GOSPEL THINKING

Last week we discussed writing out a paragraph or two in our own words describing "What is the Gospel." Click Here to see previous post This has resulted in a couple of good conversations and the following email from my good brother in Christ, Jim who expressing that "it was a joy thinking through the work of God from all creation" wrote the following:

My Short View of the Gospel

Before the foundation of the world (before creation) (Eph 1:4) it pleased God to choose/predestine/foreordain a people for himself from every tribe, tongue, people and every nation, (Rev 5:9) He wrote their names in a book called the Book of Life of the Lamb. (Rev 13:8) God then created the universe including the world and everything in it. He created man in his own image. Adam, the first man, disobeyed God’s command and his disobedience brought the penalty of death to him and all of his descendants. Out of Adam's fallen race would come God’s chosen people, who would be drawn to God by the hearing of His word and would believe and trust God. Trusting God was the evidence that they were His elect. To redeem His people required a payment or ransom for their sin. God gives His people the faith/belief needed for their salvation. (Eph 2:8-9) The evidence that it would require a blood sacrifice for payment of sin can be traced from God's covering Adam and Eve with skin (Gen 3:21) and his promise of a redeemer. (Gen 3:15) The history of God's salvation begins with His mercy shown to Adam and Eve all the way to the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who was fully God and fully man, who came to pay the ransom for God’s people. Jesus is the lamb who was slain in the mind of God before the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:8) Jesus paid the ransom or penal substitutionary atonement by giving His own sinless body as a perfect sacrifice for sin. He died on a cross and His blood was adequate payment for the sin of God’s people.(1Cor 15:3-4) All those whom God has chosen will, by the gift of faith, come to Christ and will receive Him as their Savior and Lord.

Hoping soon to add my own summary I invite you also to email me your own attempts or you may use the comment section below.

The Man in the Picture

As we read through Pilgrim's Progress we have now arrived in the Interpreter's House. I'd like to come back to the Interpreter again in another post and for this reason, the description of the various things shown to Christian here has been called "A Classic Within A Classic." I couldn't agree more. But this post will be limited to the first thing shown to Christian as he enters the house, "The Man in the Picture." Note the picture at the top of this post. It's not perfect, so for that reason let Bunyan draw picture for you as your read the following: (note click here for more on the interpreter's house at the Pilgrim's Progress Commentaries.)

click here to read for yourself

Interpreter: Then said Interpreter, Come in; I will show thee that which will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him; so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it: It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head.

Christian: Then said Christian, What means this?

Interpreter: The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand: he can beget children, 1 Cor 4:15, travail in birth with children, Gal 4:19, and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas thou seest him with his eyes lift up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips: it is to show thee, that his work is to know, and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men. And whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head; that is to show thee, that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master’s service, he is sure in the world that comes next, to have glory for his reward. Now, said the Interpreter, I have showed thee this picture first, because the man whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way: wherefore take good heed to what I have showed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death.

All day have I thought of this man. And with gratitude and thankfulness to God I consider my own Godly pastor for this is Bunyan's description of the Godly pastor.

True Pastors are gifted by God and true Pastors are a gift from God.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Very Grave Person: Sober and serious about the matters of eternal consequence and the care of souls. 1Tim 3:2

Eyes Lifted up to Heaven: From whence comes our help, to whom is all our dependency. His is a God-Centered ministry. 2Cor 5:1-2, Phil 3:20, 1Pet 1:4

The Best of Books in his Hand: The godly pastor is guided by, speaks from, and filled with God's word. What other book could there be, and where else could he look? There are pastors many, but the true pastor carries the Word of God with him always.

Law of truth was written upon its lips: Speaking the word in all his counsel.

World was behind his Back: Not for money, nor fame, nor pride, not worldly advancement, it is crucified unto him and he to it. Gal 6:14, 1Pet 5:2

Stood as if it pleaded with men: Calling them to repentance, warning them to flee the wrath to come, to find all their delight and happiness in Christ. 2Cor 5:20, 1Th 2:5-12

Crown of gold did hang over its head: The world having no reward, his reward is with the God who reigns over all. 2Tim 4:7-8

Praise God for His gift, this man who is one in a thousand, the true godly pastor.

