What is Red Like Blood?

I know that we all think that we could answer the question, "What is grace?". But I think this book might challenge some of our ideas and concepts of how God enters into our lives. I have posted one of the authors commentary on the book, "RED LIKE BLOOD" so you can get the feel of what grace unleashed in your life can be.

The Model and Mystery of George Washington

I know that on the Presidents' Day we celebrate the great leaders that our country has known and well we should. Our nation has received a great amount of common grace through their lives and at times exceptional leadership and vision to make and keep our country one of the greatest expressions of freedom in human history.

However, like all great leaders, each one had their identifying flaws. Our first, and perhaps our greatest president, George Washington was no exception. He was not only a model military general, but a profound statesman and self-effacing leader. Not only was his leadership admired by those he commanded but it was the model for the great Liberators of Latin America as well, Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin fancied Washington as the model and first great "Liberator" from the "old world powers". Their great admiration of him can easily be seen in their "General's" attire and uniform dress. But one little know fact also held in common by these famous leaders of the "new world" was their participation in the mysteries of "Free Masonry" of which George Washington historically remains their most famous member and advocate.

You may not know what "Free Masonry" is. Historically, it's origins are vague, but most think that they began around the 16th and 17th centuries. According to Wikipedia,

" Freemasonry uses the metaphors of operative stonemasons' tools and implements, against the allegorical backdrop of the building of King Solomon's Temple, to convey what has been described by both Masons and critics as "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

To understand the spiritual teaching of what may at best be classified, as a "spiritualistic mystery religion" you need to understand something of its basic tenets. Let me link you to an article by Dr. Peter Jones, who is an expert on the first century mystery religion called "Gnosticism" and its impact on Christianity, in an article on the Freemasonry at his website called "TruthXchange". The article I refer you to is taken from a larger series called "Partakers of the Divine Nature" an examination of the pagan influence on Christian thought and its' implications.

Furthermore if you are interested in reading about George Washington and his connection to Free Masonry, you will want to read the article entitled "George Washington's Masonic Connection" taken from a larger series of articles on the same site entitled, "The Mystical George Washington".

It is not my intent to dampen anyone's appreciation for our first and most famous president on Presidents' Day, but to illustrate just how indebted we are as a nation, to the grace of God in His providential care for us. It can never be overlooked that our nation was formed from the fires of the greatest outpouring of spiritual awakening that the western world has ever seen in the revivals of Whitfield, Wesley and Edwards in the 1740's. In less than 20 years the desire for a free nation, independence from tyranny and justice for all spread, mixed with the courage of personal sacrifice to produce the "United States of America". We must wonder and praise the Divine purposes God ordained in the use of frail men to bring His own Name glory through the establishment of our still, great nation.

The Radicalized Disciple

"Radicalized" is a new word that has entered into the culture of ideas since 9/11. We of course, know the word but not with the new meanings assigned to it since the "War on Terror" began to reach our shores. With the recent attacks at Ft. Hood, Texas, and other attempts by US citizens to inflict great damage against our country the inquiries into the backgrounds of the men and people involved or accused come to this question; "When were they radicalized?" "When did they move from "critic" of American policy to a "combatant" in a war against the West? When and how did they decide that merely holding private opinions against another culture and way of life become "not enough" for them. They had to do more, to engage personally with great sacrifice and passion at the risk of everything they had and even their own lives.

Such "radicalizing" happened in the life of the famous, Ernesto "Che" Guevara. He was raised by parents who were sympathetic socialists in Argentina in the early days following the end of WWII. He had cultivated a strong mind and will against capitalism and the "North". Having spent much time traveling though most of Latin America by motorcycle, Che found himself in the home of friends in Mexico, who introduced him to Fidel Castro. All that was said between them that night is unknown, but the outcome is clearly seen. "Che" found a "soul mate" in Fidel Castro. He was "radicalized" to actions that resulted in the overthrow of the Cuban government and a plan to turn Latin America into the next great "communist superpower".

Let me quickly say, I don't mean to sound as though I admire these people. They are twisted and evil without question who would commit such acts of terror and murder. I only mean to examine the "radicalization process". How do we measure what is "radical". We "preachers" speak all the time about becoming a "radical Christian"; living "radical lives" for Jesus and furthermore, we admire those who make "radical stands" for Christ. If you examine closely the lives of those who are "radical", I believe you will find a moment in which they were "radicalized". Somewhere the truth of the gospel moved them to a place in which it was not enough for them to merely, have strong opinions about the abortion question, they had to engage in stopping the slaughter of innocent lives; suddenly it was not enough for them to "have church" or "be doctrinally sound", or merely believe that Jesus calls all men to follow him; but they must obey with radical steps of obedience that will put their lives at risk and deeply change the structure of the life they have know.

We find a positive example of one radicalized in the Apostle Paul. On the road to Damascus this most radical of Jewish leaders became "radicalized" by a face to face meeting with Jesus Christ. His formal ideas of religion were destroyed by the very words that created in him the faith to believe upon Him whose Name and Fame he tried to destroy. Within days he was speaking so boldly of the man, Jesus Christ and his claims upon every man's soul as Lord, that the Jews plotted to kill him and he had to escape in a basket over the wall of the city. And this was only the beginning of a life of radical engagement of his culture, religion and the lifestyles of the first century Roman Empire and traditional religion. To put it is the simplest of terms, Jesus had radicalized Paul to the point that he was incapable of staying disengaged from actively advancing the cause of Christ no matter the cost to his life.

