Category: discipleship

50 Reasons: To Cancel the Legal Demands of the Law Against Us

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleship, VideoLeave a comment

The other day I mentioned that I would be reading Piper’s book “50 Reasons why Jesus Came to Die” between Easter and Pentecost. You can get the scoop here.

To Cancel the Legal Demands of the Law Against Us

As crazy as it sounds I used to think that God would be pleased with my deeds.  I was teaching and preaching the right thing, but living as though I could obtain God’s favor by my actions.  I shared this part of my story earlier on the blog.  You can catch it here.  I am so thankful that God didn’t see fit to let me try and work my way to him only to be frustrated and without him in the end.  Sorry to include two songs in a row, but as reminder of where I have come from and how I have been set free I sing, “Before the Throne of God Above” just about every day in my private worship.  It was especially sweet today.

Shane and Shane: Before The Throne (Pages Album Version) has an MP3 from their Pages Album with the song on it.  I don’t have it on my iphone.  I just memorized it from our college group several years back and it has carried me through.


50 Reasons: To Show His Own Love for Us

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleship, VideoLeave a comment

The other day I mentioned that I would be reading Piper’s book “50 Reasons why Jesus Came to Die” between Easter and Pentecost. You can get the scoop here.

To Show His Own Love for Us

Perhaps the hardest part of the gospel for me is the personal nature of what Jesus did.  It is true that He paid the price of the sins of all who believe and so in a very real sense he didn’t pay for my sins alone.  But my sins were included.  This became very familiar for me when I heard the song, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” again this week.  The part that really grips me is the line, “Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders, ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers.  it was my sin that held him there, until it was accomplished, His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished.”

I have the Kendall Payne version on my iphone and listened to it about a dozen times today.

50 Reasons: To Achieve His Own Resurrection From the Dead

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleshipLeave a comment

The other day I mentioned that I would be reading Piper’s book “50 Reasons why Jesus Came to Die” between Easter and Pentecost. You can get the scoop here.

To Achieve His Own Resurrection From the Dead

I am reminded again today that without Jesus death, there would be no resurrection.  The resurrection is proof that Jesus did what He said he could do.  I could comment more here, but I found these words from the Apostle Paul more compelling…

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
(1 Corinthians 15:12-24 ESV)

Father, thank you that Christ was not only crucified on our behalf, but that he was raised from the dead.

50 Reasons: To Learn Obedience and Be Perfected

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleshipLeave a comment

The other day I mentioned that I would be reading Piper’s book “50 Reasons why Jesus Came to Die” between Easter and Pentecost. You can get the scoop here.

To Learn Obedience and Be Perfected

Have you ever really thought about the obedience of Christ before?  I think about learning obedience and the first thought that comes to mind is “quit being disobedient.”  Piper does a great job in drawing out that Jesus didn’t have any “disobedience” to get rid of.  He was perfect.  So how do you learn to be obedient if you are perfect?  Answer: You continue to do what you are asked to do, even when it is difficult.  Every step to the cross was a step of obedience to God’s plan to save sinners.  Christ was perfect, not only because he didn’t sin, but also because he always did the right thing.

Father,  I was reminded today that Christ is doubly righteous.  Not only was he without sin, but he was also completely obedient.  Your plan to use the cross to reconcile us to Yourself is becoming more and more clear.  Thank you for your amazing love and great plan to save all who would call out to you.

50 Reasons: To Absorb the Wrath of God

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleshipLeave a comment

The other day I mentioned that I would be reading Piper’s book “50 Reasons why Jesus Came to Die” between Easter and Pentecost. You can get the scoop here.

Today is Easter and day one of the journey. If you haven’t done so already, you will want to read the introduction.

To Absorb The Wrath of God

I was reminded today that my sin is not trivial. The bible tells us that we have all sinned against God and that sin has a consequence. Because of our sin we are defective. We were made to glorify God, but instead seek our own Glory. Though we are made in the image of God we are broken. We are not only broken, we are offensive. We spend our whole existence not only failing to Glorify God, but also with an audacity to love other things more.

