Here is love, vast as the ocean
Lovingkindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love cannot remember
Who can cease to sing His praise
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heaven's eternal days
Well, this has always been one of my favorite hymns but the first line has taken on greater meaning these last couple of days. That's because I am making this post from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on vacation. Where we are staying, I am able to see the ocean from our deck. So, this morning I started the day with God's Word and worship with the ocean in view. And, I couldnt help but sing this song!
As vast as the ocean is and how it can so easily swallow up the largest boat, the hymn writer reminds us that God's love is greater still! It is wider, higher and deeper than this massive body of water and it also exceeds in its power and strength. As powerful as these waters are...it is no comparison with God's love. God's love is so powerful that it was able to overcome the enemies of sin, death and hell. The Bible tells us that God's love is demonstrated to us 'in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Rom. 5:8). Or as this song says, 'when the Prince of life, our Ransom, shed for us His precious blood. Or as the second verse puts it:
On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains flowing deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love!
Well, a couple more quick thoughts from Myrtle:
#1. I thank God for Pastor Ron Starcher. Again this morning he is preaching for me and it is such a privilege to have such a humble servant of God fill the pulpit. I do not believe that there is another pastor in our area who handles the Word as carefully and structures a sermon as efficiently as this man. It is a great blessing to have him as a part of our church and to hear from him as he opens God's Word!
#2. Anytime I am away from First Baptist, I feel something is missing. In fact, it isnt something but someone - the body of Christ "locally" that God has called me to and has allowed me to be a part of. The Bible describes every local church as a "body" and that some of us are "eyes" or "hands". So, it only makes sense that while I am away...it feels like a part of me is missing. Everytime I feel this void, I stop and thank God for it...cause it reminds me of the unique situation that I have with the church that God has called me to. Not every pastor has this "love" relationship with his congregation and I do not take it for granted!
So, to quote Paul from Philippians 4:1
"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
National Day of Prayer
As many of you know today has been set aside for prayer for our nation. This morning I had the privilege of starting the day in prayer with 15 other believers. Among this group was my mother, my wife's parents and two of my own children. It was a unique experience to be praying with the generation before me and the generation behind me.
I pray that my parents trust in Christ will be faithfully passed on to my children through me. I thought again this morning about the importance of passing on the "baton" of faith. I pray that even this morning's prayers will "mark" my children and help them to see that there is only one place that is worthy of putting our faith and trust. With the days to come being so uncertain, pray that the next generation will learn of God's Holy Name and trust in Him and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Please pray today for the leaders of our nation! Here is a prayer written by R.C. Sproul to help guide us in our prayers today:
"Our Father and our God, indeed You are our God, and Your sovereignty extends over all things. That as God, Your relevance and Your dominion can never be restricted merely to the realm of the spiritual or the religious, but that your sovereignty extends over all creation, over every aspect of our life and of our culture, over our government, over our church, over our schools, over our health, over our wealth, over our thinking, our planning, and our crying. And so we, as your people, are pleading with you to have mercy upon us, to give us leaders who have a regard for You, who will regard Your name as holy, and who will understand that in whatever office they hold, they are to be your servants, for you have ordained them. And we ask that you would bring new life to your church and that we may begin our repentance at our own house and in our own churches as we plead with you to have mercy upon us as a nation, as a people, as a culture that the light of Christ may be rekindled with great glory and intense brightness in our land, and that there would be a revival of a knowledge of Thee without which our land will mourn and our people will perish. And we ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
I pray that my parents trust in Christ will be faithfully passed on to my children through me. I thought again this morning about the importance of passing on the "baton" of faith. I pray that even this morning's prayers will "mark" my children and help them to see that there is only one place that is worthy of putting our faith and trust. With the days to come being so uncertain, pray that the next generation will learn of God's Holy Name and trust in Him and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Please pray today for the leaders of our nation! Here is a prayer written by R.C. Sproul to help guide us in our prayers today:
"Our Father and our God, indeed You are our God, and Your sovereignty extends over all things. That as God, Your relevance and Your dominion can never be restricted merely to the realm of the spiritual or the religious, but that your sovereignty extends over all creation, over every aspect of our life and of our culture, over our government, over our church, over our schools, over our health, over our wealth, over our thinking, our planning, and our crying. And so we, as your people, are pleading with you to have mercy upon us, to give us leaders who have a regard for You, who will regard Your name as holy, and who will understand that in whatever office they hold, they are to be your servants, for you have ordained them. And we ask that you would bring new life to your church and that we may begin our repentance at our own house and in our own churches as we plead with you to have mercy upon us as a nation, as a people, as a culture that the light of Christ may be rekindled with great glory and intense brightness in our land, and that there would be a revival of a knowledge of Thee without which our land will mourn and our people will perish. And we ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
Friday, March 26, 2010
Passover Customs and Traditions
This is one of my favorite times of the year. For the Christian, our minds and hearts are fixed upon the person and work of Jesus Christ all year long. But, this time of year allows us to do so with even more passion!
I would like to take a moment to invite you to some of our services that are intended to help us fix our eyes on Christ!
First, this Sunday is Palm Sunday. We will be celebrating God's plan to bring salvation to sinners and then we will take communion together.
Second, there is a Good Friday service at 6:30 pm. Ron Starcher will be preaching and helping us to consider the death of Christ on our behalf.
Third, we invite you to our services on Easter Sunday. We have a service at 8:30am and again at 10:45am. There is also a fellowship breakfast in between if you are able to stay or come early. Easter Sunday is always one of the most worshipful services of the year as we meditate upon our risen Savior!
