Left or Right? A Question of Mercy

The Gospel of Hope for the Broken – Steve Wilson

The Gospel of Hope. A Question of Mercy

(You can get the DVD for $10 plus postage from me.)

A Question of Mercy

When we understand he has secured everything we need we naturally follow him. When we soak in the gospel, enjoying his free grace in his word, we can’t help but obey. As we abide in him and he in us we bear much fruit (John 15:4-5).

It is the “grace of God” that is “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

When we discover in Jesus “treasure hidden in a field” we find motivation “in our joy to sell all we have to buy that field”. (Matthew 13:44)

Even your repentance ought to be motived by his love for “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

“We are to be perfected by the Spirit not the efforts of the flesh” (Gal 3:3).  As we discover in God a loving heavenly father who is pursuing our good we find his commandments are no longer burdensome (1 John 5:1-3).

Being motivated by personal determination and will-power leads us to “honor him with our lips” but our hearts may be “far from him”. (Mark 7:6, Matt 15:8).

Got a fruit problem?  Don’t strain to produce fruit.  What tree does that?  Soak in the soil of Jesus’ love and the sunshine of God’s grace.  The nutrients will find their way to every member bringing Holy Spirit empowered fruit that lasts.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5-6

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46

Trackback:  http://liftedveil.org/the-gospel-empowers-obedience/

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9JSYlZOcl8

Trackback: http://liftedveil.org/masters-charge/

What is the Bible Basically About?

__________________
(Trackback: http://liftedveil.org/what-is-the-bible-basically-about/)

Not a bad summary of Philippians.  Rap ain't too bad either but if you're not into it mute the sound - still worth a watch.

 ”Our life is nothing but Christ is all so conduct yourselves worthy of his righteous call!”

I’ve pasted here (http://liftedveil.org/diagrams-of-the-biblical-covenants/) what I came up with plus what has been sent to me by a friend.  They should be downloadable by right-clicking on the links and saving them.  See also the zip file below with all of them together.

1a.  Simplified Chart:-  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/1a_NCT_View_Simplified_ShaneBecker.pdf

1b.  Expanded Chart:-
http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/1b_NCT_View_Expanded_ShaneBecker.pdf

(The only note I’d add is that the above diagrams could be read as saying there were no spiritual aspects to the Old/Mosaic covenant.  There was, however that didn’t define the covenant or its membership. Being part of National Israel defined the membership of that covenant Deut 4:13, 5:1-3).

2a.  Chart from Kyle Frampton:- http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/2a_NCT_CT_DT_Diagram_fromKyleFrampton.pdf

2b.  Notes from Kyle:- http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/2b_NCT_CT_D_Notes_fromKyleFrampton.pdf

I also have these developed earlier which may be of interest.

3.  New Covenant Newness Table:  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/3_NC_Newness.pdf

4.  Primary Redemptive Covenants Table (Abrahamic, Old, New).  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/4_CovenantsTable.pdf

(Again, in table format the covenants can appear a bit ‘flat’.  I think viewing this table along side ’1b’ above will be a good way of getting a handle on things.  Also, I’m not sure that now I’d speak of the Lord’s Supper as the sign – singular – of the New Covenant.  It certainly is identified as the primary ceremonial sign.  Now, I’d probably speak of the signs – plural – of the New Covenant. Don’t know. I think the table is still correct – maybe needs minor qualification to identify ‘Primary Physical Sign’ or something.)

5.  Sabbath Timeline:  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/5_SabbathTimeLine.pdf
(This was developed to aid discussions with Sunday Sabbaterians.  I should add a box 9 at the end to identify Christ as our eternal Sabbath rest per Colossians 2).

Folder:  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/

Zip-File of all the above Charts and Tables:
http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/NCT_Tables.zip
(Right click and save it to download).

I’m also expecting a diagram, which is a work in progress, from Josh Wood outlining where different people sit on the continuity/discontinuity line.  I’ll past it here also when it is completed.

And of all my charts and stuff, this is my all time favorite illustration that I developed a few years back (although it is not directly related to the subject at hand):-

6.  Oar That’s Hard: http://treasuringchrist.com/_TCCC/Hard_26Apr06.swf : )

Your brother in Christ,

Shane Becker.

___

(Trackback Link: http://liftedveil.org/diagrams-of-the-biblical-covenants/ )

D. M. Lloyd-Jones, Romans: An Exposition of Chapters 7.1-8.4 (Edinburgh, 1973), page 61.

Source: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/