The Gospel According to Downton Abbey

Guest post by John Poitevent

The phenomenon that is Downton Abbey is a complete anomaly. The show, featured on PBS' long running Masterpiece Classic series, is the antithesis of the reality TV trend that has run the gamut from Paris Hilton's Simple Life to Snooki's Jersey Shore. Duck Dynasty not included.

If you're unfamiliar with the show, Downton Abbey is a British period drama depicting the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants as they go through life together at the family estate, Downton Abbey. The show begins with the family hearing the news of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and currently follows them through the early 1920's. 

Something interesting about this story is the parallel plot lines of the aristocrats and the servants, constantly crossing paths though worlds apart. The contrast of the two classes provides an intriguing dichotomy. The servants often face the painful truth that although their hard work is appreciated, and it might increase their position, they are not equal to the Crawleys and never will be. Try as they might, their best efforts could never be enough to change their place in life. (Save the chauffeur who married Sybil. Did you watch last night? How could they? I digress...)

Bottom line is, aristocracy is a dead end... unless you're a member of the chosen family.

One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" Similarly, Ephesians 1:5 explains that, "He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will" and Romans 8:17 goes on to say, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

When we put our faith in Christ we are not only saved but we are adopted, transferred from a lineage of slaves to Aristocrats. Our value is no longer found in our attempts to perform, it is found solely in our Father. Our identity is not determined by WHO we are, but WHOSE we are. We are children of the King! And while that might sound a bit cheesy to say out loud, it is incredibly important for us to understand and believe. You may have heard it before, but is it evident in your life? Is there a quiet confidence in your heart, a sense of total acceptance and security, that confirms your belief?

The Kingdom of God is a monarchy, not a democracy, and we are born again into the Royal Family. Because of this we can wake up in the morning and go to bed at night in peace knowing this: Our Father has chosen us, we are His children, holy and dearly loved. Our status is secure in Him. Our position is not based on our daily work but on His eternal adoption. Receive it, believe it, and stop living like you're on Survivor. This was His idea and He chose to do it, "in accordance with His good pleasure and will."

Generosity Redefined - Part 2 "Charitable Consumerism"

Guest post by John Poitevent

Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than receive", but why not do both at the same time?

I was attending a fundraising dinner for a wonderful orphanage, when the director unexpectedly asked me if I would close the evening in prayer. I immediately felt prompted by the Lord to give a challenge before I gave the benediction. Prior to the meal, the attendees took part in a "silent auction". If you're not familiar with these, it's a room full of donated items and services that the attendees have an opportunity to bid on. Generally, you walk around looking for something you might want, writing down a bid slightly higher than the last one on a piece of paper. Some of the most popular items are gift certificates to restaurants and rounds of golf. Listed with each item is the retail value, but of course you're hoping to get it for less than that. I mean, what's wrong with getting a good deal and helping orphans at the same time, right? As I walked up to the podium, David's words from 1 Chronicles 21:24 came to mind. "But King David replied, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice an offering that costs me nothing.” David insisted that his sacrifice to the Lord be exactly that, a sacrifice. He refused to even allow someone to give it to him at a discount. Before I prayed, I challenged everyone to pay AT LEAST full price for their auction items, regardless of what they won them for. "I think we can all agree that this night is about helping orphans the most we can, not about getting a good deal on dinner or golf." After the event was over I was disheartened to hear that many of the people paying for their auction items seemed annoyed as they wrote out their checks for the full amount. The response I saw that evening provides a good picture of what the idea of charity has become in our country. 

The Jewish Talmud recognizes 8 levels of charity or Tzedakah. 

1. Giving begrudgingly 
2. Giving less than you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3. Giving after being asked
4. Giving before being asked
5. Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6. Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7. Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8. Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant

If this list were written today, I'm pretty sure that somewhere near the first level would be, "Giving to get something in return."