Finally, right in the middle of this Passion Week we will be having a very special and unique service. On Wednesday evening at 6:30, we will be meeting in the fellowship hall for a Passover Sedar Service. We will be led through a Passover meal together by one of our missionaries. So, do not eat dinner before you come and plan on taking advantage of this unique opportunity to worship our Lord for His great work of redemption!
I asked my friend to write an article to help us to prepare our hearts for this occasion...so here it is:
"There are traditions and customs that we clearly identify as Jewish and there are those that we label as Christian. Those customs derived from the Bible often have various or changing meanings depending on who observes them and in what context. For example, most churches observe Communion or the Lord's Supper on a regular basis. We follow this custom according to Paul's command in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 in order to proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. We might even relate it to the Last Supper that Jesus ate with his disciples prior to his crucifixion. Do you have DaVinci's famous painting in mind? Most Christians identify this as a distinctly Christian custom. How often, however, do we think of either of these in light of their Jewish origins in relation to the yearly Passover sacrifice that the Jews have observed since their deliverance from Egypt 1500 years before the advent of Christianity?
When rabbi Yeshua gathered his disciples together for that last meal, it was in observance of the Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread. Mark, in his gospel, writes, "on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, 'Where do you want us to go and make preparation for you to eat the Passover?'" (Mark 14:12). Later in the chapter, Mark tells us that while they were eating, Jesus took matzo (unleavened bread), gave thanks and broke it.
While living in Jerusalem, a Jewish family from our son's school invited us to eat a Passover meal with them. The father, acting as priest and king of the family, lifted up a cloth sack containing 3 pieces of matzo. He removed the middle piece of unleavened bread and broke it in half. He placed this broken matzo, known as the afikomen, in a separate cloth and hid it. Traditionally, after the meal, the children will search for the hidden afikomen. The one who finds it is often rewarded with money or chocolate.
One Jewish tradition tells us that the three pieces of matzo represent the three divisions of the Jewish people--the Priests, Levites, and Israelites. Another says that they represent the three patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why is the middle matzo, the afikomen, removed and broken? We are told that it represents the Passover lamb that is to be sacrificed just like Isaac was taken to the mountain as a sacrifice by his father, Abraham. Jewish tradition says that God will send a Messiah at Passover to redeem his people through the prophet Moses. Afikomen is a Greek word that translates as that which is coming after or he who is coming after. Modern Jewish tradition tells us that this refers to the dessert, the hidden piece of matzo that will be eaten after the meal.
As rabbi Yeshua lifted up the afikomen at the Passover meal and broke it he said, "take and eat; this is my body." He was hidden for a time--crucified and buried, only to be revealed on the third day. Is he the one that Moses wrote about in Deuteronomy 18:15, "the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers."? Is he the one that John the Baptist, coming in the spirit of Elijah, announced as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world--the Passover lamb without spot or blemish?
I hope that you will join us next Wednesday evening at First Baptist of Howland as we enjoy a Passover meal together and see Christ, the Messiah, in the Passover."
I would like to take a moment to invite you to some of our services that are intended to help us fix our eyes on Christ!
First, this Sunday is Palm Sunday. We will be celebrating God's plan to bring salvation to sinners and then we will take communion together.
Second, there is a Good Friday service at 6:30 pm. Ron Starcher will be preaching and helping us to consider the death of Christ on our behalf.
Third, we invite you to our services on Easter Sunday. We have a service at 8:30am and again at 10:45am. There is also a fellowship breakfast in between if you are able to stay or come early. Easter Sunday is always one of the most worshipful services of the year as we meditate upon our risen Savior!
Finally, right in the middle of this Passion Week we will be having a very special and unique service. On Wednesday evening at 6:30, we will be meeting in the fellowship hall for a Passover Sedar Service. We will be led through a Passover meal together by one of our missionaries. So, do not eat dinner before you come and plan on taking advantage of this unique opportunity to worship our Lord for His great work of redemption!
I asked my friend to write an article to help us to prepare our hearts for this occasion...so here it is:
"There are traditions and customs that we clearly identify as Jewish and there are those that we label as Christian. Those customs derived from the Bible often have various or changing meanings depending on who observes them and in what context. For example, most churches observe Communion or the Lord's Supper on a regular basis. We follow this custom according to Paul's command in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 in order to proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. We might even relate it to the Last Supper that Jesus ate with his disciples prior to his crucifixion. Do you have DaVinci's famous painting in mind? Most Christians identify this as a distinctly Christian custom. How often, however, do we think of either of these in light of their Jewish origins in relation to the yearly Passover sacrifice that the Jews have observed since their deliverance from Egypt 1500 years before the advent of Christianity?
When rabbi Yeshua gathered his disciples together for that last meal, it was in observance of the Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread. Mark, in his gospel, writes, "on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, 'Where do you want us to go and make preparation for you to eat the Passover?'" (Mark 14:12). Later in the chapter, Mark tells us that while they were eating, Jesus took matzo (unleavened bread), gave thanks and broke it.
While living in Jerusalem, a Jewish family from our son's school invited us to eat a Passover meal with them. The father, acting as priest and king of the family, lifted up a cloth sack containing 3 pieces of matzo. He removed the middle piece of unleavened bread and broke it in half. He placed this broken matzo, known as the afikomen, in a separate cloth and hid it. Traditionally, after the meal, the children will search for the hidden afikomen. The one who finds it is often rewarded with money or chocolate.