Paul describes the process by which he was radicalized in many places, but I think most clearly in Galatians 2:19-21; "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no long I who live, but Christ who lives in me,. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." I believe we have here the five most radical statements of the Christian life condensed in one place, anywhere in scripture. Here is gospel truth, that if believed, will thoroughly radicalize your behavior and our life choices. You will join an army of radicalized followers who have been transformed by the truth of the gospel.

Caution: This is not merely a literary tool to metaphorically change your life or attitude. This will result in radical behaviors with serious consequences to your life and the lives of others. If you want to here more about these five radical statements follow the link to the message or go to Crosspoint audio.

Pastor Don

Justified and Free

Freedom might be the quality of life that is more valuable than any other. Countries will shed the blood of their sons and daughters to obtain it. Nations make it, not just their motto, but the most highly prized benefit to their citizens. Ask any addict and they would give up all they possess and every accomplishment they have, just to say, "I am free!" Live like a slave to anything or anyone and freedom becomes your one great preoccupation and prize.

When we speak of ethical, moral and the spiritual aspect of our lives nothing says, "freedom" like what it means to be "justified". Ancient Job asked, "How can a man be justified before God?" ... Can a mortal man be in the right before God? "Can a man be pure before his maker?" (Sounds pretty contemporary for an "old guy".) He certainly raised the most important theological question that the human soul will ever face. But like the Apologist and Theologian, John Frame has said, "In the end, all theology is practical and all practice is theological." Everyone is engaged in some sort of act of justification so that they can finally be free of the condemnation they feel for the sin that surrounds them. The materialist just needs a little more stuff; the politician needs more power, to make his "mark" on society; the "good people" need another "pro bono" opportunity to prove they really are good enough; the religious need more church, more ritual, more acts of devotion; the spiritualist needs another experience with something greater than himself so he can achieve the "oneness" that will surely justify his rejection of the living God.

Here is the really good news from Paul in Galatians; "so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not be works of the law, because by works of the law no human being will be justified." (Gal. 2:16) The believer in Jesus IS JUSTIFIED! Against all that we do to justify ourselves, against all the schemes of men throughout the ages, against all our "best hopes"; Jesus and his death on the cross is a justification provided by God for all those who will trust in it alone. No holding back! No "just in case it doesn't work, I'll do this". Those who believe will alone be justified. Here is the best part...and they really are justified. And that guess what that makes us.... FREE!

For the cross,

Pastor D.

(sermon audio available @ Crosspoint )

"The Jesus Gospel"

"One thing to be observed in the spirituality we see all around us is this: our advances in religion/self made spirituality, put us FURTHER from Christ, not closer. No matter what we call ourselves on the sign out front, vain is the search for spirituality, personal enrichment or community connection without Jesus…

From generation to generation since His appearing the names have changed, but the pursuit remains the same. Circumcision has become "self-actualization", and the Pharisee may call himself a “divine mystic” of a "new spirituality". We like Saul want to be our own savior and when we do, we scorn the exclusive rights of the one Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ."

(excerpt from, "The Jesus Gospel"; the full sermon may be heard @ www.crosspointasheville.org)

"Who do you say that I am?"

One of the most searching questions found in the Bible asked by Jesus is perhaps more relevant today as his life and words have gone global in ways unimaginable to other generations. In a world where the lines of spirituality have all run together, everyone has a box for what Jesus is asking, because every seriously spiritual person has figured out that Jesus is part of the spiritual equation.

Author and journalist, Lee Strobel concludes in his book, “The case for the real Jesus”; “When you wed the American independent streak with a postmodern skepticism toward institutions, you set the stage for what theologians call “syncretism”, which is the blending of elements from various faiths into a new form of spirituality.” Living in a place like Asheville I feel like someone turned the “syncretism blender” on high for 20 years. It seems we have lost so much of the Jesus who really lived that for some it doesn’t even matter if Jesus existed at all, the “idea of Jesus is what is important”. Everything can be “blended” with Jesus if he is what we want him to be.

At Crosspoint, Jesus is a core value because we embrace the experience of Jesus in our lives, (because he is real and relevant for us), and we equally embrace the objective truth about his life and work for us. We want to challenge the ignorance about our Savior and we can only do that when we can clearly tell others more than merely cleverly edited portions of his words and deeds. We tell the hard things about Jesus that are intended to offend the “spiritually syncretistic” and shake their trust in their ideas about Jesus. The Jews wanted Jesus to be merely “a prophet” but when he became a threat to their precisely blended system of law keeping and divine-right-racial-elitism, they had enough, and crucified him, thinking they were doing the will of God.

But our message is not all about confrontation, Jesus also allows us to open the door wide to the skeptics and say, “Come and see the Jesus that the Bible revels…in fact, come close!” Because the closer you examine Him and the more you press his words and deeds, the more compelling his claims become. In fact, Crosspoint exists, to bring every person to intersect with the soul satisfying beauty of Jesus Christ by authentic worship and witness to the power of His kingdom.

Here is the "crosspoint" for each individual, “Who do you say that I am?” Stepping off into the answer to that question sincerely will take you to places you did not think you could go intellectually, emotionally or volitionally. Peter answered for the apostles in a way that was not only experiential, but objectively true for all generations and for all time, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And upon this rock of truth, Jesus is building His church.