The word "Gospel" has become a word crutch. What I mean is that when you can't think of something to say, you say "Gospel". I am guilty of this in my preaching many times and in my conversation about spiritual things even more.
We hear about gospel centered Bible studies, gospel centered mission, gospel center relationships. All of this leads to confusion and serves to move us away from the actual gospel.
That being said, my favorite teacher on the subject of the gospel is Matt Chandler and he came with a book recently called, "The Explicit Gospel". I picked up a copy with the above two paragraphs in mind and sort of fed up with our fascination and misuse of the term. But, it was Chandler, so I bought it and gave it a read.
This whole blog post is about me asking you to go get this book and read every word. Please, go here and get a copy. They are also on sale at Lifeway.
I have been reading this book in the park this week during my lunch hour. Every time, as I walk back to my office, I find myself thanking God for the gospel and for Matt Chandler.
Thanks for reading.
Men, husbands and sacrifice
A recent post on Facebook got a bit of attention and I have had some men talk to me recently saying they desire to be a better husband. It is also a big purpose for my life to lead men to be better husbands and fathers.
With that in my consciousness, I read this excerpt from The Explicit Gospel today. "The hard-won lesson I've learned in marriage, something I'm very grateful for knowing now, is that there are some thing in my wife's heart and some struggles she faces in life that I cannot fix. It doesn't matter how romantic I am; it doesn't matter how loving I am; it doesn't matter how many flowers I send, or if I write her poetry, or if I clean the kitchen, or if I take the kids and let her go have girl time- I am powerless to fix Lauren (Matt's wife).
Doing all those things to minister to her are right and good, but there are things in my girl I just can't fix, things that are between her and the Lord. Just like there are things in me that she can't love me enough to overcome. But the only way I would ever have learned this is the try, try, try- try to fix her, let her try to fix me and then watch the escalating conflict that takes place when we try to do that."
This excerpt comes from a chapter where Chandler is talking about the Old Testament sacrificial system and manipulating God or earning something from Him. All of those things that he lists in this excerpt are things that I have told men to do, they are things that I strive to do for Jen on a consistent basis. But many times when we do these things we do them out of self centered motives. When they are rooted there, they are worthless. In fact, they are worse that worthless they are counter productive. These actions flow out of a desire that is birthed by the gospel. Don't quit reading now, this is the important part.
The spiritual well being and communion of her heart with God is the primary focus of our husbandhood. The spiritual well being of my bride and her pure communion with the Father is at the center of my ministry. What I mean is that there is nothing more important in what I do that the spiritual well being and pure communion with the Father. Preaching, parenting, vision casting for church, teaching Bible studies, leading men, blogging, and anything else I spend my time doing are secondary at best to that one thing. Because I know this and because I preach it to myself 20 times a day, it has become part of me.
So I spend my day in prayer for my bride. Prayer is not always, "Dear God...blah blah blah...Amen." Many times it is just carrying burdens, a thought directed to the Spirit of God or just thinking about her in a prayerful mindset. I also have a longing in me as a result to read scripture to her as we go to sleep each night. These things usually turn me into the sort of husband who does the things that Chandler listed in the excerpt above.
Take a moment now to pray for your wife and pray for God to put her on your heart to pray for without ceasing.
Thanks for reading.
With that in my consciousness, I read this excerpt from The Explicit Gospel today. "The hard-won lesson I've learned in marriage, something I'm very grateful for knowing now, is that there are some thing in my wife's heart and some struggles she faces in life that I cannot fix. It doesn't matter how romantic I am; it doesn't matter how loving I am; it doesn't matter how many flowers I send, or if I write her poetry, or if I clean the kitchen, or if I take the kids and let her go have girl time- I am powerless to fix Lauren (Matt's wife).
Doing all those things to minister to her are right and good, but there are things in my girl I just can't fix, things that are between her and the Lord. Just like there are things in me that she can't love me enough to overcome. But the only way I would ever have learned this is the try, try, try- try to fix her, let her try to fix me and then watch the escalating conflict that takes place when we try to do that."
