Thursday, October 30, 2008

Motivul / The Reason



Motivul / The Reason from William Anderson on Vimeo.

This is a video that I added Romanian subtitles to a few years ago. I have updated it adding an intro, making the subtitles larger and removing the English Bible verses at the beginning and end of the video. I replaced them with Bible verses in Romanian.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Eşti UIMIT / Are You AMAZED



Eşti UIMIT / Are You AMAZED from William Anderson on Vimeo.

A song with Romanian subtitles by Phillips, Craig and Dean about the amazing grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Un cantec cu subtitrare în română de Craig si Dean Phillips despre harul uimitor al lui Dumnezeu prin Isus Cristos.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Basic Definitions of the Gospel

For your pleasure here are some more basic definitions of the gospel. What are your thoughts and opinions on them?

Charles Spurgeon
The gospel is this, Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven. He came into the world to die for sinners; he hung upon the cross and bled for sinners. All that he died for will be saved: he died for sinners, and sinners will be saved.

Martin Downes
Stated positively, only the obedience and blood of Christ, the perfect sacrifice of himself in our place, can satisfy the demands of divine justice and reconcile us to God. Because of his perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sin (which we benefit from by resting and relying on Christ alone), we are assured that all our sins and lawless deeds God will remember no more. Through Christ we have continual access to God, and may approach him with boldness and confidence, with full assurance of faith.

Shane Becker
The free gift of forgiveness of sin, and gaining of eternal life, all received through faith in Jesus Christ.

FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Gospel Quote - Freedom from Self

David Powlison
The Bible is about God more than it is about me, and that one of God’s primary purposes in me is to free me from my all-consuming self-absorption.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Prayer Requests for Church Retreat



Today,Friday, till Sunday afternoon we will be having a church retreat near Bran for Calvary Chapel Bucuresti and Brasov. Bran is a very beautiful area this time of year with the leaves a variety of colors. I'm really looking forward to getting away from the big city and experiencing some fellowship in the mountains.

Shane, who use to pastor the church here in Bucuresti, and his wife Randie have come, along with a team of seven people from their church Calvary Chapel El Centro in California, to minister to us and our children. The theme of the retreat is "Equipped to Go". Shane will be speaking on the following things: go to the feet of Jesus, go to your family, go to your wife/husband, go to your community and go to your world.

Here are the prayer requests:
  • Safe travel for everyone going to the retreat
  • For a time rich in fellowship
  • For everyone to be refreshed physically and spiritually
  • For ears to hear what the Lord wants to speak to us
  • For Shane, Randie and the team to recover from the jet lag and to be refreshed for their time of service
  • For good weather this weekend at the retreat center

Best "Living the Gospel" Posts of the Week

Here is the best of the web from this past week, October 16-22, on living out the gospel.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Niciodată Singur / Never Alone



Niciodată Singur / Never Alone from William Anderson on Vimeo.

I redid this video in the HD format and made some other slight changes. The song "Never Alone" by Barlow Girl with Romanian subtitles. It is about trusting in God even when He seems far away.

Cântecul "Niciodată Singur" de Barlow Girl, cu subtitrare în română. Este vorba despre a te încrede în Dumnezeu chiar şi atunci când El pare că este departe.

Eleven Years in Romania!

It's hard for me to believe, but as of today I have been in Romania now for eleven years. It has been quite an adventure to say the least. I thank God for the privilege of being able to serve Him here in Romania and for those that have encouraged and supported me, especially my church, Calvary Chapel Boise.

I still remember the day I arrived here when Liviu, Vero and Ene picked me up at the airport here in Bucuresti and then taking my first train trip ever up to Petrosani to start my life in Romania. People would ask me how long I planned on staying and I would say, "until God tells me to go." Well, that still holds true today.

When I first came I would have never guessed what God had in store for me. I came over to work with baby orphans but ended up planting a church and starting a School of Ministry later on. It has been a very humbling experience but God has been gracious with me. I know my life is far, far richer for having come here.

What comes next? God only knows, and that is good enough for me.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Frumuseţea harului / The Beauty of Grace



Frumuseţea harului / The Beauty of Grace from William Anderson on Vimeo.

A song with Romanian subtitles by Krystal Meyers on how incredible and beautiful the grace of God is towards us in Jesus.

The Value of Jesus

I came across the list below on the blog of Justin Childers called Cross-Eyed.

