Trinity Sunday Sermon: 1 John 4:7-12
Introduction to Exodus
Rules or Rest: Luke 6:1-11
Blog
A Poem For Trinity Sunday
Perhaps my favourite verse of Scripture - notice the roles of the three Persons:
“The Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to Streams of Living Water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)
And so...
For our anxious little realm,
for the fears that overwhelm…
There is a throne.
For mistakes we can’t forget
and the sins that still beset…
We have a Lamb.
For our lost and lonely hearts,
for our gnarled and tangled paths…
We have a Shepherd.
For our dry and listless souls
and our thirst for being whole…
We have a Stream.
For regret and ravaged years,
for all sweet and bitter tears...
We have a Father.
For treks through burning sands,
To our home in promised lands,
This hope till all is done:
Our God the three-in-one.
Trinity Resources
You all know it's four days till Trinity Sunday right?
If I had one piece of advice for preachers it's this: Trinity is not weird. If your people are Christians they already know the Trinity. If they've ever prayed to their Father in the name of Jesus, they know the Trinity intimately. If they've ever grasped that the Spirit brings them the presence of Jesus, they are deeply trinitarian. If they know that Jesus is the Way to the Father they are profoundly Trinitarian theologians. They may not know the grammar of technical Trinitarian theology but they know the Trinity. Trinity is the shape of their Christian lives, prayer and worship. Don't come across like you're telling them something strange and impossible to grasp. Trinity is a truth that has already grasped them and they know it even if they don't quite know the language for it.
Here are some Trinity links with descriptions to get you thinking, praying, worshipping, preaching...
The Trinity means relationship, radiance, room and response in the life of God. The alternative to the Trinity is Satan, self-absorption, stoicism and slavery. It really is the Trinity or hell...
Trinity Sermon: Slaves or Sons
Trinity means the difference between slaves and sons. Miss Trinity and you'll never be free.
One is based on "To God be the Glory" by Fanny Crosby, the other is a round.
321: The Story of God, the World and You
A Trinitarian gospel outline that exists as a video, a course, a book, a tract and a T-shirt. Ok not a T-shirt but the other things are true
God is not revealed in His Twin
The Father is perfectly revealed, not by His Twin, not by a Clone, but by Someone who is His Complement. The Father is revealed in His Son, the Firstborn, His Image, His right-hand Man-Priest. Self-differentiation is at the heart of God’s revelation. Jesus is not the same as His Father and yet fully reveals Him. More than this – this difference is of the essence of the divine self-disclosure. Self-differentiation in communion is the being of God – all of this is perfectly revealed in, by and through Jesus of Nazareth....
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The Creed has no interest in defining an ousia (being) of God first and then assigning this essence to each of the Persons. The Creed does not have a lengthy prologue before discussing the Father, Son and Spirit. It simply unfolds the being of God as the interplay of these Persons in their roles and relations...
The vital phrase which calls Jesus "of one being with the Father" does not follow a prior discussion of "the being of God." Nicea does not first consider a general essence of deity and then apply it to Jesus. No the very first mention of "being" is in the relationship of Father and Son.
As TF Torrance says in Trinitarian Faith, "The Father/Son relationship falls within the one being of God." This oneness upholds the distinction (as well as unity) of Father and Son...
There are genuine differences in Persons that in no way compromise their equality of divinity. There is never a time when the Son is not "one being" with the Father nor is there a time when the Son is not begotten of His Father. Therefore there is not a being of the Father that could ever be separately conceived and then assigned in equal measure to Father, Son and Spirit. Instead the being of God is a mutually constituting communion in which Father, Son and Spirit share. The being of the Trinity consists in three Persons who are one with each other. While Nicea does not say explicitly that the being is the communion of Persons, it points decidedly in this direction...
The divine nature is constituted by difference, distinction, mutuality, reciprocity – it is a divine life (a dance even!) not a divine stuff.
