btw, Pats by 4 on Sunday.
I enjoy visiting friends homes and looking for the most obscure coffee cup when they offer. It is fun to try to complete the narrative of their lives from their coffee cups. For better or for worse, cups preach. Maybe the guy is generous with his money or blood (still strange for a coffee cup) or faithful at work. Whatever the case, they tell us a story.
In Ezra 1 we have cups that tell a pretty profound story.
After conquering Babylon the powerful king Cyrus makes a decree to send a bunch of the captive Jews back home to Jerusalem (538BC). Why? To build the temple and get worship going again in Israel. It is amid this dramatic announcement we read:
I have been thinking a lot about this lately in Colossians. And the context in Colossians states that we as believers are already ‘complete in Christ’ we lack nothing (Col. 2.10). God has given us everything we need in Christ Jesus.
In this admittedly long post I want to highlight some of the dangers of legalism.
What is Legalism?
Continue Reading…
“Faith is laying hold of Jesus personally. There is no merit in it. It is not another ‘work.’ Its value is not in itself, but entirely in its object, Jesus Christ. As Luther put it, ‘faith…apprehendeth nothing else but that precious jewel Christ Jesus.’ Christ is the Bread of life; faith feeds upon Him. Christ was lifted up on the cross; faith gazes at Him there.”(John Stott, The Message of Galatians, p.82)
Recently, I was speaking with a friend who is a missionary to the Dominican Republic. At some point during our conversation I asked him about any particularly discouraging aspects of his ministry.
His answer surprised me. He confessed that the most discouraging aspect of ministry in his region is the other missionaries.
I have been reading through Thomas Watson’s The Body of Divinity and have been so encouraged. I do hope these words of truth likewise impact you:
Yes. Yes. A thousand times Yes.
My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections,
open my lips,
supply words that proclaim ‘Love Lustres at Calvary.’
There grace removes my burdens
and heaps them on thy Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man,
thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
and infinite punishment was endured.
One of the most exciting times for a church can also be some of the most challenging. Consider the joy when a guy gets converted who did not grow up under the instruction of the Scriptures. Everyone is excited. And then the dust settles and we all realize that there is a lot of work to do to get this guy on track to be a godly man. It’s good work but it is still hard.
This is confounded by the regrettable fact that many churches do not emphasize male leadership and the necessity of training men to be who they are supposed to be. If a new convert (and I was one) lands in a place like this he will spin his tires on the path of male leadership rather than advance.
As a pastor I have met quite a few of both of these types of guys. I rejoice when they come and express a desire to grow. I know it is going to involve some pastoral sweat but the upside is glorious.
In this type of ministry I have often lamented the lack of books that help guys to think and act like a biblical man. In their absence young guys like me roll up our sleeves and get to work, doubtlessly missing more than a few patches of unmowed grass.
This is why I am very excited about this new book: What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him by Byron Yawn is pure gold. Yawn aims to fill that gap. He comes alongside the guy who is has not received the training, the instruction in “Being a Man 101.”
All the news attention yesterday and throughout today has been on the President’s State of the Union address. This happens every year in January and it serves to be a good reminder of the President’s accountability to the other branches of government.
This occasion provides more than a civics lesson. It also helps the church think about preaching.
We have heard experts decry preaching as outdated, irrelevant, wastes of time. We cannot possibly expect people to listen, engage, and retain what they are told during a 45 minute sermon on Sunday morning. There is a better way we are told. Maybe we should have conversations or drama or finger painting or whatever.
I have it on good information that the government and in particular President Obama, is pretty good at technology. They also have spent a buck or two on surveys. Yet, they keep on shuffling out President Obama to give us a speech. And this is not a little 15 minute jokey speech, it is a full 1 hour speech.
So what can we learn?
This past week I was visiting my family in Boston. It was a great time with a lot of good opportunities. In particular, I was encouraged by one conversation with my grandfather Victor.
Victor is in his 80′s and loves being Polish and Roman Catholic. In the past I my opportunities to talk of Christ and the gospel were filibustered with the skill of a Boston Democrat.
However, this time I was ready. I got out my iPhone and opened up my Google Translator app and made my move. I typed in the words in English and told it to translate to Victor’s tongue. You can probably see me working here.
I begin,
Jesus Christ is God’s Son! He died for our sins
He has a demon, and is insane, why listen to him? John 10.19
This passage, in light of Jesus’ clear communication of who he is, is both discouraging and encouraging.
