First of all, thanks to Stephen for setting up our blog! I trust you will use it for the purpose of encouraging one another to live gospel-centered lives and to share what Christ is doing in your life through our CG study.
The Starbucks story that Mahaney tells at the beginning of ch 4 has rung in my mind throughout the week. Better than I deserve...what a cross-centered answer to the question, "how are you?" I often think much too highly of myself without stopping to realize that without Christ and apart from the cross, there is nothing good in me and certainly no righteousness! Apart from the cross, I fall eternally short of God's glory. But, I have been justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus! (Romans 3:24). So, how am I? Far, far better than I deserve!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Tonight's meeting | Thoughts on 'The Cross-Centered Life'
Welcome to the newly (though belatedly!) forged "official" blog for Providence Community Baptist Church's north side community group -- whose participants are currently reading through Living the Cross-Centered Life by author, speaker and pastor C.J. Mahaney.
For three weeks already, several of us have gathered to discuss prayer requests, life circumstances and to engage in great discussion regarding the book and its emphasis on keeping the Cross "the main thing" as we grow in sanctification through the Creator/Savior Who died upon it for His people. Tonight's session, at 7 pm, will continue that approach, as we overview chapter 4, The Divine Dilemma: An Inescapable Penalty and a Longed-For Salvation.
This time, though, the questions, PCBC pastor Paul Valentine jokingly noted last week, might be "harder" because they have actually been written by Matt Bush, who will "guest host" the Oct. 4 small group session:
Meanwhile, our friendly "competition," the south side community group, has also been meeting every Wednesday night, hosted by Chad Mondragon. Its focus is the book of Ephesians, and one can learn of its progress here.
'Cross' words
For myself, I must say that I'm very much enjoying reading through Mahaney's book for the first time. I have often heard it cited on the internet and from other sources, and now I can personally appreciate the power of the message and the profound truths contained in Mahaney's almost deceptively simple writing style.
Recalling the agony suffered by Christ, both before and after His excruciating death on the Cross, should never become "past" for a Christian. We never move beyond the whole message of the Gospel and somehow into more-spiritual things, somehow; no -- the message of the Cross, of redemption from God's just wrath because of Christ's sacrifice, is the focus of true Christ-followers' lives.
This is a message inherent in any truly well-thought-out work of Christian theology -- the centrality of the Gospel. Yet it is made all the more clear and stark in Mahaney's book, and is well worth a read, with or without the accompanying study.
For three weeks already, several of us have gathered to discuss prayer requests, life circumstances and to engage in great discussion regarding the book and its emphasis on keeping the Cross "the main thing" as we grow in sanctification through the Creator/Savior Who died upon it for His people. Tonight's session, at 7 pm, will continue that approach, as we overview chapter 4, The Divine Dilemma: An Inescapable Penalty and a Longed-For Salvation.
This time, though, the questions, PCBC pastor Paul Valentine jokingly noted last week, might be "harder" because they have actually been written by Matt Bush, who will "guest host" the Oct. 4 small group session:
- What does Mahaney mean when he states, "I am doing better than I deserve." What does he deserve? How are you doing?
- Examine the passage Luke 17: 11-13. What do you think life was like as a leper? How are we like lepers?
- People are basically good, right? What does 1 Timothy 1 and Romans 3: 10-18 have to say about the character of man?
- God is love, right? Isn't He willing to just overlook a few shortcomings? What does Rev. 15: 3,4 and 1 Timothy 2:4 have to say about the character of God? What is this divine dilemma? This impossible predicament?
- Look at the life of Job and his plea in Job 9: 29-35. Our only hope is a mediator. One who can bridge the gap between God and mankind. Who is this GREAT MEDIATOR?
Meanwhile, our friendly "competition," the south side community group, has also been meeting every Wednesday night, hosted by Chad Mondragon. Its focus is the book of Ephesians, and one can learn of its progress here.
'Cross' words
For myself, I must say that I'm very much enjoying reading through Mahaney's book for the first time. I have often heard it cited on the internet and from other sources, and now I can personally appreciate the power of the message and the profound truths contained in Mahaney's almost deceptively simple writing style.
Recalling the agony suffered by Christ, both before and after His excruciating death on the Cross, should never become "past" for a Christian. We never move beyond the whole message of the Gospel and somehow into more-spiritual things, somehow; no -- the message of the Cross, of redemption from God's just wrath because of Christ's sacrifice, is the focus of true Christ-followers' lives.
This is a message inherent in any truly well-thought-out work of Christian theology -- the centrality of the Gospel. Yet it is made all the more clear and stark in Mahaney's book, and is well worth a read, with or without the accompanying study.
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