Lately I’ve been marinating on Genesis – particularly the inception of sin and the subsequent consequences. I am amazed by our wonderful Creator’s willingness to extend us mercy and grace in spite of our disobedient nature, even from the beginning. Although we deserve death, God has offered us the chance to step back into right standing with Him, not because of us, but because of His love. Nevertheless, even though there was no immediate condemnation for humanity, there were certainly consequences. Sin affected our relationship with God, it affected our relationship with others, and it affected our relationship with the world we live in. From Genesis 3 through Revelation we can read the rest of the love story between a good and perfect God and defiant people. What was created to be a “fragrant aroma” became a stench.

Because of our sin, what was created to be good is now rotten. Naturally, things that are rotten often give off a stench. When we catch a whiff of ourselves we’re inclined to take one of two routes: 1) we may try to turn something rotten into something good; or 2) trying to cover up the stench.

Turning something rotten into something good. Before seminary my background was in psychology. I can say without doubt that there are a number of psychologists throughout the world studying the nature of humanity and making implications about what is normal human behavior. Once a given behavior is deemed normative it is often assumed that ‘said behavior’ is not inherently bad. If something is not bad, we have the freedom to entertain the idea that it may even be good. In due time an entire culture can actually be desensitized once they’ve accepted that ‘said behavior’ is not bad. For instance, consider the evolution of sex and the media. In the 1950’s hit show “I Love Lucy,” Lucy and Ricky Ricardo were happily married, yet they slept in separate beds on opposite ends of the bedroom. Funny enough, they somehow eventually had a kid together. Take an average sit-com or reality TV show today and we’re often encouraged to have sex with a friend or new acquaintance in order to help clear your mind or think straight. I’d say that’s quite a leap from the fifties.

The problem in deeming something “natural” or “normative” and thereby implying that it may in fact be good is ignorant of the fact that rotting and decay are also “natural” once the process is started. Therefore, we cannot assume than any human behavior is inherently good, because we are all tainted by sin. Decaying. Far from what we were created to be. Giving off a stench.

If you are not already familiar with culture maker, author, and world-renowned artist Makoto Fujimura, please allow me to introduce you. His works of art and his recorded thoughts have great depth and insight.

Here is a sample of his work. Like anything worth appreciating, allow yourself to linger. Enjoy!

- Numerous leaders of “Christian” churches willingly gave the mantel of returning America back to God to Glenn Beck who is a mormon.

- On the anniversary and location of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech hundreds of thousands gathered to “Restore Honor.” I’m wondering if Native Americans and African Americans would celebrate the former honor of America.

-  Many are confusing American nationalism for Christian revival.

- Many confuse Christian values for American conservative values.

It’s sad to see so many Christians embrace political ideology over the historical Christian faith. This will further marginalize the American church and cloud the thinking of young evangelicals who want to love and follow Jesus but reject certain right leaning beliefs. Furthermore, as a Christian my desire is to see people embrace Jesus not a political movement and by aligning with polarizing figures we’re often pushing non-Christians away rather than bringing them near. American Christianity does not equal the Christian gospel!

For more thoughts read Russell Moore’s God, the Gospel, and Glenn Beck.

Gabe deGarmeaux – “God’s Providence” Ruth 2

Jay O’Brien – “God’s Redemption” Ruth 4

If I Were The Devil – TheDevilisReal.com from Denton Bible on Vimeo.

Consider reading something before your lifetime. Whether it’s English literature, theology, philosophy, or history. A good way to start is to ask friends what they would suggest and then venture to your local library to check it out.

After preaching and visiting with new friends I had to turn around and get back to Columbus quickly because we had an interest meeting for the church plant that evening. Jay and I definitely had expectations going into the interest meeting, however, such meetings are tricky because regardless of how easy the likes of Facebook and cell phones make it to RSVP to an event, we are no longer in an RSVP culture. So although many people did indicate whether they were joining us, we didn’t know what the turnout would be? Nonetheless, Sunday night was a wonderful celebration of new friends interested in learning more about joining us – joining God’s story of transformation and renewal. Our wives and some key friends worked hard to make the night a wonderfully hospitable as well. Sunday night was definitely a momentum building experience, as we get amped up to start City Groups and core team meetings and continue reaching out to the city and find ways to impact people throughout the world through meeting practical, emotional and spiritual needs, while proclaiming the Good News that Christ has conquered the grave.

In addition to Sunday’s events, our friend Mike has moved from the DC Metro area to Columbus to be a part of the church plant, I’ve got a screening interview with Children’s Hospital today to determine if we’re a good fit for each other, we’re building relationships in our neighborhoods, and we are praying, planning and preparing for a lot of wonderful things ahead. Please join us in prayer, and specifically in thanking God for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He promises to do.