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...Starkly put, who cares if the eternal Son is God if we can’t say the same of Jesus of Nazareth! It’s Jesus of Nazareth who says ‘If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.’ (John 14:9) It’s Jesus of Nazareth who says ‘Son your sins are forgiven.’ (Mark 2:5) It’s the Man Jesus who lives our life and dies our death. If salvation is truly from the LORD then it has to be Jesus ‘born of the virgin Mary and suffered under Pontius Pilate’ who is declared fully God. Nicea necessarily and clearly does this.
And what does this mean? It means that before we’ve even gotten to Chalcedon we’ve affirmed that the Person of Jesus who is fully man and fully God exists entirely within the circle of divine fellowship which constitutes the being of God. Jesus the Man is of one being with the Father. If we could not affirm this then the revelation of Jesus would not be the revelation of God (contra John 14). If we could not affirm this then the salvation of Jesus would not be the salvation of God (contra Mark 2). But no, Jesus and the Father are one – not simply ‘the Son’ and the Father...
...Thus His full humanity in no way contradicts His full deity. The Man Jesus exists fully and without remainder within the circle of divine life. Chalcedon upholds the full integrity of Christ’s humanity, the complete perfection of His divinity, the absolute unity of His Person. What Chalcedon does not say, and what it must never be made to say, is that there is a humanity to Jesus that is beyond or outside the divine homoousios. Nicea has for all time assured us that the Man Jesus fully participates in the circle of triune fellowship which is the divine nature.
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Arianism and Modalism: Falling Off Either Side of the Wrong Horse
...With Arianism and Modalism, Jesus gets either squashed down or squished in. When the "One God" is defined without Jesus, He will always lose out. Arius will allow Him to be Jesus and not God, Sabellius will allow Him to be God and not Jesus. But fundamentally these errors are not so different because they both assume a pre-conceived ‘One God’ before they think of Christ.
This leaves us no option but to begin with a doctrine of God that expressly includes the mutual relations of Father and Son. The "One God" must accommodate relationship from the outset. Nothing else will allow Jesus to be Jesus and God.
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When we unfold the trinitarian life of God in His gospel work, we’re not simply adding a level of detail to functionally unitarian ‘God’-speak. Trinity is not just a nuancing of more basic truths. To speak of trinity is to uncover a logic which alters the way we conceive of everything, from the ground up.
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Have you ever heard someone say:
“Ah yes you’re emphasising the trinity. That’s well and good. But let’s not forget the unity of God.”
And I say…. huh!?
The trinity is the unity of God!! Trinity means tri-unity. In that one word (that one doctrine) we have both the oneness and the threeness of God. God is three Persons united. That’s what trinity means. Trinity gives us everything we need to articulate the One and the Three...
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This post lists 24 OT Scriptures that must be understood multi-Personally or they are misunderstood...
My point is not that the OT betrays hints, shapes and shadows of triune structure,
My point is not that NT eyes can see trinitarian themes in the OT,
My point is not that we go back as Christians and now retrospectively read the trinity into the OT,
My point is not that the OT gives us partial suggestions of trinitarian life that are then developed by NT fulfillment,
My point is that these texts read on their own terms and in their own context (as the Jewish, Hebrew Scriptures that they are) demand to be understood as the revelation of a multi-Personal God. The only proper way to understand these texts is as trinitarian revelation. These texts are either to be understood triunely or they are mis-understood – on their own terms or any others...
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Click the Trinity tag for over a hundred other posts.
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The Evangelists Podcast
You all subscribe right?
Here's the last couple of episodes:
Episode 95: "Your God will be my God and your people, my people"
If that's conversion, what does evangelism look like?
Episode 96: Faith as a Force for Good:
The recent Faith Action Audit from the Cinnamon Network revealed £3 billion worth of faith-based social action happening in the UK annually. What does this mean for evangelism?
This episode begins a series on evangelism and social action. How have they been co-ordinated historically? How should we consider them theologically?
Economics: Andrew Wilson and Vishal Mangalwadi
A great talk by Andrew Wilson on Economics:
Economics from Kings Church on Vimeo.