One Jewish tradition tells us that the three pieces of matzo represent the three divisions of the Jewish people--the Priests, Levites, and Israelites. Another says that they represent the three patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why is the middle matzo, the afikomen, removed and broken? We are told that it represents the Passover lamb that is to be sacrificed just like Isaac was taken to the mountain as a sacrifice by his father, Abraham. Jewish tradition says that God will send a Messiah at Passover to redeem his people through the prophet Moses. Afikomen is a Greek word that translates as that which is coming after or he who is coming after. Modern Jewish tradition tells us that this refers to the dessert, the hidden piece of matzo that will be eaten after the meal.
As rabbi Yeshua lifted up the afikomen at the Passover meal and broke it he said, "take and eat; this is my body." He was hidden for a time--crucified and buried, only to be revealed on the third day. Is he the one that Moses wrote about in Deuteronomy 18:15, "the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers."? Is he the one that John the Baptist, coming in the spirit of Elijah, announced as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world--the Passover lamb without spot or blemish?
I hope that you will join us next Wednesday evening at First Baptist of Howland as we enjoy a Passover meal together and see Christ, the Messiah, in the Passover."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
God Over All
As many of you know by now, our family has had a crazy week. On Tuesday, my wife took my daughter Jana to the doctor. After running a couple of tests, the doctor came in and told my wife that our daughter has juvenile diabetes. She told us to go to the Akron Children's Hospital immediately. She was admitted into ICU on Tuesday evening with a blood sugar level over 600. We have spent the last 48 hours learning more about what all this means and how we need to care for Jana going forward.
Today, Jana is doing much better and the doctor has told her that she will be able to go right back to normal activities as soon as we arrive home. Most likely we will be heading home this evening but we are still waiting for an official word. (I am typing this from the hospital room.)
Many thoughts have run through my mind this week...but I will just share a few:
1. God's hand of providence is all over this. It is times like these that I "rest" in our God's Sovereign care. I am reminded of Romans 8 that teaches us that God (the Father) did not spare His own Son...so if he would not spare His own Son (the greatest gift and treasure that He could possibly give) than He will not withhold any good thing. Since we know this is true, than even when difficult times come our way...we know that God is good and intends good for us in anything He brings our way!
2. This has been a great teaching opportunity with my daughter. A major part of my role in life is to be a "priest" to my wife and children. I hope that I always take advantage of the opportunities God gives me to lead them, but sometimes the opportunities are greater than others. This trial has given me more opportunities to teach her about our Great God and how He intends to use this for His glory!
3. I am so thankful for the two ladies who live in my home. My wife is an incredible mom who always puts our needs before her own. As I watched my daughter this week, I saw the same characteristics in her that are in my wife. Determination, strong will (which is good most of the time!!), courage, commitment and faith in God! I am truly blessed to have these 2 daughters of God in my life!
4. Finally, my wife and I (and Jana) would like to thank everyone for their prayers, concerns and acts of kindness during these past few days. We have always known that God's plan for how the body of Christ works...works! But, it is another thing to experience it! We have experienced it this week. This is one of the reasons why God created the church and His plan is best!
Btw, I am really looking foward to worshiping together in church this Sunday. As we planned music for our services (6-8 weeks ago), here are a couple of the songs that we chose for this Sunday:
- This is my Father's World
- It is well with my soul
- Thy way, not mine
And last week we sang "God over all" and one of my favorites by Fernando Ortega, "I will praise Him still".
The reason I bring this up is to show how much God is in the details of our lives, even when we do not realize it. These songs will minister to us this coming Sunday, assisting us to praise Him on our best and our worst days!
Thanks again and please continue to pray!
Today, Jana is doing much better and the doctor has told her that she will be able to go right back to normal activities as soon as we arrive home. Most likely we will be heading home this evening but we are still waiting for an official word. (I am typing this from the hospital room.)
Many thoughts have run through my mind this week...but I will just share a few:
1. God's hand of providence is all over this. It is times like these that I "rest" in our God's Sovereign care. I am reminded of Romans 8 that teaches us that God (the Father) did not spare His own Son...so if he would not spare His own Son (the greatest gift and treasure that He could possibly give) than He will not withhold any good thing. Since we know this is true, than even when difficult times come our way...we know that God is good and intends good for us in anything He brings our way!
2. This has been a great teaching opportunity with my daughter. A major part of my role in life is to be a "priest" to my wife and children. I hope that I always take advantage of the opportunities God gives me to lead them, but sometimes the opportunities are greater than others. This trial has given me more opportunities to teach her about our Great God and how He intends to use this for His glory!
3. I am so thankful for the two ladies who live in my home. My wife is an incredible mom who always puts our needs before her own. As I watched my daughter this week, I saw the same characteristics in her that are in my wife. Determination, strong will (which is good most of the time!!), courage, commitment and faith in God! I am truly blessed to have these 2 daughters of God in my life!
4. Finally, my wife and I (and Jana) would like to thank everyone for their prayers, concerns and acts of kindness during these past few days. We have always known that God's plan for how the body of Christ works...works! But, it is another thing to experience it! We have experienced it this week. This is one of the reasons why God created the church and His plan is best!
Btw, I am really looking foward to worshiping together in church this Sunday. As we planned music for our services (6-8 weeks ago), here are a couple of the songs that we chose for this Sunday:
- This is my Father's World
- It is well with my soul
- Thy way, not mine
And last week we sang "God over all" and one of my favorites by Fernando Ortega, "I will praise Him still".
