I'm sure you noticed this before, at least if you are a pastor or an elder. You, probably at least had a seminary prof tell you this, although you have forgotten.
When Israel enters the Promised Land, they are told not to go after the Edomites because that land had been given to Esau. Also, they are told not to mess with the Ammonites and Moabites. If you recall, Lot's daughters got him drunk and slept with him after they had escaped Sodom. The resulting children were Ammon and Moab, the fathers of the Ammonites and Moabites.
So, God honored all of these men and their tribes, Esau who is Edom, Ammon and the Ammonites and Moab and the Moabites. He honored them and gave them ample opportunity and time to declare their allegiance to Yahweh. Alas, they did not do so and were a constant thorn in the flesh to Israel. Eventually, judgment is pronounced against them in Ezekiel 25.
Ezekiel 25 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 2Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them; 3And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity; 4Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk. 5And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 6For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel; 7Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
8Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen; 9Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim, 10Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. 11And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD. 12Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; 13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. 14And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.
I think all of this speaks of God' great patience and kindness. But also of the nature of covenant, covenant keeping and breaking, election, and many other theological issues. God is always faithful, gives much room for repentance, but in the end judges sin and rebellion. Israel also rebelled repeatedly. But eventually God brings the antidote to all rebellion, the Lord Jesus as Christ, the Messiah and His Holy Spirit. So, the covenant lines receive all of this and those will not covenant with Yahweh, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, eventually are cut off completely.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
It's All in Girard, man.
It's true. You ought to try it out.
Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
The answer, of course, is that no one is able to stand before envy. This is the chief sin of the brotherhood since there were brothers. Ever since Cain killed Abel, brothers have envied one another producing all sorts of sordid sins. This was true with Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, Moses and Aaron, Abimelech and his brothers, and many others, down to Jesus and his brothers,, the brothers James and John and their brothers, the other apostles.
Only in Jesus Christ, who was killed for envy, can envy be killed. And the rest of the epistles are about this very thing, love one another. Do not bite, devour and kill.
Girard helps us understand this in "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning." That is the first and only Girard that I have read. I am told that this is one of his more accessible books. You know what that means, right? It means that people like me can understand it. I did, sort of. But I am gearing up to do a bit more of Girard, cause its all in there, man!
Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
The answer, of course, is that no one is able to stand before envy. This is the chief sin of the brotherhood since there were brothers. Ever since Cain killed Abel, brothers have envied one another producing all sorts of sordid sins. This was true with Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, Moses and Aaron, Abimelech and his brothers, and many others, down to Jesus and his brothers,, the brothers James and John and their brothers, the other apostles.
Only in Jesus Christ, who was killed for envy, can envy be killed. And the rest of the epistles are about this very thing, love one another. Do not bite, devour and kill.
Girard helps us understand this in "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning." That is the first and only Girard that I have read. I am told that this is one of his more accessible books. You know what that means, right? It means that people like me can understand it. I did, sort of. But I am gearing up to do a bit more of Girard, cause its all in there, man!
Money Wisdom from Proverbs 27
Prov. 27:23-27 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25The hay appeareth, and the tender grass showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
We have made much of ‘be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks.’ A man needs to know what is going on with his finances. I think you could argue for a detailed budget from this verse. But what is the outcome of knowing what is going on? Does the Lord promise riches, wealth and abundance? Not necessarily. Verse 24 tells us that riches are not forever. That is why we should look well to our flocks. So, what is the promise? Food for the flocks and herbs from the mountains, clothing from the lambs, food from the sale of the goats, goats milk enough for the entire family, food for everybody, all your sons and daughters.
God’s promise here is that if you pay attention to what is going in your household, if you work hard and know what is coming in and what is going out, then He will provide all your needs for you.
Remember that the counter of these truths is also true. If you do not know the state of your flocks, if you do not know what is coming in and what is going out, then the promise of provision is not there for you. You may not have food enough and clothing enough for your household. So, look to your flocks. Know your credits and debits; for riches are not forever. But the Lord’s provision for the faithful is forever.
We have made much of ‘be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks.’ A man needs to know what is going on with his finances. I think you could argue for a detailed budget from this verse. But what is the outcome of knowing what is going on? Does the Lord promise riches, wealth and abundance? Not necessarily. Verse 24 tells us that riches are not forever. That is why we should look well to our flocks. So, what is the promise? Food for the flocks and herbs from the mountains, clothing from the lambs, food from the sale of the goats, goats milk enough for the entire family, food for everybody, all your sons and daughters.
God’s promise here is that if you pay attention to what is going in your household, if you work hard and know what is coming in and what is going out, then He will provide all your needs for you.
Remember that the counter of these truths is also true. If you do not know the state of your flocks, if you do not know what is coming in and what is going out, then the promise of provision is not there for you. You may not have food enough and clothing enough for your household. So, look to your flocks. Know your credits and debits; for riches are not forever. But the Lord’s provision for the faithful is forever.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Blessed are the Hungry-Peter Leithart****
Peter has great incites into the Lord's Supper. His final essay, The Way Things Really Ought to Be, is simply outstanding. As elsewhere, he emphasizes doing vs. thinking. The glories of the Eucharist are in what God is doing in us as we do the meal. There is glory in the fact that the meal is a meal, that we do it with bread and with wine. He does not emphasize what happens to the bread and the wine or what happens to us as we eat holy bread and wine but more aptly what God is doing with us, His people, as we eat bread and wine. For more, and the really good stuff, you'll have to read the book.
Stars
Just in case anyone noticed, I am not rating the New Testament. Any other book I read, I will offer my opinion on how good it is, ranking it from * to ****. However, no human has any right to rank the Scriptures, so they shall go unjudged by me.
Incidentally, sneakily getting in something here I never noticed in the Bible. Rev. 1:20, The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.
I've always liked the idea that stars are angels. It seems that I am free to like the fact.
Incidentally, sneakily getting in something here I never noticed in the Bible. Rev. 1:20, The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.
I've always liked the idea that stars are angels. It seems that I am free to like the fact.
Money Wisdom from Proverbs
Proverbs 26: 13-14 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
More excuses from the sluggard. This answer is similar to the man who says it is too cold to plow in the Spring. That man will go begging at harvest. This is similar but not the same. This man says, “A lion!” It has all the plausibility of real danger. There may indeed be a lion in the streets but this man does not actually know if there is one or not. Why not? Because he is on his bed trying to get comfortable for a few more hours of sleep.
My old pastor, Doug Wilson, was fond of saying that whenever you get to work, you’ve got work problems. If you pastor a church, you’ve got church problems. If you are doing math, you’ve got math problems. Whenever work is embraced, you have problems. Saying that there are problems associated with your work is just another creative (not very) way of saying, “I don’t want to work.”
This sort of thing is commonly used as an excuse. But it ought not to be received as an excuse, either from your workmates or your children. You don’t want to hear about problems, you want to hear solutions.
The slothful man says, “There is a lion in the streets.” But the diligent man says, “We’ve got to get to the worksite. Somebody bring your gun to kill that lion.”
More excuses from the sluggard. This answer is similar to the man who says it is too cold to plow in the Spring. That man will go begging at harvest. This is similar but not the same. This man says, “A lion!” It has all the plausibility of real danger. There may indeed be a lion in the streets but this man does not actually know if there is one or not. Why not? Because he is on his bed trying to get comfortable for a few more hours of sleep.
My old pastor, Doug Wilson, was fond of saying that whenever you get to work, you’ve got work problems. If you pastor a church, you’ve got church problems. If you are doing math, you’ve got math problems. Whenever work is embraced, you have problems. Saying that there are problems associated with your work is just another creative (not very) way of saying, “I don’t want to work.”
This sort of thing is commonly used as an excuse. But it ought not to be received as an excuse, either from your workmates or your children. You don’t want to hear about problems, you want to hear solutions.
The slothful man says, “There is a lion in the streets.” But the diligent man says, “We’ve got to get to the worksite. Somebody bring your gun to kill that lion.”
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Case for Covenant Communion- Gregg Strawbridge- Editor
If you are a PCA elder or minister, (or other Presby denom. that won't give bread to the children), then I highly discourage you from reading this book. It will result in a great deal of misery for you. You will most likely be convinced of both the historical and biblical positions of paedocommunion. Thus, you will be hard pressed to continue in your current ecclesiastical role. Either you will remain in your anti-paedo church with very little hap, or you will be forced to undergo an historic migration. It seems to me that either condition is highly unfavorable to your ongoing future hap. So, best remain ignorant and happy. Really, I am being honest. Don't read this book. You'll really regret it. Unfortunate chains of events are usually started by seemingly innocuous beginnings. Don't order this book.
As regards the book itself. I find it to be a very high quality defense of the historic and biblical practice of paedocommunion. All the articles are well-done and they run the gammut from accessible to scholarly. Robert Rayburn's appendix is on covenant succession and as such, is more directly aimed as a defense of paedobaptism. However, the article is so masterfully crafted, it serves as a thorough defense of both paedobaptism and paedocommunion. It is simply outstanding and ought to be read regularly be every Presbyterian minister.
Kudos to Dr. Strawbridge for putting together such a fine book. I suggest you offer free books to every non-paedocommunion elder or pastor who is willing to read the entire book and write a critical review of it. I'm serious about that, too. Perhaps you could find a donor who would be willing to financially back such a challenge?
As regards the book itself. I find it to be a very high quality defense of the historic and biblical practice of paedocommunion. All the articles are well-done and they run the gammut from accessible to scholarly. Robert Rayburn's appendix is on covenant succession and as such, is more directly aimed as a defense of paedobaptism. However, the article is so masterfully crafted, it serves as a thorough defense of both paedobaptism and paedocommunion. It is simply outstanding and ought to be read regularly be every Presbyterian minister.
Kudos to Dr. Strawbridge for putting together such a fine book. I suggest you offer free books to every non-paedocommunion elder or pastor who is willing to read the entire book and write a critical review of it. I'm serious about that, too. Perhaps you could find a donor who would be willing to financially back such a challenge?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wiser Blood
Okay, I am up to three stars for Wise Blood. I know I shall get to four, because it IS a four star book. I have read some on what is going on in the book and have spent some more time thinking about it. I can't say that I am in any hurry to read it again but know that I will do so in the future and also know immediately that it is a three star book. I will only have to work up one more star to get that inner peace in my soul. Then I'll be able to leave it alone.
As I have thought about the book, I realize that Hazel Motes declared himself clean, knowing that he was dirty. Becasue he cannot shake the world that God has made, particularly the redemption purchased by Christ, he eventually is shaken to the ground of his rebellion and agrees with God that he is unclean. His automobile, his cruddy rat-colored automobile is ruined, the engine bouncing out. He did not have the engine to run from God. His self-propelled attempt to rid himself of the reality of Christ, failed. His car failed because he, Hazel Motes, failed.
Enoch Emery, on the other hand, was dirty and knew it. But he still judged others who were dirty because he did not have the ability to consider his own condition. He was really nothing more than a beast, living moment to moment. In the end of the book, he does become a beast and is therefore finally free to be dirty.
Or so I see it. And this is why O'Connor is so great. You think about what she is doing. Her books won't leave you alone.
I'm still not giving her four stars for Wise Blood, at least not today. I suppose it is inevitable and I shall. But not today.
As I have thought about the book, I realize that Hazel Motes declared himself clean, knowing that he was dirty. Becasue he cannot shake the world that God has made, particularly the redemption purchased by Christ, he eventually is shaken to the ground of his rebellion and agrees with God that he is unclean. His automobile, his cruddy rat-colored automobile is ruined, the engine bouncing out. He did not have the engine to run from God. His self-propelled attempt to rid himself of the reality of Christ, failed. His car failed because he, Hazel Motes, failed.
Enoch Emery, on the other hand, was dirty and knew it. But he still judged others who were dirty because he did not have the ability to consider his own condition. He was really nothing more than a beast, living moment to moment. In the end of the book, he does become a beast and is therefore finally free to be dirty.
Or so I see it. And this is why O'Connor is so great. You think about what she is doing. Her books won't leave you alone.
I'm still not giving her four stars for Wise Blood, at least not today. I suppose it is inevitable and I shall. But not today.
The Prince- Machiavelli
I gave this book three stars. Actually, it is a well-written classic with a good deal of helpful insights. He is giving counsel to a Prince on how he should govern his affairs to gain and secure a kingdom. The advice is mostly good. Mostly, because at times Machiavelli encourages poor or even evil behavior. Although writing as a believer, it seems, he does not give strict Christian advice. His advice is particularly prudent and pragmatic. For the most part, this works as pragmatism and prudence generally fall in line with a Biblical form. However, when the 'right' way and the pragmatic way are in conflict with one another, Machiavelli encourages the Prince to govern in the way that best fits the advancement of his kingdom, even if it means doing things otherwise considered evil.
Thus, while I commend the reading of this book and adherence to many of its precepts, I cannot give it my tacit approval. Three stars is all it will muster.
There is good advice in this book, not only for princes but for all who are in leadership and positions of authority. However, there is also danger in contemplating the Machiavellian advice. One ought to rule well and ruling well means knowing what is going on around you. However, one ought not to rule too cunningly. The danger in thinking like Machiavelli is that you may find yourself leading with a sharp eye, protecting your turf, and making alliances, improperly. All of these can and should be done, if done according to Biblical principles. A leader ought to build bridges, he ought to look out for trouble ahead, he needs to consolidate powers. The danger is when he jettisons set Biblical principles in order to do so. Machiavelli encourages this. I cannot.
Thus, while I commend the reading of this book and adherence to many of its precepts, I cannot give it my tacit approval. Three stars is all it will muster.
There is good advice in this book, not only for princes but for all who are in leadership and positions of authority. However, there is also danger in contemplating the Machiavellian advice. One ought to rule well and ruling well means knowing what is going on around you. However, one ought not to rule too cunningly. The danger in thinking like Machiavelli is that you may find yourself leading with a sharp eye, protecting your turf, and making alliances, improperly. All of these can and should be done, if done according to Biblical principles. A leader ought to build bridges, he ought to look out for trouble ahead, he needs to consolidate powers. The danger is when he jettisons set Biblical principles in order to do so. Machiavelli encourages this. I cannot.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Rising Stars
Okay, got myself slightly more educated about Wise Blood. I'm certain it's a four but I can only see two at this point but that's up double and not a bad start. Not wise yet but not quite as stupid neither.
Stupid Blood
Just read Wise Blood by Flannery O'connor. On my book list, I give it one star out of four. However, I know that I only gave it one star because I don't understand it. There is a lot going on in the book, of that I'm sure. I was waiting to be able to 'get it' all the way through. I never did but I really don't think it was a lack in the book. I need someone to tell me what was going on so that I can raise my rating to its proper level. One reason I need someone to help me is that I think her other short stories are simply outstanding. I can 'get' them, sort of. But Wise Blood was beyond my generally capable typological abilities.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Money Wisdom from Proverbs
Prov. 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
A sluggard will have nothing in the times of plenty, in the times of harvest. How much more so in times of dearth? In plenteous times, he will beg and have nothing. In times of dearth, He will get nothing for his work of begging and likely loose everything that he does have. Furthermore, there will be no pity on him in his times of calamity. Those who worked hard at seed time will remind him that he did not work hard in the day of work. A worker is worthy of his wages. If man shall not work, neither shall he eat.