He identifies 3 false bogeymen: Profit, Credit and Inequality.
None of these are bad.
What's bad is: Greed, Laziness and Envy
The solution is: Generosity, Diligence and Thankfulness
These flow from the gospel of grace: all is a gift.
It put me in mind of Vishal Mangalwadi's excellent 'The Book That Made Your World'. Mangalwadi writes compellingly of how western culture has been decisively shaped by Christianity - from politics to philanthropy to science to medicine to economics.
On economics, he makes the point that ancient cultures only display or hoard their wealth. Investing wealth doesn't occur to ancient peoples. This is mainly because our default assumption is to consider the world as a closed system - there are finite resources that get whittled down with every act of consumption. Economics, to the natural mind, can only ever be a zero-sum game. If I want money, I'll go to war to get wealth. But if I win, you must lose. This is the natural mindset of fallen humanity.
Jesus comes to earth with a heavenly abundance. Because He is a gracious gift from the Father, the closed system of this world is opened out to a fullness that we don't deserve. The kingdoms of this world may go to war over a finite set of resources but the kingdom of heaven is the realm of a generous Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children. What's more these gifts, when passed on, multiply. The kingdom of Christ is a shining reality, spreading its goodness. It is a sowing reality, multiplying its life. It is an investing reality, sharing its gifts. (See my recent sermon from CCK on Shining, Sowing, Investing). And in the shining, sowing and investing there is exponential growth.
All of this overturns the tit-for-tat of the flesh. Christianity brings a vision of abundance to the world that released people from fear and beckoned them to risk in the cause of a growing kingdom. It brought a gracious dynamic to a people who were used to keeping themselves to themselves. And it commanded a people who had "freely received" to "freely give."
Add to this moral factors like: a large degree of honesty in Christendom without which financial systems cannot flourish.; the elimination of corruption; the dignity of man (which means we don't want slaves to do menial tasks, we invent machines to do it)...
And then, from the reformation onwards, add in a theology of vocation in every walk of life plus a 'Protestant work ethic' and you've got all the ingredients for a flourishing economy.
But take Christ and His kingdom out of the equation and you're only left with limited resources, limited hopes, tit-for-tat dynamics and fear, pride and envy calling the shots. Money doesn't make the world go round - it's the gospel that makes money go round.
For a taster of Vishal's stuff, here's a half hour race through the book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-kMQONpM7U
Happy Ascension Day
My favourite depiction of ascension from 1:55
An incredible sermon by Paul Blackham
And this one by Scott Hoezee: “How We See Things–Psalm 47″
A Paper From Union Theology: Seven Things To Like About the Ascension by Gerrit Dawson
An Ascension Song for Adults:
(lyrics below)
He rose up among us, as told.
He rose up the Promise of old.
My Brother in strife,
Assuming my life.
Exalted, the Father’s Decree
He rose up, He rose up for me.
He rose up humanity’s Last
Man’s Answer in life unsurpassed
My Champion living,
God’s life of thanksgiving.
Exalted as I’m meant to be
He rose up, He rose up for me.
They raised Him, my Saviour, on high
Man lifted, accursed, left to die.
My Priest in atonement,
My Lamb in enthronement.
Exalted on destiny’s tree,
He rose up, He rose up for me.
He rose up from death He arose,
Immortal to crush all His foes.
The Lord of all history,
My Christ has the victory.
Exalted the darkness must flee,
He rose up, He rose up for me.
He rose up to heaven, He rose,
Ascended beyond other thrones.
My Friend in high places,
My Fountain of graces.
Exalted, my heavenly Plea,
He rose up, He rose up for me.
I rise up, I rise up in Him,
Emboldened in spite of all sin.
In Jesus attaining,
My destiny – reigning.
Exalted, with angels to sing,
I rise up, I rise up in Him.
Some Ascension Songs for Kids
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Moving Houses - The Egypt Song
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More of My Songs
Other Hymns:
We thank Thee Jesus, Dearest Friend
Some Prayers...