The reason I bring this up is to show how much God is in the details of our lives, even when we do not realize it. These songs will minister to us this coming Sunday, assisting us to praise Him on our best and our worst days!
Thanks again and please continue to pray!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
On Handling Criticism
This past Sunday I preached from Luke 16 (yes, I'm still in Luke) and read these words: "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him." The few words "and they ridiculed him" stood out to me. There is much more to this text that I tried to draw out in the sermon on Sunday, but I thought I would post a few of my thoughts on these 4 words.
First of all, I recently have found myself dealing with criticism and what I would consider 'being misunderstood'. Is it not amazing how God's Word always speaks to us in our time of need? The very week in which I find myself dealing with this issue, I turn to the next passage in Luke's gospel and I find Christ being ridiculed. I then began to examine myself in this area of dealing with criticism. Here are a few of my thoughts and I hope they are helpful to you (if not, feel free to criticize!).
When you find yourself under criticism or ridicule, first evaluate your heart and mindset. If we find ourselves getting angry or desiring to get even, this is not a good sign! Stop and ask yourself why you are feeling this way (yes, this is permission to talk to yourself). Is your anger truly a righteous anger over God and His glory or is it because you have been misunderstood and possibly not appreciated?
Think about Moses as he was leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Often during this journey, the Israelites rebelled and forsook their God and as a result God threatened to wipe them out and begin again by making a great nation from Moses. This is what led Moses to pray those great intercessory prayers on behalf of his people. In those prayers, Moses pleaded with God and reminded Him of His covenant and His name. Moses was concerned first and foremost with the name of God. Moses chose for God's name to be great and not his own! An average football coach (best known for his mantra: "hello, you play to win the game!) once said 'I know my guys are getting it when they care more about the name on their helmets than the name on the back of their jerseys'. In the same way, a sign of God's people 'getting it' is when they care more about God's name being exalted than their own. Moses in his prayers (much like the Lord's prayer) displays that he is getting it and I hope to be growing in this process as well.
Which brings me to my second point on 'dealing with criticism'. Remember that God will use all things (including criticism, ridicule and being misunderstood) for our good. The greatest good that God always has in mind for us is to make us more like Christ. This is called sanctification. While we may find it difficult (what is being said of us) or disappointing (who is saying it), if we receive it in humility God will bring forth growth in our lives.
Next, if you are under criticism remember that you are in good company. Christ often reminded his disciples of this fact. As I teach through the gospel of Luke, I am amazed by how many times Christ was misunderstood and ridiculed. Christ warned His followers that this would be their lot as well.
Finally, if criticism or being misunderstood is 'as bad as it gets for me' than I have it really good. Christ endured criticism, ridicule, rejection, suffering, sorrow and ultimately crucifixion because of who He was and what He taught. His disciples were martyred for their faith and many of the heroes of the faith down through the ages suffered and paid a dear price for their convictions. If the greatest battles I face are "not being liked" or "being misunderstood", I have it pretty easy!
Here are a few more points on handling criticism that come from Kevin DeYoung's book 'Why we love the church':
"How should we handle these criticisms? Well, it's always a good idea to start by listening. As Christians, and especially for those of us who are leaders, we need to take an honest look at ourselves and our churches. We all have imbalances. We all have specks to remove, and some of us have planks. We're kidding ourselves if we think our churches don't have weaknesses. Every preacher has to learn to handle criticism. In addition to a lot of encouraging comments, I've been told my sermons are too long, too boring, too light, too heavy, too Reformed, not Reformed enough, too focused on application, and too light on application. A hard-hearted pastor shuts all this out because he's sure anyone who critiques him is a spiritual nincompoop. That's bad. But so is the people-pleasing, damage-control pastor who rewrites the week's message to make Susie-Ticked-Off feel better. I haven't fully figured out how to handle criticism, but first I try to listen and understand what my critics are saying. Then I consider the source - their attitude, their track record, their motives. Finally, I ask the Lord for wisdom to know if I should pay attention or forget about the conversation." (Why we love the church, pgs. 74-75)
First of all, I recently have found myself dealing with criticism and what I would consider 'being misunderstood'. Is it not amazing how God's Word always speaks to us in our time of need? The very week in which I find myself dealing with this issue, I turn to the next passage in Luke's gospel and I find Christ being ridiculed. I then began to examine myself in this area of dealing with criticism. Here are a few of my thoughts and I hope they are helpful to you (if not, feel free to criticize!).
When you find yourself under criticism or ridicule, first evaluate your heart and mindset. If we find ourselves getting angry or desiring to get even, this is not a good sign! Stop and ask yourself why you are feeling this way (yes, this is permission to talk to yourself). Is your anger truly a righteous anger over God and His glory or is it because you have been misunderstood and possibly not appreciated?
Think about Moses as he was leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Often during this journey, the Israelites rebelled and forsook their God and as a result God threatened to wipe them out and begin again by making a great nation from Moses. This is what led Moses to pray those great intercessory prayers on behalf of his people. In those prayers, Moses pleaded with God and reminded Him of His covenant and His name. Moses was concerned first and foremost with the name of God. Moses chose for God's name to be great and not his own! An average football coach (best known for his mantra: "hello, you play to win the game!) once said 'I know my guys are getting it when they care more about the name on their helmets than the name on the back of their jerseys'. In the same way, a sign of God's people 'getting it' is when they care more about God's name being exalted than their own. Moses in his prayers (much like the Lord's prayer) displays that he is getting it and I hope to be growing in this process as well.