It is discouraging because they did not get it. Jesus, standing before them and preaching the truth, was thought to be crazy. How sinful is sin that it stops up the unbelieving ears so full that they cannot hear their maker’s words? This is disturbing. Every unbelieving heart is just this hard. Left unto ourselves Jesus and his message is crazy.
It is encouraging because there was obviously nothing wrong with Jesus’ sermon. He didn’t leave out any key points or magic phrases that would have made them believe. He preached and they thought he was crazy. And if people thought Jesus was crazy then it should follow that when we preach this same message to like hearts then we will get the same response. I am encouraged that I don’t have to wonder what is wrong with me or the message, it is the heart of the hearer that is out of tune.
Furthermore, we should be encouraged that it is this same, foolish message that actually brings people to faith. Isn’t that interesting? That truth that makes one snicker and bristle can also make the same person trust and treasure Christ! In fact, in this very passage we read that “my sheep hear my voice…” (v.27). It is and always be the words of the Son of God that brings us from the grave of unbelief to the table of gospel feasting.
Therefore, let us be humbled, encouraged, sustained and exhorted unto gospel joy and fidelity.
The American Presidential campaign is in full swing and as is so often the case when we have heightened exposure to people, we have the opportunity to learn a lot about ourselves.
Now I’m going to do a little experiment that will hopefully illustrate my point in the end.
When I say “Newt Gingrich” do you have a positive or negative reaction?
Most people I talk and listen to are a bit sour on the former Speaker. Sure, people don’t like his public sins. But that is not what I’m after here. What we often think of with Gingrich is negativity. They guy is almost as negative as he is smart (or maybe the other way around). If we were to pick an animal he is most like people would suggest a pit-bull. The guy just lays into people like, well, a pit-bull.
INVESTMANT STATEMENTS & WEDDING PICTURES
Several years ago I worked at an investment broker dealer. It was at the tail end of the market’s ‘good days’ and during the subsequent ‘bad days’ that followed September 11th. As you might imagine there was a lot of chatter about the disappation of folks’ investments. I remember over hearing the customer service reps repeatedly trying to calm people down. One particular strategy they employed was to tell the anxious callers to look at their investment summaries about as often as they look at their wedding pictures. In other words, don’t get too worked up day to day.
This worked because most people don’t look at their wedding pictures every year, let alone every month or every day.
I remember wondering, “What would happen if people did look at their wedding pictures every month?” Most certainly couples would be reminded of their love for one another, the beauty of their spouse, the changes over the years, and the love that they still have. It could be helpful. It could prevent ‘issues’.
DUST OFF THE GOSPEL SNAPSHOTS
Similarly, what would happen if the Christian looked at the snapshots of the gospel more regularly?
Good friends are hard to find. We agree with this right? Based on the scarcity and the value of our own good friends.
Even more rare are the good friends who consistently speak truth to you. You know what I’m talking about, one of those guys (or ladies) who will sip their coffee in between very encouraging and thoughtful reminders of the goodness of God to his people. Good, gospel friends have a knack for precision with the Bible.
I think Joe Thorn has made a lot of friends. In his book Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself Thorn not only writes these things to us the readers but he invites us into the conversation he is having with himself. He models faithful application of the gospel.
The book is small (7″ x 5″ 144 pages) and the chapters are short (a page and a half or so) but the content is rich and immensely helpful. I have always enjoyed Joe’s blog and his ability to be brief without lacking substance. This book is the same way, Thorn is able to pack a lot into little container. Think of it like a daily Doppio of gospel.
I have been listening to a lot of podcasts lately as I am trying to get ready for a marathon. One that has been particularly encouraging is the series by Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) entitled Preaching the Word. In the series Sinclair Ferguson gives his reflections on ministry at the age of 60. I have greatly benefited from Dr Ferguson’s ministry and was intrigued by his talks.
One comment hit a chord. Ferguson encouraged people to not try to keep up with the new books and the new topics. Instead, said Ferguson, keep up with the books that have lasted the test of time. With particular emphasis upon theology and church life, go and read the greats from 1,2 or 300 (or more) years ago.
This led Ferguson to the 2 Johns (after John the Apostle), as he said. John Calvin and John Owen. He infers that these authors have done more for him than any contemporary book could do.
As someone who likes to read and follows the new books, I enjoyed this exhortation from a guy who is closer to the finish line. I can be all about reading the new stuff and neglect the great stuff. His exhortation was well-timed and helpful for me.