Virtually everywhere you go, whether it's TOMS shoes, the (Red) campaign, or Starbucks, "charitable consumerism" has permeated the marketplace. Hipster philosopher Slavoj Žižek was one of the first to write about this movement, which he defines as, "the deliberate ‘charitable’ decision made when buying a certain product, label or service due to the ethical implication made during such purchase." Perhaps Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, makes the sales pitch best when he says, "It's not just what you're buying, but what you're buying into." This added incentive seems to bring a certain sense of redemption to our consumeristic desires. Not only do we get to purchase something trendy, we're also helping people at the same time, and if that's not enough, when others see us wearing/using the product they are immediately aware of our benevolence and social consciousness. WIN! WIN! WIN! But is it really? At best, the per dollar impact is minimal. When you pay $2 for a bottle of Starbucks "socially responsible" Ethos Water, what you're "buying into" is a whopping .05 cent contribution toward humanitarian programs. As is most often the case, the emotional benefit to the consumer far exceeds the assistance given to the needy. At worst, as with TOMS shoes, there can actually be a negative impact. "What? Giving can have a negative impact?" Absolutely, and I'll be addressing that in Part 3. But most importantly, for followers of Jesus Christ, what I want to point out is that "charitable consumerism" is not at all the kind of sacrifice that the gospel compels us to.

Romans 12:1 tells us that the only reasonable response to Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross is to wholly offer ourselves for His purposes, with nothing held back or expected in return. Shouldn't our charitable giving reflect this as well? You see, as believers, our giving is not just meant to help people, it's meant to bring God glory and be a tangible picture of the gospel we proclaim.

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"  2 Corinthians 9:12-15

If salvation by grace through faith in Christ is God's free gift to us, the ultimate charity, how then should we give?

Now I'm not saying to never buy products that have a charitable connection. There are some products that actually provide work, finances and dignity for people who directly benefit from your purchase. What I am saying is twofold: 1) Don't ever assume that your purchase is making a significant impact. Do your research. If you really believe in the cause, give and give generously. and 2) Check your heart in these matters. Is giving a sacrificial, strategic discipline for you, or do you just do it whenever something catches your eye and is trendy or mutually beneficial? The next time you want to contribute toward cause offering you a shirt, or coffee or anything in return, why not consider politely telling them to keep the product? In doing so, you'll multiply the value of your donation while providing a picture of the free gift of the gospel. After all, isn't that what it's all about?


Read more from Slavoj Žižek here: Buying Charity. 

The Three Worst Qualities of the Gospel-Centered Movement

Good reminders here from Dave Moser.  His three point are:

• The gospel-centered movement has the potential to turn us into legalists about the gospel.
• The gospel-centered movement has the potential to turn us into worshipers of the gospel instead of worshipers of God.
• The gospel-centered movement has the potential to disconnect the gospel from our lives.

Read the rest for his explanations.  

Gospel and Culture

Great discussion here.

Do You Use “Gospel” as an Adjective More Often than a Noun?

Eric McKiddie:

Did you know that you can make anything gospel-centered just by adding the word “gospel” in front of it?

There is contextualization. But then there’s gospel contextualization.

There is church growth. But then there’s gospel growth.

There are the arts. But then there are gospel arts.

Gospel centrality has morphed from a movement to a culture. And cultures, as we know, have their own languages. Gospel-centered pastors have a gospel language.

This is a good thing, by the way. It’s a sign that pastors and churches want to be driven by the gospel.

It’s also helpful. It’s much easier to say “gospel contextualization” than “contextualizing for the sake of spreading the gospel of Jesus, since the Son contextualized to us through the incarnation.”

But, like all good things, the language of gospel centrality comes with its own potholes and roadblocks that we need to steer clear of.

Read the rest.

I was just talking to a couple of guys about this this morning.  I think the people at my church can state the buzzwords, but do they really know what they mean and the implications?

