Tag: Gospel

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JOHN 3:16: HOPE IN A SINGLE VERSE

It has been called “the greatest verse in the Bible.” If you are familiar with Scriptures then you may quickly think I refer to John 3:16. You’re right.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Now let’s look at this verse more closely part by part as a way to study it. This is a suggestion from “How to Study the Bible” included in The Open Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers).

(FOR) GOD — the greatest person;
SO LOVED — the greatest devotion;
THE WORLD — the greatest number;
(THAT) HE GAVE — the greatest act;
HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON — the greatest gift;
THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES (IN HIM) — the greatest condition;
SHALL NOT PERISH — the greatest mercy;
(BUT) HAVE ETERNAL LIFE —
the greatest result.

There definitely are great ideas revealed in this one verse. John 3:16 is likely the one verse best known by the most people. It is even more important to be known in the heart than in the head only. Do you understand the difference?

Of course, if we have opportunities to read… study… learn… meditate on additional verses then we should and will benefit. John 3:16 is a great verse with which to start.

It’s rich in its message. It’s deep in meaning. It’s great in its life-changing revelation. It’s a source of hope. May we learn it. May it lead us toward a lifelong love of the Word of God and of the God of the Word.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world but that the world should be saved through Him.” (John 3:16, 17)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

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JOHN TRANTHAM: HOPE IN SOLID FOUNDATION

During the last century sounds so long ago, but today’s blog post comes from a time more than three decades ago. However it is said it still seems a long time ago, but the message is timeless.

My family knew an old retired pastor, B. John Trantham, who loved God and sharing the gospel of hope in Christ. He did those things well with the helper God had given him when he was a young man, the sweet and (in my memories) always smiling Mrs. Trantham.

Even at an advanced age this Christian brother still had powerful thoughts and messages to share. I remember one in particular that he called Fourfold Foundation of Faith. It neatly presents John 3:16, a summary of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If any one verse could be the foundation of Christian faith, then surely it could be this one.

John 3:16 offers four important aspects: God’s Love, God’s Gift, God’s Gracious Condition, and God’s Great Salvation. This Bible verse says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“For God so loved the world” presents the first foundation part of GOD’S LOVE. “That He gave His only begotten Son” shows the second foundation part of GOD’S GIFT. “That whoever believes in Him” is the third foundation part of GOD’S GRACIOUS CONDITION. “Shall not perish but have eternal life” offers the fourth foundation part of GOD’S GREAT SALVATION.

Together these four aspects of faith are one firm foundation upon which the Christian faith can be built. Together they explain enough of the gospel for one who believes to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

One doesn’t have to know it as Fourfold Foundation of Faith. Know that trusting John 3:16 as the foundation of faith makes an eternal difference. Ponder that verse, and trust God’s Love, Gift, Gracious Condition, and Great Salvation. Do it today!

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LGBT: HOPE FOR TRANSFORMATION

Although the percentage of people identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is relatively low (according to Gallup Poll), they receive frequent press in both positive and negative ways. It is a sensitive topic to consider since many of us are impacted by at least one LGBT individual that we know, love, or identify with.

I think most Christian believers agree with a biblical view of sexuality. Brian Hobbs, Editor of “The Baptist Messenger,” wrote that it’s important that Christians are prepared “to uphold biblical sexuality but also minister with the Gospel.” *

Hobbs recently interviewed Laura Perry of Oklahoma, who lived almost 10 years as a transgender male before becoming a born-again Christian. You may go to www.baptistmessenger.com to hear that interview.

Laura also shares her story of redemption in her new book, TRANSGENDER to TRANSFORMED. She shares her past struggles and confusion, and she admits she did not find peace in the transgender life. What Laura did find was that only Christ brought her peace.

