If You’re God’s Child, Part 7

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the seventh (and final) installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child, you are blessed with the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. The question is, are you listening?

If you’re God’s child, you can rest assured that God will do whatever is necessary to complete his redemptive work in you.

If you’re God’s child, it’s grace that is your hope; grace and only grace.

If you’re God’s child, you have the choice of denying your sin or running with joy to the forgiveness you’ve been given.

If you’re God’s child, you are never called to anything you aren’t graced by God to do.

If you’re God’s child, no detail of your life is outside of the care and control of your sovereign Savior.

If you’re God’s child, the fact that the end of your story has already been determined makes God’s care in the middle secure as well.

If you’re God’s child, there is no enemy you will face that hasn’t already been defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ.

If you’re God’s child, you need to know that no dark thing in you is a surprise to the One lived, died and rose to be your Savior.

If you’re God’s child, you need to know that the righteous life of Christ freed you from having to work to gain the Father’s acceptance.

If You’re God’s Child, Part 6

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the sixth installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child, you are blessed with the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. The question is, are you listening?

If you’re God’s child, you can rest assured that God will do whatever is necessary to complete his redemptive work in you.

If you’re God’s child, it’s grace that is your hope; grace and only grace.

If you’re God’s child, you have the choice of denying your sin or running with joy to the forgiveness you’ve been given.

If you’re God’s child, you are never called to anything you aren’t graced by God to do.

If you’re God’s child, no detail of your life is outside of the care and control of your sovereign Savior.

If you’re God’s child, the fact that the end of your story has already been determined makes God’s care in the middle secure as well.

If you’re God’s child, there is no enemy you will face that hasn’t already been defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ.

If you’re God’s child, you need to know that no dark thing in you is a surprise to the One lived, died and rose to be your Savior.

If you’re God’s child, you need to know that the righteous life of Christ freed you from having to work to gain the Father’s acceptance.

If You’re God’s Child, Part 5

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the fifth installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child, you must remember that God isn’t working to build your kingdom, but for the success of his.

If you’re God’s child, you must always view yourself and your world through the window of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’re God’s child, remember that your story is marching to an end that is glorious beyond the ability of your mind to conceive.

If you’re God’s child, it’s not your job to defeat evil, your job is to resist temptation. God is in the process of bringing evil to an end.

If you’re God’s child, know that every “What if” your fearful heart can generate is about something that is ruled by your sovereign Savior.

If you’re God’s child, you have little to boast about. Your reconciliation, wisdom, submission, and strength all are gifts of your Savior.

If you’re God’s child, obedience is not an option, to treat what has been command as a personal choice is to put yourself in God’s position.

If you’re God’s chid you have been bought with a price therefore you must not in any situation view your life as belonging to you.

If you’re God’s child you have been bought with a price, so you must not in any situation view your life as belonging to you.

If you’re God’s child, the same grace that you have been given is the grace that you are called to proclaim and extend to others.

If You’re God’s Child, Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the fourth installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child you have reason for hope no matter how hard things are or how weak you feel because Christ lives inside you.

If you’re God’s child you have been given an identity you didn’t earn and blessed with potential beyond your natural gifts.

If you’re God’s child you have to accept the bad news of your sin before you can celebrate the glorious news of God’s amazing grace.

If you’re God’s child, you have been called to be an ambassador of the same grace that has given you life and hope.

If you’re God’s child, you have been called to carefully obey, but not with the motivation of achieving acceptance with God.

If you’re God’s child your personal story has been woven by grace into God’s grand and glorious redemptive story.

If you’re God’s child you must remember that your faith is deeply relational – called to loving community with God and with others.

If you’re God’s child you must remind yourself today that your walk with God is designed to be a community project from beginning to end.

If you’re God’s child you still suffer from spiritual blindness and need the personal insight-giving wisdom of the body of Christ.

If you’re God’s child, your life doesn’t belong to you anymore, to act like it does never leads anywhere good.

If You’re God’s Child, Part 3

Part 1 | Part 2 |

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the third installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child there is hope for you, not because of your wisdom and strength, but because Emmanuel is always with you.

If you’re God’s child your life is now under the personal care and attention of the Creator and King of all that is.

