This semester at Northland we started what are called "Impact Groups." It's a group of guys from rooms that are next to each other in the dorms. We meet every Wednesday with two faculty members and a GA (Graduate Assistant). It's like a small group/accountability group kind of thing. For the whole year we're going through Galatians, and this week we were in Galatians 1:6-10:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
This passage led us to discuss just exactly what the gospel is. There were some things we discussed that I really wanted to share on here...
First of all, the question our leader asked us, was why did Jesus go to the grave? Why did he have to be buried? He died, and that was necessary for our salvation, but what's the significance of being buried for us?
The reason why is that it emphasizes his death. He was buried in a sealed tomb for three days. This proves that He truly died, and that He didn't just faint. This death was a necessary part of the substitution...He was taking our place...tasting death so that we wouldn't have to...what a glorious and amazing thing!
The reason why is that it emphasizes his death. He was buried in a sealed tomb for three days. This proves that He truly died, and that He didn't just faint. This death was a necessary part of the substitution...He was taking our place...tasting death so that we wouldn't have to...what a glorious and amazing thing!
The 2nd thing I want to share, is our leader asked us why it was necessary for him to appear to people? Why didn't He just rise again and go right up into heaven?
Just like his burial proved his death...so appearing to people proved His life. This was a continuation of the substitution...he had to rise in order to conquer the grave for us. God came down and raised Him...this proved He was who He said He was.
Final thoughts...getting the gospel right is the most important thing for us as Christians...it is everything to us. It is what saved us, and it is what sustains us...it is what motivates us...
It is so simple that a child can believe it, but we can and should spend our entire lives meditating on it and growing in our understanding of it.
It is so simple that a child can believe it, but we can and should spend our entire lives meditating on it and growing in our understanding of it.
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