My Gospel Story

FROM ROCK STREET TO A RENEWED HEART

Copyrighted @JoeyZorina

The HEART of rebellion.

When I was a young man in my teens and 20’s, I was very rebellious and stubborn as a donkey.  On the surface, I had the appearance of a “nice” person; but deep in my heart I was very proud.  I didn’t want anyone telling me what to do.  I never listened to wise counsel from others—except my feelings and my own opinions.  I was wise in my own eyes while fooling myself and I didn’t know it. 

When Grandma called for family prayer meetings, I would get angry or walk out.  I didn’t want to listen to her rebuke; because my idols of comfort and control were challenged.  I didn’t want to listen to the wisdom of Proverbs,

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing” (Proverbs 29: 1).  

On the surface my band was well known with Awards.  I had a rich band manager. I had what I’ve always wanted.  Yet, deep inside I was lonely, empty, sad, angry and dissatisfied—though my band was featured on Rock Street Journal—the only Indian rock magazine in the 90s (long before digital portals or social media platforms). 

The girls, the parties, the booze, the drugs—I had them all.  People with social status became my “friends” as long as I could do charity concert for their causes.  But nothing satisfied me until one day I broke down as I couldn’t live that way anymore.  I tried 3 rehabs; but nothing worked until a friend introduced me to a pastor at a small Bible school. 

the HEART OF redemption.

I remember the pastor’s email that said “one Word from God” could change my life forever.  He was right.  I went to meet him.  And for the first time, I heard about the love and cross of Christ (Galatians 2:20). It was not a mere understanding of the mind but a supernatural illumination of the heart from the Holy Spirit. 

I heard that Christ died to forgive my sins, not so that I can still live the way I want; but that my old self was crucified with Christ.  That if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation—the self-centered, self-righteous, ego-centric nature was crucified with Christ, and the new self had come (2 Cor. 5: 17).  I was finally free and made new by the Spirit from the inside! 

Though I have not arrived, I am no longer what I once was because of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1: 27).

I share this testimony because I want others to know that Jesus is real and transforms lives.  I used to live for myself but I was self-imprisoned on the path to hell. The life I had built for myself without God eventually came crashing down.  If we want a life without Christ and His church, He will give it to us in the end.  The most scary thing is that a holy God can actually give us what we’ve always wanted—a life without Him forever!  

THE HEART OF FREEDOM

But it doesn’t have to be that way because of His grace!  Jesus is my new Master now.  I am free to obey my new Master who has set me free to live for Him (John 8: 36). 

If you had met me in those days you would never think I would be a pastor.  I never thought Jesus would call me from Rock Street to Shibuya Street one day.  But Jesus knew and Jesus wanted me—yes even a dirty sinner like me (1 Tim. 1: 15)

True freedom is not freedom to live the way I want, but freedom to obey Jesus with others in the church.  This is my Gospel story.  At the center of this story is Jesus! And this story has not ended yet because Jesus is writing a story of redemption around the world! He is calling people from every nation to know Him and make Him known (Rev. 7: 9).

• Read Joey’s story also on “Why I Left India To Reach The Unreached in Japan” article at Radical blog.

My Gospel Story

By Tanatswa Makara

My journey as a follower of Christ began in a church-going house.

Every Sunday was church day and every New Year’s Eve was spent in worship and prayer. Mothers, aunts, uncles cousins, an entire family tree from various denominations, gathered under one roof to worship God. It was beautiful!

Then in high school, my heart was strangely moved after hearing a pastor preach. Though I struggle to remember the sermon itself, one thing was clear:

I was convicted of the sinful nature I never knew I had.

Growing up in a church-going family, I had always assumed I was Christian. I had been around people to whom reading the Bible daily was almost a routine, and so I told myself I "practically was one."

However, on that day I was made aware of the weight of my sin, regardless of my own works, and how much I needed a Savior. I gave my life to Jesus that day.

But my self-righteousness lingered.

I still felt I had to "do something” to be right with God. And that pride made me aimless. I hopped from church to church, telling myself I was seeking something that "suited" me. I was seeking something perfect—”a perfect church.” I nitpicked everything, pushing away the body of Christ, and by the end, I had convinced myself that perhaps I was called to be a lone wolf.

But in those moments God brought the famous words of Matthew 11: 29-30,

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

These words brought me to tears. I realized that all my anxiety, restlessness, need for perfectionism had been me wrestling with God's loving kindness, unable to fully believe the work that Jesus finished on the cross.

I didn't have to be perfect. I didn't have to earn righteousness, because it was never about me. It was God that loved me first and sent Jesus to die for my sins.

1 Peter 2: 9-10 says,

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

I repented from my pride and rested in the assurance of my salvation. Though this journey has often been a struggle, I am thankful to God for bringing me to The Bridge Fellowship where I have learned to marvel at Christ's work amongst His people.

My journey has become one of growing in awe and wonder, and I daily look forward to walking with Jesus for His glory.

