All posts tagged gospel

“God works through who we actually are…”

by Pastor Nick on April 18, 2012

“The desire for beauty and the good is infinitely frustrating, for mostly we are aware of what we are not. When we do things well, there is satisfaction in it. When we are well, we are unconscious of it and so get no satisfaction, at least not in the sense of ego gratification, which is the kind of satisfaction most of us have such a huge appetite for. And since mostly we are not well (holy), we mostly live with a deep sense of inadequacy. The only reason we continue to aspire to holiness is that the alternative is so insipid…

“Putting the mirror up to us and showing us our failure would be a severe and unbearable burden if it were not for this other dimension in the story — that God works his purposes through who we actually are, our rash disobedience and our heartless obedience, and generously uses our lives as he finds us to do his work.”

Eugene Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant

 

 

“Fatherhood is Building the Riverbanks”

by Pastor Nick on April 4, 2012


Listen to Pastor Crawford Loritts speak a great message on “Lessons Learned from My Father.” I particularly appreciate how he relates fatherhood to building riverbanks. Like the mighty waters of a river, life will come and things will happen, but fathers are the ones who set the parameters, who define the boundaries, who steer the direction of their childrens’ lives towards Jesus and godliness. Dads, give it a listen.

A few quotes:

  • “Greatness is not pop or fad. Greatness has a staying power.”
  • “Manhood is not a private matter. It is a public thing. A man aspires to be the desired destination at which others arrive.”
  • “This summarizes my dad: Stepping up, never walking away, if it belongs to you, you do something with it.”
  • “There is a correlation between being a man and keeping promises.”
  • “Our disproportionate desire for relevance is injecting embalming fluid into the next generation.”
  • “Out of struggle comes strength; out of strength comes discipline; out of discipline comes integrity; out of integrity comes inheritance.”
  • “How people treat you should never define you. It’s not what people call you, but what you answer to.”
  • “All we have to give to the next generation is what we have become.”
  • “You don’t produce the fruit of the Spirit. It is the fruit of the Spirit.”
  • “Repent of wallowing in our self pity and deifying our disfunction. Yield. ‘God, I can’t do this. Help me!’ Believe him.”

Good Friday in the City

by Pastor Nick on March 26, 2012
friday

Jesus suffered outside the city in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the city and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (Hebrews 13:12-14)

Good Friday is the darkest day of the year. It’s the day we remember Jesus’ death on the Cross—a death we deserved—for the forgiveness of our sins and the restoration of our relationship with God. It’s a somber day, a reflection on the searing pain and agony of the man who was God dying the most horrible of deaths in our place. It’s a day to reflect on our sin and realize the weight of our affliction. It’s a day to remind ourselves that we killed God.

So Why is it a Good Day?

Because it’s also a day to remember that God willingly came as a man to die in our place. A day to reflect on the deep love of God, who desired to redeem us and heal us, to make us friends with him. A day to understand that the grace of God is deeper than the furthest depths of our sin. For by his wounds we are healed. And by his blood we are cleansed.

The Rooted, along with our friends The Paradox Church and The City Church, invite you to join us at Trinity Park (West 7th St. Pavilion across from Chuy’s) on April 6th at 6:30pm. Bring blankets and chairs. Parking is limited, so please carpool if possible (*Parking is on the street on West 7th, the lots at Trinity Park, and along the street on Stayton). You can RSVP here. Invite friends and family by sending them this link: http://bit.ly/GUdiRR. 

The Story Does Not End…

“Death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.” (Romans 6:9-10)

We invite you to celebrate Easter – the Resurrection – with us Easter morning and hear what it means that, in Jesus, death has died.

Easter Sunday

by Pastor Nick on March 26, 2012
sunday

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” – Jesus

He is Risen!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything! There is a God. He did come, He did pursue. He didn’t look down at sin and suffering impotently – powerless to do anything. He didn’t look down at sin and suffering indifferently – not caring about our wretched state. He entered into suffering! He entered into brokenness! He lived a life we could not live. He died the death we should have died. And then He rose to conquer sin and death once and for all!

Easter Sunday is a time of great celebration. If Jesus didn’t rise then our faith is futile and we should be pitied. But He did rise. And that changes everything. So as we hear again the great story of our Conquering King, we will celebrate.

Join Us

Join us on Easter Sunday, April 8th, at College Avenue Baptist Church (details here) at 9am. Invite friends and family by sending them this link: http://bit.ly/GV85xq.

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