The Collects from BCP:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
or this
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; who liveth and reigneth with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The South Indian Anglican Collect:
O God, whose blessed Son, our great high priest, has entered once for all into the Holy Place and ever liveth to intercede on our behalf: grant that we, sanctified by the offering of his body may draw near with full assurance of faith by the way which he has dedicated for us and evermore serve thee, the living God; through the same thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
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Tweets. Collected together. In a blog post. For convenience.
We've got some great people wanting to join us - who else wants to study with @UnionTheology and/or train with us? pic.twitter.com/64bhW4U3Mc
— Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) May 12, 2015
God is Joy – Ps 45:7; John 15:11; 1 Tim 1:11. #EnjoyYourDay
#AcronymGospel
OTOH Outgoing Trinity Originates History
ISTM Initial Sin Topples Man
LOL Lord Offers Life
ICYMI InChrist Youre Made Immortal
Being Trinitarian without being explicitly Christ-focused is like writing an Ode to Love with no-one in mind.
You say "Sold out for Jesus", I say "Purchased in full."
Human nature isn’t atomistic, it’s Adamistic
The pressure’s off: you don’t need to be right. In fact it’s pretty important that you’re wrong. Tell God and #EnjoyYourDay
“Christ has married us, redeemed us from every evil and adorned us with all His goodness.” #Luther #EnjoyYourDay
Our constant fear: if we're known we won't be loved. But John10:14-15, we are seen to the depths & loved to eternity #EnjoyYourDay
The Word became flesh and remains flesh. He has pledged His life, His future, His very being to us forevermore. #EnjoyYourDay
To enter the kingdom you must become like great warriors? Bible experts? Sinless saints? No - little children. Matt18:3 #EnjoyYourDay
#Ps32 All transgressions forgiven&sins covered. Hidden in Christ. Protected from trouble. Surrounded by songs of deliverance #EnjoyYourDay
In the Bible the empty tomb isn't so much about proving God's entrance into human affairs. It's announcing Man's entrance into God's affairs
God’s 7-fold promise to His enslaved people: I will unburden, free, redeem, possess, protect, deliver & lavish you. #Exodus6 #EnjoyYourDay
Don't fear: I'm with u. Dont be dismayed: I'm yr God. I'll strengthen&help u; I'll uphold u with my righteous Right Hand #Is41 #EnjoyYourDay
I know it's popular to say that gospel transformation is "inside-out" but give me an external gospel word any day.
In the Bible, saying "I don't love my wife" is a confession & u should repent of such sin. Today, it's an excuse 4 u2 repent of the marriage
[Marriage Guidance Today]
-But do u love her?
-I don't know anymore
[Marriage Guidance in the Bible]
-I don't know if I love her
-Then do!
“Whoever comes to me I will NEVER cast away.” (John 6:37) #Promise #EnjoyYourDay
Jesus: Self-abasing Slave & Sacrificial Lamb - HE reveals the name and nature of God. #nogodlikeHim #Phil2 #EnjoyYourDay
In #Matthew14, Jesus “begins to” let Peter sink. But “immediately” He responds to his cry. #EnjoyYourDay
Free will lies on the far side of free grace.
Uncle John would have been an awesome tweeter pic.twitter.com/M7XXzOcmO1
— Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) April 27, 2015
Through the cross (Ps 22:1-21), Jesus becomes your Priest (v22-31). First He bears yr sin, then He bears u b4 the Father #EnjoyYourDay
Vote, but remember that our Man is already on the true seat of power. Just, Gentle, Wiser than Solomon, Beyond reproach & ONE OF US! #EnjoyYourDay
Because of resurrection, the worst thing is never the last thing. #EnjoyYourDay
My desire to overcome sins:
70% 'to prop up my view of me / yr view of me';
15% 'to avoid humbling myself';
10% 'to manage w/o God's grace'
This is why repentance has to be a gift. It's not our new life offered to God but His new life offered to us even in all our mixed motives.