Laura shares that while her parents did not compromise biblical teaching, they maintained a loving attitude toward her. By sharing God’s grace and truth, Laura’s family was an example of Jesus Christ, Who is “full of grace and truth.” **

Her parents’ attitude helped make it easier for Laura to choose new life in Christ and freedom from the transgender lifestyle. When Laura came to Christ she came spiritually and physically and found the Peace she had been looking for all along.

If you are tempted to think that I’m a hater, notice I’m only sharing what the Bible says and sharing a real person’s transformation experience. Laura’s conversion brought her real peace and a healthier lifestyle (according to statistics). Where’s the hate in that?

God offers redemption in Christ for all, because He loves and not because He hates. I write this blog post not condemning but confessing I am “a sinner saved by grace.” ***

I find great hope in God’s power to transform any of us when we come to Him just as we are.

* The Gospel is the good news in the Bible that tells of our Hope in Jesus Christ that saves souls and transforms lives.

** “And the Word  became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

*** “Sinner Saved by Grace” (lyrics by Gloria Gaither; music by William Gaither and Mitch Humphries).

“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)

“Therefore if any man is in Christ,  he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

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THE SINGING CONTRACTORS: BUILD, SING, SHARE HOPE

Two ordinary guys from Indiana… boyhood friends, husbands, fathers, skilled carpenters,  experienced contractors… blessed with God-given talent using their voices to sing Christian gospel songs and hymn classics accapella on job sites… cell phone video has gone viral with millions of viewers!

Maybe they don’t sound like ordinary guys at all. The story of the musical journey of Josh Arnett and Aaron Gray really is remarkable.

Two ordinary contractors singing to share hope and almost immediately gaining a following of thousands of fans (of whom I am one) is more extraordinary than ordinary. Theirs is a true story, and they are real… real in their song choices, real in their Christian faith, real in their ordinary roots.

What else would singing contractors call themselves except The Singing Contractors? If you haven’t heard them yet, then go to youtube.com or their official website at thesingingcontractors.com.

“I am a little overwhelmed by how good God has been to us,” admitted Arnett.

Gray added, “As far as the fame, it’s never something we wanted or asked for, it’s just something that God has placed in our laps, and we’re just trusting that we can get His message of hope out there.”

Responses have been remarkable and indicate their music and message offer more than mere enjoyment.  At least one life has been touched in a real life-and-death way, as indicated by the following communication they received.

“Thank you so much for singing that song. It’s made me question myself and stop myself from committing suicide….” (unnamed source)

The Singing Contractors agree that is a wonderful story and say if they have done nothing else in this world and saved one life, it is worth it all to them!

It seems The Singing Contractors are good at building more than homes. They are building an important legacy of hope as they share the message of their music.

Maybe Gray and Arnett are two ordinary guys from Indiana, but they trust an extraordinary God. That makes all the difference.

 

“By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3, 4)

“Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. (Psalm 96:1, 2)

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JOHN NEWTON: BEYOND HOPE to AMAZING GRACE

John Newton was a cruel and vile man who seemed beyond hope, but he became an example of God’s amazing grace. His true story gives me hope, because his heart and life were so radically changed. The same amazing grace that transformed Newton brought hope to his contemporaries and still reaches our generation with hope today. Newton was a man of whom I could believe that if God would give him a hope and a future, then He will do the same for me.

In Newton’s own words from his diary…(March 21, 1748): “On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.”

And 57 years to the day later… (March 21, 1805): “Not well able to write; but I endeavor to observe the return of this day with humiliation, prayer, and praise.”

Of Newton and his ministry… from Christianity.com:

“Only God’s amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God. Newton never ceased to stand in awe of God’s work in his life.

…in 1764, at the age of thirty-nine, John Newton began forty-three years of preaching the Gospel of Christ.

In 1779 Newton left Olney to become rector of St. Mary Woolnoth in London. His ministry included not only the London poor and the merchant class but also the wealthy and influential. William Wilberforce, a member of Parliament and a prime mover in the abolition of slavery, was strongly influenced by John Newton’s life and preaching. Newton’s ‘Thoughts on the African Slave Trade,’ based on his own experiences as a slave trader, was very important in securing British abolition of slavery. Missionaries William Carey and Henry Martyn also gained strength from Newton’s counsel.