The Value of Jesus
Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure in the universe. Because…

Jesus is God the Son.
Jesus created all things.
Jesus makes the Father known.
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus it the promised Messiah.
Jesus is the king of Israel.
Jesus is completely pure, blameless, sinless.
Jesus has power over nature.
Jesus is the true temple.
Jesus has been given all things by the Father.
Jesus is the living water.
Jesus is the Savior of the world.
Jesus heals the blind, lame, and paralyzed.
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
Jesus it the obedient Son, fulfilling the Father’s plan perfectly.
Jesus has authority to give life to whoever He wants.
Jesus has authority to execute judgment.
Jesus is the content of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Jesus walks on water.
Jesus is the bread of life.
Jesus will never cast out those who come to Him.
Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.
Jesus gives the Spirit.
Jesus is the light of the world.
Jesus is the powerful “I Am.”
Jesus is the Son of Man.
Jesus opens the eyes of the physically and spiritually blind.
Jesus is the door of salvation.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life willingly for His sheep.
Jesus is one with the Father.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus raises the dead.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Traim / We Live



Traim / We Live from William Anderson on Vimeo.

A song with Romanian subtitles by Superchick about appreciating life cause you never know when your time is up. Life is a gift from God so learn to live it the way you are suppose to.

Un cântec de Superchick cu subtitrare în română, despre a aprecia viața, pentru că nu știi niciodată când ti-a sosit ceasul. Viața este un dar de la Dumnezeu, deci învață s-o trăiești așa cum trebuie.

Basic Definitions of the Gospel

More basic definitions of the gospel that I have found on the internet for your consideration. What do you think? Do you have your own version?

Jason Salamun
What is the Gospel? The word gospel simply means “good news.” The central message of the Bible is the gospel, or good news, about the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul provides the most succinct summary of the gospel: the man Jesus is also God, or Christ, and died on a cross in our place, paying the penalty for our sins; three days later He rose to conquer sin and death and give the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him alone for eternal life.


Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The glory of the gospel is that it is primarily an announcement of what God does, and has done, in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Thabiti Anyabwile
The gospel or good news of Jesus Christ is that God the Father, who is holy and righteous in all his ways, is angry with sinners and will punish sin. Man, who disobeys the rule of God, is alienated from the love of God and in danger of an eternal and agonizing condemnation at the hands of God. But God, who is also rich in mercy, because of his great love, sent his eternal Son born by the virgin Mary, to die as a ransom and a substitute for the sins of rebellious people. And now, through the perfect obedience of the Son of God and his willing death on the cross as payment for our sins, all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ, following him as Savior and Lord, will be saved from the wrath of God to come, declared just in his sight, have eternal life, and receive the Spirit of God as a foretaste of the glories of heaven with God himself.

FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Isus al meu / My Jesus



Isus al meu / My Jesus from William Anderson on Vimeo.

A song by Todd Agnew with video clips from the "Passion of the Christ" movie that I added Romanian subtitles to. The lyrics speak powerfully to how many that call themselves Christians look more like the world than Jesus. He asks us which Jesus do we want to follow. It is a good question we need to take to heart.

Un cantec de Todd Agnew cu imagini din filmul "Patimile lui Cristos" si subtitrare in romana. Versurile vorbesc puternic despre cum multi oameni care se numesc "crestini" arata mai mult ca lumea, decat ca Isus. Suntem intrebati "Pe care Isus vrem sa-L urmam?" Este o intrebare buna care trebuie sa ne-o punem din inima.

You can download the video if you click on the link to watch the video on Vimeo. Look down in the right bottom corner for the download button on the page you go to. If you don't see any download button you may need to sign up for a free account with Vimeo in order to download the videos.

Puteti descarca acest video daca faceti click pe link-ul pentru a-l urmari pe Vimeo. Pe acea pagina cautati in partea dreapta jos butonul de "download". Daca nu vedeti nici un buton pentru decarcare, poate este nevoie sa va inscrieti pentru un cont gratuit Vimeo si a putea astfel descarca fisiere.


Trăirea Evangheliei / Living the Gospel



Trăirea Evangheliei / Living the Gospel from William Anderson on Vimeo.

This last session of the Gospel Workshop was held on October 12, 2008 during the church service of Calvary Chapel Bucuresti. In this session we looked at the importance of living out the gospel focusing on three things- living in the kingdom of God, living a life of repentance and our destiny to become Christ-like.

Aceasta ultima sesiune a Atelierului despre Evanghelie a fost tinuta pe 12 Octombrie 2008, in timpul serviciului bisericii Calvary Chapel Bucuresti. In aceasta sesiune am privit la importanta trairii Evangheliei concentrandu-ne la trei lucruri: trairea in Imparatia lui Dumnezeu, trairea unei vieti de pocainta si destinul nostru de a deveni asemenea lui Cristos.