'Nature' does not encourage a 'natural' approach to God. Creation is a preacher, heralding words from on high. (Psalm 19:1ff; Romans 10:17f)
"To one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly their faith is credited as righteousness." Rom5:5 #EnjoyYourDay
1Cor1:2 Dear Christian, you are set apart as special by Jesus Christ and called holy in Him. In other words, You're a saint #EnjoyYourDay
"Your people will be my people and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). If that's conversion, what should evangelism look like?
"Come home, all is forgiven. Love, your Dad."
-- 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 paraphrase
Many people seek 'God' but no-one seeks the God of the cross.
The cross upholds God's sovereignty.
I believe in the existence of angels, you believe 'death really aint so bad'. Which is the fairytale belief?
The world's heaven is heaven's hell #Romans1
All you've ever got is Christ's righteousness. All you ever need is Christ's righteousness. #EnjoyYourDay
It's not: 'law=duty / gospel=love'
It's: 'law = your loving duty for the Lord / gospel = the Lord's loving duty for you.'
"It's all about u" - world
"It's not about u, it's about Jesus" - law.
"It's not about u, it's about Jesus FOR YOU" - gospel (ht @IssuesEtc)
#Isaiah25 Salvation = shame removed, death swallowed up, tears wiped away & global feasting with Christ #EnjoyYourDay
If someone's forgiven you a major debt you've gotta be some kind of jerk to insist 'it wasn't so bad really'. #selfjustification
Dear reader, I am that kind of jerk.
#Lev17 Jesus says: "My Life is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement." He holds nothing back. #EnjoyYourDay
Dear oh dear Tesco. Another catalogue of airers. http://t.co/1afkyF7eMg #1PUN
— Scrivolity (@scrivolity) April 24, 2015
- Does money make the world go round?
- It certainly torques.
Knuckle sandwiches are fine. Just roll with the punches.
Their father managed. In Ireland that’s Pa for the Corrs.
Lucky S. Cape was a man of phew words.
That was, hands down, the worst hustings ever.
I could tell he went to public school. He had that harrowed look.
I tried playing the *bad* health lottery. Fat lotto good.
If I'm frank, when it comes to karaoke I get stuck in my ways.
Those Weight Watchers reps are real fast talkers.
My last minute selection for the Anaesthetists' World Cup is nice but I can't help thinking I'm only there to make up the numbers.
The Hindu Scriptures are basically untranslatable. What happens in Vedas stays in Vedas.
90% of success is just showing up. Unless you're a projectionist, in which case a variety of films is best.
I like the M6 but Spaghetti Junction's a major turnoff.
I didn't think my chiropractor could fix my posture but I stand corrected
The iCloud’s fine but Dropbox gets my backup
"Ah Bisto!" isn't the greatest slogan. It's just a stock phrase
Shining, Sowing and Investing in Christ’s Outgoing Kingdom
A sermon on SHINING (Matthew 5:14-16); SOWING (Mark 4:26-29) and INVESTING (Matthew 25:14-30)
Parables: Outgoing King, Outgoing Kingdom from CCK on Vimeo.
House of Tweet
What's the place of "apologetics"? I debate the issue with Tom Price (@abetterhope) http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Apologetics-sermons-rarely-work
If by "apologetics" you mean "persuasive, thoughful, contextualised gospel preaching" then Yay Apologetics! But 1Cor1&2 rules out Something
If apologetics = "evangelism in the mode of answering Qs" I am 100% pro-apologetics. If it's separate then it's "evangel +"
Acts 17 is a classical apologist's one shot at a biblical eg, and it says the exact opposite. http://t.co/g5DzdCl0tk pic.twitter.com/GizcKAA1wm
— Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) April 9, 2015
-Today gospel preaching isn't working
-U sure it's the gospel that's being preached?
-Oh sure, I'm talking about *evangelical* churches
-Hm
-Yeah we still believe in preaching but we need more
-Like a prayerful, loving community living it out?
-I was thinking of a new website.
