Always on Target

I like to listen to Matt Chandler sermons, there is just something about them that seems to always hit me where I need to be hit (slapped, smacked, prodded, pushed, etc.)


The first few times I just thought it was the working of the Holy Spirit. Not that I am discounting that aspect, but I think that there is more too it than that. Matt always preaches and interprets Scripture in light of the Gospel. Every verse and sermon is filtered through that lens. It is intentional on his part, and I think it is how Scripture was meant to be viewed. That is why it always hits home.


I think that is true of life in general. Shouldn't everything be filtered through the light of the Gospel? That new job (or the old one, or the lay-off, etc), how we spend our money, what we eat (ouch!), how we react to any number of given situations, where we attend church, how we dress, etc. etc. etc.


It is when we don't filter our lives through the Gospel that they start to get off track.


If you are interested in hearing some Gospel preaching, and have not already heard Matt preach, click here. But I warn you, it could be contagious and life changing.


But this is not a post to promote Matt, it is to promote us (me!) putting the Gospel more intentionally into every area of my life. (What I watch, what I blog, what I read, where I go, etc.)


So whose sermons do you like to listen to?
What are some other areas we need to intentionally apply the Gospel to?

Grace

Paul understood that his apostleship came ONLY from Jesus. It was not the result of anything he had done, nor had any man done it for him. (Gal. 1:1)


Grace is the gift of God's favor upon us (Gal. 2:15-16), and in a similar way, it is not the result of anything we have done, nor is it the result of what others might have done for us. I am not justified by what I do (works), but rather by why I do it (faith). Paul admonishes those who are trying to turn this around in Galatians 1:6,7.


The actions might look the same to those who do not understand. One gives out of obligation (works) and one out of a sincere understanding and response to the grace of God (faith). The actions look the same, but from God's perspective they are completely different.


If I try to earn God's favor, I am defeated before I begin. I cannot earn His favor. Anything I get from God is simply what He chooses to give me. That is grace.


So to live by grace is to live in response to His beauty and love. To live in a way that tries to earn God's favor is to nulify God's grace. (Gal. 2:21)

Alligator Hunting

Just got back from 8 days in Florida. Among other things, I got in some alligator hunting. Enjoy the pics!

It has been such a busy summer, and continues to be so. Sorry for the infrequent posts!