This excerpt comes from a chapter where Chandler is talking about the Old Testament sacrificial system and manipulating God or earning something from Him. All of those things that he lists in this excerpt are things that I have told men to do, they are things that I strive to do for Jen on a consistent basis. But many times when we do these things we do them out of self centered motives. When they are rooted there, they are worthless. In fact, they are worse that worthless they are counter productive. These actions flow out of a desire that is birthed by the gospel. Don't quit reading now, this is the important part.
The spiritual well being and communion of her heart with God is the primary focus of our husbandhood. The spiritual well being of my bride and her pure communion with the Father is at the center of my ministry. What I mean is that there is nothing more important in what I do that the spiritual well being and pure communion with the Father. Preaching, parenting, vision casting for church, teaching Bible studies, leading men, blogging, and anything else I spend my time doing are secondary at best to that one thing. Because I know this and because I preach it to myself 20 times a day, it has become part of me.
So I spend my day in prayer for my bride. Prayer is not always, "Dear God...blah blah blah...Amen." Many times it is just carrying burdens, a thought directed to the Spirit of God or just thinking about her in a prayerful mindset. I also have a longing in me as a result to read scripture to her as we go to sleep each night. These things usually turn me into the sort of husband who does the things that Chandler listed in the excerpt above.
Take a moment now to pray for your wife and pray for God to put her on your heart to pray for without ceasing.
Thanks for reading.
Pulling Weeds
A couple of nights ago my wife and I got into a fight. I could tell you about the details of the fight, but I would rather tell you about the root of the fight and the lesson God taught me in it.
After the fight blew up, I went outside to our back patio to sit and be angry. The anger gave way to the Spirit of God nudging me to my failings as a husband and pastor in the midst of the fight. That gave way to prayers of repentance. That gave way to me seeking find a way to serve my wife.
In the midst of all that I read the Bible on my phone. I began reading James. Specifically James 1:12-20 with special emphasis on James 1:19-20. The anger of a man does not produce the righteousness of God. This leveled me. I talk to my wife and the people who God has given me to pastor about loving their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. I say this often. Yet here I was yelling in anger at her trying to get her to see things my way. The anger of a man does not produce the righteousness of God.
So after this leveling, I start looking for something to do to serve her. I am outside sitting on the patio. Many who read this know that my house was hit by a tornado about a year ago and we just moved back in about 2 months ago. That meant the flower beds that border our patio have had no attention in 12 months. So I start pulling weeds. Did I mention that it is midnight? I have my phone's flashlight rigged up to shine on the area and I start digging weeds.
As I do, my mind goes to this idea. I have enjoyed the fruit of my marriage for a long time with little to know work on pulling the weeds. So now instead of colorful flowers in the flower bed, there are weeds and glass from broken windows from the tornado scattered around the flower bed.
Scriptures calls men to be to their wives as Christ was the to the church. Scripture calls us to act as Christ did by not clinging to our rights but instead to take on the nature of a servant.
My lesson is this, I have to engage in the continual practice of repentance and removing sin from my heart. This is a tweet that sent out that night in the middle of the literal and spiritual weed pulling, "Simply enjoying the provision of God w/o engaging the pruning work of repentance will leave your soul filled with weeds. #firsthandknowledge"
Thanks for reading.
After the fight blew up, I went outside to our back patio to sit and be angry. The anger gave way to the Spirit of God nudging me to my failings as a husband and pastor in the midst of the fight. That gave way to prayers of repentance. That gave way to me seeking find a way to serve my wife.
In the midst of all that I read the Bible on my phone. I began reading James. Specifically James 1:12-20 with special emphasis on James 1:19-20. The anger of a man does not produce the righteousness of God. This leveled me. I talk to my wife and the people who God has given me to pastor about loving their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. I say this often. Yet here I was yelling in anger at her trying to get her to see things my way. The anger of a man does not produce the righteousness of God.
So after this leveling, I start looking for something to do to serve her. I am outside sitting on the patio. Many who read this know that my house was hit by a tornado about a year ago and we just moved back in about 2 months ago. That meant the flower beds that border our patio have had no attention in 12 months. So I start pulling weeds. Did I mention that it is midnight? I have my phone's flashlight rigged up to shine on the area and I start digging weeds.