Real Men Repent

Guest Post by Los Griego

My friend and Acts 29 Pastor, Carlos Montoya not only has a good 1st name, but also has a great post over at The Resurgence. In New Mexico the culture for men is centered on "machismo". In other words, the culture is about being the toughest man and also getting with as many women as you can. This influences many men, breaks apart many families and grows a culture of violence and aggression in men throughout the state.

Carlos grew up in a culture like this, but then his dad met Jesus and everything changed.

This post is worth a read.

Here is an excerpt:

This began to teach me that there was more to being a man than I was taught. The violent and proud man I once knew was gone, and in his place was a humble and gentle man. A man who still commanded respect, but not through fear. It came through friendship.

I’ll never forget the day my dad came to me and confessed his sins against our family and me. He admitted he was wrong in so many areas of his life, and that by God’s grace he would be a better example of what a man truly is. He didn’t only do this with me, but also with so many people he had wronged throughout his life. It was in that moment I learned one of the most important things about being a man.

Transformative Effects of the Gospel and Adoption

Vermon and Dennae Pierre share some very insightful and edifying thoughts about the transformative effects of the Gospel and adoption upon us and our local churches. Great story of God's faithfulness. Vermon is lead pastor of Roosevelt Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona, and Dennae is now a regular writer for the Together for Adoption website.

This interview segment was part 2 our our second house conference in Phoenix.

Edwards on 6 Ways God is Sovereign in Salvation

This is a guest post by Bryan Lopez

Thanks to Ben Terry for his helpfully insightful post:

Edwards identifies six points of how God does exercise His sovereignty in our salvation:

1. God exercises His sovereignty by calling a people or a nation, and giving them the opportunities of grace, and leaving others without them.

“According to the divine appointment, salvation is bestowed in connection with the provisions of grace. God may sometimes make use of very unlikely opportunities, and bestow salvation on men who are under very great disadvantages; but He does not bestow grace wholly without any means. But God exercises His sovereignty in bestowing those means. All nations are by nature in like circumstances towards God. Yet God greatly distinguishes some nations and peoples from others by the opportunities and advantages which He bestows upon them.”

2. God exercises His sovereignty in the advantages He bestows upon individual persons.

“Everyone needs salvation, and everyone is naturally, undeserving of it; but He gives some vastly greater advantages for salvation than others. To some He assigns their place in godly Christian families, where they may be well instructed and educated, and have Christian parents to dedicate them to God, and say many prayers for them. God places some under a more powerful ministry than others, and in places where there are more of the outpourings of the Spirit of God. To some He gives much more of the strivings and the awakening influences of the Spirit, than to others. It is according to His mere sovereign pleasure.”

3. God exercises His sovereignty in sometimes bestowing salvation on the lowly and poor, and denying it to the wise and great.

“Christ in His sovereignty passes by the gates of princes and nobles, and enters some cottage and dwells there, and has communion with its obscure inhabitants. God in His sovereignty withheld salvation from the rich man, who lived luxuriously every day, and bestowed it on poor Lazarus, who sat begging at his gate. God in this way pours out contempt on princes, and on all their glittering splendor. So God sometimes passes by wise men, men of great understanding, learned and great scholars, and bestows salvation on others of weak understanding, who only comprehend some of the plainer parts of Scripture, and the fundamental principles of the Christian religion. Yes, there seem to be fewer great men called, than others. And God in ordering it thus manifests His sovereignty.”

4. God exercises His sovereignty in bestowing salvation on some who have had very few advantages in life.

“Sometimes some, who have had obvious opportunities of grace, are rejected, and left to perish, and others, under far less advantages, are saved. Thus the scribes and Pharisees, who had so much light and knowledge of the Scriptures, were mostly rejected, and the poor ignorant tax collectors saved. The greater part of those, heard Christ preach many times, and saw Him work miracles from day after day, yet they were not chosen to receive salvation; and yet the woman of Samaria was chosen for eternal life, and many other Samaritans at the same time, who only heard Christ preach, as He occasionally passed through their city. So the woman of Canaan was elected for salvation, who was not of the country of the Jews, and only once saw Jesus Christ. So the Jews, who had seen and heard Christ, and saw His miracles, and with whom the apostles labored so much, were not saved. But the Gentiles, many of them, who, as it were, only briefly heard the good news of salvation, embraced those truths, and were converted.”