Which brings me to my second point on 'dealing with criticism'. Remember that God will use all things (including criticism, ridicule and being misunderstood) for our good. The greatest good that God always has in mind for us is to make us more like Christ. This is called sanctification. While we may find it difficult (what is being said of us) or disappointing (who is saying it), if we receive it in humility God will bring forth growth in our lives.
Next, if you are under criticism remember that you are in good company. Christ often reminded his disciples of this fact. As I teach through the gospel of Luke, I am amazed by how many times Christ was misunderstood and ridiculed. Christ warned His followers that this would be their lot as well.
Finally, if criticism or being misunderstood is 'as bad as it gets for me' than I have it really good. Christ endured criticism, ridicule, rejection, suffering, sorrow and ultimately crucifixion because of who He was and what He taught. His disciples were martyred for their faith and many of the heroes of the faith down through the ages suffered and paid a dear price for their convictions. If the greatest battles I face are "not being liked" or "being misunderstood", I have it pretty easy!
Here are a few more points on handling criticism that come from Kevin DeYoung's book 'Why we love the church':
"How should we handle these criticisms? Well, it's always a good idea to start by listening. As Christians, and especially for those of us who are leaders, we need to take an honest look at ourselves and our churches. We all have imbalances. We all have specks to remove, and some of us have planks. We're kidding ourselves if we think our churches don't have weaknesses. Every preacher has to learn to handle criticism. In addition to a lot of encouraging comments, I've been told my sermons are too long, too boring, too light, too heavy, too Reformed, not Reformed enough, too focused on application, and too light on application. A hard-hearted pastor shuts all this out because he's sure anyone who critiques him is a spiritual nincompoop. That's bad. But so is the people-pleasing, damage-control pastor who rewrites the week's message to make Susie-Ticked-Off feel better. I haven't fully figured out how to handle criticism, but first I try to listen and understand what my critics are saying. Then I consider the source - their attitude, their track record, their motives. Finally, I ask the Lord for wisdom to know if I should pay attention or forget about the conversation." (Why we love the church, pgs. 74-75)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Looking to Jesus!
The other day I received a phone call from a good friend of mine. He called to ask me how I would encourage or advise someone who was questioning their salvation. I shared with him that so often (not always) our lack of assurance is due to the fact that we are looking in the wrong places for assurance. We unfortunately have been taught to look back to some date, time or experience as assurance that we are truly forgiven of our sins. I know that I was often given this kind of advice. Recently I learned from John Piper to stop asking people "have they ever trusted in Christ?" (focus on a past experience or event) and start asking them "are you trusting in Christ?" (present tense faith). If faith was real (back then), then it will still be real today and it will continue to be genuine faith in the future. (perseverance of the saints!)
The other way people often strive for assurance of salvation is by looking within. This is just as wrong as looking back and possibly even more dangerous. This is when we strive for assurance by "how much our lives are changed" or "how different we feel since Christ came into our lives". While the Bible does give us some instruction to "look within" for evidence or fruit that flows from the work of the Holy Spirit's sealing of our salvation, we must remember what it is that truly saves us! The only thing that can save me is Jesus Christ! It is the fact of "who He is" and "what He has done" that I am saved. It is the fact that He is the Son of God and He lived a perfect life in my place and died a sacrificial death on my behalf that puts to an end all my doubts and questions. The best place I will find assurance of salvation and forgiveness is in knowing what God's promises say to me about who Jesus is and what He did in my place.
Well, while I was sharing some of this with my friend I was reminded of a bookmark that I keep in the book that I am currently reading. It is so powerful that I thought I would share it with you:
"It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus. But Satan's work is just the opposite; he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, 'your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold on Jesus'. All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that Christ is everything. Remember, therefore, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you - it is Christ; it is not your joy in Christ that saves you - it is Christ's blood and merits. Therefore, do not look so much to your hand with which you are grasping Christ as to Christ; do not look to your hope but to Jesus, the source of your hope; do not look to your faith, but to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of your faith. We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our deeds, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we are to overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by 'looking to Jesus'. Keep your eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession be fresh upon your mind. When you waken in the morning look to Him; when you lie down at night look to Him. Do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and he will never fail you." - C.H. Spurgeon
One final word of warning - while I do believe that the best remedy for doubts and questions comes from going to His Word and saturating yourself with the truth of the gospel, we must remember that some may battle this more than others. It may be that you will battle doubts and questions all of your life. Still the answer is to flee to Jesus and call upon Him humbly saying "Lord I believe, help my unbelief"!
The other way people often strive for assurance of salvation is by looking within. This is just as wrong as looking back and possibly even more dangerous. This is when we strive for assurance by "how much our lives are changed" or "how different we feel since Christ came into our lives". While the Bible does give us some instruction to "look within" for evidence or fruit that flows from the work of the Holy Spirit's sealing of our salvation, we must remember what it is that truly saves us! The only thing that can save me is Jesus Christ! It is the fact of "who He is" and "what He has done" that I am saved. It is the fact that He is the Son of God and He lived a perfect life in my place and died a sacrificial death on my behalf that puts to an end all my doubts and questions. The best place I will find assurance of salvation and forgiveness is in knowing what God's promises say to me about who Jesus is and what He did in my place.