There are a host of excuses to keep from work. It is too cold, too rainy, too hot. I’m not ready yet. I need more education. I don’t have the right tools. No one will help me. The boss doesn’t like me. It won’t turn out anyway. I’m tired. I’ve got better things to do right now.
All of this adds up to unfulfilled wants, and even needs, like food, when others are reaping the fruit of their labors.
We must think about this. We live in a world where 41 hours of work is overworked, where leisure time is the goal of work, where a great deal of return for little effort has been the norm. But the times, they are a changin’ and only those who will work hard now will reap later.
So, is it cold? Better get out there and get to work so you can warm up!
A sluggard will have nothing in the times of plenty, in the times of harvest. How much more so in times of dearth? In plenteous times, he will beg and have nothing. In times of dearth, He will get nothing for his work of begging and likely loose everything that he does have. Furthermore, there will be no pity on him in his times of calamity. Those who worked hard at seed time will remind him that he did not work hard in the day of work. A worker is worthy of his wages. If man shall not work, neither shall he eat.
There are a host of excuses to keep from work. It is too cold, too rainy, too hot. I’m not ready yet. I need more education. I don’t have the right tools. No one will help me. The boss doesn’t like me. It won’t turn out anyway. I’m tired. I’ve got better things to do right now.
All of this adds up to unfulfilled wants, and even needs, like food, when others are reaping the fruit of their labors.
We must think about this. We live in a world where 41 hours of work is overworked, where leisure time is the goal of work, where a great deal of return for little effort has been the norm. But the times, they are a changin’ and only those who will work hard now will reap later.
So, is it cold? Better get out there and get to work so you can warm up!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Homeschool Music-Right Priorities
Players: Mom (44), Dad (43), Anna (14), Calvin (7) and various other chllins who are unimportant to this particular interchange.
Setting-Around the dinner table.
Anna: humming some catchy popular song.
Calvin: Anna, you're more public shool than homeschool.
Anna: Huh?
Mom: Calvin, that's not very nice. That's not true. Say you're....
Calvin: Well, it's true.
Dad: What do you mean, Calvin?
Calvin: Well, she is.
Dad: Why do you think she's more public school than homeschool?
Calvin: Cause she listens to pop.
Dad: Oh, I see, you think public school kids are the ones who listen to pop?
Calvin: Well, they are. And Anna listens to pop so she's public school.
Dad: Well, what do homeschool kids listen to?
Calvin: Rock!
Setting-Around the dinner table.
Anna: humming some catchy popular song.
Calvin: Anna, you're more public shool than homeschool.
Anna: Huh?
Mom: Calvin, that's not very nice. That's not true. Say you're....
Calvin: Well, it's true.
Dad: What do you mean, Calvin?
Calvin: Well, she is.
Dad: Why do you think she's more public school than homeschool?
Calvin: Cause she listens to pop.
Dad: Oh, I see, you think public school kids are the ones who listen to pop?
Calvin: Well, they are. And Anna listens to pop so she's public school.
Dad: Well, what do homeschool kids listen to?
Calvin: Rock!
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
3John 1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Okay, here's one for you. I've decided that I have to do at least 25 push-ups every time I finish a book of the Bible. That's not so bad, right? We don't really finish them that often and 25 push-ups is a fairly small requirement. However, we do a weird thing with some books of the Bible. They aren't really books. Sixty-six books? How about those little tiny letters at the end? Books?
So, I've just been reading James, 1,2Peter, 1,2,3John, Jude. Start counting. Ya, right, 175 push-ups! I'm looking forward to some longer books.
Oh, I almost forgot, things I never noticed. John to Gaius, "May you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." I always read that 'spiritual health' but that's not what it says. He wants him to be in good physical health just as he is in good spiritual health. I guess all those push-ups made me aware of physical health.
It is good to send a physical blessing along with your spiritual blessing.
Okay, here's one for you. I've decided that I have to do at least 25 push-ups every time I finish a book of the Bible. That's not so bad, right? We don't really finish them that often and 25 push-ups is a fairly small requirement. However, we do a weird thing with some books of the Bible. They aren't really books. Sixty-six books? How about those little tiny letters at the end? Books?
So, I've just been reading James, 1,2Peter, 1,2,3John, Jude. Start counting. Ya, right, 175 push-ups! I'm looking forward to some longer books.
Oh, I almost forgot, things I never noticed. John to Gaius, "May you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." I always read that 'spiritual health' but that's not what it says. He wants him to be in good physical health just as he is in good spiritual health. I guess all those push-ups made me aware of physical health.
It is good to send a physical blessing along with your spiritual blessing.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
2John 1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
I suppose that I noticed this before, but I never did 'notice' this before, if you get my drift. This letter is written to the elect lady, AND HER CHILDREN. We don't know how old they are so we cannot make this another paedobaptist passage. Oh.....yes, we can! We Prebyterians can make almost anything a paedobaptist passage. Really, we can, it is required for our seminary exams.
The Apostle John, like Jesus, cares about the children. It is not so much whether we can prove that there are infants in the home but the fact that the Apostle is talking to a household. It is even more than that, really. It is not just a household he is talking to, as if a household, was a thing, or a somebody. He is talking to a lady AND to her children. He loves them both. He loves them all. I never noticed it before and I thought it was worth paying attention to.
I suppose that I noticed this before, but I never did 'notice' this before, if you get my drift. This letter is written to the elect lady, AND HER CHILDREN. We don't know how old they are so we cannot make this another paedobaptist passage. Oh.....yes, we can! We Prebyterians can make almost anything a paedobaptist passage. Really, we can, it is required for our seminary exams.
The Apostle John, like Jesus, cares about the children. It is not so much whether we can prove that there are infants in the home but the fact that the Apostle is talking to a household. It is even more than that, really. It is not just a household he is talking to, as if a household, was a thing, or a somebody. He is talking to a lady AND to her children. He loves them both. He loves them all. I never noticed it before and I thought it was worth paying attention to.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
This one is really bad. I mean, from the perspective that I never noticed it before but we ARE trying to be honest. I suppose we reformed types are always dealing with the 'faith and works' aspect of this passage instead of the faithful works aspect.
James 2:14-17 14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
The thing I never noticed is verse 15, If a brother or sister, come to you. I had always read that, if a man come to you, or if someone comes to you. We do have an obligation to the broader world, I am not arguing against that. But this passage does not argue FOR it. We are talking about family members here, both immediate family and church family. I think the passage more specifically means those in your local church, your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are required to take care of them giving them food and clothing. But it does not place a universal requirement to take care of every one who needs food and clothing. This is especially important because the 'everyone' view, or the 'anyone' view means we have to take care of those who have no connection to us besides, perhaps, the connection of human. But we ARE given requirements for brothers and sisters, those we are covenantally connected to.
James 2:14-17 14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
The thing I never noticed is verse 15, If a brother or sister, come to you. I had always read that, if a man come to you, or if someone comes to you. We do have an obligation to the broader world, I am not arguing against that. But this passage does not argue FOR it. We are talking about family members here, both immediate family and church family. I think the passage more specifically means those in your local church, your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are required to take care of them giving them food and clothing. But it does not place a universal requirement to take care of every one who needs food and clothing. This is especially important because the 'everyone' view, or the 'anyone' view means we have to take care of those who have no connection to us besides, perhaps, the connection of human. But we ARE given requirements for brothers and sisters, those we are covenantally connected to.
Money Wisdom from Proverbs
Given the continuing doleful news of our economy and the response to it from our elected leaders, it is good for us to listen to the voice of Scripture. We do not want to be like the millions with their hands out and their knees bowed to the golden calves of Washington. We want to bow our knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My intent is to post periodic devotional thoughts on portions of the Proverbs related to money. We have much to learn, much to repent of, and much blessing to receive from such an endeavor.
Here’s the first installment.
Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
This chapter sets the integrity of the poor against the deceitfulness of the lying wealthy oppressor. However, it is a very balanced chapter, encouraging hard work and reminding us that we reap what we so.
Verse 17 has much food for thought. We ought to have pity on the poor and lend to him. When we do so, we are lending to Yahweh, Himself. That seems an odd thing to say, as if Yahweh was a bit down on His luck and needed a helping hand. We should understand that God uses us to do His work. When we give to the poor, we give to Him. He holds our gift and keeps an account. He eventually pays us back with interest.
We tend to think of the Lord giving us interest by letting us into heaven when we die. That may be part of it but the Bible is more earthy than that. We should understand and expect that God will bless us in this life. I don’t want us to become namers and claimers, as if God has to respond to us in a particular fashion. At the same time, God wants us to understand the world that He has made. It does operate on certain basic godly principles. When we give in God’s name, God will repay us.
This leads to another issue. How can we give if we have nothing to give? The Proverb warns of laziness in verse 15, 15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. So, we should not be lazy. We have to work hard to get an increase. But what do we then do with that increase? In our current way of thinking, we spend it, ALL, on ourselves. This is disobedience because we have nothing left to lend to the poor. Thus, we cannot invest with God nor receive His dividends.
We must learn to live not, within, our means but below our means. We have to reduce our budget, so that we have something to give. Of course, the first and most obvious way to do this is to tithe. If you learn to live on 90% of your income, you are learning how to spend less than you make. And I would like to suggest that as a STARTING point. The fact of the matter is that the tithe is owed to God, so paying a tithe is not really living below your means. As our incomes go up, we should be thinking about living on 89% of our income, then 88% and so forth, so that we have more to give away. You must remember, God adds the increase and gives us a return on what we give to Him. So, giving to God is not throwing money away but rather investing it.
My intent is to post periodic devotional thoughts on portions of the Proverbs related to money. We have much to learn, much to repent of, and much blessing to receive from such an endeavor.
Here’s the first installment.
Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
This chapter sets the integrity of the poor against the deceitfulness of the lying wealthy oppressor. However, it is a very balanced chapter, encouraging hard work and reminding us that we reap what we so.
Verse 17 has much food for thought. We ought to have pity on the poor and lend to him. When we do so, we are lending to Yahweh, Himself. That seems an odd thing to say, as if Yahweh was a bit down on His luck and needed a helping hand. We should understand that God uses us to do His work. When we give to the poor, we give to Him. He holds our gift and keeps an account. He eventually pays us back with interest.
We tend to think of the Lord giving us interest by letting us into heaven when we die. That may be part of it but the Bible is more earthy than that. We should understand and expect that God will bless us in this life. I don’t want us to become namers and claimers, as if God has to respond to us in a particular fashion. At the same time, God wants us to understand the world that He has made. It does operate on certain basic godly principles. When we give in God’s name, God will repay us.
This leads to another issue. How can we give if we have nothing to give? The Proverb warns of laziness in verse 15, 15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. So, we should not be lazy. We have to work hard to get an increase. But what do we then do with that increase? In our current way of thinking, we spend it, ALL, on ourselves. This is disobedience because we have nothing left to lend to the poor. Thus, we cannot invest with God nor receive His dividends.
We must learn to live not, within, our means but below our means. We have to reduce our budget, so that we have something to give. Of course, the first and most obvious way to do this is to tithe. If you learn to live on 90% of your income, you are learning how to spend less than you make. And I would like to suggest that as a STARTING point. The fact of the matter is that the tithe is owed to God, so paying a tithe is not really living below your means. As our incomes go up, we should be thinking about living on 89% of our income, then 88% and so forth, so that we have more to give away. You must remember, God adds the increase and gives us a return on what we give to Him. So, giving to God is not throwing money away but rather investing it.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
John 9: 3-5 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus says that He is the light of the world. The rest of the chapter is about the blind man being healed by Jesus so that he can see. He says, "I was blind, now I see." This is the prooftext for Jesus being the light of the world. He brings light to the blind. Those whom Jesus touches, see. Those who will not see are not touched by Jesus.
At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus says that He is the light of the world. The rest of the chapter is about the blind man being healed by Jesus so that he can see. He says, "I was blind, now I see." This is the prooftext for Jesus being the light of the world. He brings light to the blind. Those whom Jesus touches, see. Those who will not see are not touched by Jesus.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
Of course, we all know that Jesus chose His own disciples but I never noticed how striking this verse is. Not only did Jesus choose those disciples that loved and served Him but He also chose the one that betrayed Him.
Furthermore, He here states that Judas is a devil. He doesn't mean that Judas is literally a devil. Judas is a man. But Judas is in the service of the devil. He is a disciple of Jesus because Jesus has chosen him, so he is serving Jesus, in a way. But his service to Jesus is deceitful. His real master is his own flesh and desires after the manner of his father, the devil. So, if Judas is a devil, then Jesus chose the devil.
Another thing that is bothersome about Judas and Jesus. Judas has one of the chief positions among the disciples. He is the treasurer, the keeper of the money box. Does it not seem odd that Jesus let him do this? Woudn't that have been a temptation to Judas to fall further into his own misery and sin? Clearly, the disciples did not suspect Judas's wickedness related to money but Jesus knew about it.
If anything, this means that Jesus had a different set of priorities than we do. Sure, we ought to be good stewards of our stuff and the Lord's stuff. But there are more important things going on than what is going into the money box. Judas didn't know that. Maybe that is why Jesus kept His first faithful disciples away from the money box?
Of course, we all know that Jesus chose His own disciples but I never noticed how striking this verse is. Not only did Jesus choose those disciples that loved and served Him but He also chose the one that betrayed Him.
Furthermore, He here states that Judas is a devil. He doesn't mean that Judas is literally a devil. Judas is a man. But Judas is in the service of the devil. He is a disciple of Jesus because Jesus has chosen him, so he is serving Jesus, in a way. But his service to Jesus is deceitful. His real master is his own flesh and desires after the manner of his father, the devil. So, if Judas is a devil, then Jesus chose the devil.
Another thing that is bothersome about Judas and Jesus. Judas has one of the chief positions among the disciples. He is the treasurer, the keeper of the money box. Does it not seem odd that Jesus let him do this? Woudn't that have been a temptation to Judas to fall further into his own misery and sin? Clearly, the disciples did not suspect Judas's wickedness related to money but Jesus knew about it.
If anything, this means that Jesus had a different set of priorities than we do. Sure, we ought to be good stewards of our stuff and the Lord's stuff. But there are more important things going on than what is going into the money box. Judas didn't know that. Maybe that is why Jesus kept His first faithful disciples away from the money box?
Friday, February 06, 2009
Book Review- The Shack
Just finished The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. I was not overly excited to read this book but have had several family and friends read it and ask my opinion about it. So, I thought I better give it a go.
I don't want to be too overtly critical of the book as I am sure the Lord can and will use this book to encourage many people in Christ. The author does cover some important themes in dealing with God and relational issues that will cause some folks to move forward in their walk with Christ.
However, I do think that the reason this book strikes such a chord in our current Christian culture is because of the huge vacuum at the center of our Christian world. That vacuum is Father hunger. Young is trying to address that very issue. I just don't think he does it all that well.
As I read the book, I found that it did little or nothing to address any lack in my own life. And that is not because my life has been peaches and cream. It hasn't. I had a great degree of father hunger in my own life. The book does reveal a failure on the part of the Church to heal that father hunger. In my opinion, the broad sales of this book also reveal the Church's failure. Young even goes out of his way to say that God is not interested in institutions or rituals. He thinks that those sorts of things are hollow solutions to man's ills.
