Mark Driscoll’s message at Liberty University (April 20,2012)

Published on Apr 20, 2012 by libertyuniversity

On April 20, 2012 at Convocation, North America’s largest weekly gathering of Christian students, Pastor Mark Driscoll spoke to Liberty University students from Luke 15:11–32, the parable of the prodigal son, on the topic of “The Rebellious and the Religious.” His premise was that sin and religion are equally contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He closed by challenging students to make the most of their time while studying at Liberty.
“Do not waste these years on rebellion. Do not waste these years on religion. Get to know Jesus, He loves you very much,” he said.

Driscoll is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Wash., and is one of the world’s most quoted pastors. He was named one of the “25 Most Influential Pastors of the Past 25 Years” by “Preaching” magazine and his sermons are consistently No. 1 on iTunes each week for Religion & Spirituality, with millions of downloads each year. He is also the author of 15 books.

Related articles

• David Platt – Jesus is enough at Liberty University
• D A Carson at Liberty University Q + A February 2012

8 truths about Jesus and the Cross

by Mark Driscoll via – you can read entire post here at the Christian Post

Driscoll, who leads the Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, points out that while it’s uncommon for someone to sacrifice his or her life for a friend, “it would be nearly impossible to find examples of people sacrificing their life for an enemy.”

Yet, Jesus made such a sacrifice nearly 2,000 years ago when he died “for the ungodly,” as the apostle Paul wrote in Romans, Driscoll explained in his post, “Why Jesus Died on the Cross.”

“Regardless if we admit it or not, as sinners, we’re all enemies of God, deserving death and God’s wrath,” Driscoll wrote. “Yet, Jesus died for us. He made the ultimate sacrifice with his life for you and me.”

There are eight truths that are “absolutely essential to understanding why Jesus died on the cross and what his death means for us,” he stated.

1. God is holy and without any sin.
God is holy, without sin, and altogether good. As such, he can’t be in the presence of sin, and as a just God, must judge sin and sinners (Leviticus 11:44; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15–16).

2. God made the world and us as good.
Not only is God good, but also everything he made was originally good, including human beings, who were made in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29).

. We rebelled against God.
Though God made the world and us as good, our first father and mother rebelled against God, bringing sin into the world. This first sin was trying to become the God of our own lives by doing the one thing we were asked not to do. Ever since, we have sought to remove God from his throne and place ourselves on the throne instead (Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 3:10–12; 5:12).

4. We are sinful.
Despite the fact that God made humans sinless, we’re now sinners both by nature and by choice due to the actions of our first parents. Anyone who says they’re not a sinner is in fact proud, and according to the church father Augustine, pride is the worst of sins and was the cause of Satan’s fall from heaven. Even non-Christians tend to agree that everyone is sinful when they declare often, “Nobody is perfect,” which agrees with Scripture (Psalm 53:3, 6; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8).

5. Sin results in death.
God is the source of all life, and our sin results in our separation from him and death. Just as a piece of technology unplugged from its power source continues to exist but is functionally dead, so are we dead in our sin. The Bible says that because of sin we are physically alive but spiritually dead (Genesis 2:16–17; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1;Colossians 2:13).

6. Jesus is sinless.
Jesus is the only person who has or will ever live without sin (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).

7. Jesus became our sin.
On the cross as our substitute, Jesus willfully became the worst of what we are. This does not mean that Jesus sinned. Rather, it means that he took our sins on as his responsibility and paid the price for them that we should have paid-death. Martin Luther is one of the few theologians who does not lessen the blow of this truth and calls it the “great exchange.”

Scripture declares that on the cross Jesus exchanged his perfection for our imperfection, his obedience for our disobedience, his intimacy with God the Father for our distance from God the Father, his blessing for our cursing, and his life for our death (Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

8. Jesus died for us.
The Bible teaches that in perfect justice, because Jesus was made to be our sin, he died for us. The little word “for” has big implications. In theological terms, it means that Jesus’ death was substitutionary. His death was in our place, solely for our benefit, and without benefit for himself. He took the penalty for our sins so that we don’t have to suffer that penalty. The wrath of God that should’ve fallen on us and the death that our sins merit instead fell on Jesus.

Driscoll concluded his post by writing that Jesus has paid the penalty for everyone’s sins regardless of what they’ve done.

“There’s nothing more you have to do on top of what he has already done for you,” he stressed. “Stop working to try and earn God’s love, and start living out of thankfulness that God already loves you and paid the ultimate sacrifice to draw you near to him. Trust Jesus with your life.”

Mark Driscoll – Porn Again Christian – read book online

This booklet was originally published at Mars Hill Church and is now being offered as a freely distributable online eBook and downloadable as a PDF which Mars Hill encourages everyone to distribute.

