"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler

Continual Worship

“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15 NASB)

What do you think of when you hear the word “worship”?  Typically we think of music, or a church service.  Most people think of “worship” as something you do at church.  Yet the Bible teaches that worship, for a true believer, should be a constant state of action.  The writer of the book of Hebrews says to “continually” offer up a sacrifice of praise.  This doesn’t mean that you are continually at church.  Nor that you are continually singing.  But it does mean that all throughout your day, you are aware of how God is blessing, protecting, and providing for you and you praise Him for it. 

    You should worship God for granting you a cool breeze on a hot day.  You should worship God for providing you a satisfying dinner when you’re hungry.  And you should worship God for giving you a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in.  All of these types of things, which most people take for granted, should spark heartfelt gratitude and worship in the believer’s life. 

    In all honesty, God owes these things to no one.  Many in this world are hungry and homeless.  Yet God has graciously poured out provisions upon you.  Praise Him for it!  Worship Him for who He is and what He has done.  Most of all, praise Him for the gospel of Christ.

    This is the greatest thing God has done for us.  He sent His son to live a perfect life on behalf of sinners, then to die a sacrificial death in their place.  By turning from our sin in repentance and committing our life to Christ as Lord we can be forgiven and be granted eternal life.  Has God saved you?  If so, then praise Him for it!  Continually praise Him for it.  He didn’t have to do it, but He chose to out of grace.

    God doesn’t need our worship.  He is completely self-sufficient and “needs” nothing.  But He allows us to worship Him and know Him.  Worship Him today because He is worthy of all praise.  Indeed, worship Him today, tomorrow, and forever.  Obey the writer of Hebrews and “continually” offer up a sacrifice of praise to the God who doesn’t need you, yet chose to embrace you.  He is worthy of our worship.

Is The Gospel Foolish?

(NOTE: This article is scheduled to appear in the April 14 edition of the Linn County News.) 

The gospel of Christ is amazing when you really think about it.  We are sinners who have offended a perfect and righteous God.  We deserve judgment, but God shows us grace.  In his justice, he demands that sin be punished; yet in his grace he pours the punishment out on a substitute who stands in our place.  Jesus, who was God in the flesh, hung on the cross, in the place of guilty sinners and paid the eternal price by absorbing God’s wrath on our behalf.  Then God’s gracious Spirit brings conviction to our heart. We repent, and we place our faith in Jesus, following Him to our death.  That, in a nutshell is the gospel.  Does it seem foolish to you?  If so, then that’s because you are perishing.

    The Bible says:  “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB)  If the gospel seem foolish, then that proves you are spiritually lost.  Because when God grants a new, “spiritual” birth to a sinner’s heart they understand and embrace Jesus Christ and his gospel.  They turn from their sin and follow Christ.  It’s a supernatural work of God and he gets all the glory.

    Maybe today for the first time, the gospel is starting to make sense.  Cry out to God and beg his forgiveness for the sins you’ve committed against him.  Or, perish eternally in your sin.  Cry out and ask the Lord to have mercy upon you a sinner!  Or…perish eternally in your sin.

    Does the gospel seem foolish to you?  It’s not foolish to us who are being saved.  Indeed it is the power of God.