5. God exercises His sovereignty in calling some to salvation, who have been dreadfully wicked, and leaving others, who have been moral and religious persons.

“The Pharisees were a very strict sect among the Jews. Their religion was extraordinary. (Luke 18:11). They were not like other men, extortioners, unjust, or adulterers-that was their morality. They fasted twice a week, and gave tithes of all that they possessed-that was their religion. But yet, for the most part, they were rejected, and the tax collectors, and prostitutes, and openly vicious sorts of people, entered into the kingdom of God before them. (Matthew 21:31). The Apostle Paul describes his righteousness while he was a Pharisee, saying, “as for legalistic righteousness, I was faultless” (Philippians 3:6). The rich young man, who fell on his knees before Christ, saying, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”-this man was a moral person. When Christ told him keep the commandments, he said, with all sincerity, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” He had obviously been brought up in a good family, and was a youth of such agreeable manners and correct behavior, that it is said, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Still he was not chosen; while the thief on the cross, that was crucified with Christ, was chosen and called. God sometimes shows His sovereignty by showing mercy to the worst of sinners, on those who have been murderers, and blasphemers. And even when they are old, some are called at the eleventh hour. God sometimes shows the sovereignty of His grace by showing mercy to some, who have spent most of their lives in the service of Satan, and have little left to spend in the service of God.”

6. God exercises His sovereignty, in saving some of those who seek salvation, and not others.

“Some who seek salvation, as we know both from Scripture and observation, are quickly converted; while others seek for a long time, and do not obtain it. God helps some over the mountains and difficulties which are in the way; He subdues Satan, and delivers them from his temptations: but others are ruined by the temptations with which they meet. Some are never thoroughly awakened; while to others God is pleased to give thorough convictions. Some are left to backsliding hearts; others God causes to hold out to the end. Some are brought down from a confidence in their own righteousness; others never get over that obstruction in their way, as long as they live. And some are converted and saved, who never strived after salvation, as others who, in the end, perish.”

"Is there any word from God?": Preaching the Gospel to Yourself (Part 4)

Guest Post by Dan Cruver

Once again Ralph Erskine serves us very well by providing wonderful instruction on how to preach the gospel to ourselves whatever our faith-struggles may be:

Go to God and say, O "do as thou hast said." Consider what he hath said, and take him at his word, and put him to it, that he would do to you accordingly. Whatever your care be, surely there is some word relative to it...

"Is there any word to me, that am such a filthy monster, such a polluted creature in heart and way, that am stinking, as it were, in the grave of sin? He hath said, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 'From all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you.' Zech. xiii. 1, 'There is a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.' Is there a promise of cleansing? Then take him at his word, and cry, Lord, 'Do as thou hast said.'" (Ralph Erskine, "Faith's Plea Upon God's Word," The Works of Ralph Erskine, vol. 2).

The Gospel proclaims that at the cross Jesus became that filthy creature for us that we might become the beauty of God's righteousness in him (2 Cor. 5:21). Praise be to God!

"Is there any word from God?": Preaching the Gospel to Yourself (Part 3)

Guest Post by Dan Cruver

Ever since I purchased this particular volume of Ralph Erskine works, I've been very helped by his instruction on how to preach the gospel to ourselves whatever our faith-struggles may be. Here's another excellent example:

Go to God and say, O "do as thou hast said." Consider what he hath said, and take him at his word, and put him to it, that he would do to you accordingly. Whatever your care be, surely there is some word relative to it...