Well, while I was sharing some of this with my friend I was reminded of a bookmark that I keep in the book that I am currently reading. It is so powerful that I thought I would share it with you:
"It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus. But Satan's work is just the opposite; he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, 'your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold on Jesus'. All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that Christ is everything. Remember, therefore, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you - it is Christ; it is not your joy in Christ that saves you - it is Christ's blood and merits. Therefore, do not look so much to your hand with which you are grasping Christ as to Christ; do not look to your hope but to Jesus, the source of your hope; do not look to your faith, but to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of your faith. We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our deeds, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we are to overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by 'looking to Jesus'. Keep your eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession be fresh upon your mind. When you waken in the morning look to Him; when you lie down at night look to Him. Do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and he will never fail you." - C.H. Spurgeon
One final word of warning - while I do believe that the best remedy for doubts and questions comes from going to His Word and saturating yourself with the truth of the gospel, we must remember that some may battle this more than others. It may be that you will battle doubts and questions all of your life. Still the answer is to flee to Jesus and call upon Him humbly saying "Lord I believe, help my unbelief"!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Super Bowl Weekend is Here!
As many of you know, I am a big sports fan (especially football). So, I thought I would start with my take on the big game! I will be rooting for the New Orleans Saints but if I was a betting man (note to the deacons: I'm not!)I would have to go with the Indianapolis Colts. I think their experience of playing in a Super Bowl just a few years ago (and winning) along with Peyton Manning being half human (neck down) and half computer (brain) will be too much for Drew Brees and the Saints.
But that was not the point of my blog.
The other big deal with Super Bowl Sunday is the commercials. This year one of the commercials has become a big deal, and it hasn't even hit the screen yet. By now I'm sure that you have heard about the Pro-Life Tim Tebow ad. If you are not familiar with Tim Tebow (if you have been living under a rock these past 5 years), he is the Heisman trophy and National Championship winning quarterback for the Florida Gators whose collegiate career finally came to and end after what seemed to be a decade instead of four years. Tim Tebow is outspoken about his faith in Christ whether through interviews or his popular Scripture eye black (God grease). This is the black under the eyes that is used to resist the sun, but not the Son! I think pastors should start wearing this on Sundays when they preach! Anyway, Tebow was born into a missionary family, and at the time of his conception, his parents were missionaries in the Philippines. So the story behind the "ad" is when his parents found out they were expecting, the doctors advised his mother, Pam, to abort due to her age and possible complications. And of course, she made the right choice not to abort but to give birth to Tim.
Now to the debates! Obviously, there is an uproar from those who are on the "pro-choice" side. One of the reasons for the uproar is because of the logic and half-truth given in the "ad". While the commercial tells their story, the opposition is saying that it fails to mention that abortion was illegal in the Phillippines in 1987. Therefore, this choice to not abort was really not a choice at all. Pam Tebow would have faced a sentence of 6 years in prison for an illegal abortion. So, in this sense, I can see their argument that the "ad" can be misleading. Although, I think their argument should bring up two bigger issues. One, why is it illegal in the Phillippines to have an abortion and not here in America? Second, if it truly was and is illegal, then why would doctors still have given this advice? It reminds us that while we should "warn" about the issue of abortion and "inform" the uninformed, we must remember that we cannot legislate morality. Only God can truly change hearts and minds on these issues and truly turn lives from living for themselves to living for God and His Glory.
So, a few "not-so-quick" comments:
1. I am absolutely "pro-life" and am completely against any abortion under any circumstance. I know this is hard, but I cannot change what God's Word says about life in the womb. I preached on this last Sunday and hope to become a better influence on our community in this important issue.
2. I truly believe that the alternative to the issue of abortion is adoption. For all the hard cases of rape or teenage pregnancy often the best solution would be adoption. The most difficult cases are when the mother's life is in danger, but we are not the first generation that had mothers lose their life or have their life reduced as a result of childbirth. In fact, my grandmother gave birth to my mom late in life which had a significant effect on her health. I can't imagine my grandmother wishing to have kept her life and aborted my mom. Why is it that parents consider losing a child the worst experience they could ever imagine even over their own death?
3. While I am "pro-life" and appreciate any efforts to "warn" and "inform"...it doesn't mean that I have to like everything that is so-called "Christian". I too have my issues with this commercial put on by Focus on the Family. I am thankful for anyone who promotes the "pro-life" agenda, but we must remember that not everyone who is "pro-life" is necessarily Christian or motivated with the proper motive of glorifying God and making His glory known. I would like to see this shared in what they promote instead of language like "celebrating family", "celebrating life", "families need to be inspired", and "helping families thrive". All of those expressions may sound good, but there is nothing in them that is distinctly "Christian" or "Christ-focused". While I am a "family advocate", family is not to be our primary focus. What is the chief end of man? "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever".
4. While this ad is intended to promote the "pro-life" agenda, I would dare say that it reveals that our thinking isn't really much different than those who say some lives are more valuable than others. Why did Focus on the Family choose the story of Tim Tebow? The idea that it would have been such a "tragedy" if they would have aborted Tim is true...but not because of how popular or successful he is...but because of how wrong and sinful abortion is.