Introduction

Chapter 1
A Tall Glass of Toilet Water

Chapter 2
The Fear of the Lord

Chapter 3
A Theology of Pornographic Lust

Chapter 4
A Practical Theology of Pornographic Lust

Chapter 5
Masturbation

Chapter 6
Manly Men

Chapter 7
Answers to Common Questions

Chapter 8
Pornography and the Slippery Slope of Ted Bundy

Appendix:
A Final Word to Military Men and Other Men Who Like Prostitutes
Sex SlaveryHow Are Women Procured?
“Breaking” the Women

Organized Crime and Corruption

U.S. Military and Prostitution

Most Prostitution is SlaveryConclusion

The Prodigal Son – Mark Driscoll at New Saint Andrews College – The Grace Agenda (via) Canon Wired

 

Mark Driscoll preaching on the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15:11-32.

•  God’s first plan is always humility, his second plan is humiliation. If you don’t have the first one, you get the second one… God opposes the proud, but honors the humble.
• Sin is not just breaking the law-it’s breaking the Father’s heart
• Repentance is much beter than getting caught; some of you are waiting until you get caught
• Most sinners don’t feel that God, the Father loves them and runs towards them (as in the Prodigal son parable)but He does and He has compassion for the son. Lesson here is: When you sin run to the Father
• Second part of the story is about the son who stayed home- the religious son. The religious son gets indignant, judgmental and dishonors the Father also, by refusing to honor the father’s request to join them at the banquet. He is lecturing his father; he did not love his fathe; he, like his rebellious brother is using his father and he becomes angr at the father’s grace. The religious person says about others who get radically saved and says:”They don’t deserve it, they didn’t earn it!” That’s right, that’s grace! Don’t be jealous of the grace that God gives to others.
• Does the religious son repent? No. Religious people often don’t understand that they need to repent of their religiousness (their self righteousness, their pride for their works). When they see sinners they not only get angry, but they get indignant thinking others don’t deserve God’s grace. 
• You can be moral and lost. You can be religious but completely blind to the grace of the Father.
• The Father is kind. He is pursuing the rebellious and the religious son to enjoy the fruit of repentance.

Mark Driscoll at New Saint Andrews College – Th…, posted with vodpod

Related articles

• Mark Driscoll – Who is Jesus? Qwest Stadium Sermon Snippet
• Feed the Sheep, Shoot the Wolves – Mark Driscoll at Desiring God Conference 2008
• A Pastor’s Rebuke To Single Men & Married Men: Proceed With Caution!

Feed the Sheep, Shoot the Wolves – Mark Driscoll at Desiring God Conference 2008

via DesiringGod.org

How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words

Desiring God 2008 National Conference

These are notes taken during the session, not a manuscript.)

I was asked to speak on “Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words.” The big idea is that some go too far, and some don’t go far enough. We’re going to spend some time reading Scripture, including Scriptures that some may not be comfortable with.

1. Christians are to feed the sheep.

We deal with different people differently, and we have to discern who goes into what category. When we’re dealing with Christians, the effort should be to love, encourage, grow them. I love my people with all my heart, and I’ve given them my life. I’ve told them I’m preaching my own funeral. That’s how I intend to go out. I love and adore my people.

We see this in the ministry of Jesus. He speaks to the woman at the well in a loving way. Jesus speaks like this to Zaccheus. Romans 14 shows us this as well. Paul says “It doesn’t matter what you eat or don’t eat. Love your brother.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This is speaking of sheep. We’re not supposed to be kind to wolves or false teachers. We’re not to be kind to those speaking false doctrine. Some Christians, when you begin to critique others, quote Eph. 4:32. We are supposed to be kind, but to one another. We are not to be kind to wolves.

2. Rebuke the swine.

These are people who are habitually unrepentant in their sin. Their not acting like sheep, though they claim to be. Paul tells Timothy to rebuke with all authority.

Isaiah 3:16-24 – “The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; the signet rings and nose rings; the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils. Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.”

We read that and say, “That’s fine,” unless you are that woman, unless that’s your daughter or wife. All of a sudden, you are offended because the God of the universe has opinions about accessories. Here God rebukes women for their sin.

Whole books of the Bible are devoted to rebuke in a satirical way. The whole book of Amos is a satirical rebuke.

Amos 4:1 – “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’”

You laugh because you don’t think he’s talking about you. I’ve never seen a culture where a woman likes being called a cow.

These women live in very nice homes up on the mountains. They are very rich. God shows up to these women and says, “The clothes you are wearing were made in a sweatshop and your nanny is an illegal immigrant. I know your gal pals are part of the local Rotary Club. I’ve decided to call you the cows of Bashan.” It’s funny, and you can laugh, even though it’s a nervous laughter. Some would say, “I would never say that.” God said that.