You can download the video if you click on the link to watch the video on Vimeo. Look down in the right bottom corner for the download button on the page you go to. If you don't see any download button you may need to sign up for a free account with Vimeo in order to download the videos.

Puteti descarca acest video daca faceti click pe link-ul pentru a-l urmari pe Vimeo. Pe acea pagina cautati in partea dreapta jos butonul de "download". Daca nu vedeti nici un buton pentru decarcare, poate este nevoie sa va inscrieti pentru un cont gratuit Vimeo si a putea astfel descarca fisiere.

Gospel Quote - “It is Finished!”

R. Scott Clark
The Good News is another thing however. It is the announcement that by his one act of obedience, Christ, the Second Adam, has kept the Law, fulfilled the covenant of works, and made a “new covenant” in his blood for sinners.(4) The promised Savior-King has come with his kingdom and covenant of grace.(5) While the Law says, “do,” the Gospel says, “done!” While the covenant of works says, “work,” the covenant of grace says, “rest!” This is why the Gospel is such “good news,” since it is about our justification earned for us by Christ and offered freely to us.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Împărtăşirea mărturiei tale/Sharing Your Testimony



Împărtăşirea mărturiei tale / Sharing Your Testimony from William Anderson on Vimeo.

In the third session of the Gospel Workshop held in Bucuresti on October 11, 2008 we went over how to share your testimony with a focus on Jesus. We went over a 5 point outline with guidelines on what to avoid and what to do.

In a treia sesiune a Atelierului despre Evangheliei, tinut in Bucuresti pe 11 Octombrie 2008, am vorbit despre cum sa-ti impartasesti marturia avand ca centru pe Isus. Am parcurs o schita de 5 puncte despre lucrurile care trebuie sa le evitam si lucrurile care trebuie sa le urmarim.

Since we did not have time to go over how to live the gospel during the workshop we closed this session with some thoughts on living the gospel. On Sunday for church we went over the material for the "Living the Gospel" session.

Datorita faptului ca nu am avut timp sa parcurgem subiectul cum sa traim evanghelia in timpul atelierului, am incheiat sesiunea cu cateva ganduri despre evanghelie. Duminica, in timpul serviciului bisericii am parcurs materialul sesiunii "Trairea Evangheliei".

You can download the video if you click on the link to watch the video on Vimeo. Look down in the right bottom corner for the download button on the page you go to. If you don't see any download button you may need to sign up for a free account with Vimeo in order to download the videos.

Puteti descarca acest video daca faceti click pe link-ul pentru a-l urmari pe Vimeo. Pe acea pagina cautati in partea dreapta jos butonul de "download". Daca nu vedeti nici un buton pentru decarcare, poate este nevoie sa va inscrieti pentru un cont gratuit Vimeo si a putea astfel descarca fisiere.

Christless Christianity - Dr. Michael Horton


Saturday, October 18, 2008

Mesajul de bază al Evangheliei / Basic Gospel Message





This is the second of two sessions that dealt with understanding the gospel at the Gospel Basics Workshop on October 11th in Bucuresti. In this session we looked at what makes up the basic gospel message- we have a problem, there is a solution and how we get this solution for ourselves. In addition we looked at some of the key verses in the Bible in regards to the basic gospel message.

Aceasta este a doua sesiune din cele doua, care s-a ocupat cu intelegerea Evangheliei, din cadrul Atelierului Bazele Evangheliei, tinut pe 11 Octombrie 2008, in Bucuresti. In aceasta sesiune am privit la ce contine mesajul de baza al Evangheliei - noi avem o problema, exista o solutie si cum primim aceasta solutie in mod individual. De asemenea, am privit si la cateva din versetele cheie referitoare la mesajul de baza al Evangheliei.


You can download the video if you click on the link to watch the video on Vimeo. Look down in the right bottom corner for the download button on the page you go to. If you don't see any download button you may need to sign up for a free account with Vimeo in order to download the videos.

Puteti descarca acest video daca faceti click pe link-ul pentru a-l urmari pe Vimeo. Pe acea pagina cautati in partea dreapta jos butonul de "download". Daca nu vedeti nici un buton pentru decarcare, poate este nevoie sa va inscrieti pentru un cont gratuit Vimeo si a putea astfel descarca fisiere.

Best Gospel Posts of the Week

Here the best blog posts and articles on the gospel I came across on the internet this past week, October 11-17.

Bazele Evangheliei / Gospel Basics Introduction



Bazele Evangheliei / Gospel Basics Introduction from William Anderson on Vimeo.

