Juan Sanchez

Juan Sanchez is the senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, and a council member with The Gospel Coalition. He blogs at Straight to the Heart.
 

Jan

29

2010

Juan Sanchez|7:13 PM CT

Enduring Temptation and Overcoming Sin
Enduring Temptation and Overcoming Sin avatar

In 1 Corinthians 10:6-11, the apostle Paul reminds the new covenant church not to crave evil. Paul recalls Israel’s past sinful cravings which led to idolatry as an example and a warning that those who persist in sin will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 10:5; see also 6:9-10). Yet for some of us, recalling the past is not enough to keep us from sin. The battle with sin can be such an overwhelming struggle at times because we underestimate how sin operates.  This is why understanding the nature of sin is so important. If we are to endure temptation and overcome sin, we must understand that sin is deceptive, divisive and destructive.

Sin is deceptive in a variety of ways. Satan deceives us into thinking that what we are doing is not sin (1 Corinthians 10:12). Isn’t this precisely what took place in the Garden of Eden (Genesis...

 
 
 
 

Dec

22

2009

Juan Sanchez|2:40 PM CT

Hallelujah, What a Savior!
Hallelujah, What a Savior! avatar

Whether you realize it or not, we use salvation language on a daily basis.  “Seat belts save lives . . . Save the Children . . . Save the whales . . . Save the economy.” However, when Christians say, “Jesus saves,” some people take great offense. Why is that?

One reason biblical language of salvation offends is because it assumes that we need salvation. If one were to ask, “From what do we need to be saved?,” the Bible unapologetically answers, “from God Himself.” The God who is holy must respond to sin with righteous anger; He will in no way clear the guilty.  Because we are sinners, we need to be saved from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9). Therein lies the rub, for people filled with pride do not see themselves as sinners. Nevertheless, the Bible declares that sin is a universal problem (Romans 3:23), and it is because of...

 
 
 
 

Dec

16

2009

Juan Sanchez|6:47 AM CT

Contextualization or Effective Communication
Contextualization or Effective Communication avatar

My brother and friend Thabiti Anyabwile has raised some legitimate questions about contextualization over at Church Matters. His post is a model of how Christians are to speak to one another in love with a view to sharpening one another.

I sent him a personal response and he has graciously posted it. I hope this open conversation is as helpful to you as it has been to...

 
 
 
 

Dec

15

2009

Juan Sanchez|2:36 PM CT

Mis-contextualization
Mis-contextualization avatar

In an earlier post I introduced the biblical practice of contextualization. We all contextualize; the question is whether or not we will contextualize well. What are some ways we get it wrong?

Under-Contextualization: an unwillingness to contextualize because of . . .

Fear - Some Christians are unwilling to identify with particular aspects of people’s culture because they are genuinely seeking to preserve the gospel. They may be motivated by passages that instruct us not to associate with this world (e.g., Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17); therefore, they fear that identifying with unbelievers will compromise the gospel.

Legalism - Some Christians begin with the gospel but want to add other requirements which merely represent personal preferences or traditions. We see this in the Galatian heresy where the Galatians began with the gospel but wanted to add circumcision as a requirement. We may do the same thing when we see someone come...

 
 
 
 

Dec

13

2009

Juan Sanchez|10:39 AM CT

To Contextualize or Not to Contextualize: That is NOT the Question
To Contextualize or Not to Contextualize: That is NOT the Question avatar

I have been pouring over 1 Corinthians 9 recently, and in so doing I have revisited some of the controversies related to the arguments for and against contextualization. In particular, I have to wrestle with what contextualization means in a city whose “official” motto is Keep Austin Weird. What follows are some lessons I have gleaned.

What is contextualization?

Simply put, contextualization is taking into consideration the cultural context in which we are seeking to communicate the gospel.  One missions strategist defines it as follows:
Contextualization is the word we use for the process of making the gospel and the church as much at home as possible in a given cultural context. . . .The question is not whether we’re going to contextualize.  The question facing every believer and every church is whether we will contextualize well.  (See, Putting Contextualization in Its Place, 9 Marks, eJournal, July/August 2009)

One of the clear...

 
 
 
 

Nov

20

2009

Juan Sanchez|4:21 PM CT

The Seduction of the World and the Jealousy of God
The Seduction of the World and the Jealousy of God avatar

As we approach “Black Friday” (supposedly the largest shopping day of the year), it is important to be reminded of the biblical warning, “Beware of worldliness!” In no uncertain terms, the Bible repeatedly warns us against the seduction of this world. Consider these commands: “Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2)! “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15)! Worldliness is dangerous because it exposes our true love; it exposes the fact that we are driven by the search to satisfy our passions with things other than God. James reminds us of this fact when he explains the source of sin, saying: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14, ESV).

How serious is worldliness? Consider James’ rebuke: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God”...

 
 
 
 

Nov

16

2009

Juan Sanchez|4:58 PM CT

Why the Doctrine of Election is Precious to Me
Why the Doctrine of Election is Precious to Me avatar

For some the doctrine of election (God’s free and sovereign decision to choose a people for salvation from the foundation of the world-Ephesians 1:3-6) is an abominable thought that produces great fear and concern. However, I propose that a clear understanding of this doctrine should instead produce hope and assurance. Allow me to share some of the reasons why the doctrine of election is so precious to me.

The doctrine of election is precious to me because it is biblical. In a display of the Father’s love for the Son, He gives a specific people to the Son (John 6:37). This truth is evident in the testimony of the book of Revelation when it declares that the only ones entering the eternal heaven are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27). John further testifies in Revelation 13:8, that these names were written in this book before the foundation...

 
 
 
 

Nov

11

2009

Juan Sanchez|10:10 PM CT

The Goal of Biblical Parenting
The Goal of Biblical Parenting avatar

What is your goal in parenting? Is it to have well-behaved kids? Is it to produce good citizens? Is it to make sure your kids get a great education so that they may do well in school and land a great money-making job and have a fulfilling career?

Perhaps you have a noble, Christian goal like seeing your children profess faith in Christ. What does the Bible teach us regarding the role of biblical parenting and its goal? Allow me to answer this question by first addressing two other related issues. Before we can even talk about the goal or purpose of biblical parenting, we must understand a specific pre-requisite.

The Pre-requisite of biblical parenting: The truths of God must first be on our hearts.

We cannot pass on to our children what is not first in our own hearts (Deut. 6:6). This means that moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, ALL of us must...

 
 
 
 

Nov

04

2009

Juan Sanchez|12:30 PM CT

What if Your Life Ended Today?
What if Your Life Ended Today? avatar

The Bible reminds us that life is a vapor, “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). If this is the case, then how should we approach each day? In fact, how should we prepare ourselves just in case our life ends today?

As I was reading The Valley of Vision yesterday, I was greatly convicted by this phrase from the prayer titled “Morning Dedication” (221):
May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.

If my life should end today,
let this be my best
...

 
 
 
 

Oct

28

2009

Juan Sanchez|10:24 AM CT

Why Did Christ Die?
Why Did Christ Die? avatar

This week I have the privilege of preaching on the cross on Sunday night, so I am working through some resources on the atonement -- some more in depth than others. Here are some helpful thoughts I read last night from Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington in their book, The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness:
The gospel is a timeless message and therefore extremely relevant for our day and age.  But it is not only relevant; it is essential, because it is the only solution ever offered by God for the perpetual sin dilemma of mankind....

In recent times it has become apparent that some in the church have drifted away from the historical gospel and ventured to redefine sin and redemption and even the meaning of the cross....

This gospel - that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures - is rooted in pre-creation, revealed in ancient
...

 
 
 
 
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