So we’re continuing our 4-part series on Dale’s New Book Real Christianity: How to be bold for Christ in a culture of darkness.If you missed last week’s episode we are are covering all eight chapters in a 2-per-show format. We’re not actually talking much about the content of the book as we are building on the content of the book. So don’t feel that if you listened to these episodes there is no reason to buy the book. There’s lots of meat in this little book that we’re not discussing here on the show.I wanted to read a few reviews that I saw on Good Reads and Amazon just to let you hear what other people are saying about this book.This from Amanda Thomas: “Get this book, it will change your life by changing your heart. It’s a must have. No matter where you are, or what you have been through, what you have done, or where you find yourself in life. It does not matter. You need what is written here, everyone does. I’m going to get a copy for everyone I know this year for Christmas. It’s really that good.”Alisha says, “ This book is 5 inches wide, 7 inches tall, and 10 feet deep. A must read.I agree with these comments. I think this is a short and powerful book that is worth adding to your library.So we covered chapter one and two in the previous episode. Today we are tackling chapters 3-4. Chapter 3 is titled “Dedication and Death” and we get to discuss the idea of an altar in Scripture. Dale, this title can seem to be a bit intense. Can you tell us both what you mean and where you got this idea of dying and dedicating yourself to God?So this is one of my favorite chapters in the book. I’m not going to talk about much of the content from the chapter but I am going to add to the discussion I already started in this chapter.In the book, I argue that many in the church have confused the altar call of a softly strummed guitar where God accepts you as you are without the biblical call for repentance and death.We have to remember, an altar in the Scriptures is not a friendly place. It’s a place covered in blood. In the Old Testament it was a stack of stones. In the New Testament it was a wooden cross. Today, we have lost what it means to come to the altar.Instead of dying and repenting, We are made comfortable to remain how we are and who we are. That is not the narrative of the Gospel that a Jesus presents.So let’s talk about this idea of dedication and death. This is not a rare theme found in the New Testament. In fact, it’s everywhere. I’m going to read you a few passages that display this idea for our understanding.Romans 12:1 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies (dedication) as a living sacrifice (death), holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”Galatians 5:24 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus (dedication) have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.(death)”Matthew 16:25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life (death) for My sake (dedication) will find it.”Colossians 3:3 "For you have died (death), and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Dedication)”Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ (death); it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God (dedication), who loved me and gave Himself for me.”This entire concept of dying to the flesh or “picking up our cross” as Jesus would say is the first part of a two-part process.Death is related to repentance while dedication is related to belief and devotion and obedience. Jesus and John the baptist would often say, “Repent and believe.” Again, this follows the pattern of die to yourself and dedicate yourself to Christ. Turn from your sin and turn to Christ!But Jesus adds another element to this discussion of death and dedication. We can’t just discipline ourselves to change our behavior and religiously dedicate ourselves to his preferred demeanor.This death and dedication is