If you’re God’s child grace has connected you to the one thing that can give rest and satisfaction to your heart; the Lord himself.

If you’re God’s child, he has acted decisively on the cross to rescue you from seeking physically what will only be found spiritually.

If You’re God’s Child, Part 2

Part 1 |

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the second installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child you have greater potential than the sum of your parts because you’re blessed with Almighty God living inside of you.

If you’re God’s child you needn’t fear exposure – nothing could be revealed about you that hasn’t been covered by the blood of Jesus.

If you’re God’s child you don’t have to search for meaning and purpose – you’re part of the most important work in the universe, Redemption.

If you’re God’s child you don’t have to wonder about how your story will end because your future is sealed and secure in Christ.

If you’re God’s child, you needn’t run to the creation to satisfy your hungry heart – you’re now connected to the only One who can satisfy.

If you’re God’s child you live between the “already” and the “not yet” where sin still lives and grace is daily needed.

If you’re God’s child you live between two realities – enemies greater than your strength and grace that’s greater than these enemies.

If you’re God’s child you live between the war inside and temptation outside and sufficient provision has been made for both in Christ.

If you’re God’s child you are greeted every morning with new mercies, form fit for the needs of the day.

If you’re God’s child you’ve been called to obey and been given every resource you need to do what you’ve been called to do.

If You’re God’s Child, Part 1

Last year, I compiled a series of 36 blogposts based on tweets from Scotty Smith on “Signs You’re Growing in Grace.” I, and I know countless others, were greatly encouraged in the gospel by those daily tweets.  Another person who brings the gospel to bear regularly on twitter is Paul Tripp.  He has recently begun a series of tweets called “If You’re God’s Child . . . ” and I have compiled them for you as well.  Depending on how many tweets he does, I may make this into another blogpost category/series. But for now, here’s the initial installment of “If You’re God’s Child . . .”

If you’re God’s child, God has written you into his story, your future is secure and so is his grace along the way.

If you’re God’s child, you are never alone because Emmanuel has moved in and he’s not leaving.

If you’re God’s child, you don’t have to search for identity, your identity is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’re God’s child, you have strength greater than your own because the Lord Almighty lives inside you by his Spirit.

If you’re God’s child you have greater wisdom than your intellect or experience since you’re now in relationship with the One who is Wisdom.

If you’re God’s child you don’t have to have control because your Savior rules over all things for your sake and his glory.

If you’re God’s child the promise of the future grace of eternity guarantees you all the grace you need along the way.

If you’re God’s child you don’t fight sin on your own since you been blessed with the convicting, protecting, rescuing grace of the Spirit.

If you’re God’s child you’re free to admit you don’t measure up since your acceptance doesn’t rest on your obedience but on Christ’s.

If you’re God’s child, you’ve been freed from seeking horizontally what you have already been given in Christ.

War for the Gospel

I needed this timely word from Paul Tripp. From his article, Pastoral Ministry Is War:

Not only should we actively battle for the gospel as the fundamental paradigm for every ministry of the church, but we must also fight for the gospel to be the resting place of our hearts as pastors. Pastor, no one is more influential in your life than you are because no one else talks to you more. The things you say to yourself about God, you, ministry, and others are profoundly important, shaping your participation in and experience of ministry. My experience with hundreds of pastors is that many pastors sadly function in a regular state of gospel amnesia. They forget to preach privately to themselves the gospel that they declare publicly to others.

When you forget the gospel, you begin to seek from the situations, locations, and relationships of ministry what you have already been given in Christ. You begin to look to ministry for identity, security, hope, well-being, meaning, and purpose. These are things you will only ever find vertically. They are already yours in Christ. So you have to fight to give the gospel presence in your heart. Also, when you live out of the grace of the gospel, you quit fearing failure, you quit avoiding being known, and you quit hiding your struggles and your sin. The gospel declares that there is nothing that could ever be uncovered about you and me that hasn’t already been covered by the grace of Jesus. The gospel is the only thing that can free a pastor from the guilt, shame, and drivenness of the hide (“never let your weakness show”) and seek (asking ministry to do what Christ has already done) lifestyle that makes ministry burdensome to so many pastors.

