The Wonder of the Gospel

Man Up: Looking for a Play-Date vs a Wife

McKay Caston — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:09:42 +0000

What I’m Learning from Les Miles

McKay Caston — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:21:34 +0000

I read an article today about LSU fooball coach, Les Miles, at ESPN.com that not only gave me a real appreciation for the man (this is not easy for an Ole Miss grad to admit), but also made me reflect upon my life as a pastor/husband/dad, since pastoring and coaching seem to be very similar vocations. Somehow, in the midst of the pressue and expectations, Les has been able to succeed as a coach while also being a great dad/family man. According to the article, this is an unusual combination.

Early on, the bio on Les Miles reads,

Charles Spurgeon and Sola Gratia

McKay Caston — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:07:33 +0000

Charles Spurgeon was a preacher of grace in 19th century England. I don’t know where I found this Spurgeon quote, but I’ve had it on my desk for several years, hoping that one day, after repeated exposure, the nickel will drop and I will get it.

“If there be one stitch in the celestial garment of our righteousness which we are to insert ourselves, then we are lost.”

As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The key words are “in him”—in Jesus. Self-righteousness will never do. My righteousness before God must be received as a gift of grace. In Latin, we say sola gratia.

October 31 and the Re-Discovery of Grace

McKay Caston — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:57:27 +0000

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, at the time a Roman Catholic monk and theology professor, nailed a protest letter to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, where he taught at the local university. The letter is known as his 95 Theses, a protest against the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. The practice revealed the church’s unbiblical theology (that people can earn credit for good works and get loved ones out of purgatory by paying for an “indulgence”) and spiritual corruption (since the funds were to be gathered in order to contribute to the building of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome). The theses were bound to create a firestorm, and they did just that, sparking what we now call the Protestant Reformation (from which most all Christian denominations find their roots).

For our purposes, it is important to recognize that October 31 was known as All Hallows Eve, the eve of the day when the church was to hallow all the dead saints. All Hallows Eve morphed into what we now call Halloween (notice how Halloween sounds like All Hallows Eve). Although death was part of the day’s commemoration, it wasn’t the focus. Nevertheless, we can see how the death part has attempted to overshadow the life part, since Reformation Day was the dawning of new light upon the church as the heart of the gospel was rediscovered by folks like Martin Luther.

So as we celebrate the Protestant Reformation this October 31, feel free to dress up and plunder your neighbors for loads of sugar, but don’t forget the real reason for the season—the rediscovery of grace.

Recent K-Group Pictures

McKay Caston — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:48:07 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

Helpful Quotes: Conflict, Community, Truth and Love

McKay Caston — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:50:26 +0000

I have heard some helpful quotes this week and thought I’d share a few of them with you.

“In conflict, our hearts come to the surface.”

“Authentic community is not the absence of conflict and relational funkiness. Authentic community is the result of living out the gospel in the midst of and through conflict and relational funkiness. Authentic community takes place as we learn to repent deeply and forgive completely.”

“Hard circumstances do not forge character; hard circumstances reveal it.” Okay, circumstances do play a major part in the sanctification process. The idea is that how we react to our circumstances reveals where we are in the process and what the functional gospel of our lives is.

“How we say something is as important as what we say.” Thanks to Andy Woznicki for that one. In other words, as Paul said, speak the truth in love.

Andy claims to have heard the following equations at Campus Outreach training or something. I think he made it up himself and is just being humble.

Truth – love —> destroys
Love – truth —> deceives
Truth + love —> develops / encourages / builds up

That’ll preach. After all, it’s the gospel.

Truth = I am more sinful that I would ever dare to admit.
Love = I am more forgiven and accepted than I could ever dare to dream.

SERMON NOTES: “Unmasking the Impostor” (Romans 2:12-24)

McKay Caston — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:48:02 +0000

See below for the sermon notes to the Creekstone message on Oct. 16, “Unmasking the Impostor.” In this passage from Romans 2, Paul wants us to feel busted as impostors so that we can take off our masks, stop covering up the truth and experience the freedom and power of God’s grace in the gospel.

The audio of the message is here.

Romans 2.12-24.unmasking the impostor.pdf Download this file

STUDY GUIDE: Unmasking the Impostor (Romans 2:12-24)

McKay Caston — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:00:10 +0000

Romans_2.12-24.unmasking_pharisee_(study_guide).pdf Download this file

The Seed Planting Business

McKay Caston — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:25:34 +0000

“The person who looks for quick results in the seed planting business… will be disappointed.” These are the wise words of a seasoned pastor, Eugene Peterson, in his book, Traveling Light. This applies to church planting, parenting, friendships, and new endeavors of any kind. The truth is that we live in a “just add water” culture with five minute, quick rise recipes. But we know that muffins with real eggs and butter are much more satisfying, even if they take longer to bake. Just a reminder for all of us in the seed planting business.

Sermon Notes (10.9.11): “The Role of Works” – Romans 2:6-11

McKay Caston — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:33:20 +0000

Some have asked that I post my sermon notes in addition to the audio so that they can have another medium to review and possibly to use for teaching in other contexts. I’ll try to remember to keep posting them if you find them helpful. Or we may post them to the Creekstone website with the sermon audio files. Would love your input if you have any.

Romans_2.6-11.works.pdf Download this file