Amos 6:4-6 – “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!”

Woe to you who roll around in Escalades and wear lots of bling and lay around on couches hoping you can get onto MTV Cribs. This is God’s way of rebuking the sheep who are acting like swine. Their consciences are so broken that apart from a storng rebuke, they will not be changed.

Again, we don’t think God is talking about us. How many of us are in debt with buying things to impress people. The Bible is okay when it’s talking about them. But it’s painfully read when it’s talking about us.

Ezekiel 16:26-28 – “You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger. Behold, therefore, I stretched out my hand against you and diminished your allotted portion and delivered you to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd behavior. You played the whore also with the Assyrians, because you were not satisfied; yes, you played the whore with them, and still you were not satisfied.”

I was listening to Christian radio recently, and it said “We are safe for the whole family.” The DJ read the verse of the day, and I knew it wouldn’t be this one.

Ezek 23:18-21 “When she carried on her whoring so openly and flaunted her nakedness, I turned in disgust from her, as I had turned in disgust from her sister. Yet she increased her whoring, remembering the days of her youth, when she played the whore in the land of Egypt and lusted after her paramours there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses. Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom and pressed your young breasts.”

Some translations translate “semen.” God is rebuking his people for idolatry, sin, and sexual perversion.

Today we use euphemisms like “Having an affair.” I can’t handle it. A pastor having sex with someone not his wife is not an affair. It’s adultery. We use good words for good things and bad words for bad things, and we confuse people when we use good words for bad things.

More money is spent on pornography than on foreign aid. A porn film is made in this country every forty minutes. When you’re in the middle of a war you sometimes have to bring out the big guns.

Proverbs rebukes the sluggard. He’s talking about you 20 year old bloggers who live with your mom and sleep in Star Wars sheets.

Christian Doctrine 4 – Image: God Loves

Then God said “Let us make man in our image…”(Gen 1:26) This declaration by God has profound implications for the dignity, value and worth for all of mankind. Sadly however, our culture continues to deny this truth and seek for meaning outside of God’s design for man. Even more disturbing is that many of us who belong to Christ do not experience the joy and freedom that comes from knowing and living out this truth. :Let us discuss what it means to live
out our image of God.

Relevant Scriptures:
Creation: Gen 1:26-27, 5:1-3,9:6, Jas. 3:9
Imago Dei in Jesus: 2 Cor 4:4, Col. 1:15, Heb 1:3
Imago Dei in a believer: Rom 8:26, Eph. 4:22-24, Col 3:9-10, 1 Cor 11:7,15:49, Phil. 3:20-21

Theology: What does scripture say about the image of God in the creation of man?

What attributes of God do you see reflected in Mankind?
What attributes of God are not reflected in mankind?
List some key verses in Gen 1-2 that indicate that man is significantly different than the rest of creation?
How does a non-regenerate person image God? How is it different for a Christian?
What is the significance of Jesus being the perfect image of God?

Implications: discuss the implications of being an image bearer of God in our daily lives.

When describing yourself, what images do you begin with? (mother, bartender, addict)
How does being an image bearer of God change the way you see yourself?
In what way is your image of God marred or distorted by sin?
How do you distort the image of God in such a way that you make God less and you more?
In what ways are you prone to diminish self and elevate creation?
List some key areas of your life that you need to confess and repent of in order to image God more truthfully.

Prayer: Reflect and meditate on the work of Creation and what it reveals about the glory of God.

Pray for that we would live out of the image of God to bring glory to Jesus.
Pray for forgiveness for the times we bear false witness to God’s image.
Pray for those who are image bearers of God but have yet to meet Him.

Christian Doctrine 3 – Creation: God Makes

History has a beginning The Bible begins with God and the Creative act that sent time into motion. As we study the essential doctrines of the church we must address the origin of man and the universe itself. Scripture gives us the account of this origin in Genesis 1 and 2, These first chapters of the Bible have sparked many debates over the years inside and outside the church. As we begin our study, let us take care to be faithful to what scripture reveals about creation and be content with the mystery in the areas it is silent.

Theology: What does scripture say about Creation?

Which of the Christian views on Creation do you subscribe? Support your position with Scripture?
What are the non-negotiable issues with regard to creation and which should we hold in an open hand?
When you read Genesis 1-2, what do you take a way as the focus of the first two chapters of Scripture?
Are the 6 days of Creation literal 24 hour days? Support your answer.
What is the significance of Creation being made out of nothing (Heb 11:3)?

Implications: We will know discuss the implications of God revelation to our daily lives.