Read the following from Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan, his own appreciation, for the godly pastor who cared for his soul at the beginning of his heavenward-race:

click here for Grace Abounding: (see especially paragraph #77 and #117)
At this time, also, I sat under the ministry of holy Mr. Gifford, whose doctrine, by God’s grace, was much for my stability. This man made it much his business to deliver the people of God from all those false and unsound rests that, by nature, we are prone to take and make to our souls. He pressed us to take special heed that we took not up any truth upon trust - as from this, or that, or any other man or men - but to cry mightily to God that he would convince us of the reality thereof, and set us down therein, by his own Spirit, in the Holy Word; for, said he, if you do other wise when temptations come, if strongly, you, not having received them ithevidence from heaven, will find you want that help and strength now to resist as once you thought you had.

Advice Concerning Worldly-Wiseman

AS WE READ THRU PILGRIM'S PROGRESS I hope from time to time to bring out some thoughts which most spoke to me and my girls.

A little background and Advertisement:

My three little girls and I are reading Pilgrim's Progress together and loving it. My wife and I have long considered this book by John Bunyan next to the bible, itself, our family book. And like the Holy Scriptures, Pilgrim's Progress, unites us in our vocabulary, in our experiences, in our common understanding. As we currently read through Pilgrim's Progress we are attempting to make this a kind of Bible Study and not just the reading of a book, or a supplanting of the bible with another book. But we are looking for biblical truths, gospel insights, and those things which will cause us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We look up every verse reference cited in the text or footnotes. And hopefully and purposefully we spend a greater time discussing the Word of God than the allegory.


We have just finished Stage 1 and are beginning Stage 2 as Christian enters the Interpreters house. Only 25 pages into the book, but several hours and several days have passed already. Time forbids me from happily relating to you how much fun we had in the author's apology at the beginning of the book - or the four consecutive hours we spent on just the first 9 pages - which was tremendous.

Let's begin:

Evangelists counsel to Christian concerning Worldly Wiseman:
click here to read for yourself

Then Evangelist proceeded, saying, Give more earnest heed to the things that I shall tell thee of. I will now show thee who it was that deluded thee, and who it was also to whom he sent thee. The man that met thee is one Worldly Wiseman, and rightly is he so called; partly because he savoreth only the doctrine of this world, 1John 4:5, (therefore he always goes to the town of Morality to church;) and partly because he loveth that doctrine best, for it saveth him best from the cross, Gal 6:12: and because he is of this carnal temper, therefore he seeketh to pervert my ways, though right. Now there are three things in this man’s counsel that thou must utterly abhor.

1. His turning thee out of the way.

2. His laboring to render the cross odious to thee.

3. And his setting thy feet in that way that leadeth unto the administration of death.

First, Thou must abhor his turning thee out of the way; yea, and thine own consenting thereto; because this is to reject the counsel of God for the sake of the counsel of a Worldly Wiseman. The Lord says, “Strive to enter in at the straight gate,” Luke 13:24, the gate to which I send thee; “for strait is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13-14. From this little wicket-gate, and from the way thereto, hath this wicked man turned thee, to the bringing of thee almost to destruction: hate, therefore, his turning thee out of the way, and abhor thyself for hearkening to him.

Secondly, Thou must abhor his laboring to render the cross odious unto thee; for thou art to prefer it before the treasures of Egypt. Heb 11:25-26. Besides, the King of glory hath told thee, that he that will save his life shall lose it. And he that comes after him, and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be his disciple. Mark 8:38; John 12:25; Matt. 10:39; Luke 14:26. I say, therefore, for a man to labor to persuade thee that that shall be thy death, without which, the truth hath said, thou canst not have eternal life, this doctrine thou must abhor.

Thirdly, Thou must hate his setting of thy feet in the way that leadeth to the ministration of death. And for this thou must consider to whom he sent thee, and also how unable that person was to deliver thee from thy burden.

It was this that really jumped out at me:
Now there are three things in this man’s counsel that thou must utterly abhor.

1. His turning thee out of the way.

2. His laboring to render the cross odious to thee.

3. And his setting thy feet in that way that leadeth unto the administration of death.

Note the words "utterly abhor." For the protecting against the false counsel of a worldly-wiseman we must "HATE TO THE UTTERMOST" these three things in Worldly-Wiseman' advice.

1. Anything that would take us off of Jesus Christ. Anything that would remove us from Jesus Christ who is the way the truth and the life. John 14:6. HATE IT.

