Be honest.

Do you ever get the feeling that Jesus would never choose to hang out in the places we’ve built for him? Do you ever feel like Jesus’ message of radical love, mercy and forgiveness has been drowned out by the voices of judgment, condemnation, and stagnant ritualistic religion? Do you ever get the sense that the church was never meant to be about helping itself, but about helping the world? Do you ever get the nagging feeling that Jesus never intended the church to be comfortable and controlled, but instead an untamable movement that challenges the way things have always been done? Have you ever longed to be a part of a community that isn’t afraid to experience God in new and creative ways? (Yeah, us too.)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Poster2

Happy inauguration everyone!
No matter your political leanings, we can all agree that today is an historic day for our nation. A day that many believed would never come; the first African-American to be sworn in as President of the United States. No doubt our new president faces incredible challenges. May God bless him with courage and humility as he makes decisions that effect the lives of people not only in this country, but around the globe.

Last August I posted a painting that was used on a poster by a group called Heavenly Sanctuary. It soon became the most commented blog on the greenroom. It has been brought to my attention that Heavenly Sanctuary has now put out a new, updated poster. Check it out at www.heavenlysanctuary.com and let me know what you think.
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1 comment:

John said...

The message of the 'Servant' painting conveys one of the most important attributes of Christianity that Christ Himself demonstrated... Loving others as we love ourselves. That doesn't mean just DOING nice things for people but instead, desiring for them what you yourself desire.

This should be our attitude towards the lost person while at the same time, remembering our #1 purpose in life... Glorifying God.

The painting is a clear picture of serving others. The description with the painting I'm not so sure about. Where is the Gospel? God didn't send Jesus simply to teach us to love one another. He sent Him to be the attonement for our sins... to glorify the Father in the salvation of those who repent and put their trust in Him alone.

There is MUCH more to Christ than "the beauty of His person". He was (and is) God in the flesh. The perfect, Holy sacrafice. He came the first time to save the world (not simply through a social gospel). Kindness & humility are attributes of His Gospel. The forgiveness is part of the Gospel; the free grace of God to all those who RECEIVE Him. I think this distinction is important as many today believe (falsely) only that 'God is love' and all will go to Heaven because all are forgiven.
One cannot 'see' the true person of Christ or the true character of God w/o also seeing that He is a just God.

The good news is entirely about God in the sense that the Cross is the culminatian of His plan of redemption. The reconciling of mankind to God through Jesus Christ's death on the Cross.

The power of the good news comes when the Holy Spirit has humbled the heart of the unregenerate person to recognize their sinfulness and need for a savior.

God's kindness is demonstrated through His grace. As for the reference "free to experience unity".. what exactly does that mean?. Same with "God's law of love & liberty"... Meaning what?

Great picture of humility although, I think there are a few essentials missing from the Good News part.

~ktf~
John

January 20, 2009 at 2:38 PM

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