So, in the war of pastoral ministry, are you a good soldier? Remember that the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, and he battles on your behalf even when you don’t have the sense to. Remember too that in Christ you have already been given everything you need to be what you’re supposed to be and to do what you’re supposed to do in the place where God has positioned you. And remember that since Emmanuel is with you it is impossible to ever be alone in the moment-by-moment war that is pastoral ministry.

Paul Tripp on Twitter on Grace

There are several reasons why I’m on Twitter, not the least of which is the numerous gospel tweets from men like Scotty Smith, Tullian Tchividjian, and Paul Tripp.  Yesterday, I took some time to compile all of Paul Tripp’s tweets on the subject of “grace” in one document.  Several people have asked me to share this, which I am glad to do.   Here’s a small sampling of the hundreds of tweets by Tripp on grace:

The unrelenting power of transforming grace is greater than the unyielding idolatry of your wondering heart.

Jesus did for you what you couldn’t do, so that you could give to him what you couldn’t give apart from his grace-your whole heart.

Face it, you and I don’t need to be tweaked, you tweak a poorly written sentence, you and I need to be radically rebuilt by grace.

Grace frees you from the weight of the law, not so you would despise the law, but so you would use the resources of grace to keep it.

Grace frees you to live horizontally what you’ve given vertically. While others hope to get, you can celebrate what you’ve been given.

Grace calls you to abandon your reliance on you because God knows that true righteousness only begins when you come to the end of yourself.

Grace: No love greater, no forgiveness more complete, no hope more secure, no peace more permanent than are found in Jesus.

Grace tells you all the things about you that you don’t want to face, while assuring you that they have all been covered by the cross.

Grace doesn’t excuse your sin, rather it pays the price for what is inexcusable.

Grace means you don’t have to hide what’s already been forgiven, or fear what’s already been defeated, or earn what’s already been given.

I encourage you to download this document and use these tweets to preach the gospel to yourself.  We need to be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:1), and God has been gracious to give us a brother like Tripp to help us understand, appreciate, appropriate, and celebrate God’s sweet and sovereign grace.

Preach it.
Believe it.
Share it.
Rest in it.

Download: Paul Tripp Tweets on Grace

The Then-Now-Then Gospel

Last week, I started reading How People Change by Paul Tripp and Timothy Lane.  In the first chapter, they address what they have called “the gospel gap” in the “then-now-then” gospel.  Here’s how they explain it:

“The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a ‘then-now-then’ gospel.  First, there is the ‘then’ of the past.  When I embrace Christ by faith, my sins are completely forgiven, and I stand before God as righteous.  There is also the ‘then’ of the future, the promise of eternity with the Lord, free of sin and struggle.  The church has done fairly well explaining these two “thens” of the gospel, but it has tended to understate or misunderstand the “now” benefits of the work of Christ. What difference does the gospel make in the here and now?  How does it help me as a father, a husband, a worker, and a member of the body of Christ?  How does it help me respond to difficulty and make decisions?  How does it give me meaning, purpose, and identity?  How does it motivate my ministry to others?” (4-5)

The gospel gap is what lies between the two “thens”.  These questions addressing the “now” of the gospel, I believe, are answered by a full and robust understanding of the centrality and sufficiency of the gospel in life and ministry.  According to Tripp/Lane, our inability to see this is due to a “gospel blindness”.  They write:

“This blindness is often encouraged by preaching that fails to take the gospel to the specific challenges people face.  People need to see that the gospel belongs in their workplace, their kitchen, their school, their bedroom, their backyard, and their van.  They need to see the way the gospel makes a connection between what they are doing and what God is doing.  They need to understand that their life stories are being lived out within God’s larger story so that they can learn to live each day with a gospel mentality” (ibid., emphasis mine)

If you’ve wondered why I’m bringing all this attention to being “gospel-centered,” it is because I want us to see the “now” of the gospel and have our eyes opened to behold God’s larger story so as to “live each day with a gospel mentality.”  We are so prone to gospel amnesia, and we need to be reminded daily of the gospel’s power to work in and through our lives to advance the kingdom in word and deed.

I encourage you to pick up the book How People Change.  So far, it’s been a great read.