What is the personal significance to you that Genesis 1-2 are focused on the Creator vs. Creation?
How does this view effect the way that you look at other aspects of your life?
Why is understanding Creation an essential doctrine?
What have you learned about God from observing His creation?
How does you life look different with the perspective of God as Author and Subject of History?

Prayer: Reflect and meditate on the work of Creation and what it reveals about the glory of God.

Pray that we would worship the Creator and not Creation.
Pray for a God centered perspective of history.
Pray for those who do not yet know Jesus , that they would see the glory of God in Creation itself.

Christian Doctrine 2 – Revelation: God Speaks

Lecture by Mark Driscoll. Last week we considered who God is. This week we will consider what God has revealed to His creation. God in His grace has given us an option greater than speculation. It is only through His revelation that we can even begin to know who God is and understand His purposes.

General Revelation: The personal act of God by which He makes Himself known through His creation, providence and conscience to humanity in general so that they might come into relationship with Him. (Ps 19:1-4, Ps 98:8-10, Rom1:19-21)

Special Revelation: The personal acts of God by which He makes Himself known by His redemptive word-work to many people son that they might come into relationship with Him. (2 Tim 3:16, Heb 1:1)

Theology: Let us begin our discussion with the revelation of God..

How is the inspiration of Scripture verified by the following:
The teachings of Jesus?
Prophecy?
Self verification and consistency?
What does it mean that the Word of God is sufficient?
What part did God play in special revelation?
What part did the human authors play in special revelation?
Explain the difference between interpretation and application.
What characteristics of God give us confidence in the cannon of Scripture?

Implications: consider now, the implications of God revelation to our daily lives.

Give an example of general revelation in your life and how God used it to reveal Himself to you?
How has God revealed Himself to you through Scripture in the past week?
How does faith in the Word of God effect how you live your life today?
What does it mean to submit to the Authority of Scripture to you personally?
In what areas of your life have you resisted the Bibles Authority?
Give an example of where you see the Word of God living and active today.

Prayer: Reflect on the truth of God’s Word, and who it reveals Him to be. Meditate on the grace of God that He would reveal Himself to us is such a tangible way as Scripture.

Pray for wisdom and understanding of the revelation of God in my daily Bible study.
Pray that the word of God would be living and active in my life.
Pray for a desire to know God through his Word.
Pray for those you know who have yet to believe that God’s revelation would penetrate their hearts.

Christian Doctrine 1 – Trinity: God Is

Lecture by Mark Driscoll. We begin our study of essential doctrine not with what God has done, but with who God is, for the simple reason that before God did anything, He was. Therefore, let us consider who God is as He has revealed Himself in Scripture, as the one true, living, and Trinitarian God. Although the word “Trinity” was coined by Tertullian in the first century, the concept is clearly found in the Old and New Testament as attested by the historic affirmation of the Trinity throughout the history of the church.

The Trinity: One God who eternally exists as three distinct equal persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, who are each fully and equally God.

Theology: We will start by engaging Scripture to understand the theology behind the doctrine of the Trinity.

Consider the following scriptures: 2 Chr. 15:3, Jer 10:10, John 17:3, 1 Thess. 1:9. What does this tell about the nature of God?
What is the implication of this truth for other religions and gods?
There are many scriptures that declare that the Father( Jn. 6:27, 1 Peter 1:3), the Son (Rom. 9:5, Gal 4:4) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4, 2 Cor. 3:16-18) are God. How is this reconciled with the statements of one God through scriptures like Gen. 1:26, 3:22, Is. 6:8?
What does it mean that the Father, Son and Spirit are distinct persons?
How does Matt. 3:16-17 support the distinct personhood of the Father, Son and Spirit?
How is the Trinity reflected in John 4:8 “God is Love”?
How does our desire for community and relationship reflect the image of God within us?

Implications: Let us consider the implications of the Trinity as it affects the way we live our daily lives.

Why is the Trinity an essential doctrine to Christian faith?
Why is it important to understand the nature of God as he has revealed Himself?
How do you relate to God the Father? The Son? The Spirit? What does a Trinitarian life look like for you personally?
What aspects of the Trinity (community, relationship, submission…etc) are missing from your life?
How is God calling you to worship Him in light of His Trinitarian nature?

Prayer: Reflect on the truth of God’s Word, and who it reveals God to be. Meditate on the concept of the Trinity and the implications that God is three distinct persons who are equally God.

Pray for wisdom and understanding of the revealed nature of God.
Pray that God would give us eyes to see what it looks like to live a Trinitarian life.
Pray for those who have yet to meet and know the one true God as revealed in the Bible.

Doug Wilson Interviews Mark Driscoll | Part II – Spiritual Gifts & Cessationism (via) Gabi Bogdan

1st collector for Doug Wilson Interviews Mark Driscoll | Part II …
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