But, says another, is there any word from God concerning me, that am compassed about with such strong corruptions and conquering lusts, that sin gets the mastery of me? Would you be delivered? Hear what he says; Mic. vii. 19, 'He will subdue our iniquities, and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.' Rom. vi. 14, 'Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.' Isa. lxiii. 4, 'The day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my Redeemer is come.' Hath he promised to take vengeance on your lusts? Then take him at his word, saying, O 'do as thou has said.'" (Ralph Erskine, "Faith's Plea Upon God's Word," The Works of Ralph Erskine, vol. 2).

The Gospel proclaims that Jesus has taken vengeance on our lusts in his life, death, and resurrection. Praise be to God!

"Is there any word from God?": Preaching the Gospel to Yourself (Part 2)

Guest Post by Dan Cruver

You may not agree with Ralph Erskine on every point of interpretation in this series of posts, but he serves us very well by providing wonderful instruction on how to preach the gospel to ourselves whatever our faith-struggles may be:

Go to God and say, O "do as thou hast said." Consider what he hath said, and take him at his word, and put him to it, that he would do to you accordingly. Whatever your care be, surely there is some word relative to it...

But is there any word from God, concerning my case, that find my conscience challenging me for prodigious guilt; that there was never such a guilty person on the face of the earth? Are you groaning under guilt? Hear what he says, Heb. viii.12, 'I will be merciful to your unrighteousness, and your sins and iniquities will I remember no more.' Isa. xliii.25, 'I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgression for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.' O then, take hold of his word, wherein he proclaims indemnity, and put him to it, saying, Lord, 'do as thou has said.' (Ralph Erskine, "Faith's Plea Upon God's Word," The Works of Ralph Erskine, vol. 2).

The Gospel proclaims that Jesus has decisively dealt with our prodigious guilt in his life, death, and resurrection. Praise be to God!

"Is there any word from God?": Preaching the Gospel to Yourself (Part 1)

Guest Post by Dan Cruver

Here is some wonderful instruction from Ralph Erskine about how to preach the gospel to yourself whatever your faith-struggle may be:

Go to God and say, O "do as thou hast said." Consider what he hath said, and take him at his word, and put him to it, that he would do to you accordingly. Whatever your care be, surely there is some word relative to it.

Some may be thinking, alas! God hath said nothing to me, that I may put him to his word. Why, man, if the gospel, that is in this Bible, be preached to you, and if there be any word of grace therein suitable to your case, then put not away the word from you, but take it, and plead upon it, that God would do as he hath said. If you can see any word of promise suited to your case and to your need, then put to your hand by faith, and lay hold upon his word.

O, say you, is there any word from God about my case, who am a poor needy creature, like to starve for want of a spiritual meal and a hearty draught of the living waters that go out from Jerusalem? What hath God said, or hath he said anything concerning me? Yea, he hath said, Isa. xli. 17, 18, "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in dry places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry lands springs of water." Hath he said so? Then take him at his word, and put him to it, saying, Lord, "do as thou hast said" (Ralph Erskine, "Faith's Plea Upon God's Word," The Works of Ralph Erskine, vol. 2).

Rivendell and the Power of the Gospel

Guest Post by Dan Cruver

One of my favorite scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring (the book, not the movie) takes place in the land of Rivendell after Hobbits Frodo and Sam almost lost their lives at the hands of those seeking to capture the ring of power and before they continued their dangerous journey to the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the ring. J.R.R. Tolkien writes:

Such was the virtue of the land of Rivendell that soon all fear and anxiety was lifted from their minds. The future, good or ill, was not forgotten, but ceased to have any power over the present. Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song (287).

The good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ is of such a quality that the past, present, or imagined future, “good or ill, are not forgotten, but cease to have any power over the present.” We could write pages of application on this. If we are prone to worry about tomorrow, we need the gospel. If we tend to fear people or circumstances, we need the gospel. If we are paralyzed by regret or plagued by guilt, we need the gospel. Only the gospel can free us from these things.