This is the first of two sessions on understanding the gospel of the Gospel Basics Workshop held in Bucuresti, Romania on October 11, 2008, In this session we looked at the need to establish a good foundation, why the gospel is important, the way the word "gospel" was used in Jesus' day, descriptors of the gospel found in the Bible, the heart of the gospel, what is included in the whole gospel message and we finished the first session looking at the difference between religion and the gospel.

Aceasta este prima sesiune din cele doua, despre "Intelegerea Evangheliei" din cadrul Atelierului Bazele Evangheliei, tinut in Bucuresti, Romania, pe 11 Octombrie 2008. In aceasta sesiune am privit la nevoia de a pune o temelie buna, de ce este importanta Evanghelia, felurile in care cuvantul "evanghelie" a fost folosit in timpul lui Isus, descrierile Evangheliei gasite e in Biblie, inima Evangheliei, ce cuprinde mesajul intreg al Evangheliei si am terminat prima sesiune privind la diferentele dintre Religie si Evanghelie.

You can download the video if you click on the link to watch the video on Vimeo. Look down in the right bottom corner for the download button on the page you go to. If you don't see any download button you may need to sign up for a free account with Vimeo in order to download the videos.

Puteti descarca acest video daca faceti click pe link-ul pentru a-l urmari pe Vimeo. Pe acea pagina cautati in partea dreapta jos butonul de "download". Daca nu vedeti nici un buton pentru decarcare, poate este nevoie sa va inscrieti pentru un cont gratuit Vimeo si a putea astfel descarca fisiere.

Echipare Pentru Slujire / Equipping to Serve



Echipare Pentru Slujire / Equipping to Serve from William Anderson on Vimeo.

Before we began the Gospel Basics Workshop on October 11th here in Bucuresti we went over our new program to equip people to serve the Lord explaining why we should serve.


Inainte sa incepem Atelierul Bazele Evangheliei pe 11 Octombrie 2008, aici in Bucuresti, am trecut peste noul nostru program de echipare a oamenilor pentru a-L sluji pe Domnul, explicand mai intai de ce trebuie sa slujim.

You can download the video if you click on the link to watch the video on Vimeo. Look down in the right bottom corner for the download button on the page you go to. If you don't see any download button you may need to sign up for a free account with Vimeo in order to download the videos.

Puteti descarca acest video daca faceti click pe link-ul pentru a-l urmari pe Vimeo. Pe acea pagina cautati in partea dreapta jos butonul de "download". Daca nu vedeti nici un buton pentru decarcare, poate este nevoie sa va inscrieti pentru un cont gratuit Vimeo si a putea astfel descarca fisiere.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Best "Living the Gospel" Posts of the Week

Below are the best blog posts and articles I found on the week this past week, October 9-15, that deal with how we live out the gospel.

Bazele Evangheliei


Bazele Evangheliei
View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: isus evanghelia)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Photos from Gospel Workshop



Here are some photos from the Gospel Workshop.

Gospel Workshop Slides


Gospel Basics Workshop
View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: testimony jesus)
Here are the slides that I used with the Gospel Workshop on Saturday and for church on Sunday where we went over "Living the Gospel". Romanian version will be coming soon.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Basic Definitions of the Gospel

More basic definitions of the gospel for your consideration. Have any constructive comments or your own basic definition?

Adam Smith
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ was sent by God into the world to save sinners from eternal damnation; Jesus Christ, a perfect and righteous man who never committed a sin, took the sins of the world upon his back and was crucified on a cross; He was raised from the dead to forever reign in glory as our Lord, that whoever believes in Him and repents of their sins will be saved. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).


Scott Mackay
The great news of the Bible, the gospel, is that God's dynamic rule has broken into history through the coming of King Jesus; the King who "died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried, was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" and appeared to the apostles whom he chose to be reliable witnesses of these things. The gospel is the declaration that 'Your God reigns', and that he reigns through Jesus. The gospel is that 'Jesus Christ is Lord' (Acts 2:36, 2 Corinthians 2:5). And the gospel offers hope for guilty rebels, because this Jesus is the saving King who laid down his life for us, and became a curse for us so that we can enter his kingdom.

TheBattleCry
This then is THE gospel; that Christ physically died for our sin, and was physically raised from the dead SO THAT those who would believe in Him would be saved!!

FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Gospel Quote - Description of Faith

Michael Dewalt
"What is faith? It is made up of three things-knowledge, belief, and trust.

Believe these truths as you believe any other statements; for the difference between common faith and saving faith lies mainly in the subjects upon which it is exercised. Believe the witness of God just as you believe the testimony of your own father or friend. “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.”

