Above All by J. D. Greear–Book Review

This book surprised me because I was inspired and challenged by the message.  I expected it to be rather basic — after all, we all accept the centrality of the gospel to our life as Christians.  And yes, the author’s explanation of the gospel is theologically sound and nothing I don’t already know.  However, Greear made me see how far I actually stray from putting the gospel “above all.”  For example,

“When people in our communities think about and talk about us, they should think and talk about the gospel.  It should be both the ultimate point and the basis of every ministry and endeavor of our churches.”

Can I honestly say this about myself and my congregation?  He goes on to say that if we are truly gospel-driven:

“The question we bring to church will not be, What kind of church do I prefer?  but, What type of ministry best reaches the people in this community.”

Throughout the book, Pastor Greear invites us to place the gospel above our culture, our preferences and our politics.  He paints a beautiful picture of what would change in our lives and our churches if we truly put the gospel’s mission, hope and grace above everything else in our lives.  If you think that’s impossible, then consider that:

“The gospel is the one thing in the New Testament, other than Jesus himself, that is referred to directly as the power of God.”

Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we have that gospel power within us.  It can change our lives and the lives around us when we surrender to it.  I’d like to get our entire congregation to read this book and then wait to see how God works!

VERDICT:  5 stars

If you would like to purchase this book or learn more go to this link:

Above All

 

The Lutheran Ladies received a free copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review – Disclaimer pursuant to FTC 16 CFR Part 255

 

Tell One Another the Good News

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. Matthew 28:5-7

Even though there is not a verse that specifically says, “tell one another” I believe it’s something we need to do;  not just on Easter morning, but every day. Martin Luther said:

“We need to hear the gospel every day because we forget it every day.”

Maybe this falls under the admonishment to “instruct one another.” We Christians need to constantly hear the Gospel — Jesus Christ, died and risen for us. So greet one another this morning with the Easter greeting:  “He is risen.  He is risen indeed.”

Confession — It’s Good for the Soul

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. ” 1 John 1:8-10

Recently an elderly member of our congregation died.  The “funeral” was not held at the church because the woman’s daughter did not want the Pastor to say her mother was a sinner.  Instead, she wanted a “celebration of life” where her mother’s virtues and accomplishments were lauded.

Don’t get me wrong.  This woman was smart, funny and creative.  She had done many good things for her community, and yes, this deserved to be remembered with rejoicing.  However, as my husband puts it, “if we’re not sinners, the gospel isn’t good news.”  If we’re not sinners, we don’t need Jesus.  If we’re not sinners, we can make it on our own.  The fact that we’re sinners is the starting point for a faithful life.

The verses above tell us that when we deny our sinfulness, we’re living a lie.  Only when we confess and turn to God in true humility, will we begin to experience the freedom of forgiveness.  If you’re a Lutheran, you probably have a point, very early in the worship service, called “Confession of Sin.”  That’s so we come before God acknowledging our unworthiness.  Here’s how the one at St. Paul’s reads:

“Holy and righteous God, merciful Father, we confess to You that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed.  We have not loved You above all things, nor our neighbor as ourselves, and are worth therefore to be cast away from Your presence if You should judge us according to our sins.”

I don’t know about you, but I know if my heart that I haven’t loved God above all things –in my inner heart what I love best is myself!  And my neighbors?  Well, they’re pretty far down on my list.  I’m much more likely to criticize and complain than love them.  So guess what, that makes me a sinner.  No matter how many good works I do, no matter how many hours I pray, or worship services I attend.

Here’s the good news (also from the liturgy).

“But you have promised, O heavenly Father, to receive with tender mercy all repentant sinners who turn to You and with a living faith seek refuge in Your Fatherly compassion and in the merits of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our transgressions You will not regard, nor count them against us.”

Confession is good for the soul.  I need to do it not just weekly, but daily.  It puts me in the right place — depending on God.

What We Need to Learn Daily

Remember the Gospel

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:1-2

My husband says every good Lutheran sermon must contain both law and gospel:  law so we recognize that we are sinners and the gospel message that through Christ’s atonement we are saved.

In our daily world, it’s easy to forget both of those things.  Sin has become a bad word.  We’re told it’s not healthy to feel guilt.  We simply “made a mistake” or “used poor judgement.”  It’s easy to make excuses for our behavior that lessen our responsibility.  It’s easy to deny our faults and blame somebody else.  That goes as far back as Adam, remember?  He told God, “the woman you gave me, caused me to sin.”

But we’re made for God and without Him we feel incomplete, so no matter how hard we try, guilt creeps in.  We doubt and despair.  We try to feel good about ourselves, but the devil continually whispers to us that we’ll never be acceptable.

There’s only one cure:  go to church, confess your sins really are sins and really are yours and then hear the gospel.  My husband says that’s simple, too:  Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for me.

Did you confess your sins today?  Did you hear the gospel?  If so, you may be a Lutheran.

#1 on Luther’s Bucket List

“There is nothing I want more than to make His gospel known to the world and to convert many people.”

Martin Luther

 

 

 

Why Witness?

We witness to others out of love. God is love and the gospel is His Good News for sinners(that’s all of us.) We love others because He first loved us, and we want to share that message with the world.  Wouldn’t life be better if we loved God with all our heart, mind and soul, and our neighbors as ourselves?  What could be more loving than to tell someone about Jesus?

Thankful for the Gospel

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:37-40

This was the gospel reading in church Sunday.   Our pastor told us it is an extremely comforting verse, because it reminds us that our salvation cannot be lost.  If  we believe in Christ, if we are  one of his flock, we are His forever.  We can look forward to eternal life with Him.

Sometimes when we have been Christians for a long time, we spend so much time studying the nuances of the Bible — the historical background, the differing interpretations of different words, the things scholars and commentators have to say, that we lose sight of the basics.  We should never “assume” the gospel.  We need to hear it over and over again.

Jesus Christ died and rose for ME.  Remember that every day and give thanks!

Luther and the Gospel

” For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

For a  long time Martin Luther struggled with this verse.  Interpreting it according to the doctrines of the Catholic church at that time, he saw a wrathful God, intent upon punishing the unrighteous.  The only way to be righteous was to follow God’s laws and do good works.  The gospel was an extension of the law.

Luther was so eager to comply, to be righteous and earn God’s approval, that he spent as much as 6 hours a day in confession.  Still, he knew he could never do enough.  He was convinced of his own unworthiness and failure.

One day, in what is described as his “Tower Experience” Luther had an ‘aha’ moment.  He realized that the gospel was the free gift (grace)  of Christ’s righteousness imputed to us through faith.  God knew we couldn’t measure up and the gospel was the good news that God loved us anyway, and provided a way for our debt of sin to be paid by His Son.

This made a big difference to Martin, and it should to us.  It’s wonderful to have grown up Lutheran and to know the difference between law and gospel.  Here’s the verse that comes right before the one that brought Luther so much confusion and grief:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

Are you thankful for the gospel?  Do you understand it rightly?  Send us your thoughts and comments.