Jesus doesn’t so much make safe passage for us back to heaven. But He has made treacherous passage for Himself down to us. #EnjoyYourDay
In Christ ur members of God's flock, purchased by God's blood, fed by God's word & surrounded by God's grace. Acts20 #EnjoyYourDay
- I fear the church will miss the next big move of God.
- Impossible, the church IS the move of God.
It'll be alright in the End. If it's not alright now, it's not the End. #EnjoyYourDay
Astonishing to think that God remains Giver even in judgement: "He gave them over... He gave them over.. He gave them over..." Rom1:24,26,28
We're all cut from the one cloth (Adam).
We must be clothed with the One cut (Christ).
Want proof of 'the Divine' breaking into this world? Look to the virgin womb. The empty tomb is more abt 'the Human' breaking into the next
#Exodus12 It's not the quality of your life 'in here' that counts. It's the quality of His death 'out there' that saves #EnjoyYourDay
By the Spirit of the Son you have a new spiritual heart-beat: Abba, Father… Abba, Father… Abba, Father… (Gal 4:6) #EnjoyYourDay
In Athens - Paul was not channelling Socrates but Elijah.
He didn’t rescue u so He could delight in u. He delighted in u & so rescued u. Ps 18. U’ve been loved at your worst. #EnjoyYourDay
Naturally the human race casts God as a hard task-master, not because He is one, but because it suits us to quietly despise and dismiss Him.
"The LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him." (Psalm 32:10) #EnjoyYourDay
Not just net gainers. Even our greatest suffering redeemed 2 greater glory: More than conquerors thru Him who loved us! #EnjoyYourDay
“You are my Beloved Child, I’m thrilled with you” – the Verdict we all want from the Father we all crave. And it’s ours in Jesus #EnjoyYourDay
Only Sinners love (Luke 7:36-50). Therefore every sin is an opportunity to know yr indebtedness and the forgiveness of Jesus #EnjoyYourDay
“My child, get up” He will say. And u will rise 2 feasting joy, complete astonishment & face-to-face with Jesus (Luke 8:40-56) #EnjoyYourDay
Who qualifies 4 Christ’s Kingdom? The powerless, the wicked, the little children: Lk18:1-17. Don’t reach up, receive where u r #EnjoyYourDay
"Now death is but a Jacob's ladder whose foot is in the dark grave, but its top reaches to glory everlasting." Spurgeon
Exodus: Abraham's seed (God's son) Redeemed from Slavery(1-6), thru Judgement(7-14), into Dependence(15-18,24), Love(19-23) &Worship(25-40)
I find Twitter discussions are often more fruitful than blog discussions since each side engages each point as the dialogue develops.
Blogging debates can easily become two guys shadow-boxing in their own corners. Twitter forces you to engage each point as it arises.
You know the tree of life in the garden of God? That’s not just for religious art. That’s for *you* to eat from (Rev 2:7) #EnjoyYourDay
Your sorrows He carries, your infirmities He takes up, your sins He bears. (Is 53) Your weaknesses only draw Him closer #EnjoyYourDay
He’s the Judge of the world, the Revelation of God and a gentle, lowly Rest-Giver: Matt 11:20-30. #EnjoyYourDay
If you're going to sing to your plants "Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles" is best. It aids germannation.
Gangrene costs an almondy leg.
"Which" magazine have me ranking colas all day long. It's soda grading.
I dunno if it’s high cuisine but asparagers is definitely on the haute-istic spectrum.
Threshers wined me up
An ancient shoe-makers guild? Load of old cobblers.
Tweeporia
Today proves it beyond question: Jesus was a pedobaptist pic.twitter.com/9WG5qDrDDy
— Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) April 2, 2015
Wait a minute. Did Jesus wash His own feet? It's hard to picture it. If He didn't then He only got dirtier as He cleansed the rest.
