What would it really be like to move to Chicago? (infographic)

Center Church Chapter 3: The Gospel Affects Everything

This is the fourth installment in my review of Center Church by Timothy Keller (2012). You can also read the introduction, chapter 1, and chapter 2.

The richness of the gospel. Keller expounded on three truths to “show that the implications of the gospel are endless” (p. 46).

• The incarnation of the gospel and the “upside-down” aspect of the gospel. Jesus emptied himself for us. So we serve regardless of race, wealth, or status.
• The atonement and the “inside-out” aspect of the gospel. The gospel is NOT that I work and do good and God accepts me. The gospel is that God justifies us by grace alone, then we obey from gratitude and joy.
• The resurrection and the “forward-back” aspect of the gospel. When Jesus came the first time, he saved us from the penalty of sin. When Jesus returns, he will restore creation. So we live in an “already, but not yet” condition.

A church that truly understands the implications of the biblical gospel will look like an unusual hybrid of various church forms and stereotypes (p. 47).

The gospel changes everything. We are saved by believing the gospel, and we are transformed in our everyday lives by believing the gospel more deeply (p. 48). Keller contended that the gospel transforms every aspect of the believer’s life. Moralism and relativism give two opposite extremes for our lives. The gospel offers a balanced approach. Keller discussed in one or two (long) paragraphs each how the gospel affects our beliefs and actions to:

• discouragement and depression
• love and relationships
• sexuality
• family
• self-control
• race and culture
• witness
• human authority
• guilt and self-image
• joy and humor
• attitude toward class

Personal reflections. The sections mentioned above are the heart of chapter three. And in my opinion, they are not only well-written, but also speak truth to crucial areas of the believer’s life. Let me just share what Keller wrote about how the gospel affects our witness:

“The moralist believes in proselytizing, because ‘we are right, and they are wrong.’ Such an approach is almost always offensive. The relativist/pragmatist approach denies the legitimacy of evangelism altogether. Yet the gospel produces a constellation of traits in us. We are compelled to share the gospel out of generosity and love, not guilt. We are freed from the fear of being ridiculed or hurt by others, since we have already received the favor of God by grace. Our dealings with others reflect humility because we know we are saved only by grace alone, not because of our superior insight or character. We are hopeful about everyone, even the ‘hard cases,’ because we were saved only because of grace, not because we were people likely to become Christians. We are courteous and careful with people. We don’t have to push or coerce them, for it is only God’s grace that opens hearts, not our eloquence of persistence or even their openness (Exod 4:10-12). Together, these traits create not only an excellent neighbor in a multicultural society but also a winsome evangelist ” (p. 49-50).

This passage spoke directly to my heart. As we start a church in Chicago, I sometimes (often) feel like the responsibility of the church being built rests on me. Sure, there are things I must do, but ultimately the gospel only goes forward because of God and his grace, not anything special I say.

If you read this chapter, what did you think? Anything stick out to you? Did you disagree with anything?

Aurora, Newtown, and Chicago

The events in Aurora and Newtown were tragic. The fact that so many innocent adults and children were murdered is heartbreaking. In Aurora, twelve people lost their lives when a deranged gunman entered a theater and began shooting. In Newtown, 26 adults and children were killed by someone whose motives are still unclear.

The severity and tragedy of those events should not be diminished.

However, what happens in Chicago everyday is a tragedy that most people overlook, including the media. So far in 2013 (as of February 22), 55 people have been murdered in Chicago (http://homicides.redeyechicago.com/). Fifteen of those were teenagers.

As a country–better yet, as Christians–do we really care?  I’ve heard people say things like: ”It’s all those gangs,” and “Well, at least they’re killing each other.”

Those statements are based on two things: a lack of the full knowledge of the situation, and prejudices.

image from presstv.com

Read these names and ages of the slain.

Octavius Lamb, 20
Kelvin Jemison, 29
Devonta Grisson, 19
Ezquiel Velasquez, 17
Myron Brown, 30
Ulysses Gissendanner, 19
Michael Kozel, 57
Christopher Lattin Jr., 15
Angela Welch, 55
David Kartzmark, 25
Taison Moore, 33
Marcus Turner, 19
Lavonshay Cooper, 22
Darvell Brown, 24
Tyshawn Blanton, 31
Michael Santiago, 21
Johnny Taylor, 23
Brian Cross, 34
Tyrone Soleberry, 39
Marcus Wallace, 23
Victor Vega, 15
Rey Dorantes, 14
Damian Barnes, 22
Gregory Bady, 28
Curtis Porter, 51
Claudia Martinez, 35
Tyrone Lawson, 17
Jorge Valdez-Benitez, 18
Marshall Fields-Hall, 21
Jovantay Alexander, 19
Layla Stewart, 2
Elton Johnson, 35
Ronald Peters, 50
Ronnie Chambers, 33
Unknown
Allen Smiley, 41
Dimitri Buford, 32
Antonio Fenner, 16
Norman Stokes, 38
Willie Wilson, 33
Gino Angotti, 20
Devin Common, 28
Hadiya Pendleton, 15
Manuel Hernandez, 21
Michelle Smith, 32
Salvador Ponce, 31
Sergio Mora, 19
Christopher Roundtree, 29
Marquis Anderson, 22
Frances Colon, 18
Oscar Marquez, 17
Michael Powell, 24
Cherie Adams, 42
Curtria Duncan, 24
Unknown

Now go back and really read each one. 

Each person, even the ones whose names are unknown, was created in the image of God. Each person was once someone’s son or daughter or mother or father. God had a plan for each one. And each one was murdered.

Fifty-five people. And this is only February.

Whatever your belief about gun control, you must believe that the murder rate in Chicago is not good. We have to do something. Try this:

1. Be aware. Follow http://homicides.redeyechicago.com/.
2. Encourage Mayor Emanuel to put more cops in the neighborhoods that are most affected.
3. Show support for rallies against violence.
4. Pray. Pray for lives to be changed with only the peace that Jesus can bring.