5. Finally, staying with the same line of thought..unfortunately, among Christianity we have often bought into the lie that the messenger is more important than the message. In Christianity, we would do well to remember that God's message does not depend on who it is that is giving the message. Why do we always think that if we can win over the quarterback of the team, then we can win the whole team over? It's as if we believe that if we have Tim Tebow on our side, then the world must stand up and take notice. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Tim Tebow and I appreciate what he stands for and believes. My problem is not with him, it's with a Christianity that thinks that when we get the really cool people on our side our message and influence will be greater. I think this comes from a Christian culture that is always trying to fit in. We want so badly to tell the world that we are relevant. Somehow we think that our relevance is more clearly seen by the athletes, actors, and politicians that agree with us. Maybe I am reacting too much to this "ad", but there is no question that there is far too much of this kind of thinking among our evangelical churches and ministries. Why would Focus on the Family run an "ad" using Tim Tebow when there are so many other better choices? Is Tebow really the best advocate for someone who "almost was aborted"? I like how one "pro-life" advocate puts it when he says that 'truly, we all were potential abortions when we were in our mother's womb because the law does not protect the unborn child'. Any of us who have been born since the Roe vs Wade ruling in 1973 truly were potential abortions and we ought to thank our parents for not making or considering that choice!
If you and I are truly passionate about the issue of abortion and Focus on the Family really wants to have an impact by talking about someone who was almost aborted, why not make a commercial with one of these individuals who were truly "almost aborted".
I hope that you will take the time to read some of these!
But that was not the point of my blog.
The other big deal with Super Bowl Sunday is the commercials. This year one of the commercials has become a big deal, and it hasn't even hit the screen yet. By now I'm sure that you have heard about the Pro-Life Tim Tebow ad. If you are not familiar with Tim Tebow (if you have been living under a rock these past 5 years), he is the Heisman trophy and National Championship winning quarterback for the Florida Gators whose collegiate career finally came to and end after what seemed to be a decade instead of four years. Tim Tebow is outspoken about his faith in Christ whether through interviews or his popular Scripture eye black (God grease). This is the black under the eyes that is used to resist the sun, but not the Son! I think pastors should start wearing this on Sundays when they preach! Anyway, Tebow was born into a missionary family, and at the time of his conception, his parents were missionaries in the Philippines. So the story behind the "ad" is when his parents found out they were expecting, the doctors advised his mother, Pam, to abort due to her age and possible complications. And of course, she made the right choice not to abort but to give birth to Tim.
Now to the debates! Obviously, there is an uproar from those who are on the "pro-choice" side. One of the reasons for the uproar is because of the logic and half-truth given in the "ad". While the commercial tells their story, the opposition is saying that it fails to mention that abortion was illegal in the Phillippines in 1987. Therefore, this choice to not abort was really not a choice at all. Pam Tebow would have faced a sentence of 6 years in prison for an illegal abortion. So, in this sense, I can see their argument that the "ad" can be misleading. Although, I think their argument should bring up two bigger issues. One, why is it illegal in the Phillippines to have an abortion and not here in America? Second, if it truly was and is illegal, then why would doctors still have given this advice? It reminds us that while we should "warn" about the issue of abortion and "inform" the uninformed, we must remember that we cannot legislate morality. Only God can truly change hearts and minds on these issues and truly turn lives from living for themselves to living for God and His Glory.
So, a few "not-so-quick" comments:
1. I am absolutely "pro-life" and am completely against any abortion under any circumstance. I know this is hard, but I cannot change what God's Word says about life in the womb. I preached on this last Sunday and hope to become a better influence on our community in this important issue.
2. I truly believe that the alternative to the issue of abortion is adoption. For all the hard cases of rape or teenage pregnancy often the best solution would be adoption. The most difficult cases are when the mother's life is in danger, but we are not the first generation that had mothers lose their life or have their life reduced as a result of childbirth. In fact, my grandmother gave birth to my mom late in life which had a significant effect on her health. I can't imagine my grandmother wishing to have kept her life and aborted my mom. Why is it that parents consider losing a child the worst experience they could ever imagine even over their own death?
3. While I am "pro-life" and appreciate any efforts to "warn" and "inform"...it doesn't mean that I have to like everything that is so-called "Christian". I too have my issues with this commercial put on by Focus on the Family. I am thankful for anyone who promotes the "pro-life" agenda, but we must remember that not everyone who is "pro-life" is necessarily Christian or motivated with the proper motive of glorifying God and making His glory known. I would like to see this shared in what they promote instead of language like "celebrating family", "celebrating life", "families need to be inspired", and "helping families thrive". All of those expressions may sound good, but there is nothing in them that is distinctly "Christian" or "Christ-focused". While I am a "family advocate", family is not to be our primary focus. What is the chief end of man? "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever".
4. While this ad is intended to promote the "pro-life" agenda, I would dare say that it reveals that our thinking isn't really much different than those who say some lives are more valuable than others. Why did Focus on the Family choose the story of Tim Tebow? The idea that it would have been such a "tragedy" if they would have aborted Tim is true...but not because of how popular or successful he is...but because of how wrong and sinful abortion is.
5. Finally, staying with the same line of thought..unfortunately, among Christianity we have often bought into the lie that the messenger is more important than the message. In Christianity, we would do well to remember that God's message does not depend on who it is that is giving the message. Why do we always think that if we can win over the quarterback of the team, then we can win the whole team over? It's as if we believe that if we have Tim Tebow on our side, then the world must stand up and take notice. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Tim Tebow and I appreciate what he stands for and believes. My problem is not with him, it's with a Christianity that thinks that when we get the really cool people on our side our message and influence will be greater. I think this comes from a Christian culture that is always trying to fit in. We want so badly to tell the world that we are relevant. Somehow we think that our relevance is more clearly seen by the athletes, actors, and politicians that agree with us. Maybe I am reacting too much to this "ad", but there is no question that there is far too much of this kind of thinking among our evangelical churches and ministries. Why would Focus on the Family run an "ad" using Tim Tebow when there are so many other better choices? Is Tebow really the best advocate for someone who "almost was aborted"? I like how one "pro-life" advocate puts it when he says that 'truly, we all were potential abortions when we were in our mother's womb because the law does not protect the unborn child'. Any of us who have been born since the Roe vs Wade ruling in 1973 truly were potential abortions and we ought to thank our parents for not making or considering that choice!