Throughout church history theologians and clergy have sought to clarify what constitutes a church. Traditionally the First Council of Constantinople in 381 was viewed as laying out four marks for the church when they said, “We believe in one, holy, catholic (simply means universal), and apostolic church.” Both Martin Luther and John Calvin believed there were two marks of the church: the right preaching of the gospel and administering the sacraments. The conversation is still going strong today with many mapping out the essentials for the local church. One of the most notable advocates being Mark Dever who lays out 9 Marks of a Healthy Church.

Acts 29 submitted 8 Marks of a Church and I believe it is the clearest and most accurate list to date. Here are the marks with my short summary/defense of each.

1) Regenerated Church Membership – All local churches are an expression of the universal church, which consists of people regenerated and identified with Jesus Christ.

2) Qualified Leadership – When the apostles, most notably Paul, established churches they appointed elders to oversee and lead the congregation. Thankfully, in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 Paul gave us a list of essentials for someone to be in such a position. Leaders of a church must be affirmed by other church leaders and must fit the qualifications spelled out in Scripture.

3) Right Preaching of the Word – This advocates two important elements. First, a local church must have a correct perspective on the essentials of the faith. Most notably, they must affirm the deity of Jesus, Holy Trinity, human depravity, and salvation through faith. Second, they gather for the preaching and teaching of Scripture.

4) Administer the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion – In the earliest Christian churches people were identified with the church when they were baptized and were then allowed to continue in fellowship through taking communion. These ordinances should be held in high regard and practiced regularly.

5) Unified by the Spirit – Because a church is made up of believers indwelt by the Spirit the local church must be marked by the Spirit’s presence which is evidenced in unity, the using of spiritual gifts, generosity, and service.

6) Church Discipline – Jesus and the apostles encourage us to pursue holiness and to encourage others to do the same in their spiritual journey. Transformational community happens when people encourage one another to grow in Christ-likeness.

7) Obey the Great Commandment – Jesus declared that the greatest commandments were to love God and love others. A local church must embody this love.

8 ) Obey the Great Commission – Jesus commissioned his disciples to make disciples. A local church that is not making disciples is not a healthy expression of the church Jesus established. If you gather for great music, preaching, sacraments, and under qualified leadership but lives are not being transformed there is a problem.

“The local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to scripture, they organize under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments of baptism & communion, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, scattered to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as missionaries to the world for God’s glory and their joy.” – Vintage Church

Praise God for allowing us to be part of His redemptive story via the local church. I welcome all respectful feedback.

The other morning I was sharing the vision of the church plant with a couple. They wanted to know the DNA of the church so I shared about the gospel, life transformation, and multiplication. They wanted some concrete ways it would be lived out so I talked about our worship gatherings, small groups, and discipleship. If they wanted we could have given them a strategic plan, budget, doctrinal statement and other fun (or very boring) stuff. However, I realized as I was walking away that I never actually defined “church,” as I understood it, to them.

In looking back I’ve had hundreds of conversations about church relating to what the church does but not many about what the local church is. I believe there are two common misconceptions about church today. The first is associating “church” with things. Ed Stetzer stated that people’s perceived reality of church is “building, clergy, and programs.” These are tools and components that can further the mission of the church but they are not the church. A second misconception is defining the local church in the broadest sense as the community of faith on God’s mission. While that statement is very true and encompasses God’s desire that we make disciples and extend His kingdom around the world it is not an encompassing definition of the church.

In Scripture we see the universal church and the local church. The universal church consists of all regenerated people who are identified with Jesus and indwelt by the Spirit. In this discussion we’re seeking clarity on a sound historical and Biblical definition of the local church.

I affirm the “8 Marks of a Church” spelled out by Acts 29 and their definition of church: “The local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to scripture, they organize under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments of baptism & communion, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, scattered to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as missionaries to the world for God’s glory and their joy.”

In part two we’ll unpack each of these marks.

For Christ-followers and churches alike understanding your identity is crucial. What are we finding our identity in? Are we the church that meets in a really cool building? Are we the trendy people? Does our involvement in local and global outreach define who we are? Maybe for pastors it’s about how well we teach? There’s a plethora of things we can find our identity in. Unfortunately, sometimes we get so wrapped up in those things rather than finding our identity in Christ. For instance: an American Christian, a gay Christian, a humanitarian Christian, a “green” Christian, a Buckeye Christian, etc. Those are cases of mistaken identity.

When we trust Christ we are given a new name and a new identity. In fact, we’re told multiple times in Scripture to put on our “new self.” Our identity is first and foremost in Christ. Any time we allow something to compete with that we are acting as though the Ruler over all creation didn’t die on a cross and then conquer death in order that we may be grafted into God’s family.

What are some things that compete for your identity?

What are tangible ways that you can live and act as though your identity is in Christ?