The Gospel Driven Life Being Good News People in a

Transcript:The Gospel Driven Life Being Good News People in a:
The Gospel Driven Life Being Good News People in a Bad News World Tentative Schedule The Promise-Driven Life Chapter 6 Rules, steps, formulas, good advice… We love rules, steps Just tell me what TO DO The Origin of the Christian Life We live from the already completed fact, of being chosen, redeemed, called and justified Being justified is not the goal, but the source of our new life For our standing before God we need a report – not a resource What drives you? What anchors you? Something outside of yourself? Are you driven by power, wealth, ambition, self-esteem, acceptance? Or nobler things: making the world a better place, loving God and neighbor… “While affirming the importance of having clear goals and a worthy focus in life, I am urging us to put purposes their place, as servants of promise.” Making the distinction: The gospel saves us … giving us reason to walk through the wilderness, the law guides us giving us directions for the journey. Christians are driven by God’s promises, and directed by God’s purposes. Wrestling with the Promise (Gen 15) After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:1-6 ESV) Abram’s response Abram had a pure promise of an inheritance – but he had no heir His response is not blind optimism or positive thinking. He believes the promise. He was then and there declared righteous. Yet he was not the picture of moral integrity The pronouncement makes it so Justification (being declared righteous before God) is at the core of the divine-human paradox: How can I have assurance that I am accepted