2. Anything that would make the cross of Jesus Christ a disgusting thing to you. I take this to be the gospel truth that Jesus Christ the eternal son of the living God, took upon himself our SINS, they were imputed to him and for us and in our place he died on the cross to fully satisfy all the wrath of God due towards us for our sin. "HATE TO THE UTTERMOST" anything that would lessen the gospel truth of the cross of Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Gal 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Gal 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Death on a cross is most horrible and disgusting, but the truth that Christ died for us, is precious and sweet to our soul. When a worldly-wiseman gives counsel that would obscure the cross, diminish the cross, he is making that sweet truth seem less important, and thus is really ashamed of the cross of Christ and making it odious. HATE SUCH COUNSEL UTTERLY.

3. "HATE TO THE UTTERMOST" the counsel of a worldly-wiseman which would bring you back under law for merit. The law condemns but it can never save. No enabling power in the law.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

There is wisdom in Evangelists counsel to Christian which we would do well to hear and heed. What practical advice!

It is interesting to note, that Christian, after receiving this counsel from Evangelist continues on straight for the wicket gate. Keeping the light in his eye at all times as advised. And speaking no more with nor listening to any strangers along the way wishing to help him with his burden.

"So he went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way; nor if any asked him, would he vouchsafe them an answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe, till again he was got into the way which he had left to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel."

By the grace of God we hope to continue to report on our reading through the PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

Summarizing the Gospel

In the past I've been encouraged to make an attempt to write out a summary of the gospel. It was a profitable exercise - made me think - and strengthened my grasp of the gospel. Only problem - I remember taking several notebook pages to accomplish the task. Afraid of missing anything I tried to include everything. In retrospect, I think I may have included some things that are not technically considered "the gospel" but essential truths none-the-less.

Today I'm prodding myself to make another attempt but with the results hopefully not extending much beyond a paragraph. Maybe you would like to do the same. Feel free to email me your results or use the comment section below. It would be great to have a future post displaying our different attempts at explaining the gospel in a nutshell.

To get us started consider the following which I read recently on Jason Robertson's Fide-O-Blog:

The Gospel Paragraph by Carson

D.A. Carson says that a good exercise for everyone would be to attempt to write a single paragraph putting the gospel into the storyline of Scripture. Here’s how Carson does it:

The gospel is integrally tied to the Bible’s story-line. Indeed, it is incomprehensible without understanding that story-line. God is the sovereign, transcendent and personal God who has made the universe, including us, his image-bearers. Our misery lies in our rebellion, our alienation from God, which, despite his forbearance, attracts his implacable wrath. But God, precisely because love is of the very essence of his character, takes the initiative and prepared for the coming of his own Son by raising up a people who, by covenantal stipulations, temple worship, systems of sacrifice and of priesthood, by kings and by prophets, are taught something of what God is planning and what he expects. In the fullness of time his Son comes and takes on human nature. He comes not, in the first instance, to judge but to save: he dies the death of his people, rises from the grave and, in returning to his heavenly Father, bequeaths the Holy Spirit as the down payment and guarantee of the ultimate gift he has secured for them—an eternity of bliss in the presence of God himself, in a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. The only alternative is to be shut out from the presence of this God forever, in the torments of hell. What men and women must do, before it is too late, is repent and trust Christ; the alternative is to disobey the gospel (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17).

ht: fide-o

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MBC 05/31/09 Sermon on 1Pet 2:11-12

Continuing our series from First Peter, this post is a summary of the most recent sermon preached at Morningside Baptist Church (MBC) by Pastor Dave Sowers. The audio of the sermon can be found at the "Sermon Audio Podcast" link of the website http://www.morningsidebaptist.us/. Pastor Sowers pictured to the left. As much as is possible it is hoped that these notes honor both the intent and the content of Pastor Sowers' original message. Please compare to the sermon audio podcast.

AMBASSADORS:
When visiting another country we are serving as representatives of our own country. Or even as we visit another church or a conference perhaps as a youth group recently did in preparation for the soon coming missions trip - we were acting as ambassadors or representatives of Morningside Baptist Church. As children we were acting as representatives of our families and our parents. If in another country the citizens there discerning we are from the USA may make a generalization from our behaviour that all of USA must be like us either for good or for bad.

CITIZENS OF HEAVEN:
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Seeing we are citizens from heaven, as such citizens we also represent heaven to those around us.

OUR TEXT TODAY:
1Peter 2:11-12
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Abstain from fleshly lusts.
Q. What is meant by fleshly lusts.
A. My will be done and be done however and whatever it may take to be so.

John Owen: "Be killing sin or it will be killing you."

