Gang Members Baptized

I read this article a while back about gang members who gave their lives to Christ and were baptized: https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/texas-church-gang-prison-baptized?fbclid=IwAR2FmsbjuobhhhGdqKmBSiWeZN2NLzp9OrI-VIyzDk2ON0O5lhsbj1OTxeM

In the United States, it’s not usually a risk to publicly profess Christ. It’s true that some people experience family alienation when they are baptized, but here it doesn’t usually lead to risk of actual bodily harm. Many of our brothers and sisters around the world are living in areas where this risk is very real. And this story is an example of that from behind prison walls in America.

This story could illustrate the fullness of commitment that we make when we repent and believe in Christ. It could illustrate the fact that Jesus does not just become our Savior, but our Lord (1 Corinthians 6). It would work with many of the passages on baptism, as well (Matthew 28, Romans 6, Colossians 2). This would also be an excellent illustration of reconciliation between Christians (Ephesians 2), as these gang members who were formerly mortal enemies are now brothers in Christ. It also illustrates faith (Hebrews 6), as these believers are trusting the Lord to take care of them in light of their courageous and dangerous decision.

Greater Love Hath No Man

I just saw this article online.  The link below is to a story from last night about a 15-year-old boy named Zaevion Dobson who, in the midst of a gang shooting, jumped on top of three little girls to protect them from bullets.  He died from his injuries, and all three girls were saved from harm.  Amazing, selfless love.  I’m praying that God will bless and comfort his family.

Here’s the link: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/crime-courts/Police-investigating-2-shootings-in-7-hours-362913061.html

This is an incredible illustration of Jesus’ words in John 15:13 about the greatest love being shown through laying down one’s life for his friends.  It also would powerfully illustrate many passages about Jesus’ sacrifice for us, like John 10:11, Romans 4:25, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:2,  1 Peter 3:18, and many more.

You could also share this illustration with youth who don’t think that they can make a difference before they are adults.  Zaevion Dobson proved that wrong.

 

Tags: Love, Sacrifice, Redemption, Gospel, John 10, John 15, Romans 4, Romans 5, Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, Youth

Michael Green on the Lord’s Supper

Found this Michael Green quote in Stott’s The Cross of Christ (p. 272-273):

“We never outgrow the fact that we are sinners still, totally dependent each day on the grace of God to the undeserving.  We do not come to offer; in the first place we come to receive.  The very nature of a supper declares this.  We are the hungry, coming to be fed.  We are the undeserving, welcomed freely at the Lord’s table.”

[The quote is from a chapter Green wrote in a book called Guidelines, edited by J. I. Packer.]

Green simply uses the idea of a “supper” to illustrate truth about the “Lord’s Supper.”  We have nothing to offer; our sacrifice of worship is only in response to Christ’s atoning sacrifice.  We come to the Lord’s Supper to receive.

This quote could illustrate all of the Lord’s Supper passages – Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and 1 Corinthians 11.  It could also illustrate passages that speak of Jesus’ sacrifice and our complete inability to save ourselves: Galatians 2, Ephesians 2, and many others.

Tags: Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, 1 Corinthians 11, Galatians 2, Ephesians 2, Lord’s Supper, Sacrifice, Worship, Grace

Alan Stibbs on the Priesthood of Jesus

I found this quote in John Stott’s The Cross of Christ, page 268.  He’s actually quoting from a lesser-known book by Alan Stibbs called The Finished Work of Christ.  The quote includes a helpful illustration on the priesthood of Jesus, especially as this role is discussed in the book of Hebrews.  Jesus offered a one-time sacrifice for all, but His priesthood is eternal.  Contrary to official Catholic theology, this eternal priesthood does not mean that Jesus is continually being sacrificed.  Stibbs writes,

“Admittedly the act of offering was necessary to constitute Christ a priest…just as the act of child-bearing is necessary to constitute a woman a mother.  But that truth does not mean in the case of motherhood that henceforth, to those who resort to her as ‘mother,’ such a woman is always giving them birth.  Her act of child-bearing is for them not only an indispensable but also a finished work.  What they now enjoy are other complementary ministries of motherhood, which lie beyond the child-bearing.  Similarly with Christ’s priesthood His propitiatory offering is not only an indispensable but also a finished work…(Now, however) as with motherhood, beyond such successful discharge of the fundamental function of priesthood there lie other complementary throne ministries of grace, which the Priest fulfills for the benefit of His already reconciled people (in particular, His heavenly intercession)” [p. 30-31 in Stibbs’ book].

You wouldn’t have to read this quote to use the idea of motherhood as an illustration of Jesus’ priesthood.  You could just explain that one act brings about both motherhood and priesthood, yet both lead to ongoing duties and ministries (and give examples of each).  This could illustrate sermons from multiple chapters in Hebrews, as well as the crucifixion passages (especially the statement: “It is finished!”).  You could also use it to illustrate verses like Mark 10:45, where Jesus talks about offering Himself for us.

Tags: Matthew 27, Mark 10, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19, Hebrews 3, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 7, Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9, Hebrews 10, Atonement, Priesthood, High Priest, Sacrifice