As I do, my mind goes to this idea. I have enjoyed the fruit of my marriage for a long time with little to know work on pulling the weeds. So now instead of colorful flowers in the flower bed, there are weeds and glass from broken windows from the tornado scattered around the flower bed.
Scriptures calls men to be to their wives as Christ was the to the church. Scripture calls us to act as Christ did by not clinging to our rights but instead to take on the nature of a servant.
My lesson is this, I have to engage in the continual practice of repentance and removing sin from my heart. This is a tweet that sent out that night in the middle of the literal and spiritual weed pulling, "Simply enjoying the provision of God w/o engaging the pruning work of repentance will leave your soul filled with weeds. #firsthandknowledge"
Thanks for reading.
House Fire :: Update and new needs
Thanks so much to all who have responded to the needs of the Bass Family who lost everything in their rental house to a fire with no insurance. We've raised $1000 and tons of clothes, shoes & toys, etc. I spent several hours with the Bass Family yesterday. They joined us for brunch after church and then I helped them get all the donations to their new temporary residence. Today, Monday, they are moving in with family until the rental house is remodeled. The house they are staying in will have 11 kids (6 of their own) and 4 adults, so it will be a bit crazy for them but they are very thankful to have a place to stay. If any of you ever want to take their kids out for a few hours, they would love it. They have been overwhelmed by the response of many and haven't stopped saying thank you.
Updated needs:
As they receive donations, they are keeping me up to speed on what they still need and no longer need. Here is the updated list of needs:
3 Comforters & Sheets (Twin)
Socks
Under clothes / Underwear (Bras 34a & 36b)
T-shirts
Toys
Food
Boy's shorts (sizes 4, 7, 8, 12)
Girl's shorts (size 5)
Men's shorts (size 32 & 38)
Towels
Washing powder
Ladies clothes size 7 & med tops
Wii video games & controllers for boys
Soap, lotion, toothpaste, etc
School supplies - 4 book bags for kids (3 boy, 1 girl), paper, pencils, notebooks, etc
Clothing sizes: boy's 4T, 7, 8 & 12; girls 5 junior & small tops; men's size 32 pants & medium top. Women's size 6-8 and men's XL
Their greatest need is financial. Carlos has a good job but the time he has had to take off work is unpaid. Tessie does not have a job as a stay-at-home mom, but I'm working with her to try to find a job (if you have any leads let me know).
(Put "house fire" in the designation box)
Here is a link to the previous blog I wrote with the story.
Thanks for being the hands and feet of Jesus to this amazing family! I'll keep you posted!
For His Name!
Dave
dave@northchurchstl.com
Eph 3:20
Updated needs:
As they receive donations, they are keeping me up to speed on what they still need and no longer need. Here is the updated list of needs:
3 Comforters & Sheets (Twin)
Socks
Under clothes / Underwear (Bras 34a & 36b)
T-shirts
Toys
Food
Boy's shorts (sizes 4, 7, 8, 12)
Girl's shorts (size 5)
Men's shorts (size 32 & 38)
Towels
Washing powder
Ladies clothes size 7 & med tops
Wii video games & controllers for boys
Soap, lotion, toothpaste, etc
School supplies - 4 book bags for kids (3 boy, 1 girl), paper, pencils, notebooks, etc
Clothing sizes: boy's 4T, 7, 8 & 12; girls 5 junior & small tops; men's size 32 pants & medium top. Women's size 6-8 and men's XL
Their greatest need is financial. Carlos has a good job but the time he has had to take off work is unpaid. Tessie does not have a job as a stay-at-home mom, but I'm working with her to try to find a job (if you have any leads let me know).
(Put "house fire" in the designation box)
Here is a link to the previous blog I wrote with the story.
Thanks for being the hands and feet of Jesus to this amazing family! I'll keep you posted!
For His Name!