#ThingsJesusNeverSaid "Now that I've washed your feet, you wash mine." #GraceRunsDownhill
Our God is none other than the God of the Cross - the God who has pledged His own being for us with every drop of His blood. #EnjoyYourDay
If you want to know why Jesus died I've got two words for you #1PUN
#TGIGF ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power & wealth & wisdom & strength & honour & glory & praise.’ (Rev 5:12)
Just did the "Which Good Friday character are you?" quiz. Thought I'd definitely be the crowd. Funnily enough I got "Jesus". --Gal 2:20
"He made Himself nothing/He humbled Himself/Even death on a cross. Therefore *HIM* God exalted." The cross is what it looks like to be God.
Today is the real 'compare & contrast' with Islam. For the Muslim, judgement day is a Friday in the future. For the Christian it's all past.
For the Muslim, an unrighteous substitute died for righteous Jesus. For Christians, righteous Jesus died as a substitute for unrighteous us.
Reading the passion narratives is a great reminder that the cross achieved nothing. Jesus dying accomplished everything.
Degree-level theological training through @UnionTheology, Hands-on practical experience with me. Get in touch! pic.twitter.com/64bhW4U3Mc
— Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) April 21, 2015
Creation - in Christ under Adam
Incarnation - Christ in creation as Adam
Cross - Christ for creation as Adam
Resurrection - Christ over creation by Spirit
Pentecost - Christ to creation by Spirit
Return - Christ through creation by Spirit
“But we had hoped…” (Luke 24:13-35) What have you hoped in? It will be transformed and more than restored by the risen Jesus #EnjoyYourDay
The 7th day. Rest. Completion. The old order summed up and brought to an end. Tomorrow: a whole new world.
Resurrection does not correct or counter the way of the cross, it forever crowns the way of the cross.
We've seen the future: BBQs on the beach, country walks, heart-warming talks, feasting and face2face with Jesus, #Resurrection #EnjoyYourDay
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed - to "blow a hole thru death to the other side." @GuvnaB https://t.co/W02XPgZiBJ pic.twitter.com/3Cdpwsh23U — Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) April 5, 2015
Yes the resurrection vindicates the atonement of the cross. But so much more: it vindicates The CHRIST of the cross and His Way of the cross
It's not so much a case of "the cross worked" as "The Lamb has conquered - in all His sacrificial Lamb-ness."
Once again - the cross didn't do anything. The Lamb did everything.
John 20: Jesus rose with scars and calls His followers the way of the cross (John 21). #EasterMeans the Lamb reigns
Romans 8: it's our unshakeable resurrection hope that sustains us to suffer 'like sheep to be slaughtered.' #EasterMeans the Lamb reigns
1 Corinthians 15: Resurrection means we can now 'die every day.' #EasterMeans the Lamb reigns.
Phil2: The resurrection vindicates the self-emptying Slave/Sacrifice & now Paul & Tim pour themselves out. #EasterMeans the Lamb reigns
Phil3: "I want to know Christ & the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings." #EasterMeans the Lamb reigns
Rev5: The Lamb stands at the centre of the throne so that all creation sings of His sacrifice. #EasterMeans the Lamb reigns
They didn’t seek 1st the Kingdom, they fled the King. Yet the King pursued the disciples thru death 2 find them & say “Peace” #EnjoyYourDay
Ed Miliband trying to understand human emotion pic.twitter.com/Wmzko81jhE
— #Milifandom (@OddMiliband) April 6, 2015
The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. Rom8:11 #EnjoyYourDay
The question "Does God exist?" doesn't make much sense on a Christian understanding. Everyone's got a god. The Q is Which god is really God?
Isaiah 60: Now that the Light of the world has risen for you, YOU shine with radiant glory. #passiton #EnjoyYourDay
Our Spiritual Doctor has a prescription: "Take to aspirin' and call Me in the mourning."
"There's no team in Ai." (Joshua 7:3)
Customs official at Munich Airport: "Strange, you Australians usually come in Oktober." All I could do was apologise.
Negative thinker #1PUN pic.twitter.com/QdgRUYLhfp
— Andy (@ItsAndyRyan) April 23, 2015
I love collecting Hebrew words - can I get an Amen?
Depict Europe’s tallest mountain? I’m drawing a blanc.
Tried ordering from “Pistachios To You”. It’s driving me nuts.