this passage is on legalism or human-religion. I shared that I believe legalism is cultivated out of a prideful heart, an insecure heart, a wicked heart. Deep down inside we all want control. And this control leads to a critical spirit rather than a gracious spirit. We are all guilty of our pride and our self- righteousness. These things get in the way of God's Spirit and what he wants to do in and through us. I first and foremost am guilty.

Therefore we too need to hold fast to Jesus, which is to hold fast to his grace and to realize that our self-righteousness, our personal legalism needs to be put to death and we can only do this by submitting ourselves to God's word and His Holy Spirit. WE need to take inventory of what is in our hearts by the grace of God. May we receive his grace today as we sit under his Word and let Him do his will in our lives. For we desire at Crossroads to have a message of grace, to be a people of grace, and to see others transformed by his gracious most glorious Gospel.

Definitions of legalism: Pastor Mark's: Legalism is at the heart earning God's approval with our own efforts and then expecting others to do the same (in order to manipulate them to do our will and not Jesus' will). [I added this last phrase]

Sam Storm's definition:
Legalism is the tendency to regard as divine law things which God has neither required nor forbidden in Scripture and the corresponding inclination to look with suspicion on others for their failure or refusal to conform.

Dr. Storm's asks some penetrating questions that you might find helpful in searching your heart.

Do you place a higher value on church customs than on biblical principles?

Do you elevate to the status of moral law something the Bible does not require?

Do you tend to look down your spiritual nose at those who don’t follow God’s will for YOUR life?

Are you uncomfortable with the fact that the Bible does not explicitly address every ethical decision or answer every theological question?

Are you more comfortable with rules than with relationships?

Here are some of mine that I shared that you also might find helpful.

Do you refuse to watch T.V. Or movies? And more importantly do you expect others around you to do the same? ( I believe without a doubt that we need to be discerning of what we watch and the quantity of are viewing as well. Same goes for the internet. My wife and I like to watch movies and then talk about the philosophy, plot, and try to understand the director's purpose for making the film. Some Christians believe you should not watch movies they are a waste of time). [This would be a matter of personal conviction and should be left to encourage not demand or manipulate].

Do you prefer to home school, or have your kids attend a Christian school or public school? And depending on what you prefer are you judging others for not doing what you prefer?

Do you prefer one way of disciplining your children over another and do you expect others to do the same or look down on them for doing it different?

Do you have in your mind a preconceived notion of how one should follow Jesus. Or receive Jesus and their King and Master? The Bible says through repentance and faith. The response to God in repentance and faith can come in many ways through Jesus. I have heard of those who have screamed out to God in desperation and their lives have been changed.

Is your view of God a picture of an authoritarian Father who slaps his child's hand over and over again, and says no don't touch that!? Or is your picture what we see in Luke 15 where the father runs (which was not normal behavior) to the prodigal son to welcome him home. The father shows his compassion to the elder brother where he pleads with the elder brother to come in and celebrate. I encourage you to read it and be amazed of God's grace.

Then there is the issue of pride that fuels a legalistic mindset. Here are some phrases I shared:
" I am doing this service to the Lord and your not, therefore I am more spiritual."
or "I am willing to forgive and your not so therefore I will pray for you."
or "I believe this is what the church should be like, they do not know what they are talking about, but I do."

If you want to do some further reading on legalism, listed below are some great articles that I think you will find very helpful:
http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/legalism-vs-liberty/
http://www.beginningwithmoses.org/bigger/ds_legalism.htm

At the heart of legalism is our way of earning God's approval and expecting others to do the same. This attitude of the heart will eventually lead to a critical spirit and no joy in Jesus. What will that look like to a dying world?

SDG,

Pastor Mark

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Our Creator's Handiwork

I (Mark) woke up this morning about six and spent some time with Jesus. Afterwards I enjoyed this sunrise and took a picture of it. A gorgeous shot off our back porch!

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Made Alive in Jesus (Some after thoughts)

For those of you who are reading this blog for the first time or for that matter the second time, I apologize for it is a work in progress. My hope is to share thoughts on the messages that I deliver at Crossroads, add sermons that I have preached, and also reflections on what it means to be on this journey called "life" not by ourselves but in "life together". My wife hopes to make her contribution to the blog as well.

