Tag: 50 reasons why Christ Came to Die

50 Reasons: To Give Eternal Life To All Who Believe on Him

On By pastorjonathanIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

A couple of weeks ago 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. 

I apolagize for not posting much of last week and early this week.  Most of my computer time was spent writing and researching a few papers due for my Masters degree and a few other side projects that had more immediate deadlines.

To Give Eternal Life to All Who Believe on Him

Piper does a great job bringing out the beauty of eternal life in this quote, “It is the supreme and ever increasing happiness where all sin and all sadness will be gone.  All that is evil and harmful in this fallen creation will be removed.  All that is good – all that will bring true and lasting happiness- will be preserved, purified and intensified” (57).  Imagine ever increasing delight without an end.  That’s the point of eternal life.  Not an endless choir session of boring music.  If that is the future for all who believe on Christ… How should that inform the way we live now?

50 Reasons: To Provide the Basis for Our Justification

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 Provide the Basis for Our Justification

Piper addresses a key aspect of what Jesus did for us through his death, burial and resurrection.  Many times we talk about how Christ took our sins and provided forgiveness, but seldom do we talk about being Justified (declared just) before God.  Being Justified and declared Righteous (tomorrow’s chapter) are essential in our salvation.

Saw this on YouTube this week.  Another good song that I don’t have on my Ipod, but sing all the time.  I was particularly engaged during the first part where it shows the scene involving the woman at the well.

50 Reasons: For the Forgiveness of Our Sins

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleship1 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.

For the Forgiveness of Our Sins

I was blessed to read today’s chapter and was reminded of the cost of free.  Sometimes things are free to us because they are cheap.  Sometimes they are free because somebody wants something from you.  And in the case of forgiveness and salvation free because we could never afford it.  We could never merit God’s grace.  We could never earn salvation.  We could never purchase for ourselves what Christ purchased for us at Calvary.

50 Reasons: To Become a Ransom for Many

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleship1 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 Become a Ransom for Many

I am excited that Piper highlights that the ransom here was paid to God and of course cites several verses in explanation.  There is an errant idea going through many Christian circles that the ransom was paid to Satan.  I think we often give Satan more credit than he deserves.  The idea that the ransom was due Satan originated with a theologian by the name of Origin (185 – 254 A.D.). (Wow! One of my undergrad professors would be proud.  He used to say that, “Origin was the origin of all heresy” and it stuck).

Anyway I’m glad that Jesus paid it all. Piper drives home an excellent point.  The ransom is for “many” (Mark 10:45) and not all are saved, but the offer is for everyone (I timothy 2:5-6).  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell the people at your work place, “Jesus paid it all!”  If they don’t know, they need to hear: if they already know, they need to hear it again. I’ve been blessed to share with 5 people (apart from church related stuff) this week about why Jesus came to die!

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.