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The flsh and the spirit banging against one another all the day long.

MAKE WAR:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

We are in a WAR -- we need to take this killing sin and abstaining from fleshly lusts very seriously -- THIS IS WAR -- MAKE WAR.

ABSTAIN -- Avoid altogether.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Make no compromise for sin in the heart. Our goal should be: NOT TO SIN AT ALL.

Consider the life of a soldrier: Is his goal: Not to be shot too many times -- or not to be shot AT ALL.

Consider your own child borrowing the family car: Should his goal be not to have too many crashes or to have NONE AT ALL.

How much more seriously should we take the war of sin against our soul.

ABstain Completely --- for the well-being of your eternal soul.

HYMN: Illustrsating the WAR.

O Great God - A Puritan Prayer Put to Music

Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Valley of Vision

Lyrics

O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Our Status: Strangers and Pilgrims. This is the third already in this epistle Peter has brought up this truth and we are only beginning chapter two.

Paraphrasing Dr. John Piper:

• We must cultivate the mindset of exiles -- sober us up and wake us up so that we don't drift with the world.
• Don't assume what is on TV is helpful to the soul.
• Don't assume that any of this is gloryfying to God.
• We got our bearings from God's word.
• Ponder what is good for the sould and honours God.
• Be aliens who get their cue from God and not the world.

1Pe 2:11 we learn that: The Christian life is a war to be fought.
1Pe 2:12 We learn that: The Christian life is a witness to the world.

What does it mean to glorify God?
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Jerry Bridges paraphrased:

• The Glory of God is the sum of all his infinite excellencies.
• Ascribe the honour and adoration due him - which is worship - worth-ship
• So that you may proclaim his excellencies and praise-worthiness.
• Reflecting his glory to those around us by our actions.
• We are to be mirrors that reflect God's excellencies to those around us.

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

They speak falsehoods.
But this is to be expected:
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Bad mouthing the Christians for no good reason.

Does our Culture portray Christians in a positive light????? or as Hypocrites, intolerants, weird. And the CULTURAL TREND SAYS GET READY FOR MORE.

TWO-FOLD Approach to this SLANDER:
1) Keep your behaviour above reproach. Sometimes christians are hypocrites, unloving, silling, obnoxious and abraisive. Live so that no one will believe the slander leveled against you.

Remember in the movie fire proof - it was said of the promonient christian in the fire house: "He is the real deal."

SEEK TO HAVE THIS KIND OF REPUTATION:
Dan 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Dan 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Dan 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

It's hard to find anybody in this category. think of the nominations and political offices currently inhabited and how hard it is to find men of integrity with a Daniel-like reputation. As soon as they are nominated out come all the ghosts of their past and present.

THE GOAL is not just to avoid slander. THE GOAL is to CALL ATTENTION TO GOD. When seeing you -- they then glorify God.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

DAY OF VISITATION:
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Similiar to Phil 2:11:
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

But when does this or will this happen?

1) In mercy maybe in this life - when they come to Christ.
2) or in the day of judgement when people must acknowledge god and God's work.

Let your light shine.
Do your deeds give God the Glory?

GOOD DEEDS:
The American view - everybody goes to heaven and especially those that do good deeds are more likely to go to heaven as a REWARD for their own good deeds.

But:
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Good works have nothing to do with entering into a right relaltionship with god. But one in -- good works are the fruit salvation.

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

FOR BELIEVERS: you are representative of God all week long and whatever you do keep your behaviour excellent.

MBC 5/17/09 Sermon on 1Pet 2:9-10

Continuing our series from First Peter, this post is a summary of the most recent sermon preached at Morningside Baptist Church (MBC) by Pastor Dave Sowers. The audio of the sermon can be found at the "Sermon Audio Podcast" link of the website http://www.morningsidebaptist.us/. Pastor Sowers pictured to the left. As much as is possible it is hoped that these notes honor both the intent and the content of Pastor Sowers' original message. Please compare to the sermon audio podcast.

Currently you may be sending out yourself or receiving INVITATIONS to share in the joy of the glad event of a graduation or marriage. Announcements are sent out, invitations made, "come and celebrate the joy of the marriage of our daughter", or the "graduation of our son." Here is cause for happiness and we desire to share it with you our friends. Todays text is contains also an invitation to rejoice together.

1Pe 2:9-10
1Pe 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

OUR CONDITION:
DARKNESS:
We were in darkness, " hath called you out of darkness"
Isa 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

Our condition without Christ is to be living presently in darkness. A darkness that we must be released from. And if we are not released then we will experience an eternal darkness.