So far you have made an advance toward faith; only one more ingredient is needed to complete it, which is trust. Commit yourself to the merciful God; rest your hope on the gracious gospel; trust your soul on the dying and living Saviour; wash away your sins in the atoning blood; accept His perfect righteousness, and all is well. Trust is the lifeblood of faith; there is no saving faith without it.

Cast yourself upon Jesus; rest in Him; commit yourself to Him. That done, you have exercised saving faith. Faith is not a blind thing; for faith begins with knowledge. It is not a speculative thing; for faith believes facts of which it is sure. It is not an unpractical, dreamy thing; for faith trusts, and stakes its destiny upon the truth of revelation. That is one way of describing what faith is.

Faith is believing that Christ is what He is said to be, and that He will do what He has promised to do, and then to expect this of Him.

The Scriptures speak of Jesus Christ as being God, God is human flesh; as being perfect in His character; as being made of a sin-offering on our behalf; as bearing our sins in His own body on the tree. The Scripture speaks of Him as having finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness. The sacred records further tell us that He “rose again from the dead,” that He “ever liveth to make intercession for us,” that He has gone up into the glory, and has taken possession of Heaven on the behalf of His people, and that He will shortly come again “to judge the world in righteousness, and his people with equity.” We are most firmly to believe that it is even so; for this is the testimony of God the Father when He said, “This is my beloved Son; hear ye him.” This also is testified by God the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit has borne witness to Christ, both in the inspired Word and by divers miracles, and by His working in the hearts of men. We are to believe this testimony to be true."

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Best Gospel Posts of the Week

Below are the best articles and blog posts I came across on the web from October 4-10 that were focused on some aspect of what the gospel is.

Worship from the Gospel Workshop



Here is some video taken during the worship times of the Gospel Workshop on Saturday, October 11th.

We ended up having about 38 people attend the workshop which is great. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will give all those who attended a passion for the gospel and to take what was taught on understanding the gospel and sharing your testimony and use it in their lives.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Prayer Request - Doing Gospel Workshop

On Saturday I will be doing a workshop on the gospel. I'm really excited about getting the opportunity to do this and I'm looking forward to seeing what God will do. The topics covered will include understanding the gospel, sharing your testimony and living the gospel. Please pray that God would stir up a passion for the gospel in those coming and that the Lord would give me grace to serve His children well.

We decided not to do the School of Ministry this year due to there not being enough students. Instead, we are starting a program called "Equipping to Serve" which is open to all those attending Calvary Chapels in Romania. Every month or two we will do an intensive one-day workshop on a Saturday covering different topics. We will do the workshops twice, once in the southern part of Romania and then also in the northern part so that more will be able to attend.

This first one will be on the gospel and then at the end of November we will do our next workshop on Bible basics. We have about 30 people signed up from two churches for this first one which will fill up our little church here in Bucuresti. Those coming range in age from 13 to 55 with many coming from villages and some with limited education. It will be a challenge and something new for me.

Best "Living the Gospel" Posts of the Week

Here are the best articles and blog posts I came across this past week, October 2-8, on the internet that deal with how we live out the gospel.

Evanghelia detaliată Wordle


Here is my "Gospel in Detail" paper that has been translated into Romanian. You can check out Wordle at http://wordle.net/

Gospel in Detail Wordle

Here is a Wordle I made from my Gospel in Detail paper with the Bible verses. You can make your own Wordle's at http://wordle.net/.


Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Basic Definitions of the Gospel

For your gospel intake here are three more basic definitions of the gospel that I have come across on the internet. If you have insightful comments or your own basic definition please add them.

Byron Scott
Jesus died so we could become everything God originally intended.

Byron Smith
The gospel, the good news, has everything to do with Jesus and consists in the claim that he is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who represents, brings and executes God’s redeeming rule.

Graeme Goldsworthy
The gospel is the word about Jesus Christ and what he did for us in order to restore us to a right relationship with God.

FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Gospel Quote - The Starting Point

Lesslie Newbigin
"We grow in our understanding of truth as we allow the biblical story to challenge our thoughts and imaginations. The starting point is the gospel. In making ourselves the starting point, or the center of the universe, we have alienated ourselves from reality. The biblical story reminds us that the whole earth is full of God’s glory. Experiencing this glory, this beauty, in this new way follows belief. In reality the beauty of God’s splendor is already on display. The gospel accepted in faith “enables us to experience all reality in a new way and to find that all reality does indeed reflect the glory of God."

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Best Gospel Posts of the Week

Here are the best blog posts and articles I found on the internet this past week, September 27-October 3, that deal with understanding the gospel.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Best "Living the Gospel" Posts of the Week

This past week, September 25-October 1, I only found two good blog posts that deal with living out the gospel. I'm sure there were more but these were the only ones I came across.