The problem is that the God of the Bible has indeed created institutions and established rituals in those institutions. Of course, these should not be empty institutions and empty rituals. The Church needs to mean something. Baptism and the Lord's Supper must do something.
My own life has been dramatically healed by God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It has been healed in the Church among God's people and through ritual, baptism and the Lord's Supper, weekly formal worship, and a rather 'ritualistic' family life. All of that ritual is of primary importance in holding together all of the relationships. But relationships without God-inspired ritual produces some of the emotional drivel that Young spouts. Okay, okay, I said I would not be too critical and now here I go. My concern is that the Church is so weak and feeble that a book like The Shack seems so powerful. Wouldn't it be much more lovely if our folks read the book and said, "Wow, I am so thankful that God has already done those good things in me." That is, in fact, my experience and I hope and pray that it would be the norm.
That said, the Church is weak and feeble in many places. There are many Christians on the edge of the Church and in Churches that do not teach well. For them, this book is going forward and I pray that God will use it to draw them closer to Him, to His Church, and even to meaningful ritual.
In the early part of the book, I was actually pleased that Young was teaching doctrine about the person of God. He begins to explain the Trinity and does an okay job of it. But much of the rest of the book is a philosophical and theological jumble. Instead of simply asserting God's exhaustive sovereignty and man's total responsibility, he plays that old card, (over and over and over) that God would never step on man's free choices. Given the nature of his book and the good that he is trying to do in it, I found this very distracting and trite. I would have much preferred him to give us an Ecclesiastes look at trouble in the world than an Armenian apologetic.
One other complaint and then I will try to be positive, I promise. I don't think he understands the actaul process of forgiveness properly and this point can actually do some damage to the Saints of God. He makes the Father out as someone who loves all his children (all men, the good the bad and ugly) equally. This simply is not the Biblical revelation. God does not love everybody the same and he manifestly does not love unrepentant evil doers. How does this do damage to the saints? Well, it appears in the book that Papa loves the murderer just as much as she loves Mack. And only Mack's forgiveness will free the murderer to be redeemed by Papa. And while I agree that every Christian must be willing to forgive anyone that God forgives, having Mack forgive the murderer in the abstract, when the murderer is not seeking forgiveness, is to go beyond the requirements of Scripture.
Perhaps that is niggling but I would not require my congregants to forgive in the abstract. I would ask them to pray for the man that God would bring about justice in judgment or mercy through grace. It is not sinful for us to ask God to judge His and our enemies. The Psalms are full of this sort of thing. After all, are not such men serving the powers of darkness? And God came to destroy the works of the evil one. He does that in two ways, not just one. One is presented in this book. He draws them to light, forgives their sin and heals their brokenness. But there is another way. Jesus also puts all His enemies beneath His feet. He squashes them. You may not like that but it's in the Bible, too.
One thing the book gets right. We have to leave this 'sorting out' to the Lord, trusting Him, and not let ourselves be eaten up with bitterness.
You protest, "But what about us? We were evil doers." Yes, that is true and God, in His grace and love, brought you to repentance and forgiveness. But God has very harsh words and actions for those who will not repent and believe. It is not for us to figure out how this all works. I beleive we are then dealing with the hidden things of God. But to deny it because it does not fit in our pre-conceived doctrines is the very thing Young is arguing against in this book.
Oh darn, I just finished this book and really wanted to say more positive things but the more I sit here and think about it, the more flummoxed I get in trying to do it a good turn. Jesus is a buddy in this book. That always bugs me. Friend, yes. Elder brother, yes. Pal? Come on. Think about his dealings with the Apostles, the closest chance men had of having a buddy in Jesus. He wasn't their buddy.
I suppose my issue (it is growing as I write) is that the character of God in the book is not as Biblical as it should be. He tries to explain some hard doctrinal issues of sovereignty and freedom but does not get the character of God right. It is like a miscast movie. Good story and all but would have been better had the actors fit the character better.
Okay, what is good about the book. Oh no. I'm thinking. Fractal. I liked that.
God does make good in the mess. The book tugs on the heart in the area of dealing with past hurts and helps one to see that those pains are ultimately aimed at God, especially if we have a sense that God is in control. That makes us deal with God as much as with those who have hurt us. I think that is good.
Would I recommend this book? No. But having said that, I think more people will benefit from this book than could be hurt by it. I think it would tend to draw them closer to God and people. And when that happens, they will necessarily be drawn into His Church and the Communion of the Saints.
I don't want to be too overtly critical of the book as I am sure the Lord can and will use this book to encourage many people in Christ. The author does cover some important themes in dealing with God and relational issues that will cause some folks to move forward in their walk with Christ.
However, I do think that the reason this book strikes such a chord in our current Christian culture is because of the huge vacuum at the center of our Christian world. That vacuum is Father hunger. Young is trying to address that very issue. I just don't think he does it all that well.
As I read the book, I found that it did little or nothing to address any lack in my own life. And that is not because my life has been peaches and cream. It hasn't. I had a great degree of father hunger in my own life. The book does reveal a failure on the part of the Church to heal that father hunger. In my opinion, the broad sales of this book also reveal the Church's failure. Young even goes out of his way to say that God is not interested in institutions or rituals. He thinks that those sorts of things are hollow solutions to man's ills.
The problem is that the God of the Bible has indeed created institutions and established rituals in those institutions. Of course, these should not be empty institutions and empty rituals. The Church needs to mean something. Baptism and the Lord's Supper must do something.
My own life has been dramatically healed by God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It has been healed in the Church among God's people and through ritual, baptism and the Lord's Supper, weekly formal worship, and a rather 'ritualistic' family life. All of that ritual is of primary importance in holding together all of the relationships. But relationships without God-inspired ritual produces some of the emotional drivel that Young spouts. Okay, okay, I said I would not be too critical and now here I go. My concern is that the Church is so weak and feeble that a book like The Shack seems so powerful. Wouldn't it be much more lovely if our folks read the book and said, "Wow, I am so thankful that God has already done those good things in me." That is, in fact, my experience and I hope and pray that it would be the norm.
That said, the Church is weak and feeble in many places. There are many Christians on the edge of the Church and in Churches that do not teach well. For them, this book is going forward and I pray that God will use it to draw them closer to Him, to His Church, and even to meaningful ritual.
In the early part of the book, I was actually pleased that Young was teaching doctrine about the person of God. He begins to explain the Trinity and does an okay job of it. But much of the rest of the book is a philosophical and theological jumble. Instead of simply asserting God's exhaustive sovereignty and man's total responsibility, he plays that old card, (over and over and over) that God would never step on man's free choices. Given the nature of his book and the good that he is trying to do in it, I found this very distracting and trite. I would have much preferred him to give us an Ecclesiastes look at trouble in the world than an Armenian apologetic.
One other complaint and then I will try to be positive, I promise. I don't think he understands the actaul process of forgiveness properly and this point can actually do some damage to the Saints of God. He makes the Father out as someone who loves all his children (all men, the good the bad and ugly) equally. This simply is not the Biblical revelation. God does not love everybody the same and he manifestly does not love unrepentant evil doers. How does this do damage to the saints? Well, it appears in the book that Papa loves the murderer just as much as she loves Mack. And only Mack's forgiveness will free the murderer to be redeemed by Papa. And while I agree that every Christian must be willing to forgive anyone that God forgives, having Mack forgive the murderer in the abstract, when the murderer is not seeking forgiveness, is to go beyond the requirements of Scripture.
Perhaps that is niggling but I would not require my congregants to forgive in the abstract. I would ask them to pray for the man that God would bring about justice in judgment or mercy through grace. It is not sinful for us to ask God to judge His and our enemies. The Psalms are full of this sort of thing. After all, are not such men serving the powers of darkness? And God came to destroy the works of the evil one. He does that in two ways, not just one. One is presented in this book. He draws them to light, forgives their sin and heals their brokenness. But there is another way. Jesus also puts all His enemies beneath His feet. He squashes them. You may not like that but it's in the Bible, too.
One thing the book gets right. We have to leave this 'sorting out' to the Lord, trusting Him, and not let ourselves be eaten up with bitterness.
You protest, "But what about us? We were evil doers." Yes, that is true and God, in His grace and love, brought you to repentance and forgiveness. But God has very harsh words and actions for those who will not repent and believe. It is not for us to figure out how this all works. I beleive we are then dealing with the hidden things of God. But to deny it because it does not fit in our pre-conceived doctrines is the very thing Young is arguing against in this book.
Oh darn, I just finished this book and really wanted to say more positive things but the more I sit here and think about it, the more flummoxed I get in trying to do it a good turn. Jesus is a buddy in this book. That always bugs me. Friend, yes. Elder brother, yes. Pal? Come on. Think about his dealings with the Apostles, the closest chance men had of having a buddy in Jesus. He wasn't their buddy.
I suppose my issue (it is growing as I write) is that the character of God in the book is not as Biblical as it should be. He tries to explain some hard doctrinal issues of sovereignty and freedom but does not get the character of God right. It is like a miscast movie. Good story and all but would have been better had the actors fit the character better.
Okay, what is good about the book. Oh no. I'm thinking. Fractal. I liked that.
God does make good in the mess. The book tugs on the heart in the area of dealing with past hurts and helps one to see that those pains are ultimately aimed at God, especially if we have a sense that God is in control. That makes us deal with God as much as with those who have hurt us. I think that is good.
Would I recommend this book? No. But having said that, I think more people will benefit from this book than could be hurt by it. I think it would tend to draw them closer to God and people. And when that happens, they will necessarily be drawn into His Church and the Communion of the Saints.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
1 Cor. 8:2-3 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
This is much like that famous saying of Socrates, paraphrasing, "True wisdom is knowing how little you know." Or, "Wisdon is knowing that you don't know."
Paul says that a man who thinks he knows, doesn't. At least he does not yet know as he ought to know. To know as you ought to know is to know with humility. To know with humility means that you acknowledge your ignorance. This does not mean that you really cannot know things. You can. And, as a Christian, you must. God calls you to Wisdom but the Wisdom that He calls you to is a Wisdom of humility, not hubris.
Furthermore, there is something greater than knowing, even something greater than knowing God. The truly great thing is not to know, but rather, to be known by God. That ought to humble us a bit, too!
This is much like that famous saying of Socrates, paraphrasing, "True wisdom is knowing how little you know." Or, "Wisdon is knowing that you don't know."
Paul says that a man who thinks he knows, doesn't. At least he does not yet know as he ought to know. To know as you ought to know is to know with humility. To know with humility means that you acknowledge your ignorance. This does not mean that you really cannot know things. You can. And, as a Christian, you must. God calls you to Wisdom but the Wisdom that He calls you to is a Wisdom of humility, not hubris.
Furthermore, there is something greater than knowing, even something greater than knowing God. The truly great thing is not to know, but rather, to be known by God. That ought to humble us a bit, too!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Luke 9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
I never noticed that the Peter, James and John entered into the cloud. They had reason to fear. They were surrounded by the Spirit of God. This seems to be nothing less than the Glory Cloud, Himself.
I never noticed that the Peter, James and John entered into the cloud. They had reason to fear. They were surrounded by the Spirit of God. This seems to be nothing less than the Glory Cloud, Himself.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Romans 5: 3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
We tend to think that trying times make us hard, they steel us, like an athlete that works hard to discipline his body. I think there is some truth to that. God's discipline enables us to endure. He is building endurance in us by training us. But God is not making us hard. He is making us strong by making us soft. Here, patience produces experience and experince produces hope. A hopeful man is a soft man but one who has got there through the hardships of suffering.
Hardships make hard men harder and soft men softer. Experience produces hope because it took patience to wait upon the Lord. Having waited, experience sees what patience could not. And hope springs from knowing that God is faithful, just as He promised. This hopeful heart is a soft heart. It is like a piece of hard leather that is very strong but only useful when patiently oiled and coaxed into a supple state.
So, the thing I never noticed is that hard experience through patient suffering is the mother of hope.
We tend to think that trying times make us hard, they steel us, like an athlete that works hard to discipline his body. I think there is some truth to that. God's discipline enables us to endure. He is building endurance in us by training us. But God is not making us hard. He is making us strong by making us soft. Here, patience produces experience and experince produces hope. A hopeful man is a soft man but one who has got there through the hardships of suffering.
Hardships make hard men harder and soft men softer. Experience produces hope because it took patience to wait upon the Lord. Having waited, experience sees what patience could not. And hope springs from knowing that God is faithful, just as He promised. This hopeful heart is a soft heart. It is like a piece of hard leather that is very strong but only useful when patiently oiled and coaxed into a supple state.
So, the thing I never noticed is that hard experience through patient suffering is the mother of hope.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Exhortation- Third Commandment
Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
When we think of this commandment, we tend to think in terms of someone using the word God or Jesus, or Christ, or Jesus Christ as epithets, swear words. Certainly, that is using the Lord’s names in vain. I condemn that kind of usage wholeheartedly. But we err if we think this sort of thing is the main or the worse form of taking the Lord’s name in vain.
I think we often have a psychological need to be able to blame others for committing sins so that we do not notice ourselves committing the same sins, and worse. When unbelievers dishonor the Lord by swearing with His name, it is not nearly so grievous a sin as when Christians use the Lord’s name in vain. This is true because when we take the Lord’s name in vain, it is something far worse than simply saying words that are course or foul; or using good words as foul words; words like God or Jesus.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain has to do with taking the Lord’s name upon us as a covenant member and then breaking the terms of the covenant. Most everyone in this room is a baptized believer. You have had God’s name placed upon you. You have taken His name. So, this commandment tells you not to use it in a vain way. Do not call yourself a Christian and then live as if you were a heathen. Do not use the Lord’s name to gain advantage in business or influence if you are not really living for and honoring the Lord. We see politicians pander to Christians all the time, using Bible words and claiming to be Christians, when their main or only desire is to get votes or get influence. This deceit is taking the Lord’s name in vain.
We also take the Lord’s name in vain when we put on a show of spirituality but are not living as we profess. We are telling a lie, on purpose, in order to be seen as men, women and children in good standing with the Lord, when we know that we are not so. We have a simple name for this, hypocrisy. This is taking the Lord’s name in vain.
The Lord gives us warning. He will not hold us guiltless who take His name in vain. Do not attempt to lie to God. Remember Ananias and Saphira? Do not play the game of trying to look the part when you do not live like a Christian. Do not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
When we think of this commandment, we tend to think in terms of someone using the word God or Jesus, or Christ, or Jesus Christ as epithets, swear words. Certainly, that is using the Lord’s names in vain. I condemn that kind of usage wholeheartedly. But we err if we think this sort of thing is the main or the worse form of taking the Lord’s name in vain.
I think we often have a psychological need to be able to blame others for committing sins so that we do not notice ourselves committing the same sins, and worse. When unbelievers dishonor the Lord by swearing with His name, it is not nearly so grievous a sin as when Christians use the Lord’s name in vain. This is true because when we take the Lord’s name in vain, it is something far worse than simply saying words that are course or foul; or using good words as foul words; words like God or Jesus.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain has to do with taking the Lord’s name upon us as a covenant member and then breaking the terms of the covenant. Most everyone in this room is a baptized believer. You have had God’s name placed upon you. You have taken His name. So, this commandment tells you not to use it in a vain way. Do not call yourself a Christian and then live as if you were a heathen. Do not use the Lord’s name to gain advantage in business or influence if you are not really living for and honoring the Lord. We see politicians pander to Christians all the time, using Bible words and claiming to be Christians, when their main or only desire is to get votes or get influence. This deceit is taking the Lord’s name in vain.