Jesus Story Book Bible

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Devotional, discipleship, Family, parenting, spiritual disciplines1 Comment

I finally found an Easter gift for my children.  The video below is from the Jesus Storybook Bible.  I ordered the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition from Amazon.com ($16.49) and it should be in our home by the time this is posted.  After we have had a chance to read it through and evaluate it, I’ll post a review.  In the mean time check out the video below concerning the resurrection of Jesus and take time to show it to your kids and talk about the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.

I was turned on to this resource from reading the blog of an old college friend Tim Brister, you can view his blog at http://www.timmybrister.com

What’s In The Bible (A New Video Series by Phil Vischer)

On By pastorjonathanIn discipleship, Family, parenting2 Comments

I was in our local LifeWay store the other day and had a chance to pick up a copy of the first CD of “What’s In the Bible: With Buck Denver,” By Veggie Tales Creator Phil Vischer.  Rebekah (My 4 year old) and I have enjoyed watching it together a few times.  I had her watch it once with me and then left it laying around and she has asked to watch it on her own a few times.   I was amazed at how much content was involved in each segment. I give it high marks for both content and entertainment.

The two video’s below are an introduction by creator Phil Vischer and the Theme Song.  You can also find out more information by surfing over to http://www.whatsinthebible.com.

Easter Book Club (50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die)

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging, books, Devotional, discipleship, spiritual disciplinesLeave a comment

I want to invite you to read a book with me and take a deeper look at why Jesus came to die.  Over the course of 50 days I will be reading a 127 page book (not exactly an overwhelming task).  In the process I will be blogging my response to what I have read each day and posting it here.  You are invited to participate.  Read along in the book, read my comments and share some of your own.

We will be starting on Easter Sunday.  Below is the scoop on the book, why I chose Easter, where you can get a copy of the book, and the schedule so we can read along together.

A few years ago John Piper wrote a book entitled, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.  Each chapter is approximately 2 pages in length and covers one of the fifty reasons.  I must warn you that though the chapters are brief, they are not always easy to process.  I have found in the past that reading one brief two-page chapter a day helps me to process the content of each chapter before moving to the next.

Easter is the time where we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and Pentecost is the time we celebrate when the Holy Spirit came and empowered the followers of Jesus to bear witness to his death, burial and resurrection.  Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally) there are 50 days between Easter and Pentecost.  This provides a great time to read Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die and meditate on the reasons Christ’s death (and resurrection) were necessary.

I will read a chapter a day according to the schedule and posting my response here on this blog.  I want to invite you along on the journey and share your thoughts here as well.  You will need to obtain your own copy of the book.

The following is a PDF of my schedule for reading: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die – Reading Guide.

All the Disciple Now Posts in One Spot

On By pastorjonathanIn discipleship, leadership, student ministryLeave a comment

3 Keys to a Good Disciple Now Weekend

Disciple Now Themes

Reflections on Disciple Now 2009

Student Ministry in General

Top 5 Disciple Now Themes of All Time

On By pastorjonathanIn discipleship, student ministry4 Comments

In the last decade I have been involved in well over 20 Disciple Now weekends as either the host, guest leader, or guest speaker.  Many of the Disciple Now’s we hosted in conjunction with other student ministries.  Here is a list of my favorites and a few ideas I have for the future.

Top 5 Disciple Now Themes of All time

1. Different by Design – Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

2. Pilgrim’s Progress – Introduction to the Journey

3. Authentic Faith – Show me your fruit

4. Back to the Basics – Spiritual Disciplines

5. The Body of Christ – Unity

Five Disciple Now Themes for the Future

1. Hunger for the Harvest – Longing for the World to Know

2. Resident Aliens – Following Jesus in a world that Doesn’t Follow Him

3. Kingdom Come – Until all have heard

4. Dangerous Discipleship – What following Jesus Might Cost You

5. Never Eat Undercooked Meat – How church works