The Essence of the Gospel: Joy of Salvation

Pastor Tim Keller emphasizes that true joy comes from understanding the essence of the gospel, not just its results.

### The Impact of Tim Keller's Center Church
Pastor Tim Keller's book, Center Church, explores the success of Redeemer Church as a missionary church in New York City, emphasizing the **importance of a gospel-driven ministry**. Keller argues that many evangelical churches misunderstand the gospel, leading to **ineffective ministry results**. He stresses the need to distinguish between the gospel and its fruits, warning that focusing too much on the results can **overshadow the essence and power of the gospel**.

### The Celebration in Lazarus' Household
Jesus visited Lazarus' home in Bethany before the Passover, where a celebration took place due to Lazarus being **raised from the dead**. Martha served while Lazarus enjoyed fellowship with Jesus, and Mary anointed Jesus' feet with **expensive perfume**, expressing her **gratitude**. Judas criticized Mary's actions, viewing them as **wasteful**, but his true motives were revealed as **selfish**.

### Mary's Devotion and Jesus' Response
Mary's act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus' feet was met with indignation from the disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who saw it as a **waste**. Jesus defended Mary, recognizing her **devotion** and stating that her actions were in preparation for His **burial**. Mary's use of her hair to wipe Jesus' feet symbolized her **selflessness and deep love for the Lord**, contrasting with the lack of **gratitude and grace** in Judas' group.

### The Importance of Heart and Sincerity in Faith
Mary's act of honoring Jesus with the perfume reflected her heart and sincerity, emphasizing that **true faith comes from within**. The joy of salvation and gratitude towards God are essential for a **strong relationship with Him**. In a world filled with counterfeit pleasures, we must **restore our joy in the Lord** and wear the **helmet of salvation** to combat **deception and emptiness**.

### Finding Joy in Deficiencies: A Message from Pastor Lee Chan-soo
Pastor Lee Chan-soo's message emphasizes that everyone has deficiencies, but it's how we **respond to them that matters**. He encourages relying on **Jesus Christ for strength** and using life's deficiencies as a **resource for growth**. The essence of the Gospel is **rejoicing in the Lord** and acknowledging His grace, which can lead to a **deeper faith and renewed commitment**.

### The Essence of the Gospel: Joy, Gratitude, and True Devotion
* 📖 In 2012, Pastor Tim Keller released his influential book *Center Church*, which addresses the **effectiveness of evangelical church ministries** through the lens of the **gospel**.
* 🏙 Redeemer Church in New York City gained recognition for its **urban outreach and gospel-driven ministry**, prompting many pastors and missionaries to seek insights from Keller's work.
* 🔍 Keller critiques current evangelical churches for not fully embracing the gospel, attributing this to a misunderstanding that conflates the gospel with its fruits, emphasizing that "**the gospel is not just advice but good news**."
* ❤ The book illustrates that while the gospel produces good results, such as **love and joy**, these should not be mistaken for the gospel itself; instead, they are **essential outcomes** of it.
* 🍷 An example is drawn from the celebration in Lazarus's household, where **gratitude and joy** stemmed from his resurrection, contrasting with Judas Iscariot's criticism of Mary’s act of devotion in anointing Jesus with **expensive perfume**.
* 💰 Mary’s sincere devotion, shown through her extravagant gesture, highlights the **importance of heart and gratitude in our faith**, which should flow from the **joy of salvation** rather than mere results.
* 🛡 The message emphasizes the need to wear the **"helmet of salvation"** against worldly distractions and to recognize the **true joy that comes from a relationship with God**, rather than fleeting pleasures.
* 🙏 As the church prepares for a festival, it is a moment to reflect on **God's grace and the essence of the gospel**, which is **rejoicing in the Lord** and cultivating a heart filled with **gratitude and joy**.

2024년 10월 2일 차이 (요 12:1-8)_백민수목사

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