We also take the Lord’s name in vain when we put on a show of spirituality but are not living as we profess. We are telling a lie, on purpose, in order to be seen as men, women and children in good standing with the Lord, when we know that we are not so. We have a simple name for this, hypocrisy. This is taking the Lord’s name in vain.
The Lord gives us warning. He will not hold us guiltless who take His name in vain. Do not attempt to lie to God. Remember Ananias and Saphira? Do not play the game of trying to look the part when you do not live like a Christian. Do not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Exhortation- Second Commandment
Exodus 20:4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Dear Saints, we are making our way through the Ten Commandments, re-learning what God has told us to do and what not to do. We no longer have men in the public square carving literal idols for us to worship. We thank God for that great advancement in His earth. Jesus is putting down His enemies and subduing them beneath His feet.
But there is still reason for us to be on our guard. Not every idol is made of wood. Some idols are made of unfaithfulness. Some are made of ideas. Some are made of the blessings that accrue around us. God is our only hope and refuge. He alone can save us from our sins. We must be mindful when we fashion other gods with our minds, as if they could save us. We find safety in our homes, but Jesus had not to lay His head. We find safety in our friends but the disciples all fled and forsook the Lord. We find safety in our bank accounts but Jesus had to catch a fish to pay His taxes.
We also tend to fashion God after the imaginations of our heart. We think of Him as exacting, or kind, or benevolent, or lenient, or harsh, just as the need or the mood fits us. But God is all of these things at various times. We should not fashion Him as fits us. We need to be made in His image and shall not fashion Him after the image of man. The only way for us to conform to the image of God is to know Him through His Word and Spirit, to submit to His laws and obey His commands. Only then, can we be transformed into the image of God and cease transforming the god of our minds into the image of man.
We really do fashion images. Let us cease doing so, learning who God is and what He demands of us. Then, we shall be like Him because we will see Him and worship Him as He is.
Dear Saints, we are making our way through the Ten Commandments, re-learning what God has told us to do and what not to do. We no longer have men in the public square carving literal idols for us to worship. We thank God for that great advancement in His earth. Jesus is putting down His enemies and subduing them beneath His feet.
But there is still reason for us to be on our guard. Not every idol is made of wood. Some idols are made of unfaithfulness. Some are made of ideas. Some are made of the blessings that accrue around us. God is our only hope and refuge. He alone can save us from our sins. We must be mindful when we fashion other gods with our minds, as if they could save us. We find safety in our homes, but Jesus had not to lay His head. We find safety in our friends but the disciples all fled and forsook the Lord. We find safety in our bank accounts but Jesus had to catch a fish to pay His taxes.
We also tend to fashion God after the imaginations of our heart. We think of Him as exacting, or kind, or benevolent, or lenient, or harsh, just as the need or the mood fits us. But God is all of these things at various times. We should not fashion Him as fits us. We need to be made in His image and shall not fashion Him after the image of man. The only way for us to conform to the image of God is to know Him through His Word and Spirit, to submit to His laws and obey His commands. Only then, can we be transformed into the image of God and cease transforming the god of our minds into the image of man.
We really do fashion images. Let us cease doing so, learning who God is and what He demands of us. Then, we shall be like Him because we will see Him and worship Him as He is.
Exhortation- First Commandment
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
We live in an era in which we think we are impervious to breaking this commandment. We do not worship idols. But idolatry is not dead and gone and it even creeps into our lives with some regularity. We are to worship God in spirit and in truth. He calls us to follow Him, obeying all that He has told us. While we do not bow our knees to literal idols, we do have many opportunities to serve someone or something other than the one true God.
We are at the beginning of a new year and this is a good time to examine our hearts and to see if there are gods competing with the one true God for our affections. Jesus calls us to hate mother and father compared to loving and serving Him. This means that whenever you choose to love someone or do something different than how God has called you to love or to act, then you are choosing to follow a false God, whether that God is your own foolish wisdom or some other competing voice. It may be financial decisions where you have not been obedient. It may be listening to false friends or even family who have led you astray. Perhaps you have sought the approval of men or other women more than the approval of God? Perhaps base pleasures have taken hold of you?
There are many temptations in the world and there always will be. I am not speaking particularly, of being tempted. I am talking about when you are continuing in a disobedient behavior and have justified it somehow, outside of biblical grounds. Once you do that, you are serving a false god. The only option is to repent and to do right today. You may not get out of the mess you have made immediately but by choosing to do right, God will lead you into a land of blessing.
We live in an era in which we think we are impervious to breaking this commandment. We do not worship idols. But idolatry is not dead and gone and it even creeps into our lives with some regularity. We are to worship God in spirit and in truth. He calls us to follow Him, obeying all that He has told us. While we do not bow our knees to literal idols, we do have many opportunities to serve someone or something other than the one true God.
We are at the beginning of a new year and this is a good time to examine our hearts and to see if there are gods competing with the one true God for our affections. Jesus calls us to hate mother and father compared to loving and serving Him. This means that whenever you choose to love someone or do something different than how God has called you to love or to act, then you are choosing to follow a false God, whether that God is your own foolish wisdom or some other competing voice. It may be financial decisions where you have not been obedient. It may be listening to false friends or even family who have led you astray. Perhaps you have sought the approval of men or other women more than the approval of God? Perhaps base pleasures have taken hold of you?
There are many temptations in the world and there always will be. I am not speaking particularly, of being tempted. I am talking about when you are continuing in a disobedient behavior and have justified it somehow, outside of biblical grounds. Once you do that, you are serving a false god. The only option is to repent and to do right today. You may not get out of the mess you have made immediately but by choosing to do right, God will lead you into a land of blessing.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Mark 10: 14-15 Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
I have been noticing more and more the way that Jesus talks approvingly of children in the Bible. We should pay special attention to verse 15. We usually spiritualize it something like this, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of in a childlike manner shall not enter into it." I suppose that is true enough but the verse says more than that.
It says, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child (receives the kingdom of God), he shall not enter therein. Notice what Jesus is saying. Little children, ones that Jesus can take up in His arms, infants, CAN receive the kingdom of God. This is profound and has profound results for our theology.
I have been noticing more and more the way that Jesus talks approvingly of children in the Bible. We should pay special attention to verse 15. We usually spiritualize it something like this, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of in a childlike manner shall not enter into it." I suppose that is true enough but the verse says more than that.
It says, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child (receives the kingdom of God), he shall not enter therein. Notice what Jesus is saying. Little children, ones that Jesus can take up in His arms, infants, CAN receive the kingdom of God. This is profound and has profound results for our theology.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Mark 9:5-6 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
The thing I never noticed is that Peter said when we are expressly told that he didn't know what to say. How often we do this. We say things when we should keep silent and listen. Peter got a heavenly rebuke. Sometimes we need one, too.
The thing I never noticed is that Peter said when we are expressly told that he didn't know what to say. How often we do this. We say things when we should keep silent and listen. Peter got a heavenly rebuke. Sometimes we need one, too.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Boy, this really is slowing down my reading but with good effect.
John 1:15, Jesus says, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye and believe the gospel."
I had noticed Jesus saying this but I had always read into 'gospel' a particular meaning that I had been programmed to read into that Word.
That programmed meaning is that Jesus came and died for your sins, therefore, repent and believe that He died for your sins, so that you can be saved. While that statement IS true, it cannot be what Jesus means when He says repent and beleive the gospel. He is calling His disciples to believe the gospel right then, as He was preaching it. If that is true, then it cannot simply mean believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.
N.T. Wright does some great work on explaining that the gospel is mainly the message that Jesus Christ is the King. That fits with what Jesus says here, "The kingdom of God is at hand, therefore repent." Jesus is now on the scene and He is ushering in the Kingdom. That is the primary message of the gospel. And that message has far larger ramifications than simply believing in Jesus for salvation. Believing in Jesus for personal salvation is a wonderful subset of the gospel. But you can believe in Him without believing that He is King over all and that the Kingdom of God has infiltrated the world. If you believe the gospel as presented by Jesus here then you get all the glory, including salvation, and all the other LARGE ramifications of Jesus as King. A truncated gospel has caused us no end of headaches in the Amercian Church and it is about time we saw how big the true message of the gospel really is.
John 1:15, Jesus says, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye and believe the gospel."
I had noticed Jesus saying this but I had always read into 'gospel' a particular meaning that I had been programmed to read into that Word.
That programmed meaning is that Jesus came and died for your sins, therefore, repent and believe that He died for your sins, so that you can be saved. While that statement IS true, it cannot be what Jesus means when He says repent and beleive the gospel. He is calling His disciples to believe the gospel right then, as He was preaching it. If that is true, then it cannot simply mean believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.
N.T. Wright does some great work on explaining that the gospel is mainly the message that Jesus Christ is the King. That fits with what Jesus says here, "The kingdom of God is at hand, therefore repent." Jesus is now on the scene and He is ushering in the Kingdom. That is the primary message of the gospel. And that message has far larger ramifications than simply believing in Jesus for salvation. Believing in Jesus for personal salvation is a wonderful subset of the gospel. But you can believe in Him without believing that He is King over all and that the Kingdom of God has infiltrated the world. If you believe the gospel as presented by Jesus here then you get all the glory, including salvation, and all the other LARGE ramifications of Jesus as King. A truncated gospel has caused us no end of headaches in the Amercian Church and it is about time we saw how big the true message of the gospel really is.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
A small nugget but beautiful.
Acts 21:5
Paul was leaving Tyre and heading for Jerusalem. Along the way, he is making it clear to the disciples in the various places that he will not see them again. The elders from Ephesus wept with him.
Here in Tyre, the disciples accompany him with a great number of people as he leaves the city. The thing I never noticed before is that 'they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city.' What a beautiful picture of the church; husbands, wives and children sending off the apostle, walking with him to the outskirts of the city.
And Another-
Acts 24:7- Tertullus, the orator accuser of Paul, before Felix says, "But the chief captain Lysias, came upon us and with great violence took him away out of our hands." He accuses Lysias of great violence. Keep in mind that Lysias was the law keeper here. He was commissioned to keep the peace and he was doing so. Tertullus and his gang were the law breakers set on violence but he accuses the peacekeeper of being violent. How like those set on wickedness to call evil, good and good, evil.
Acts 21:5
Paul was leaving Tyre and heading for Jerusalem. Along the way, he is making it clear to the disciples in the various places that he will not see them again. The elders from Ephesus wept with him.
Here in Tyre, the disciples accompany him with a great number of people as he leaves the city. The thing I never noticed before is that 'they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city.' What a beautiful picture of the church; husbands, wives and children sending off the apostle, walking with him to the outskirts of the city.
And Another-
Acts 24:7- Tertullus, the orator accuser of Paul, before Felix says, "But the chief captain Lysias, came upon us and with great violence took him away out of our hands." He accuses Lysias of great violence. Keep in mind that Lysias was the law keeper here. He was commissioned to keep the peace and he was doing so. Tertullus and his gang were the law breakers set on violence but he accuses the peacekeeper of being violent. How like those set on wickedness to call evil, good and good, evil.
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Having finished my Greyfriar’s list of reading, I am spending a great deal of time reading Scripture. We tend to get into a particular mode when reading Scripture of thinking we have read it before and already know it. Thus, end up not really reading it, we simply skim over what we think we already know. And this becomes more true, the more times we make it through.
One way to slow this down is to read a different version of the Bible on subsequent trips through. Another way, and the one I am currently attempting, is to try hard to take note of things that you never noticed before. So, instead of reading the Bible and simply getting out of it what you already know, you are actively working hard to pay attention to the things you never noticed before. As I have been doing this, I am finding out that there is a LOT of things I never noticed before. I am trying to read through the Bible quickly several times. The problem with writing about what I didn’t notice before, is that I didn’t notice a lot of things and it will really slow me down. But I trust I will profit greatly from the process.
So, these upcoming posts will be:
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Here’s the first one.
Acts 15- Before Paul and Barnabas head out to Jerusalem men from Judea had come to Antioch to dispute with them, claiming the disciples in Antioch needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. Of course, this precipitates the entire Jerusalem council.
The thing I never noticed before is verse 2, “When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
I had always been aware that Paul and Barnabas had gone up to Jerusalem to get the apostles’ take on the Gentile issue. But I had not noticed that they had already been in considerable difficulty with brethren from Judea about the issue. Apparently, even the Apostle Paul was not able to convince these men of the glory of God and the freedom of God to the Gentiles. He tried hard and failed at it. He needed more than just arguments. He also needed the authority of the Church to speak on the issue.
Since I am revealing my ignorance, I also never noticed that ‘other of them’ also went up with Paul and Barnabas. Not sure what that signifies but perhaps that Paul and Barnabas wanted to send a delegation of like-minded men to make their case, rather than simply come up there as the two Gentile missionaries.
One way to slow this down is to read a different version of the Bible on subsequent trips through. Another way, and the one I am currently attempting, is to try hard to take note of things that you never noticed before. So, instead of reading the Bible and simply getting out of it what you already know, you are actively working hard to pay attention to the things you never noticed before. As I have been doing this, I am finding out that there is a LOT of things I never noticed before. I am trying to read through the Bible quickly several times. The problem with writing about what I didn’t notice before, is that I didn’t notice a lot of things and it will really slow me down. But I trust I will profit greatly from the process.
So, these upcoming posts will be:
Things I Never Noticed in the Bible
Here’s the first one.
Acts 15- Before Paul and Barnabas head out to Jerusalem men from Judea had come to Antioch to dispute with them, claiming the disciples in Antioch needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. Of course, this precipitates the entire Jerusalem council.
The thing I never noticed before is verse 2, “When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
I had always been aware that Paul and Barnabas had gone up to Jerusalem to get the apostles’ take on the Gentile issue. But I had not noticed that they had already been in considerable difficulty with brethren from Judea about the issue. Apparently, even the Apostle Paul was not able to convince these men of the glory of God and the freedom of God to the Gentiles. He tried hard and failed at it. He needed more than just arguments. He also needed the authority of the Church to speak on the issue.
Since I am revealing my ignorance, I also never noticed that ‘other of them’ also went up with Paul and Barnabas. Not sure what that signifies but perhaps that Paul and Barnabas wanted to send a delegation of like-minded men to make their case, rather than simply come up there as the two Gentile missionaries.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
10 Year Reading Plan
Well, it's been ten years in the doing, but I finally finished my Greyfriars reading list. Greyfriars is the pastoral study program of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho.
Here's the List.
