These days, few people challenge me more than C.J. Mahaney. This post reminded me that it is vital that I communicate passion about the Gospel.
Read this and pray that your pastor would be most passionate about the Gospel, especially if you are a brick in the Valley.
I have learned a very important lesson over the years: those I have the privilege to teach are not usually most affected by the general content of my teaching; they are often most affected by what I am most passionate about.
I am still learning this, and it’s all too easy to forget.
When I teach, my passion must be theologically informed, and proportional to the content or point I am making in the sermon. This insight is not original with me (no insights are original with me!), and I have found this point better articulated by Dr. Don Carson in a lecture he delivered last year at the CBMW Different by Design Conference (Feb. 2, 2009, Minneapolis, MN). While speaking of those who are passionate for social justice, he delivered this caution:
There are some wonderful instances of ordinary Christians, not least the young, who are concerned to preach the whole gospel unabashedly and do good first to the household of God and then, as much as is possible, outside as well [Galatians 6:10]. That has got biblical mandate behind it.…
My warning would be to those who are coming along and talking a lot about, “I want to be faithful to the gospel, but I also want to do social justice of good works.” My warning would be: it is not just what you do, it is what you are excited about.
And the implications are broader than social justice. All manner of topics can capture our excitement, like church methodology, parenting style, or any other point of application. Carson continues,
If I have learned anything in 35 or 40 years of teaching, it is that students don’t learn everything I teach them. What they learn is what I am excited about, the kinds of things I emphasize again and again and again and again. That had better be the gospel.
If the gospel—even when you are orthodox—becomes something which you primarily assume, but what you are excited about is what you are doing in some sort of social reconstruction, you will be teaching the people that you influence that the gospel really isn’t all that important. You won’t be saying that—you won’t even mean that—but that’s what you will be teaching. And then you are only half a generation away from losing the gospel.
Make sure that in your own practice and excitement, what you talk about, what you think about, what you pray over, what you exude confidence over, joy over, what you are enthusiastic about is Jesus, the gospel, the cross. And out of that framework, by all means, let the transformed life flow.
Seminary professors and preachers will transfer to others what they are most passionate about. And those we serve should see a difference between our passion for the gospel and our passion for other issues. It’s worth asking ourselves regularly: Is it clear to others that nothing excites me more than the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified?
I agree wholeheartedly that we should be passionate about the gospel and that we should pray that our pastor would be passionate about the gospel. But “most passionate”? Shouldn’t we be most passionate about God Himself? I realize that this may seem like splitting hairs to some, but if you’ve read John Piper’s “God is the Gospel” you’ll see it is not an insignificant difference. The gospel is “good news” which explains the way to God through Jesus. The gospel itself insists on passion directed toward God. So, as a consequence, shouldn’t we be most passionate about God Himself?
Ryan – – I wouldn’t disagree. I thought Piper made a good point in his book, God is the Gospel. Your comment helps clarify the post in an important way. Thank you.
I attended a conference where CJ Mahaney spoke. I can’t remember anything he said, but I remember watching him worship. He was in the front row, and the veins in his neck were popping out as he earnestly, passionately worshipped his God with a huge smile all over his face. He was leaning in with one foot forward and arms outstretched–He looked like he was about to rush the stage. I’ll never forget that.