Third Session – I am not ashamed of an “offensive” Gospel

Tags

gift of salvation, Romans, theology

We live in a culture that is offended by the true message of Jesus Christ. Offended you say?  Can’t be – isn’t Christianity telling us to “love our neighbour” and “do good?”  Well, yes, but it also tells us that we’re terrible at it.

This is what’s really insulting and offensive about the Gospel.  It tells us that we are all losers when it comes to being a “good person.”  It tells us that the only way to be saved and to find favour with God is to receive His free gift of salvation.

But that’s not all – it also tells us that we are so sinful and wicked that the only way we can be saved was through the death of the son of God.

And that would be very insulting to us.  If it weren’t true.  But it is…

And this is why Paul when he writes to the Romans says that he’s not ashamed of the Gospel because it’s the power of God for salvation.  In other words the Gospel is upsetting because it reveals the truth about true and it saves sinners like me.  What about you?

Come and learn more what the Bible really teaches on Wednesdays @ 1:30-3:30 PM at PB 210 in the Leslie Dan Pharmacy Building.

HOMEWORK for this week: Read Romans 1:1-17

Verse 17:

1. What does the word “righteousness” mean here?
2. What does it mean to you to “live” by the righteousness of faith? (v.17)
3. Read the 5 M’s handout and begin memorizing Romans 1:16-17.

Final Week – What is a Christian? Part two: Faith

Tags

charles blondin, theology

This past Wednesday was our final meeting for the Spring semester. We completed our look at the Gospel of Mark by examining the topic of faith.  We discussed how faith in God is not just an intellectual faith.  As the Bible says, “even the demons believe and shudder” (James 2:19).  True faith in Jesus Christ means that we not only have knowledge of the way of salvation but that we approve of it and trust in it.  The classic illustration of this is the case of Charles Blondin, the famous Niagara Gorge tightrope walker (pictured at left).  He was famous for doing this on a regular basis (likely before the widespread adoption of liability waivers!).  He did some crazy things like cook breakfast on a tightrope over Niagara Falls.   Now, there are several versions of this story, but, the one depicted in the picture has to do with part of Blondin’s act.  He had a habit of asking people if they believed that he could carry them across the gaping Niagara gorge (on his back or in a wheelbarrow or whatever).  Then when many people would say “sure you can” he would test their faith in his abilities by responding “hop on!”  Now, interestingly, depending on the version of the story the only people who would take him up on his offer tended to be people who really knew and believe in him.  In the picture at left, it was his manager.  In another version of the story it was his mother.

How does this relate to faith?  Well, it’s one thing to say that you believe in Jesus Christ, it’s entirely a different thing to entrust your life in Him.  Blondin illustrates the difference between a false “fire insurance” Christianity and a Christianity that is based on a real relationship, a real dependancy on God in all things and all areas.  Faith in Christ is a gift from God that enables us to know, approve and trust in Him.

Over the past 10 weeks it’s been my joy and pleasure to work with all the students who came out to our bible study.  I look forward to more “Exploring Biblical Christianity” together in the fall semester.