Tanatswa Makara was recently received into membership at The Bridge Fellowship.

What gives our Sunday Worship A Gospel Shape?

Isaiah 6: 1-8 gives our worship a Gospel-shape.  

Praise | 

In Isaiah’s vision of God, he sees creatures praising God in His holiness and glory.   

CONFESSION |

In response to God’s holiness, Isaiah confesses his sin and seeks renewal. 

RENEWAL |

God speaks His Word to Isaiah. Isaiah receives forgiveness and cleansing.

COMMISSION |

Isaiah then responds by committing to serve the Lord. 

Therefore, we approach God in awe, we see our sin, we hear the good news of what Jesus has done, and we respond in faith and obedience. 

Worship from the Heart |  

God is the only Audience.  Worship must be in spirit and truth (John 4: 23).  The songs we sing are biblical and Gospel-centered, instructing the mind and affecting the heart.  The loudest sound in the worship are the voices of the congregation (see Psalms).  The entire worship team is the congregation. The instruments serve congregational voices.

God cares about our hearts most in our gathering:  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3: 16).   

Evangelistic Worship |

God cares about unbelievers in worship.  Paul said when “an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you” (1 Cor. 14: 24, 25).  

Worship SERVICE TEAM |  

When we set up chairs, banners, sound system or camera without grumbling and complaining, it’s an act of worship to God.  Praying for the people who are going to sit in the chairs, praying for the sound systems to serve rather than distract, praying for banners that they point us to why we do what we do, praying for the camera so that the Gospel goes out and reaches people can be a helpful way to worship while setting up. When Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac, it was an act of worship to God (Gen. 22: 5). 

The various elements in our worship “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” are centered around the Gospel (Act 2: 42).

When we are sent out with Gospel blessings from Monday to Saturday, all of life in our homes and workplace is to be a living sacrifice—an act of worship to God (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:31). 

WHY each element in our worship MATTERS.

The Gathered Church

What is at the center of God’s purpose for the universe?

From “Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 4: Church and Last Things.”

“The gathered church is God’s house, where He manifests His special presence on earth. God Himself appears in our midst, and His voice is heard in the preaching of the Word. The church is like a portal between heaven and earth, a Beth-el, or ‘house of God,’ because it is joined by faith to Christ (Gen. 28:10–19; John 1:51).

When we draw near to God in the church’s worship while exercising faith in Christ, we enter the holy places (Heb. 10:19–22). In the offering of worship, the exaltation of Christ, the pursuit of holiness, and the fellowship of saints, the church is an earthly expression of heaven.

What an immense privilege it is to approach heaven while on earth! We should treasure every opportunity to participate in the church’s worship services and prayer meetings. God created all things for the sake of His Son (Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). He sent the Lord Jesus to redeem His people (Gal. 1:4–5; Titus 2:14). He exalted Christ to the highest place and ‘gave Him to be the head over all things to the church’ (Eph. 1:22).

Therefore, the church stands at the center of God’s purpose for the universe. God’s mysterious plan, ‘which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by J&&&&&&&&&&t,’ is to make known ‘by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Eph. 3:9–11).

It is God’s intent to display His ‘glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages’ (Eph. 3:21). Therefore, God’s purpose for creating the world can be summarized as follows: to display His glory in Christ through the church. This thought should fill our minds with wonder: the purpose of the Creator in making all the universe revolves around the church of J&&&&&&&&&&t.

Since God is sovereign, all things are working together to make Christ the preeminent Son among many redeemed brothers and sisters who bear His image in God’s family (Rom. 8:28–29). If you desire to have a part in God’s great purpose for the universe, be part of His church.” (4: 51–52)

Why Each Element in Our Worship Matters

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Every Sunday, several people come early to set up despite their own weaknesses and struggles. They are truly commendable because they set up to minimize distraction during our worship. We can all relate with Martha who was distracted, anxious and troubled about many things while serving (Luke 10: 41). Jesus said to Martha, “one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (v. 42). We see that Mary was commended for sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening (Luke 10: 39). We bring nothing before God but our weaknesses, struggles, heartaches, sins and sufferings. But God’s lavish grace meets us in our mess. The warm welcome of Jesus is for weary, wounded and exhausted sinners. He is not seeking perfect saints and those who have it all together to worship Him. Our restless hearts can now find their rest in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

For this reason, coming early for corporate worship has certain benefits! In an age of digital distraction our attention span has been drastically cut short. It is easy to miss the various elements in our worship. Therefore, creating that sacred space to catch our breath and reset our minds in prayer before worship starts can be really beneficial! We have one hour and thirty minutes on Sunday to worship together as a church family.

Therefore, it can be beneficial to arrive at least 10 to 5 mins before worship starts and hear the welcome of Jesus and the call to worship. It’s even better if we are able to come earlier to greet people and engage in pre-worship fellowship if God has given us the strength. And/ or stay for post-worship fellowship to reach out to people we haven’t met, to listen to one another, encourage one another and pray for one another. Below is why each element in our worship matters!