After Sunday, I found myself wrestling with this awesome truth "to be made alive together in Jesus." Col.2:13. To be made alive together assumes we were dead to begin with. To be made alive together assumes that our Christianity is bigger than just ourselves. It has to be for if it is not we are left with another human religion. Why does Paul use the word that expresses togetherness. I believe it is to express the truth that we first need Christ, but we also need one another, yet in our busy lives we can so often forget this truth. Loving God and loving others, so a life of faith consists of both being in community and in solitude. (This is a paraphrase from Bonhoeffer's book, Life Together).

I would encourage you to ask yourself, What does it mean to be alive together in Jesus? What does it mean he has forgiven us all our trespasses? Do we really believe that Jesus has cancelled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands, that he has obliterated our debt of sins? Its not an easy truth to believe to really get your mind around it. So as I wrestle with these questions I invite you to wrestle with these as well. Will you?

As I prepared this message I found myself in awe of God's incredible power through the Cross of Jesus and found myself crying over how deep Jesus' love goes. I also wondered how many people carry a heavy load of guilt with them. How many people need to be set free from the guilt yet choose to hold on to it?

Again after the message, I thought I should clarify some things I said. I mentioned how are faith has been reduced to an individual relationship and we have forgotten about the corporate identity we have in Jesus. To be identified with the people of God through Jesus. I am not suggesting that our relationship with Jesus is only communal but it is both individual and communal. Unfortunately we have leaned on the side of what can Jesus do for me rather than what can Jesus do for others through me.

Just some thoughts do with them as you will I won't be offended.

Date Night faces

Mark is not angry or constipated, he is just trying to look funny at the camera. Lovely.

Kendra looks like she has something in her mouth, and she does! Delicious, rich, moist, chocolate mousse cake, decadence on a plate.

Kendra's ramblings about music with list of favorites

I (Kendra) grew up singing hymns, but not many of the really old hymns as I came to find out during our time at College Church. I learned a number of "gospel" or "revival" hymns. So, in my head tonight is the chorus of one such hymn called Revive Us Again--"Hallelujah, thine the glory, Hallelujah, amen. Hallelujah, thine the glory, revive us again." This was commonly sung in our church along with "Victory in Jesus" "He Keeps Me Singing" "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," and many others, mostly written by Fanny Crosby.

I find that music is the language of my heart. I can think of a song for just about any phrase. Anna has compared me to Barney--which is a compliment I suppose. Between the camp songs I learned growing up attending day camp and youth camps to the nursery rhymes my Mema used to sing, to the songs I learned at school in choir, to music on the radio and in my church, music has been a continual part of my existence. I can't really nail down my favorite songs, if it is singable, I will end up singing it at some point (even surprising my older husband Mark that somehow I know a portion of classic rock that he remembers, but I should not).

I would say, in general, my favorite songs are those that poetically or literally communicate a truthful message with a compelling melody and lovely harmony. I prefer stringed instruments to winds, and anything played on piano captivates me. (That is why I must learn piano, and yet can't see the forest for the trees when I am the one making the sounds come together). All that to say, here are a list of some songs that I think I will never forget because they are, most likely, my favorites:

"Our song" Stardust-sad message, but lovely melody sung best in my ear by my husband while slow dancing, but Nat King Cole and Harry Connick, Jr. are a close second!
How Deep the Father's Love for Us-often in my head when Mark is playing with the kids, and powerful message of redemption.
Before the Throne of God Above and In Christ Alone-christological messages put to singable melodies, great for worship and adoration of Jesus Christ.
Butterfly People-I think of my sister Cheryl when I sing it because the last time I sang with her to my recollection was a harmony to this song as she performed it in an Irish pub.
Were You There? and Ah, Lord Jesus-haunting and convicting songs about the death and suffering of Jesus. When I sing these songs, I can't forget the price that was paid for my sins.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You-gorgeous when sung in at least four-part harmony (angelic in my estimation), reminiscent of my high school choir days and singing with Cheryl at church growing up.
Be Thou My Vision-a song that you can pray and a prayer that you can sing.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing-I love the old words and unchanging message with all the variations of melodies that have been done.
Psalm 121 (For You are Good) -helps me have perspective and remember God's goodness no matter what, as well as reminds me I have a place to run when I am hurting or afraid.
Great is Thy Faithfulness-this ought to be sung at my funeral, because it is my theme song for life. Another song that I love to sing, Nicole Nordman's recent rendition is thoughtful and beautiful.