Gospel

I think my favorite part of 'God is the Gospel' is the conclusion. There's probably no better way to kindle delight in Christ than to sing. Or maybe I just say that because I'm a musician. No, I think it's true. I thought I'd quote a portion of the final chapter, including a great hymn I had not read before.

"There is no part of the gospel that should not be sung. Every facet in the diamond is a spark that had ignited fire in the soul of Christian poets who have put their pen to paper for the sake of the church."

...

"Was frag' ich nach der Welt, [by Georg Michael Pfefferkorn] published in 1667, was translated into English in 1923 by August Crull as "What is the World to Me?" Though it is not well known, it does express the many ways that Christ surpasses all that the world can offer.

What is the world to me,

With all its vaunted pleasure Click Here To Continue »

I began reading Piper's "God is the Gospel" when Zoe was born. Needless to say, I needed to read it again since not much was ingested in my semi-conscious new-dad state. I am glad I'm reading it again. Today I was reminded of the Spirit's role and ours in Evangelism and Sanctification. Piper exegetes 2 Cor. 3:18 as the basis for the book, as well as for this point.

"This is crucial to understand. It shows how Christ-exalting the Holy Spirit is. He will not do his sanctifying work by the use of his direct divine power. He will only do it by making the glory of Christ the immediate cause of it. This is the way he works in evangelism, and this is the way he works in sanctification.

In evangelism the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of sinners to see the glory of Christ who is faithfully preached in the gospel. If Christ is not preached and his glory is not exalted, the Holy Spirit does not open our eyes, for there is no glorious Christ displayed for us to see. The Holy Spirit does not do his work apart from the gospel because his work is to open our eyes to see Christ displayed in the gospel, and until the gospel is preached Christ is not there to see. ... the Spirit was sent to glorify the Son of God (John 16:14), and he will not save anyone apart from drawing their attention to the glory of the Son in the gospel. Click Here To Continue »

I haven't read much of Abraham Kuyper, but he's on my list. I was recently reminded of a quote of his which carries new meaning with me (at least I understand it anew) with our recent projects. I really believe that this is one of the most important truths which the Church must recover:

"There is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: Mine!"

The Church is not for religion, and business for economics, and politics for the state. To Christ, there are no such limits. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And what is His? Everything.