John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis
Craigie, Deuteronomy
Carr, Song of Solomon
John Calvin, Jonah, Micah, Nahum
Leon Morris, John
Haldane, Romans
Ramm, Protestant Biblical Interpretation
Terry, Biblical Hermenuetics
Letus, The Ecclesiastical Text
Ryken, Literature of the Bible
Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students
Dabney, Lectures in Sacred Rhetoric
Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers
Apostolic Fathers, Irenaaeus through Clement of Alexdria, Volumes 1&2
Hippolytus, Cyprian, Vol.5
Augustin, City of God, On Christian Doctrine, Vol.2
Augustin, Confessions, Vol.1
Chrysostom, Vol. 13
Athanasius, On the Incarnation and others, Vol. 4
English Bible x 3
Vincent, Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture
Calvin, Instiutes of the Christian Religion
Turretin, Institutes of Eclentic Theology, Vols. 1-3
Hodge, The Confession of Faith
Muller, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms
Canons of Dordt
Baxter, The Reformed Pastor
Ryle, Holiness
Lewis, Four Loves
Burroughs, Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Henry, Method for Prayer
D. Wilson, Reforming Marriage, Standing on the Promises, Her Hand in Marriage and more.
Luther, Commentary on Galatians
Tyndale, Obedience of a Christian Man
Calvin, Necessisty of Reforming the Church
Owen, Death of Death
English BibleNew Testament x 8
Beowulf
Gentry, He Shall Have Dominion
Old, Reading and Preaching of Scriptures, Vols. 1&2
Bahnsen, Theonomy in Christian Ethics
Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God
Vetih, Postmodern Times
Hagopian, Back to Basics
Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Bastiat, The Law
Johnson, Modern Times
Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon
Wilson, Joy at the End of the Tether
Watson, All Things for Good
Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Lewis, The Discarded Image
Mencken, A Mencken Chestomathy
Shakespeare, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing
Erasmus, In Praise of Folly
Herbert, English Poems
D'Aubigne, History of the Reformation in England
Van Til, Defens of the Faith
Wodehouse, Leave it to Psmith
English BibleNew Testament x 4
Here's the List.
John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis
Craigie, Deuteronomy
Carr, Song of Solomon
John Calvin, Jonah, Micah, Nahum
Leon Morris, John
Haldane, Romans
Ramm, Protestant Biblical Interpretation
Terry, Biblical Hermenuetics
Letus, The Ecclesiastical Text
Ryken, Literature of the Bible
Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students
Dabney, Lectures in Sacred Rhetoric
Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers
Apostolic Fathers, Irenaaeus through Clement of Alexdria, Volumes 1&2
Hippolytus, Cyprian, Vol.5
Augustin, City of God, On Christian Doctrine, Vol.2
Augustin, Confessions, Vol.1
Chrysostom, Vol. 13
Athanasius, On the Incarnation and others, Vol. 4
English Bible x 3
Vincent, Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture
Calvin, Instiutes of the Christian Religion
Turretin, Institutes of Eclentic Theology, Vols. 1-3
Hodge, The Confession of Faith
Muller, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms
Canons of Dordt
Baxter, The Reformed Pastor
Ryle, Holiness
Lewis, Four Loves
Burroughs, Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Henry, Method for Prayer
D. Wilson, Reforming Marriage, Standing on the Promises, Her Hand in Marriage and more.
Luther, Commentary on Galatians
Tyndale, Obedience of a Christian Man
Calvin, Necessisty of Reforming the Church
Owen, Death of Death
English BibleNew Testament x 8
Beowulf
Gentry, He Shall Have Dominion
Old, Reading and Preaching of Scriptures, Vols. 1&2
Bahnsen, Theonomy in Christian Ethics
Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God
Vetih, Postmodern Times
Hagopian, Back to Basics
Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Bastiat, The Law
Johnson, Modern Times
Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon
Wilson, Joy at the End of the Tether
Watson, All Things for Good
Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Lewis, The Discarded Image
Mencken, A Mencken Chestomathy
Shakespeare, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing
Erasmus, In Praise of Folly
Herbert, English Poems
D'Aubigne, History of the Reformation in England
Van Til, Defens of the Faith
Wodehouse, Leave it to Psmith
English BibleNew Testament x 4
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Almost Done
Just finished Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5. Wow, was that a bear. But it was also very good. The volume was mostly the letters of Hippolytus several works of Cyprian and some smallish works of Caius and Novation. Most of the writing was from around A.D. 250, from Bishops from N. Africa. Hippolytus spent his latter years in Constantinople. It was many, many hours of slugging away.
This means that I get to take off of my shelf of Greyfriars books to read, the very last volume on the shelf, Peter Craigie commentary on Deuteronomy. It is only about 400 pages and ought to go pretty quickly.
I am also finishing up Calvin's Commentary on Genesis.
Once those last two volumes are complete, I will spend a couple weeks crash reading through the NT several times and making my way through the OT again. And that will do it!
I now have the completion of my Greyfriar's reading in sight. When I get it done, hopefully by the end of the year, I will post a picture with a list of all the books. It has been a formiddable task and one I am glad to have taken on and will be even more glad to have finished.
This means that I get to take off of my shelf of Greyfriars books to read, the very last volume on the shelf, Peter Craigie commentary on Deuteronomy. It is only about 400 pages and ought to go pretty quickly.
I am also finishing up Calvin's Commentary on Genesis.
Once those last two volumes are complete, I will spend a couple weeks crash reading through the NT several times and making my way through the OT again. And that will do it!
I now have the completion of my Greyfriar's reading in sight. When I get it done, hopefully by the end of the year, I will post a picture with a list of all the books. It has been a formiddable task and one I am glad to have taken on and will be even more glad to have finished.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Always Ready
Just finished Bahnsen's "Always Ready". Great book for getting a handle on pre-suppositional apologetics. Especially helpful is the last five chapters, using the presuppositional method with five real life apologetical issues.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Exhortation- Giving Thanks
This is the week of thanksgiving. In it, we take special note to give thanks to our God and Father for all of His many blessings. But, we of all people, should be practiced in giving thanks. We take a special week and an American Holy Day to highlight our thanksgiving, to acknowledge that all of these blessings are indeed from God. But, we should be doing this continually, regularly, in our homes, in our church, among family, among friends. Giving thanks should be the primary characteristic that marks us out as Christians.
Giving Thanks
We have much for which to thank our God.
For homes and family
And feet that are shod
With the gospel of peace.
We cease to grumble and complain.
He sustains our souls for good.
And this is all from God.
To work is a gift from above.
And love, from spouse and children.
God has given mother and father,
And other friends with joy to win.
Let us see that God is good.
We should rejoice and pray
And say that all is reason to give thanks.
For thanks is gratitude revealed.
It heals and shows that we are God’s children.
So listen to this admonition.
Bow to the Father,
With brother and sister and others.
Thinking of God’s care over everything.
We sing His praises and our hearts are filled with joy unmeasured.
His treasures are our possessions.
Mercy, joy and love
From above are ours from Him. Amen.
Giving Thanks
We have much for which to thank our God.
For homes and family
And feet that are shod
With the gospel of peace.
We cease to grumble and complain.
He sustains our souls for good.
And this is all from God.
To work is a gift from above.
And love, from spouse and children.
God has given mother and father,
And other friends with joy to win.
Let us see that God is good.
We should rejoice and pray
And say that all is reason to give thanks.
For thanks is gratitude revealed.
It heals and shows that we are God’s children.
So listen to this admonition.
Bow to the Father,
With brother and sister and others.
Thinking of God’s care over everything.
We sing His praises and our hearts are filled with joy unmeasured.
His treasures are our possessions.
Mercy, joy and love
From above are ours from Him. Amen.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Nothing New
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on Titus 2, relates various Greek histories of the gods and dramas, pointing out their various perversions. He especially excoriates their love of boys and their perversion in dishonoring women. He exhorts the Christians to not be like this.
"O ye subverters of all decency, who use men, as if they were women, an dlead out women to war as if they were men."
Why do Americans want to go back to what the Lord already rescued us from?
"O ye subverters of all decency, who use men, as if they were women, an dlead out women to war as if they were men."
Why do Americans want to go back to what the Lord already rescued us from?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Exhortation-Chopping Down Idols
As we grow in grace, we come to find out many things about ourselves and our God that we did not previously know. We may find that we have many fears and insecurities that keep us from God. We may find that God is not exactly as we had previously thought He was. Perhaps we need to learn to be more serious than silly in His presence. Perhaps we need to learn that He is kind and willing to receive us, instead of shrinking away in fear as we might with our earthly father. Perhaps we are confronted with a God who controls the world and the terrible ramifications of that. Perhaps we have to admit that our little finite brains cannot understand the depths of this, our Creator God.
There is much for us to learn. And we must be about our business of learning. But we must not be always learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth. No, we must come to the knowledge of the truth. We must learn what God is like and then we must respond to Him appropriately. That will mean that we need to change because He is not going to change. And the only way for us to really change is to humbly submit to whatever we find out about God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who indwells His people by His Spirit.
Humility starts with confession and repentance. And little by little we will chop down the idol in our mind and the one True God will fully possess us in body and mind. This process will never be complete until the Resurrection but let us take joy in following hard after God and submitting to Him in all that He reveals to us by His Spirit.
There is much for us to learn. And we must be about our business of learning. But we must not be always learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth. No, we must come to the knowledge of the truth. We must learn what God is like and then we must respond to Him appropriately. That will mean that we need to change because He is not going to change. And the only way for us to really change is to humbly submit to whatever we find out about God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who indwells His people by His Spirit.
Humility starts with confession and repentance. And little by little we will chop down the idol in our mind and the one True God will fully possess us in body and mind. This process will never be complete until the Resurrection but let us take joy in following hard after God and submitting to Him in all that He reveals to us by His Spirit.
Communion Meditation-Father is Good
God’s goodness starts here. If you cannot see that, you are going to have a hard time seeing anything in relation to His goodness. He is not an austere Father, although He can be a hard Father. He has high standards but He is easily pleased with the workings of His children. It’s true, He does not tolerate high-handed sin and rebellion but He has made a way for us through Jesus to come to Him without fear of condemnation. He disciplines us but as we teach our own children, it is because He loves us. If He did not discipline us, it would only show that He was not our real Father.
We have a lot to learn about Father, God. Some of you even have a hard time saying the Word Father in prayer and insist on merely calling Him, God. There are many reasons for this but among them is an inability to see Father as something that is good to the core. But He is our Father and He is good, the best of Fathers. All that was good about your Father, is much more true of our Father in Heaven. All that was truly bad about your Father is not true of your Father in heaven.
But here, now, today, is our Father’s kindness, gentleness and goodness revealed to you. He has called you to a great family meal. He has placed bread and wine before you. He is not angry with you. He is well-pleased with you just as He is with His own Son, Jesus the Christ. Can you not see that God has pulled us into the eternal love of the Trinity? Here is Father and Son, loving, laughing. Here is Holy Spirit, affection, communion, grace, presence. And here we are in the midst of Him, the Three in One. You are welcome. He is filling you with Himself. Here is the goodness of that Father. You must see it here, first and then you will begin to see His goodness all around you.
We have a lot to learn about Father, God. Some of you even have a hard time saying the Word Father in prayer and insist on merely calling Him, God. There are many reasons for this but among them is an inability to see Father as something that is good to the core. But He is our Father and He is good, the best of Fathers. All that was good about your Father, is much more true of our Father in Heaven. All that was truly bad about your Father is not true of your Father in heaven.
But here, now, today, is our Father’s kindness, gentleness and goodness revealed to you. He has called you to a great family meal. He has placed bread and wine before you. He is not angry with you. He is well-pleased with you just as He is with His own Son, Jesus the Christ. Can you not see that God has pulled us into the eternal love of the Trinity? Here is Father and Son, loving, laughing. Here is Holy Spirit, affection, communion, grace, presence. And here we are in the midst of Him, the Three in One. You are welcome. He is filling you with Himself. Here is the goodness of that Father. You must see it here, first and then you will begin to see His goodness all around you.
Exhortation-Men With Chests
I know that many of us have given up on the Republican party as representative of our political views. But the Republican party can teach us something. Already, there are cries from the left leaning and morallyliberal wing of the Republican party to move more in that direction. They lay the blame on conservatives, the Sarah Palin constituency, for polarizing the party. Let us move left and all will be well.
The reason they can teach us something is that we hear this same sort of thing in the Church. We have to be kinder and gentler in the pulpit. We have to downplay sins and speak carefully so we do not offend anyone. We want to appease, rather than prophecy.
This was happening in Jeremiah’s day. He was speaking against the people’s idolatry and for their need to repent of such things. He was issuing dire warnings of what God was going to do if they did not repent. What was their response?
Jer. 44: 17-18 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. 18But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. .
God was judging them for the very thing they thought that they should keep doing and do more.
We do not need more gentleness and understanding in our pulpits, not if that means obscuring the truth and tickling ears. We need boldness to proclaim the Word of God. This means calling sin, sin and proscribing the biblical antidote for sin, repentance and forgiveness. Until we do this well, we should expect to see the same things that are currently happening in the American Church and in the Culture at large. Soft, effeminate men afraid of their shadows and a populace that loves them.
The reason they can teach us something is that we hear this same sort of thing in the Church. We have to be kinder and gentler in the pulpit. We have to downplay sins and speak carefully so we do not offend anyone. We want to appease, rather than prophecy.
This was happening in Jeremiah’s day. He was speaking against the people’s idolatry and for their need to repent of such things. He was issuing dire warnings of what God was going to do if they did not repent. What was their response?
Jer. 44: 17-18 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. 18But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. .
God was judging them for the very thing they thought that they should keep doing and do more.
We do not need more gentleness and understanding in our pulpits, not if that means obscuring the truth and tickling ears. We need boldness to proclaim the Word of God. This means calling sin, sin and proscribing the biblical antidote for sin, repentance and forgiveness. Until we do this well, we should expect to see the same things that are currently happening in the American Church and in the Culture at large. Soft, effeminate men afraid of their shadows and a populace that loves them.
Communion Meditation-Good Father
As we reform our thinking, we hope to reform all of it. One of the striking things that I have been noticing of late, is how far our thoughts about God, the Father, have drifted away from what He is actually like. When we wrongly assume that we know what God is like and then approach Him based upon that assumption, we have unwittingly created some form of an idol. If we also worship the idol that we have created in our minds, it is no wonder that we then begin to look like that idol. After all, we are putting that idol of our creation forth as the ultimate ideal. As fallen human beings, there is no way around this. We are not perfect, so our thoughts about God will not be perfect either. However, we can transform our thoughts by the washing and renewing of our minds by His own Word.
God, our Father, gracious and kind. For many, those words do not easily run together, but they are the biblical revelation of God, the Father. In the beginning He placed Adam in a Paradise with food aplenty and access to the Tree of Life. Is there anything but graciousness and kindness in this act of creation? God fed Adam and Eve and walked with them in the cool of the day. What sweet communion. The Fall has thrown a wrench into this sweet fellowship but Jesus died to restore that which was lost.
God, the Father, has called you here today to walk in His Garden, to eat of the Tree of Life and to hear Him walk pleasantly among you in the cool of the day. We do not hide, for we are not naked and ashamed but rather clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Take, eat, and bask in the glory of your Good Father.
God, our Father, gracious and kind. For many, those words do not easily run together, but they are the biblical revelation of God, the Father. In the beginning He placed Adam in a Paradise with food aplenty and access to the Tree of Life. Is there anything but graciousness and kindness in this act of creation? God fed Adam and Eve and walked with them in the cool of the day. What sweet communion. The Fall has thrown a wrench into this sweet fellowship but Jesus died to restore that which was lost.
God, the Father, has called you here today to walk in His Garden, to eat of the Tree of Life and to hear Him walk pleasantly among you in the cool of the day. We do not hide, for we are not naked and ashamed but rather clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Take, eat, and bask in the glory of your Good Father.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Communion Meditation-Our Good Father
It amazes me that receiving small children to the Lord’s Table is not the norm in every Christian Church because it does seem that every Christian Church understands that the nature of our relationship with God is that He has condescended to minister to us wee little men. It is God’s great gift that such small men as you and me could ever come to be His friends. There is nothing about our relationship to God to commend us in a very high degree. It is all grace, from first to last.
