by Josh Liu

In nature, we often observe energy travel the path of least resistance. Similarly, people typically choose the easiest or most convenient option. Unfortunately, a similar pattern is seen in many believers: they are simply going with the common grain. It’s easy to live like the world since it’s the path of least resistance; it’s hard to live against the world for Christ. Yet the transforming power of the Gospel enables and compels true believers to be faithful to Christ in all areas of life.

Overview

Pastor James Lee of Lighthouse Bible Church Orange County preached on the theme of “living unmistakably against the common grain” for our 2018 College Life Retreat. It was a great time of studying Scripture, examining our own lives, and considering how to be faithful to Christ in every area of life! Personally, it was also a blessing to be able to spend time with Pastor James and his family as they have been an incredible source of joy and encouragement.

The following provides a brief overview of the sessions:

Session 1: Faithful to Follow the Lord: The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-35)

Many fail to truly consider how much it costs to be a Christian. As Pastor James says, we up-play the freeness of the gift of salvation but we downplay the cost. Christ commands us to follow Him completely, with no regrets or conditions. In considering what it means to follow Christ from Luke 14, we must understand three non-negotiables: (1) accept His terms: absolute lordship (vv. 25-26); (2) accept His road: daily discipleship (vv. 27-33); and (3) accept His mission (vv. 34-35).

Questions for reflection/discussion:

1. It’s not about perfection but direction. How does your life evidence an exclusive allegiance to Christ?
2. In willingness to die, how will you specifically live for Christ right now?
3. Is there anything in your life that God is calling you to surrender to Him?

Session 2: Faithful to Daily Death: Our Gospel Debt to the Daily Dying of William Tyndale

William Tyndale’s singular devotion to translate and distribute the Bible, punishable by death at the time, demonstrated a faithful life transformed by the Gospel. Pastor James provides five observations that we can glean from the life of Tyndale: (1) the infinite worth and transforming power of God’s written Word; (2) the providential and merciful workings of God in history for His people; (3) the desperate everything found in light of the true Gospel; (4) the Gospel’s absolute demand of daily discipleship for the joy of suffering; and (5) the deeply personal and generational impact in which the life of ministry faithfulness can have.

Questions for reflection/discussion:

1. What can you give thanks to God from Tyndale’s life?
2. What’s one thing about his life that sticks out and challenges you to greater faithfulness?

Session 3: Faithful by Obedient Evangelism: The Sad Silence of God’s People in Their Call to the Nations (Jonah 4:1-11)

Pastor James masterfully reviews the Book of Jonah to show that Jonah is the story of God’s mercy not just to Nineveh but especially to a rebellious prophet. Ironically, Jonah is preaching repentance when he isn’t truly repentant in his own heart. In examining our own hearts of self-righteousness, pay attention to these three sad ironic contradictions in Jonah’s self-righteousness: (1) hearing grace for ourselves but hating grace for others; (2) inviting sovereignty for happiness but ignoring sovereignty for holiness; and (3) rejoicing in God’s great salvation but rejecting God’s saving smile.

Questions for reflection/discussion:

1. In what areas might God be exposing self-righteousness in your own life?
2. How have you withheld grace from someone? How can you show God’s grace to this person?
3. How can you specifically begin to pursue a lost soul?

Session 4: The Only Hope that Will Not and Never Disappoint (Selected Scriptures)

Everyone needs hope. Unfortunately, many think of hope as wishful thinking and desires. Yet biblical hope is absolute and completely certain. Where one places his hope (for help, fulfillment, provision, comfort, etc.) exposes the heart. Christians have true (biblical) hope because God is a God of hope (cf. 1 Pet. 3:14-15; Rom. 15:13; 1 Thess. 4:13). Here are three reasons why hoping in God will never disappoint: (1) God cannot and will not make empty promises; (2) Heaven is our true home forever and together; and (3) God’s kingdom is totally worth dying for and living for.

Questions for reflection/discussion:

1. Where do you find refuge, safety, comfort, escape, pleasure, or security? What do you think about most often?
2. How might you counsel or encourage someone who is hopeless?
3. How can you actively invest into eternity?

Session 5: Faithful to Honor Christ through the Hardships of Life and Ministry (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

Suffering will result in faithful obedience to Christ (cf. Matt. 5:10-12; Acts 14:22). Yet, as Pastor James said, God’s grace shines through to tell you that even at the lowest point of life, there’s a pathway to joy. Pastor James highlights three lessons from 2 Corinthians 12 in order to faithfully honor Christ through suffering: (1) trust in the purposes of divine sovereignty (v. 7); (2) be gripped by the sufficiency of divine grace (vv. 8-9a); and (3) delight in the paradox of divine power (vv. 9b-10).

Questions for reflection/discussion:

1. What does suffering reveal about the perfections and purposes of God?
2. What might God be teaching you through suffering that you otherwise wouldn’t have learned?
3. How might you encourage and counsel someone who is going through suffering?

Studying Scripture together was the distinct highlight of the retreat. Along with the sessions, we also had a great time of fellowship through team games, lipdubs, meal times, and more! Check out the highlight video!