Check out the audio here at iTunes if you like.
We have flipped our calendars to the new year with excitement and optimism. And as Christians this means that Bible reading plans are making their rounds and are being gobbled up by well-intentioned, eager hands. I celebrate this as a good thing.
But hold on for a second, I have a quick question.
What did you read yesterday? No, not what chapter, but what did you read? What from God’s Word got ahold of you to produce a response? Did anything evoke conviction or delight? Did something particular from your reading explode in your heart with thanksgiving?
Hopefully the answer is yes. But too often the answer is, “Wait. Hold on. …I can’t remember.”
This reminds me of childhood trips to the dentist. Do you recall after the dentist put that horrific flouride treatment in your mouth? He then would spray in a bunch of water that you would lean over and (try to) spit in the small circular sink next to your head.
Sadly too many of us have a “swish and spit” devotional life. We grab a little Bible reading, swish it around in the morning, then spit it out on the way out the door. The treasures from the Word don’t get swallowed and digested but rather spit out quickly.
I understand the New Year’s Eve celebration. I do. In fact, I like it. I’ve hosted and attended parties for years. But tonight I’m trading in my kazoo (or whatever those things are) for some shut-eye.
Why? Because I have a better party in the morning.
I don’t mean to sound negative about New Year’s it’s just not as good as Sunday morning. I need to rest up. I want to be alert. I want to come with my heart prepared not impaired. I want my ears to be hearing and my eyes seeing. I don’t want to wake-up in the middle of the second song. I don’t want to dose off while hearing the pastoral prayer and confession. In short, I want to be prepared for the celebration.
I want to be there with my friends and family, my brothers and sisters in Christ! I want to raise my voice alongside of theirs to proclaim the manifold splendor and glory of Jesus. I want to actively and diligently set myself to bend my heart under the Word of God. I want the Holy Spirit to work upon my heart through the proclamation of the Word of God. I want to worship.
Why am I so bent on this? It is because I am so amazed by this. The truth of the matter is that Christ has died for my sins (1 Cor. 15.3-5) and even further he has been raised from the dead as the first-fruits of those who believe. I will be raised just like him! That resurrection is not unto judgment or condemnation but unto life and eternal happiness in him. (Jude 1.24-25) This time, this journey here from conversion to heaven, is the time to kindle afresh my delight and happiness in God for what he has done for me in Christ. (Col. 3.15-17; Ps. 86.4) If this is truly who I am do you think I want to sleep through the weekly celebration of who God is and what he has done? (Heb. 10.19-25)
So I get the New Year’s hoopla, I do. But I also, to some degree, get the New Life celebration. There is a much more significant celebration scheduled for the flipping of the calendar to the Year of Jubilee than there is for 2012. Don’t let celebration tonight steal from your time tomorrow. As the Puritans used to say, “If you seek the Lord on Saturday night you will find him on Sunday morning.” There is truth and wisdom in that. Prepare your heart, get some sleep, and enjoy the privilege of gathering on the Lord’s Day.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2.7)
This is a familiar passage to be read and considered during the Advent season. It is embedded with so much rich theological beauty and truth for the Christian.
Here we have the Son of God become the son of a virgin. The one who swaddled the stars with darkness (Job 38.9) is now swaddled in cloth as a baby. This is such mind bending, heart melting truth! Christ, the Lord God, becomes a man, and dwells among us (John 1.14).
Furthermore, it is this same Jesus who was swaddled in the garments of humility who will soon swaddle his own children in the merit of his righteousness. This Jesus will, by his perfect obedience, earn the everlasting righteousness that will be credited to a sinner like me.
I cannot stare at the scene of the manger without seeing the looming shadow of Calvary descending upon it. This Jesus was born to die (Matt. 1.21). I see the baby here, swaddled in rags. But in due time he will be swaddled in the rags of my demerit, my sin (Is. 64.6; 1 Pet. 2.24; 2 Cor. 5.21). This he did that I might be clothed in his righteousness (Rom. 4.4-5; 5.1; 2 Cor. 5.21).
This is one reason I love the Christmas season. It forces me to be reminded again of the depth of Christ’s condescension for a rebel like me. The depth is infinite because my sin is infinite. And his righteousness is infinite because his value is infinite. Therefore, praise is befitting for those who have received such grace (Ps. 147.1)
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