If we can see this cleary, how can we not see that small children come to God on the same basis? It is not because of good in them but rather, because of the goodness of God. He is that kind of God. He is that kind of Father. Have we misunderstood the character of God so much to think that He really does not want the children to come to Him? And how could we have misunderstood Him so greatly when Jesus expressly said let the children come unto me?
But, alas, I am reminded of the fact that men are indeed sinners. Saying that we are not worthy at all to sit at God’s table, except by His grace and mercy, does not keep us from keeping others out who we deem not worthy. Where does this disease come from, if not from sin? We are glad to be received by grace but are not willing to have that same grace cover other unworthy sinners, even the weakest of them, our children.
Our children are the weakest of the weak. They are needy of the grace of God and a touch from Jesus. Jesus came to the earth expressly to heal the sick and to defend the defenseless. Who are we then to keep those from Him who most need Him? This really is an astonishing blindness.
I suppose it causes us to have to be too humble. If we admit that even children, who do not have a real clue about what is going on can come to the Lord’s Table, then maybe we have to admit that it is not necessary to have a clue what is going on and that perhaps even we do not have a clue as to what is going on. I would argue for that case. Of course, we do have some clue and we are trying to clue in to God more and more each week. But the reality is that our understanding of God’s goodness and favor upon us is so small as to occupy a null space in infinity.
Receiving children humbles us all and makes us completely reliant upon the grace and goodness of God. Thank God for His kindness to us and to the smallest and weakest among us.
If we can see this cleary, how can we not see that small children come to God on the same basis? It is not because of good in them but rather, because of the goodness of God. He is that kind of God. He is that kind of Father. Have we misunderstood the character of God so much to think that He really does not want the children to come to Him? And how could we have misunderstood Him so greatly when Jesus expressly said let the children come unto me?
But, alas, I am reminded of the fact that men are indeed sinners. Saying that we are not worthy at all to sit at God’s table, except by His grace and mercy, does not keep us from keeping others out who we deem not worthy. Where does this disease come from, if not from sin? We are glad to be received by grace but are not willing to have that same grace cover other unworthy sinners, even the weakest of them, our children.
Our children are the weakest of the weak. They are needy of the grace of God and a touch from Jesus. Jesus came to the earth expressly to heal the sick and to defend the defenseless. Who are we then to keep those from Him who most need Him? This really is an astonishing blindness.
I suppose it causes us to have to be too humble. If we admit that even children, who do not have a real clue about what is going on can come to the Lord’s Table, then maybe we have to admit that it is not necessary to have a clue what is going on and that perhaps even we do not have a clue as to what is going on. I would argue for that case. Of course, we do have some clue and we are trying to clue in to God more and more each week. But the reality is that our understanding of God’s goodness and favor upon us is so small as to occupy a null space in infinity.
Receiving children humbles us all and makes us completely reliant upon the grace and goodness of God. Thank God for His kindness to us and to the smallest and weakest among us.
The Laboring Man
The Laboring Man
The laboring man works hard with his hands.
An honest day’s wages for an honest day’s work.
His pains are rewarded with weariness and food.
Some call this poverty, He calls it good.
The labor of man is hard work with hands.
Sleep is God’s gift to those that will work.
He falls into bed without a care in his head
And sleeps as if dead.
The laboring man works hard with his hands.
An honest day’s wages for an honest day’s work.
His pains are rewarded with weariness and food.
Some call this poverty, He calls it good.
The labor of man is hard work with hands.
Sleep is God’s gift to those that will work.
He falls into bed without a care in his head
And sleeps as if dead.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Proverbia 2
Proverbs of Virgil
Sadness dwells alone
But encouragement has many friends.
Sadness has a way of rolling itselp up into a shell. Think of a potatoe bug. He is very sad. Aloneness, perhaps even more than loneliness, seems to be the domain of sadness. This is most especially true of there are not others in the immediate vicinty sharing the same sadness. If they are, then sorrow does have friends as well. Shared sorrows are a comfort.
Encouragement, on the other hand, makes many friends. Encouragement often fails in its aim to make one feel better, to move towards joy and happiness. The sad one is beyond being encouraged. The sorrow is too deep. The depressions is too far advanced. But encouragment still makes friends. When the sadness fades again into joy, the friendship of encouragement remains.
Sadness dwells alone
But encouragement has many friends.
Sadness has a way of rolling itselp up into a shell. Think of a potatoe bug. He is very sad. Aloneness, perhaps even more than loneliness, seems to be the domain of sadness. This is most especially true of there are not others in the immediate vicinty sharing the same sadness. If they are, then sorrow does have friends as well. Shared sorrows are a comfort.
Encouragement, on the other hand, makes many friends. Encouragement often fails in its aim to make one feel better, to move towards joy and happiness. The sad one is beyond being encouraged. The sorrow is too deep. The depressions is too far advanced. But encouragment still makes friends. When the sadness fades again into joy, the friendship of encouragement remains.
Exhortation-Civic Duty, Too
Our national election is this Tuesday, November 4. The talking heads have been reminding us now for nearly two years that this is the most important election that you have ever voted in. They continue on with various points as to why this is the most important election that you have ever voted in. Are they right? Is this the most important election that you have ever voted in?
Well, yes it is and why is this the case? It is the case because this is the duty that stands before you now. You cannot go back to the good old days. You cannot move ahead to the good days to come. You have your duty facing you right now and the duty that is facing you right now is always the most important thing that you can do.
Will the outcome of this election change the world that we live in? Perhaps. If the wrong man gets elected, will the free world cease to exist? No, not at all. Might God use this election to send us more chastisement? Likely, but that, too, would be a good thing. We all need regular chastening to remind us to be faithful, to be thankful and to be diligent in doing good.
So, what are the most important issues facing us today, tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday?
Today? Worship, love God and humble yourselves before Him. Enjoy Him now in practice for enjoying Him forever.
Tomorrow? Arise in the goodness of the Lord and get about your duties to Him, to your spouse, to your children and to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Tuesday? The same as every other day, and do your civic duty, too.
Wednesday? To give thanks to the Lord, to pray for the President elect, to live quiet and peacable lives, working with your hands that you might have something to share with your brothers. Hoist a nice tankard of ale in thanksgiving to God that He has won the victory, again.
Elections, kings, presidents, come and go but the Word of the Lord and His Kingdom abide forever. Let us not fear man but submit ourselves to the One who really controls all of these things and means to use them to the glory of Christ in expanding His Kingdom to the utter end of the earth.
Well, yes it is and why is this the case? It is the case because this is the duty that stands before you now. You cannot go back to the good old days. You cannot move ahead to the good days to come. You have your duty facing you right now and the duty that is facing you right now is always the most important thing that you can do.
Will the outcome of this election change the world that we live in? Perhaps. If the wrong man gets elected, will the free world cease to exist? No, not at all. Might God use this election to send us more chastisement? Likely, but that, too, would be a good thing. We all need regular chastening to remind us to be faithful, to be thankful and to be diligent in doing good.
So, what are the most important issues facing us today, tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday?
Today? Worship, love God and humble yourselves before Him. Enjoy Him now in practice for enjoying Him forever.
Tomorrow? Arise in the goodness of the Lord and get about your duties to Him, to your spouse, to your children and to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Tuesday? The same as every other day, and do your civic duty, too.
Wednesday? To give thanks to the Lord, to pray for the President elect, to live quiet and peacable lives, working with your hands that you might have something to share with your brothers. Hoist a nice tankard of ale in thanksgiving to God that He has won the victory, again.
Elections, kings, presidents, come and go but the Word of the Lord and His Kingdom abide forever. Let us not fear man but submit ourselves to the One who really controls all of these things and means to use them to the glory of Christ in expanding His Kingdom to the utter end of the earth.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Communion Meditation-Imago Dei
John 17:20-23 20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The life of the Spirit is the life of community. This life of the community is the image of God. We were created in the image of God and that image, among other things, is the ability to have communion with God and with one another. To the extent that we have disunity with Him and with other human beings is the extent to which the image of God is marred in our midst.
Jesus prayed that we would display God’s image in our midst. This is the remaking of the world from that which was lost. Even in the garden, we see the fall of man and immediate disunion. Adam and Eve are hiding from God. They begin to blame others for their sins. Their son is at enmity with his brother. Discord and disunion become the paradigm of the life of man with man.
In the Trinity is perfect unity and diversity. In fallen man, diversity always creates disunity. Only in Christ can we once again find harmony and unity in diversity. This is what we do here in this meal. We are many, from many backgrounds, with many pre-conceived notions about God, about ourselves, the Church, worship, music, marriage, children and a host of other things. We are very different. But we celebrate that difference in Christ because to love others who differ with us is the exact thing that Jesus came to set right. Remember, I say, love them in Christ, because unity alone is not the goal. We cannot be unified outside of Christ and to be unified in Christ means to do what He says, obeying His Word.
We are many and we are one. This is God’s gift to us in Jesus and this is the truth that overcomes the world, even our faith in Christ and our love for one another.
The life of the Spirit is the life of community. This life of the community is the image of God. We were created in the image of God and that image, among other things, is the ability to have communion with God and with one another. To the extent that we have disunity with Him and with other human beings is the extent to which the image of God is marred in our midst.
Jesus prayed that we would display God’s image in our midst. This is the remaking of the world from that which was lost. Even in the garden, we see the fall of man and immediate disunion. Adam and Eve are hiding from God. They begin to blame others for their sins. Their son is at enmity with his brother. Discord and disunion become the paradigm of the life of man with man.
In the Trinity is perfect unity and diversity. In fallen man, diversity always creates disunity. Only in Christ can we once again find harmony and unity in diversity. This is what we do here in this meal. We are many, from many backgrounds, with many pre-conceived notions about God, about ourselves, the Church, worship, music, marriage, children and a host of other things. We are very different. But we celebrate that difference in Christ because to love others who differ with us is the exact thing that Jesus came to set right. Remember, I say, love them in Christ, because unity alone is not the goal. We cannot be unified outside of Christ and to be unified in Christ means to do what He says, obeying His Word.
We are many and we are one. This is God’s gift to us in Jesus and this is the truth that overcomes the world, even our faith in Christ and our love for one another.
Signs of the Times
Judging from the signs in my neighborhood, Obama will win in a landslide. His signs outnumber McCain five to one. But I don't think people always put their vote in the front yard.
Can't exactly remember the last time I put a politcal sign in my yard. I think it was when my friend, Paul Kimmel, was running for county commissioner in Idaho. He won.
I recently put a McCain/Palin sign in my yard. Republican headquarters did not have any Palin/McCain signs. I asked. I thought about putting the sign upside down with Palin at the top of the ticket but I figured my Obama loving neighbors might think I was trying to say 'down' with the ticket. So, I reluctantly put up my sign for McCain. I asked the Republicans if they had any Pro-life signs so I could make my choice of McCain/Palin more clear but in consistent cowardice, they didn't have any.
My sign disappeared last night. I found it down at the end of my walkway, torn in half and thrown in a pile of leaves. So, I went down to the Republican HQ and got two more. I suspect the angry Obama supporter to return, so I'll only put out one sign at a time. I'll tape by torn sign together and put it out, too. By the way, the signs are free now. They had been charging $2 for them.
The last few days before the election, I'll put up all the signs I have left just to give my bitter Obama loving neighbor a chance to work out their frustration on my signs.
I've heard some doom and gloom already from Christians, lamenting the sure retribution of an Obama victory. I intend to not particiapte in it, at all. I hope Obama does not win. But if he does so, I'll hoist a nice tankard of Ale to my commander in Cheif, the Lord Jesus Christ. I'll have a smile on my face and hope in my heart. He is able to lead us well. Of His Kingdom and Government, there shall be no end. Obama will come and go but the Word of the Lord will abide forever.
Can't exactly remember the last time I put a politcal sign in my yard. I think it was when my friend, Paul Kimmel, was running for county commissioner in Idaho. He won.
I recently put a McCain/Palin sign in my yard. Republican headquarters did not have any Palin/McCain signs. I asked. I thought about putting the sign upside down with Palin at the top of the ticket but I figured my Obama loving neighbors might think I was trying to say 'down' with the ticket. So, I reluctantly put up my sign for McCain. I asked the Republicans if they had any Pro-life signs so I could make my choice of McCain/Palin more clear but in consistent cowardice, they didn't have any.
My sign disappeared last night. I found it down at the end of my walkway, torn in half and thrown in a pile of leaves. So, I went down to the Republican HQ and got two more. I suspect the angry Obama supporter to return, so I'll only put out one sign at a time. I'll tape by torn sign together and put it out, too. By the way, the signs are free now. They had been charging $2 for them.
The last few days before the election, I'll put up all the signs I have left just to give my bitter Obama loving neighbor a chance to work out their frustration on my signs.
I've heard some doom and gloom already from Christians, lamenting the sure retribution of an Obama victory. I intend to not particiapte in it, at all. I hope Obama does not win. But if he does so, I'll hoist a nice tankard of Ale to my commander in Cheif, the Lord Jesus Christ. I'll have a smile on my face and hope in my heart. He is able to lead us well. Of His Kingdom and Government, there shall be no end. Obama will come and go but the Word of the Lord will abide forever.
Palin and Guilt
I have tried to state clearly why I am voting for the Republican candidate for the first time since I voted for Ronald Reagan. The only answer is Sarah Palin. I know, we should vote for the man at the top of the ticket. And some of you are angry that we third party reform types would go weak in the knees at the threat of the Obamanation and vote for the Elephant. Well, wait a minute! Let me explain again.
I have no delusions that the Republicans will represent a Christian or even much of a Conservative cause. Economically, they cave too easily. While warning against the recent market meltdown, they did nothing significant to help educate America as to the folly of such policies employed to make Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae the dangers that they have become. At best, it seems, they put in a few words so that at the next election they could say that it wasn't their fault. But leading is more than getting elected. Now, in the midst of the meltdown, they offer the same sad solutions that the liberals offer, without standing on their own conservative principles. After all, you might here them thinking, there is an election going on.
On the moral issues, there are more Republicans than Democrats who oppose abortion and the homosexual agenda. We know that because these issues are now pretty much litmus tests for Democrats and you cannot get funded and elected without supporting the status quo. But the Republicans have acquiesced in the fight against these two immoral positions. They have been silenced in a culture where any dissent from the politically correct version is seen as hostile, intolerant, racist and neandrathral. But to stand against immorality is none of these things. Where are the Christian men and women Congressmen with backbones and hearts who still care about the truth?
Along comes Sarah. Why do they hate her so? No one has the guts to even say it. She gave birth to Trig. What does THAT say about an America that wants its women to act like men, including refusing to be responsible for the children that are created through their sexual acts? She represents principle, responsibility and life. Life, life for babies, life for Down's babies, life for children. THAT is what matters most, Christians!
We, too, have been silenced. We have been told that it is uneducated and a mark of a religious zealot to be a one issue voter. By whose standard! The liberals know that this one issue is the most important political demarcation between even HAVING a standard and not having one. We do have a standard. God hates abortion and He will not stand by idly while we continue to ravage our nation by killing millions of babies in the womb. National Review writer Kevin Burke has a great article on this point of natioanl guilt and the response to Palin here.
