Monday, June 7, 2010

The News is (So Much Better Than) Good

Yesterday Jared delivered a powerful message on just how "good" the news of the gospel really is. It was one of my recent favorites. (You can listen to the entire message here if you're so inclined.) In typical Jared-style, he fully focused on the remarkable power of the gospel and the grace that Christ offers in bringing us the full gospel despite the fact that we don't deserve the smallest fraction of it. This is his heart's cry. All of Christ for all of me despite all of my sin. I love hearing it over and over again. The gospel. Every time he addresses our congregation. The gospel. Old Testament passage? The promise of the gospel. New Testament passage? The gospel alive in flesh. Relationship series? How the gospel affects relationships. Etc., etc., etc. It's always about the gospel. The infinitely fascinating gospel.

My favorite moment yesterday was when he quoted Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." We've all heard that verse dozens--maybe even hundreds or thousands--of times. But we tend to make it about what will happen next here on earth. Life will get better. God promises that, right? Make no mistake. This isn't about the meager riches/promotions/relationships/better homes/happier times/whatever we hope for here on earth. This is so much grander and more remarkable than any of that will ever be. This is about our final homeland. This is about eternity. This is about living every day as though the gospel is the only thing that matters, because in the end, it really is.

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