For the Sunday evening services, Newton often composed a hymn which developed the lessons and Scripture for the evening. In 1779, two hundred and eighty of these were collected and combined with sixty-eight hymns by Newton’s friend and parishioner, William Cowper, and published as the Olney Hymns.

The most famous of all the Olney Hymns, ‘Faith’s Review and Expectation,’ grew out of David’s exclamation in 1 Chronicles 17:16-17.* We know it today as ‘Amazing Grace.’ 

Newton lived to be eighty-two years old and continued to preach and have an active ministry until beset by fading health in the last two or three years of his life. Even then, Newton never ceased to be amazed by God’s grace and told his friends, ‘My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.'”

The words of the beloved hymn penned by John Newton acknowledges God’s amazing grace as he experienced in his own life.

AMAZING GRACE

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

T’was grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

Thru many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.” (John Newton)

 

“Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.” (John Newton)

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, … to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”  (2 Peter 1:2)

* “And David the king came and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me to here? And yet this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; for You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come and have regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.’”  (I Chronicles 17:16, 17)

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FIRST THANKSGIVING: A GREAT HOPE (Part 1)

The Pilgrims, who celebrated America’s first Thanksgiving holiday almost 400 years ago, held fast to a great hope in God and a desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To show this idea is actual fact not just my hopeful opinion, I will share writings of their well-respected Pilgrim leaders, Governor William Bradford and Pastor John Robinson. I am thankful for Governor Bradford’s detailed written record and will include many quotes to enhance this three-part blog.

After years of searching for a home where the Pilgrims could live in peace and worship freely, Bradford wrote of their strong desire to travel to the New World:

“…a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way thereunto, for the propagating and advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.”

They faced the reality and risks of such an endeavor and chose to trust Almighty God even if it might cost their lives:

“…all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be… overcome with answerable courages. It was granted that the dangers were great, but not desperate, and the difficulties were many, but not invincible… and all of them, through the help of God, fortitude and patience, might either be borne or overcome…

[But] their condition was not ordinary. Their ends were good and honorable, their calling lawful and urgent, and therefore they might expect the blessing of God in their proceeding; yea, though they should lose their lives in this action, yet they might have comfort in the same, and their endeavors would be honorable.”

They anticipated difficulties but also had enough hope to expect help from the all-powerful God they trusted:

“Yea, and as the enterprise is weighty and difficult, so the honor is more worthy, to plant a rude wilderness, to enlarge the honor and fame of our dread sovereign, but chiefly to display the efficacy and power of the Gospel, both in zealous preaching, professing, and wise walking under it, before the faces of these poor blind infidels.”

They were concerned with more than themselves and prayed for the natives in the New World:

“And first, seeing we daily pray for the conversion of the heathens… it seemeth unto me that we ought also to endeavor and use the means to convert them; and the means cannot be used unless we go to them, or they come to us. To us they cannot come, our land is full; to them we may go… that they may be persuaded at length to embrace the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus, and rest in peace with him forever.”

Their pastor, John Robinson, did not accompany the largest group of Pilgrims who left Holland to board ships in England for their journey to the New World. Instead he stayed behind to care for those physically unable to travel. Pastor Robinson genuinely cared for his flock and sent a letter with those leaving. His letter was filled with reminders of hope and help that would be read many times during challenging days ahead.

These words by Pastor Robinson show the kind of teaching they had been used to, still believed in, and would continue to rely on for needed strength:

“We are daily to renew our repentance with our God, especially for our sins known and generally for our unknown trespasses…[For] sin being taken away by earnest repentance ad the pardon thereof from the Lord… great shall be [a man’s] security and peace in all dangers, sweet his comforts in all distresses.”

(To be continued… See A GREAT HOPE Part 2)