I am not arguing for Sarah so that we can get Roe v. Wade overturned in this next administration. That probably will not happen. What we do need,though, is revival in the hearts of American citizens. Sarah wakes up that realization. Some are very angry at her for it. Others mock her on other fronts because they will not even allow America's conscience to wake up to the fact that it has blood on it. They keep deflecting the issue, hoping it won't really be the issue. We need a moral rebirth. I take her candidacy as a blessing from a loving Father to show us our follies so that we might repent of them. Will we? Probably not, but I pray that we do so before God's mercy dries up and His exhoratations to repentance cease. Then we are really in for it.
I have no delusions that the Republicans will represent a Christian or even much of a Conservative cause. Economically, they cave too easily. While warning against the recent market meltdown, they did nothing significant to help educate America as to the folly of such policies employed to make Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae the dangers that they have become. At best, it seems, they put in a few words so that at the next election they could say that it wasn't their fault. But leading is more than getting elected. Now, in the midst of the meltdown, they offer the same sad solutions that the liberals offer, without standing on their own conservative principles. After all, you might here them thinking, there is an election going on.
On the moral issues, there are more Republicans than Democrats who oppose abortion and the homosexual agenda. We know that because these issues are now pretty much litmus tests for Democrats and you cannot get funded and elected without supporting the status quo. But the Republicans have acquiesced in the fight against these two immoral positions. They have been silenced in a culture where any dissent from the politically correct version is seen as hostile, intolerant, racist and neandrathral. But to stand against immorality is none of these things. Where are the Christian men and women Congressmen with backbones and hearts who still care about the truth?
Along comes Sarah. Why do they hate her so? No one has the guts to even say it. She gave birth to Trig. What does THAT say about an America that wants its women to act like men, including refusing to be responsible for the children that are created through their sexual acts? She represents principle, responsibility and life. Life, life for babies, life for Down's babies, life for children. THAT is what matters most, Christians!
We, too, have been silenced. We have been told that it is uneducated and a mark of a religious zealot to be a one issue voter. By whose standard! The liberals know that this one issue is the most important political demarcation between even HAVING a standard and not having one. We do have a standard. God hates abortion and He will not stand by idly while we continue to ravage our nation by killing millions of babies in the womb. National Review writer Kevin Burke has a great article on this point of natioanl guilt and the response to Palin here.
I am not arguing for Sarah so that we can get Roe v. Wade overturned in this next administration. That probably will not happen. What we do need,though, is revival in the hearts of American citizens. Sarah wakes up that realization. Some are very angry at her for it. Others mock her on other fronts because they will not even allow America's conscience to wake up to the fact that it has blood on it. They keep deflecting the issue, hoping it won't really be the issue. We need a moral rebirth. I take her candidacy as a blessing from a loving Father to show us our follies so that we might repent of them. Will we? Probably not, but I pray that we do so before God's mercy dries up and His exhoratations to repentance cease. Then we are really in for it.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The New Creation
I hope by now it is very clear to us that we are in the new creation. We have in some way been inaugurated into the last days where the Lord Jesus is reigning until all His enemies are subdued beneath His feet. Of course, we do not yet see all things in subjection to Him, so we are going about the work of the kingdom until every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. It also seems clear that this kingdom work will not be done until the last of the last days when the Lord comes again to make the new heavens and the new earth perfect in the resurrection, revealing His bride without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.
Adam was in the garden and failed in his responsibility to adequately care for God’s creation. This had ramifications for all of us. One of the premiere and immediately recognizable ramifications was strife in the brotherhood. It began with Adam and Eve, themselves, as they began to make excuses before God, laying blame on others, pointing fingers. It was her, it was the snake.
And then it passed on to Adam’s children, Cain killing Abel, because he was envious of his brother. So, in due time, when God chose a people for His own, it was necessary for God to mark them out, to put a sign on them that they belonged to Him. And we see this in the days of Abraham, in the sign of circumcision.
Some argue that now we should not give the covenant sign to small children because they have not chosen to be God’s disciples in Christ. But was it ever so? Yes, for strangers. They could join themselves to the people of God through circumcision. But for the people of God, the sign was applied to all their infant boys at eight days old. They did not get to choose to be included in the people of God.
Furthermore, what was going on from the beginning, in the garden? Can we imagine what might have happened if Adam and Eve had not sinned? Would it have been necessary for God to mark out His own through circumcision? Likely not. All the children born of Adam and Eve would have walked in faith before the Father. All children would have been His and it would have been unnecessary to mark them in the foreskin of their flesh. This becomes clearer in the New Testament, when the requirement of circumcision is dropped and subsumed in the requirement of water baptism.
We should also keep in mind the normative pattern that was established in the creation and picked up in the covenant with Abraham and made explicitly clear in the New Covenant. We are children of our Father and this places obligations of faith and obedience upon us.
In the unfallen creation, Adam and Eve’s children would have grown up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They would not have rebelled, nor had a reason to be kept from the trees of life. They would have had direct access to God, just as their unfallen parents did. Since they fell, the line of faithful children became suspect, mankind was in rebellion, and God had to step in to re-establish His covenant with man and delineate between who was His and who was not His. Once again, He created through water, separating the waters from the waters and revealing a new humanity in Noah and his family. Eventually, an earthly family that is to rule the world is revealed and promised in Abraham. That promise remained unfulfilled until the Lord Jesus was resurrected to rule the world with His innumerable host, the family of God, the Church.
Since God created the world through water, it is fitting that we are recreated through water, as well. The normative pattern is still working. Adam was to raise his children in the Lord. Abraham was to raise his children in the Lord and we are to raise our children in the Lord. In fact, in the Lord Jesus, the reversal of the fall makes this point all the more emphatic. As Adam’s unrebellious children would have perfectly followed God, so we would expect that the children of the new Adam would perfectly follow God. In an unfallen world, we would expect a one hundred percent success ratio in child rearing. All the children would love the Lord.
Christ is our second Adam, renewing, restoring and revealing the Kingdom of God on the earth. Jesus is the new Adam, the perfect Adam, the unfallen Adam. Remember that Adam, A-dam, means man, mankind. Jesus is the New Adam, the new mankind. He is remaking all that fell apart when Adam sinned. He is recreating mankind. He is restoring all things to the creation order. But He does this little by little, just as He revealed in the Scriptures. It is not accomplished all at once. So, it should not be problematic for us to see, for instance, that all the children of believers do not love the Lord. There are some exceptions. Some children fall away because the world is still a world in which sin dwells. Until the final resurrection, we will struggle with sin and the wars of our members. This will also be revealed in our children. But we should also expect God to be reshaping the world and the way that we think about and live in the world. The normative pattern of raising up our children in the Lord that was in the creation, lost in Adam, restored in Abraham and solidified forever in Jesus Christ, ought to be the way that we think about the world.
But I can anticipate an objection to this. If Christ is restoring that which Adam lost, someone might come to the conclusion that water baptism of babies and even of professing adults is unnecessary. Or perhaps simply unnecessary to the children of believers. They may come to this conclusion since we have no clear covenant sign between God and Adam. We do have a covenant meal with Adam but no clear covenant initiation rite.
Two possible initial covenant signs are the fact that man was birthed from the waters as the Spirit hovered over the face of the waters. And all children born from Eve and her children would subsequently be born through the waters of the womb. The second possibility is that man was formed from the dust of the earth. Man’s very nature as human, as dust men, may have been enough to covenant them to God. The third sign was the breath of man, having come from the breath of God. But all of these signs were normative signs, they were inherent in created living man, without the need for an additional external sign. Man was righteous in the beginning from the inside out. This image bearing nature was marred in the fall and restored in Jesus Christ. And now it is necessary for man to be renewed in his whole nature, so it is fitting that we can see this from the outward sign, circumcision or now baptism, and inwardly as the Spirit fills the man, making him a new creature in Christ.
But regardless of whether there was a clear covenant sign on Adam in the beginning, we have explicit language of the need of the covenant sign in the New Covenant. In fact, even when the Spirit falls upon believers in the New Testament, the response is not what modern evangelicals sometimes argue. Modern evangelicals might argue, “Why baptize them with water when they are already baptized with the Holy Spirit.” But in the Bible, the argument is “Who can refuse water the waters of baptism to such as the Spirit has chosen to fall upon?” Water baptism is necessary to mark the sons of the living God and the normative pattern in the Scriptures of both the creation and the covenant is that the children partake of it.
Thus, we gladly receive those that God has chosen and their children and we join hands with the Lord Jesus as He inaugurates a new humanity in the earth, bringing the little ones to Jesus that He might lay His hands upon them and bless them.
Adam was in the garden and failed in his responsibility to adequately care for God’s creation. This had ramifications for all of us. One of the premiere and immediately recognizable ramifications was strife in the brotherhood. It began with Adam and Eve, themselves, as they began to make excuses before God, laying blame on others, pointing fingers. It was her, it was the snake.
And then it passed on to Adam’s children, Cain killing Abel, because he was envious of his brother. So, in due time, when God chose a people for His own, it was necessary for God to mark them out, to put a sign on them that they belonged to Him. And we see this in the days of Abraham, in the sign of circumcision.
Some argue that now we should not give the covenant sign to small children because they have not chosen to be God’s disciples in Christ. But was it ever so? Yes, for strangers. They could join themselves to the people of God through circumcision. But for the people of God, the sign was applied to all their infant boys at eight days old. They did not get to choose to be included in the people of God.
Furthermore, what was going on from the beginning, in the garden? Can we imagine what might have happened if Adam and Eve had not sinned? Would it have been necessary for God to mark out His own through circumcision? Likely not. All the children born of Adam and Eve would have walked in faith before the Father. All children would have been His and it would have been unnecessary to mark them in the foreskin of their flesh. This becomes clearer in the New Testament, when the requirement of circumcision is dropped and subsumed in the requirement of water baptism.
We should also keep in mind the normative pattern that was established in the creation and picked up in the covenant with Abraham and made explicitly clear in the New Covenant. We are children of our Father and this places obligations of faith and obedience upon us.
In the unfallen creation, Adam and Eve’s children would have grown up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They would not have rebelled, nor had a reason to be kept from the trees of life. They would have had direct access to God, just as their unfallen parents did. Since they fell, the line of faithful children became suspect, mankind was in rebellion, and God had to step in to re-establish His covenant with man and delineate between who was His and who was not His. Once again, He created through water, separating the waters from the waters and revealing a new humanity in Noah and his family. Eventually, an earthly family that is to rule the world is revealed and promised in Abraham. That promise remained unfulfilled until the Lord Jesus was resurrected to rule the world with His innumerable host, the family of God, the Church.
Since God created the world through water, it is fitting that we are recreated through water, as well. The normative pattern is still working. Adam was to raise his children in the Lord. Abraham was to raise his children in the Lord and we are to raise our children in the Lord. In fact, in the Lord Jesus, the reversal of the fall makes this point all the more emphatic. As Adam’s unrebellious children would have perfectly followed God, so we would expect that the children of the new Adam would perfectly follow God. In an unfallen world, we would expect a one hundred percent success ratio in child rearing. All the children would love the Lord.
Christ is our second Adam, renewing, restoring and revealing the Kingdom of God on the earth. Jesus is the new Adam, the perfect Adam, the unfallen Adam. Remember that Adam, A-dam, means man, mankind. Jesus is the New Adam, the new mankind. He is remaking all that fell apart when Adam sinned. He is recreating mankind. He is restoring all things to the creation order. But He does this little by little, just as He revealed in the Scriptures. It is not accomplished all at once. So, it should not be problematic for us to see, for instance, that all the children of believers do not love the Lord. There are some exceptions. Some children fall away because the world is still a world in which sin dwells. Until the final resurrection, we will struggle with sin and the wars of our members. This will also be revealed in our children. But we should also expect God to be reshaping the world and the way that we think about and live in the world. The normative pattern of raising up our children in the Lord that was in the creation, lost in Adam, restored in Abraham and solidified forever in Jesus Christ, ought to be the way that we think about the world.
But I can anticipate an objection to this. If Christ is restoring that which Adam lost, someone might come to the conclusion that water baptism of babies and even of professing adults is unnecessary. Or perhaps simply unnecessary to the children of believers. They may come to this conclusion since we have no clear covenant sign between God and Adam. We do have a covenant meal with Adam but no clear covenant initiation rite.
Two possible initial covenant signs are the fact that man was birthed from the waters as the Spirit hovered over the face of the waters. And all children born from Eve and her children would subsequently be born through the waters of the womb. The second possibility is that man was formed from the dust of the earth. Man’s very nature as human, as dust men, may have been enough to covenant them to God. The third sign was the breath of man, having come from the breath of God. But all of these signs were normative signs, they were inherent in created living man, without the need for an additional external sign. Man was righteous in the beginning from the inside out. This image bearing nature was marred in the fall and restored in Jesus Christ. And now it is necessary for man to be renewed in his whole nature, so it is fitting that we can see this from the outward sign, circumcision or now baptism, and inwardly as the Spirit fills the man, making him a new creature in Christ.
But regardless of whether there was a clear covenant sign on Adam in the beginning, we have explicit language of the need of the covenant sign in the New Covenant. In fact, even when the Spirit falls upon believers in the New Testament, the response is not what modern evangelicals sometimes argue. Modern evangelicals might argue, “Why baptize them with water when they are already baptized with the Holy Spirit.” But in the Bible, the argument is “Who can refuse water the waters of baptism to such as the Spirit has chosen to fall upon?” Water baptism is necessary to mark the sons of the living God and the normative pattern in the Scriptures of both the creation and the covenant is that the children partake of it.
Thus, we gladly receive those that God has chosen and their children and we join hands with the Lord Jesus as He inaugurates a new humanity in the earth, bringing the little ones to Jesus that He might lay His hands upon them and bless them.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Election Day Prayer of Repentance
Our Father in heaven, we come to You to confess our sins. Our election of President is coming soon and our President will represent us. Father, forgive us that we are unable to place a godly choice before Your sovereign throne. May Your will be done.
We pray for Your mercy to our land. Remember Your saints, O God, and grant that we may live quiet and peacable lives in this land. Lead us to repentance in our homes and churches, forsaking our cowardly ways, comprising the word of God and not protecting Your people from false prophets and false shepherds. Renew Your people in their churches through faithful worship, the primacy of preaching and the authority of the Word of God. Make us boldly unapologetic for everything that You have said, for Your Word, Your Christ and Your Spirit are every bit true, though every man be found a liar.
Grant us repentance in the churches, the bloody churches, the effeminate churches, the compromised churches, the immature churches, the haughty churches and where we in this church fit into any of those groups, Father, grant us repentance.
We, in this church, are all Americans, and so, as citizens of this great and God blessed land, we are certainly guilty before You of forgetting that the Lord Jesus is King of the United States. We repent of this and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom as the rightful ruler of these United States. America truly is great and this has been true by Your blessing. So, to the extent that we can do so, we humble ourselves and our nation before You, so that You can lift us up on high as a light set on a hill. Revive us, O Lord, in Christ’s Holy Name. Amen.