WERE NOT A PEOPLE:
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

NOT RECEIVING MERCY:
Without Christ our condition was one of having no MERCY. We did not receive any.
Q. Is God obliged to show us mercy?
Q. Is God indebted to show mercy to us, to all?
Q. Do we deserve mercy?

A. No.

Q. What do we deserve? A. Judgment.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

To the end and for the purpose that we glofify GOD FOR HIS MERCY:
Rom 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

We were NOT MERCIED -- but now HAVE MERCY.

REJOICING GROUND:
1st Marvellous Light: "into his marvellous light: "

Marvellous defined as: click here

1. Causing wonder or astonishment.
2. Miraculous; supernatural.
3. Of the highest or best kind or quality; first-rate: has a marvelous collection of rare books.

He has called us out of darkness INTO marvellous, wonder producing, astonishing light.

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

2nd Part of a Chosen Race:
Deu 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

A chosen race who is a Holy Priesthood, a royal priesthood. Called to offer spiritual sacrifices: ie. ourselves, our bodies, thanksgiving and praise, the fruit of our lips, starting from the heart and coming forth from the mouth.

3rd Holy nation, ethnos, ethnic:
We are now part of a new dinstinct ethnic group with a unifying characteristic. Not our skin color, not our accent, our country but this --- HOLINESS.

A people for God's own possession: Belonging to God by, we Don't belong to the world, to Satan, to ourselves, but to God. This was part of the reason for the cross.

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

In addition to taking away sin by the cross we are purchased to belong exclusively to God.

LET THIS TRUTH SINK IN. LET THESE WORDS SETTLE DOWN INTO YOUR HEARTS.
Does it amaze you?

We were in darkness but called into marvellous light.

We didn't deserve mercy - yet he bestowed it upon us as a gift.

Chosen race, holy nation, his own possession.

Now we should ask: "Why did God do that?"

Was it to make us feel special?
Was it only that we should escape hell?
What reason does Peter list in verse nine.

SO THAT: We show forth his excellence.
SO THAT: We proclaim his excellence and make it known.
Isa 43:21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

PROCLAIM: clearly, with energy and conviction.

Bob Kauflin: "proclaim is to announce something officially, publically...Why God is SO GREAT,...what he has promised and accomplished"

Bob Kauflin goes on to write that "everybody is proclaiming some sort of message." What message am I proclaiming?

Proclaim the Excellency of God with all your being - at the center of who you are - of who I am let this be the focus.

Excellency: outstanding quality that shows god is the greatest being in the universe, god is worthy. This our job. It doesn't just belong to the star of heaven.

Psa 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?


So is this the message we proclaim? Do people around us hear this from us and NOT "I'm a pretty good person, God will accept me.
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

We natually assume we are acceptable but we must acknowledge that we're not. There is nothing that we can contribute that would complete our acceptance with God most high.

God has already provided the one and only way, which is Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross. Jesus lived a perfect life. Call on the name of the Lord and thou shalt be saved.

FOUR WAYS TO PROCLAIM GOD's EXCELLENCIES:
1st WORSHIP:
Worship, singing his praises, sunday school class, the preaching of the word, all that we do as we come together on Sunday designed to worship God and proclaim his excellencies.

Psa 29
Psa 96

John Piper: "worship is showing God to be blindingly glorious,...Limitless in knowledge...infinite in mercy...terrible in wrath..... and strong doses of truth" are needed to bring about "intense emotion" in the praise and worship and proclaiming of God's excellencies.

So in anticipation of coming together each week we need to be concerned to prepare our hearts, making them ready thru sober reflections upon our God, and serious consideration of the awesome privelige and the great duty of delightful, joyful worship.

2nd CONVERSATIONS WITH BOTH BELIEVERS AND UNBELIVERS:
Give God the credit.
After talking with someone will they conclude that God is important to you. Will they have heard something of the excellencies of God.

Consider the man possessed with the legion:
Mar 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mar 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Mar 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

We ought to get this paradigm into our hears.

3rd How we Serve and Work:
We ought to serve and work so that they would say "Wow, what a God they must have."
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

There is a connection between good deeds and glorifying God.

4rth Missions:
Psa 96

Psa 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Psa 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

WE HAVE A GREAT GOD WORTHY TO BE PROCLAIMED.

By His grace and for His glory.