Dave
dave@northchurchstl.com
Eph 3:20
House Fire :: Help a family who lost nearly everything
A family of 8 who live in North St. Louis County had a tragic house fire on Thursday morning, March 29. Thankfully no one was injured but they lost nearly everything due to fire, water or smoke damage. Their living room, kitchen and dining room were salvageable but their bedrooms were a total loss. Carlos and Tessie have 6 children, 5 boys (4, 7, 9, 11, 17) and 1 girl (14). Tessie isn't working right now, and they don't have a lot of extra money for this type of unexpected expense. They have been staying in a hotel, but I don't know how long that arrangement will be in place. When I spoke with Tessie earlier, she said they pretty much need everything, but especially need things for the kids. I am wondering if there is any way you could help them - if you have unused household items or items for the children would you please let us know. We are trying to do as much as we can to help them out - especially by praying for Tessie, Carlos and the 6 kids. Praise God no one was injured in the fire, but all are shaken up and having trouble dealing with this.
Currently their biggest need is a place to live. Also the need for toiletries, everyday items, toys, clothes, money, etc...
Clothing sizes: boy's 4T, 7, 8 & 12; girls 5 junior & small tops; men's size 32 pants & medium top. She says they can use any and all clothing. Women's size 6-8 and men's XL
Shoe sizes: Size 9 toddler (boy), Size 11 ½ kids (boy), Size 2 kids (boy), Size 5 (boy), Adult ladies 7, Adult male 9, Adult ladies 6 ½.
(Put "house fire" in the comment box)
For other donation information please call Dave at 314.504.2864. Thanks to all who have already responded and those who will respond. Above all else please pray for this family in their terrible loss.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave Kuntz
Currently their biggest need is a place to live. Also the need for toiletries, everyday items, toys, clothes, money, etc...
Clothing sizes: boy's 4T, 7, 8 & 12; girls 5 junior & small tops; men's size 32 pants & medium top. She says they can use any and all clothing. Women's size 6-8 and men's XL
Shoe sizes: Size 9 toddler (boy), Size 11 ½ kids (boy), Size 2 kids (boy), Size 5 (boy), Adult ladies 7, Adult male 9, Adult ladies 6 ½.
(Put "house fire" in the comment box)
For other donation information please call Dave at 314.504.2864. Thanks to all who have already responded and those who will respond. Above all else please pray for this family in their terrible loss.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave Kuntz
Financial giving principle #3
3. How you manage your money is a lens into the condition of your heart.
Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It makes sense right? Where a person invests himself shows what he loves most. Time is one way we invest in something. Take sports for example, we invest time in watching, playing, reading and talking about the sports we love. But if you think about it, it's very difficult to invest time into something for very long without eventually investing money into it as well. Before too long we are buying tickets to games, getting the sports cable package, paying to get in a league, buying new equipment, etc. Or take for example dating. You find someone you are interested in and you begin to spend time with that person. The more time you spend with them the more you being to invest financially into that relationship. Why? Because simply going to the park and hanging out talking isn't enough. You want to go on a date, get dinner, go to the movies, get them a gift, etc. Before you know it, you are buying them a ring and a house. It's a natural progression that Jesus is saying shows your passions. Neither a love for sports or relationships are wrong by any means. They are just simply to be very secondary to our pursuit and love for Jesus. He isn't our hobby - "I'm a musician, love art, fix cars, follow Jesus, etc.” Rather, your identity as a follower of Jesus encompasses everything you do as a musician, artist and mechanic. This mission of God defines those hobbies where you live and act within them as a child of the King seeking to bring redemption to those spheres of life. Let’s be honest, simply going to church is a pretty lame hobby…and Jesus teaches us that our money reveals much about our motives and passions.
Financial giving principle #2
2. God wants your heart before he wants your money.
2 Corinthians 8:5 (ESV)
5 They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Most Christians have a bent toward religion (God accepts me because I obey him). There is a great danger here especially when it come to giving financially to the local church. If we are not careful, we'll view it as buying God's favor (literally), which will breed begrudging submission, rather than joyful obedience. Joyful obedience always flows out of unearned favor wrought through the finished work of the Son of God in his righteous life, perfect death and fulfilling resurrection. Naturally we just want to give God some of our money so he'll "get off our back" and then we can do whatever we want. That natural tendency says, "God be my savior, but I'll be my own lord." But God's got something so much bigger and better for us. He says, "I want to be your savior AND Lord" and how you handle your money, specifically in your giving to the local church, indicates whether he is your God or you are your own god.