We pray for Your mercy to our land. Remember Your saints, O God, and grant that we may live quiet and peacable lives in this land. Lead us to repentance in our homes and churches, forsaking our cowardly ways, comprising the word of God and not protecting Your people from false prophets and false shepherds. Renew Your people in their churches through faithful worship, the primacy of preaching and the authority of the Word of God. Make us boldly unapologetic for everything that You have said, for Your Word, Your Christ and Your Spirit are every bit true, though every man be found a liar.
Grant us repentance in the churches, the bloody churches, the effeminate churches, the compromised churches, the immature churches, the haughty churches and where we in this church fit into any of those groups, Father, grant us repentance.
We, in this church, are all Americans, and so, as citizens of this great and God blessed land, we are certainly guilty before You of forgetting that the Lord Jesus is King of the United States. We repent of this and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom as the rightful ruler of these United States. America truly is great and this has been true by Your blessing. So, to the extent that we can do so, we humble ourselves and our nation before You, so that You can lift us up on high as a light set on a hill. Revive us, O Lord, in Christ’s Holy Name. Amen.
Exhortation-Election Day
Election Day is upon us. On November 4th, hopefully all of you that are eligible will cast your ballot. It is important for us to think about this correctly. What is our civic duty? How shall we act as citizens in voting and in submitting to the eventual outcome.
Do we deserve these candidates? Well, yes, most of them. I think we don’t deserve one of them and that is why I am voting for her. We live in a society that is full of itself. We have taught our children to be self-centered to the extreme for many generations now. We have taught them to be impatient, wanting the fruit of their rewards before they put in the hard work of their labors. To this extent, we have got in our leaders exactly what we have become in our homes and churches. The welfare state is merely what we have been demanding from our own parents for several generations. This should be no surprise. Spoiled citizens come from spoiled children. We really do need to put an end to both. And in this election, it seems that there is no candidate that will help us do that.
We must remember what more is at stake in this election. We have heard nothing about abortion in this election. We have heard nothing about the Sodomite agenda in this election. Why is that? It is because those who push these ungodly agendas have for the most part won the day. Conservative politicians and Christians have been shamed into silence. We must stop this cowardice at once.
Our current economic crisis is a fair warning from our Father in heaven that He hears the cries of the weak from the killing fields of the abortion clinics. He hears the lies of the homo-agenda-loving priests and pastors who call evil good and good evil. God hates these things and such men. And we should hate such wickedness in our land, as well.
I don’t know how you will vote. Certainly, voting for those who would positively promote the killing of children is directly contrary to Scripture. It is a sin. Don't do that.
I am imminently thankful to our God for putting Sarah Palin in a position where America is faced with the beauty, goodness and truth of embracing the life of a Down’s baby, baby Trig, and of helping her daughter embrace the child of an unplanned pregnancy that is immensely embarrassing and troublesome. In my opinion, this is more fair warning from God to America about doing what is good and right. I don’t think you have to cast a vote for the Republicans to be thankful to God for this. However, I am personally glad to vote for her and keep her in front of the remaining conscience of America and the world for as long as possible.
What we do need to do before this election day, is repent. Let us repent of our idolatries. Let us repent of our compliance and compromise in sin. Let us repent of our cowardice in speaking the truth, being fearful of men rather than fearing God. Let us ask for God’s mercy in this election and barring His mercy there, let us ask Him to bring repentance upon our land as we suffer under His chastisement.
Do we deserve these candidates? Well, yes, most of them. I think we don’t deserve one of them and that is why I am voting for her. We live in a society that is full of itself. We have taught our children to be self-centered to the extreme for many generations now. We have taught them to be impatient, wanting the fruit of their rewards before they put in the hard work of their labors. To this extent, we have got in our leaders exactly what we have become in our homes and churches. The welfare state is merely what we have been demanding from our own parents for several generations. This should be no surprise. Spoiled citizens come from spoiled children. We really do need to put an end to both. And in this election, it seems that there is no candidate that will help us do that.
We must remember what more is at stake in this election. We have heard nothing about abortion in this election. We have heard nothing about the Sodomite agenda in this election. Why is that? It is because those who push these ungodly agendas have for the most part won the day. Conservative politicians and Christians have been shamed into silence. We must stop this cowardice at once.
Our current economic crisis is a fair warning from our Father in heaven that He hears the cries of the weak from the killing fields of the abortion clinics. He hears the lies of the homo-agenda-loving priests and pastors who call evil good and good evil. God hates these things and such men. And we should hate such wickedness in our land, as well.
I don’t know how you will vote. Certainly, voting for those who would positively promote the killing of children is directly contrary to Scripture. It is a sin. Don't do that.
I am imminently thankful to our God for putting Sarah Palin in a position where America is faced with the beauty, goodness and truth of embracing the life of a Down’s baby, baby Trig, and of helping her daughter embrace the child of an unplanned pregnancy that is immensely embarrassing and troublesome. In my opinion, this is more fair warning from God to America about doing what is good and right. I don’t think you have to cast a vote for the Republicans to be thankful to God for this. However, I am personally glad to vote for her and keep her in front of the remaining conscience of America and the world for as long as possible.
What we do need to do before this election day, is repent. Let us repent of our idolatries. Let us repent of our compliance and compromise in sin. Let us repent of our cowardice in speaking the truth, being fearful of men rather than fearing God. Let us ask for God’s mercy in this election and barring His mercy there, let us ask Him to bring repentance upon our land as we suffer under His chastisement.
Exhortation-Baptized Members
Today, we have the joy and privilege of a happy and important duty. We are receiving two households as members of Providence Church and we are baptizing seven children from four households. This is a most grand and exciting Lord’s Day.
In the exhortation to you on baptisms, I often tell you to remember your own baptisms as I baptize the child. What do I mean by this?
First of all, that you ARE baptized. You belong to the Lord. Furthermore, you must remember that God is your Father, the Lord Jesus is your King, the Holy Spirit is your teacher. Mixed in to all of this is a host of blessings and responsibilities. Think about them. Remember them. Where you have forgotten or been disloyal, repent and lay hold of Father, Son and Spirit as a true and faithful disciple.
Today, we also receive the Fergusons and Heids as members of Providence Church. I say to you, also, remember your own membership. You have promised to be good and faithful members of Providence, supporting the elders and deacons in their work, loving your fellow saints, esteeming them higher than yourself, sacrificing for them, committed to them by a solemn bond and oath before the living God and witnesses.
Again, if you have fallen in these oaths, having spoken ill of pastor, elders and deacons, having divided the body with complaining and grumbling, then stop that now. Repent of these false deeds. Renew your vows to the Lord in this church.
God is pleased to lavish His favor upon us. We rejoice with these families and these children. Let us commit ourselves to God and to them as we confess our sins before Him so that we might all stand before Him spotless in Jesus Christ.
In the exhortation to you on baptisms, I often tell you to remember your own baptisms as I baptize the child. What do I mean by this?
First of all, that you ARE baptized. You belong to the Lord. Furthermore, you must remember that God is your Father, the Lord Jesus is your King, the Holy Spirit is your teacher. Mixed in to all of this is a host of blessings and responsibilities. Think about them. Remember them. Where you have forgotten or been disloyal, repent and lay hold of Father, Son and Spirit as a true and faithful disciple.
Today, we also receive the Fergusons and Heids as members of Providence Church. I say to you, also, remember your own membership. You have promised to be good and faithful members of Providence, supporting the elders and deacons in their work, loving your fellow saints, esteeming them higher than yourself, sacrificing for them, committed to them by a solemn bond and oath before the living God and witnesses.
Again, if you have fallen in these oaths, having spoken ill of pastor, elders and deacons, having divided the body with complaining and grumbling, then stop that now. Repent of these false deeds. Renew your vows to the Lord in this church.
God is pleased to lavish His favor upon us. We rejoice with these families and these children. Let us commit ourselves to God and to them as we confess our sins before Him so that we might all stand before Him spotless in Jesus Christ.
Communion Meditation-Christ's Body
Each Lord’s Day we partake of the Lord’s Supper. We call the bread the body of Christ, thinking of Jesus’s body and we also call the Church the body of Christ, thinking of the bread as the one loaf that is the Church. Is this just a slovenly usage of language or does it reflect an actual reality? Certainly, we can see that those of us gathered here are not really the loaf that is laying on the communion table. Right? We think of the loaf as representing us just as we think of Christ being represented in the loaf.
In both cases, there is a reality that we must consider. The Church is the body of Christ and so the bread is both the church and the body of Christ. While all the parts are not equally interchangeable, the words DO reflect an important truth. Christ is the head of the Church, so He is part of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ, so she is one with Him. The body that is the Church is not separate from the head, nor is the head that is Christ separate from the body. Together, they are the body of Christ.
The Head and Body together make up the body of Christ. It is something more than simply saying that we are in Him and He is in us. In a very real way, we, as the Church, become Christ on the earth. That may make us a bit uncomfortable but it is both a glory and an immense obligation. God incarnated a man in Jesus and Jesus incarnates Himself in His Church, by His Spirit, in us.
There is a sense in which the very life of the Godhead is manifested in us, particularly made clear in the Eucharistic meal. The loaf is broken and eaten. The wine is poured and we drink it. So, the life of Christ is eaten by us and poured into us. While this is metaphor, it is more than that. This is a meal that we partake of by faith. And as we do so, we are exhibiting our faith in Christ to give us life, to animate us to the work that He has called us to do.
So, when we partake of this meal, we expressly do the Lord’s will. Doing the Lord’s will is our food just as it was the food of the Lord Jesus. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
So, just as Jesus fed on doing the Father’s will, so, too, do we feed on doing His will. When we eat the bread and drink the wine, the Lord enables us to accomplish His tasks. We are joined to Him as those who believe His promises and proclaim His Lordship. We are also joined together as those who partake of the Lord’s will in community. This is very much more powerful than simply taking part with the Lord individually. In fact, the fact that we eat this meal as a community is a representation of and the actual presence of God’s Spirit in our midst. Our community, our communion reveals God the Holy Spirit in our midst. And revealing God in our midst, manifesting God on the earth and to the world, is the very task of the Church.
In both cases, there is a reality that we must consider. The Church is the body of Christ and so the bread is both the church and the body of Christ. While all the parts are not equally interchangeable, the words DO reflect an important truth. Christ is the head of the Church, so He is part of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ, so she is one with Him. The body that is the Church is not separate from the head, nor is the head that is Christ separate from the body. Together, they are the body of Christ.
The Head and Body together make up the body of Christ. It is something more than simply saying that we are in Him and He is in us. In a very real way, we, as the Church, become Christ on the earth. That may make us a bit uncomfortable but it is both a glory and an immense obligation. God incarnated a man in Jesus and Jesus incarnates Himself in His Church, by His Spirit, in us.
There is a sense in which the very life of the Godhead is manifested in us, particularly made clear in the Eucharistic meal. The loaf is broken and eaten. The wine is poured and we drink it. So, the life of Christ is eaten by us and poured into us. While this is metaphor, it is more than that. This is a meal that we partake of by faith. And as we do so, we are exhibiting our faith in Christ to give us life, to animate us to the work that He has called us to do.
So, when we partake of this meal, we expressly do the Lord’s will. Doing the Lord’s will is our food just as it was the food of the Lord Jesus. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
So, just as Jesus fed on doing the Father’s will, so, too, do we feed on doing His will. When we eat the bread and drink the wine, the Lord enables us to accomplish His tasks. We are joined to Him as those who believe His promises and proclaim His Lordship. We are also joined together as those who partake of the Lord’s will in community. This is very much more powerful than simply taking part with the Lord individually. In fact, the fact that we eat this meal as a community is a representation of and the actual presence of God’s Spirit in our midst. Our community, our communion reveals God the Holy Spirit in our midst. And revealing God in our midst, manifesting God on the earth and to the world, is the very task of the Church.
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Time of Peace
A Time of Peace
At the table, in our home.
With the Lord and at His throne.
Fighting over; wrangles finished.
Rage and anger all diminished.
A time of peace; a time of love
No place for war; no place for hate.
In the assembly of the just;
No division, no unrest.
Favor others, step aside.
In this time of peace abide.
A time of peace; a time of love
No place for war; no place for hate.
Who holds his brother in derision,
The Church has split through his division.
One Lord; one faith.
Let fights abate.
A time of peace; a time of love.
No place for war; no place for hate.
Eat the bread and drink the wine.
The body, blood; the man divine.
Jesus died and we in Him.
In Christ renewed; birthed again.
A time of peace; a time of love.
No place for war; no place for hate.
At the table, in our home.
With the Lord and at His throne.
Fighting over; wrangles finished.
Rage and anger all diminished.
A time of peace; a time of love
No place for war; no place for hate.
In the assembly of the just;
No division, no unrest.
Favor others, step aside.
In this time of peace abide.
A time of peace; a time of love
No place for war; no place for hate.
Who holds his brother in derision,
The Church has split through his division.
One Lord; one faith.
Let fights abate.
A time of peace; a time of love.
No place for war; no place for hate.
Eat the bread and drink the wine.
The body, blood; the man divine.
Jesus died and we in Him.
In Christ renewed; birthed again.
A time of peace; a time of love.
No place for war; no place for hate.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Who is Your Savior?
We are in uncertain times. We daily endure more reports of banks and insurance companies in trouble. Many conservative minds are now saying that the economic situation is dire. Our President, Congressman and Senators are all warning of potentially calamitous events. Businessmen to the likes of Warren Buffet warn that even a $700 Billion government bailout may not be enough to keep back the economic Tsunami that is engulfing us.
Conservatives have been saying for a long time that these difficult times would come. We politically conservative Christians often nodded along with them, hoping for some wisdom to be applied to the government's never ending escalation of spending. But times were good and we, along with the rest of America, grew fat and sassy.
Certainly, America has been a wildly successful nation. We have been the most productive country in the history of the world. But we have also forsaken our first love. We like our things, our wealth, our ease. And we Christians are far richer and far more influenced by our affluence than we like to admit.
Maybe we will end up in a disaster. Recession? Who cares? But what if we end up in a 1930’s like depression or worse? Or perhaps this will simply turn out to be a big and needed market correction and we will simply have to get by with a reduced retirement plan.
But one thing is for certain, we need a correction. We need perspective. We need to love God more than our money. We need a Savior and it is not the Government, or Wall Street. Our Savior is Jesus and His Kingdom and His government is going to survive all the fuss just fine.
Let us confess succumbing to the fear mongers around us and let us place our hope in the only place where hope should be placed, in our God and His Son and resting in the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit.
Conservatives have been saying for a long time that these difficult times would come. We politically conservative Christians often nodded along with them, hoping for some wisdom to be applied to the government's never ending escalation of spending. But times were good and we, along with the rest of America, grew fat and sassy.
Certainly, America has been a wildly successful nation. We have been the most productive country in the history of the world. But we have also forsaken our first love. We like our things, our wealth, our ease. And we Christians are far richer and far more influenced by our affluence than we like to admit.
Maybe we will end up in a disaster. Recession? Who cares? But what if we end up in a 1930’s like depression or worse? Or perhaps this will simply turn out to be a big and needed market correction and we will simply have to get by with a reduced retirement plan.
But one thing is for certain, we need a correction. We need perspective. We need to love God more than our money. We need a Savior and it is not the Government, or Wall Street. Our Savior is Jesus and His Kingdom and His government is going to survive all the fuss just fine.
Let us confess succumbing to the fear mongers around us and let us place our hope in the only place where hope should be placed, in our God and His Son and resting in the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit.
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