If you and I are truly passionate about the issue of abortion and Focus on the Family really wants to have an impact by talking about someone who was almost aborted, why not make a commercial with one of these individuals who were truly "almost aborted".
I hope that you will take the time to read some of these!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Tonight a new book study begins! The book that we are studying this session is "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Paul David Tripp. This is a book that I have been "currently reading" for some time now!! For over a year I have wanted to do this study with our church. Tripp deals with some fundamental issues for why we are the way we are and how we can change. He then takes it one step further in helping us see that we are supposed to be "instruments" in God's hands to help others change as well. This is how sanctification takes place within the life of the body of Christ. It is not up to trained professionals to "counsel" and "fix our problems". God's plan is that the whole body of Christ ministers to each other so that we all mature in Christ. Listen to Ephesians 6 on this subject:
'Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.'
This passage speaks to everyone of us and asks us to be equipped and ready to help a brother or sister when they are in need of spiritual restoration. While doing so, we are to keep in mind that we too at times will need this same care and concern from others. Just because we are not currently "caught in a transgression" does not mean we never have been or that we will not be again in the future. Who better to minister and care for a sinner under guilt and shame than another sinner who has been there before. We are called to bear one another's burdens which is the supreme imitation of Christ our Lord, the ultimate burden bearer!
So, now that you know that you are called to do this, please take seriously the opportunity provided to you to learn and grow in this responsibility. In his book, Tripp helps us with basic skills so that we can better minister to each other and therefore fulfill our responsibilities. Unfortunately, most members of local churches lack the confidence to "counsel" and "care" for others within the body of Christ. My hope and prayer is that God will use this study to equip us to restore one another.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from one of the opening chapters:
“The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself. His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to these inescapable realities. The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples, fools into humble listeners. He makes cripples walk again. In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope. And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”
- Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
Book Study Times:
Wednesday @ 6:30 pm - led by Pastor Ron Starcher
Thursday @ 10:00 am - led by Pastor Jerry Croyts
'Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.'
This passage speaks to everyone of us and asks us to be equipped and ready to help a brother or sister when they are in need of spiritual restoration. While doing so, we are to keep in mind that we too at times will need this same care and concern from others. Just because we are not currently "caught in a transgression" does not mean we never have been or that we will not be again in the future. Who better to minister and care for a sinner under guilt and shame than another sinner who has been there before. We are called to bear one another's burdens which is the supreme imitation of Christ our Lord, the ultimate burden bearer!
So, now that you know that you are called to do this, please take seriously the opportunity provided to you to learn and grow in this responsibility. In his book, Tripp helps us with basic skills so that we can better minister to each other and therefore fulfill our responsibilities. Unfortunately, most members of local churches lack the confidence to "counsel" and "care" for others within the body of Christ. My hope and prayer is that God will use this study to equip us to restore one another.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from one of the opening chapters:
“The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself. His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to these inescapable realities. The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples, fools into humble listeners. He makes cripples walk again. In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope. And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”
- Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
Book Study Times:
Wednesday @ 6:30 pm - led by Pastor Ron Starcher
Thursday @ 10:00 am - led by Pastor Jerry Croyts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Comfort in Life and Death!
This past weekend, I went to Kingwood, West Virginia for a funeral service for my wife's grandmother Sally Phipps. This would be John Ervin's mother or better known to me as "Grandma Sally". I had the privilege of taking part in the service by giving a eulogy and reading Scripture. The Pastor who officiated the service was very gracious to share the service with me which he didn't have to do. He certainly was capable of handling the service and did a tremendous job of preaching the gospel. He spoke of the comforts that come from God's Word during our time of grieving. A couple of thoughts that he emphasized were:
- the comfort of knowing that we have a Sovereign God who is over and in all things. Reminding us that Grandma Sally's passing was not outside of our Heavenly Father's particular love and care for our family.
- the comfort of the gospel. The good news of Jesus' saving work on the cross brings hope to us in our time of grieving. We do grieve the loss, but not as if there is no hope. Our hope is in Christ whose death and resurrection guarantees life everlasting for those who trust and rest in Him.
And he ended the service by quoting the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism which says, "What is thy only comfort in life and death?"
And the answer: "That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him".
As you can tell, it was a beautiful service and I was blessed to be along side of Pastor Mike Argabrite of Grace Chapel Baptist Church. All of the people of this church were such a blessing as they served our family a funeral dinner and encouraged us with their love and grace. Once again, it was a beautiful display of the body of Christ caring for its own! So, whether in Warren, Ohio with my home church or 4 hours away in Kingwood, West Virginia, God displays His love and kindness through His people. Praise the Lord!
- the comfort of knowing that we have a Sovereign God who is over and in all things. Reminding us that Grandma Sally's passing was not outside of our Heavenly Father's particular love and care for our family.
- the comfort of the gospel. The good news of Jesus' saving work on the cross brings hope to us in our time of grieving. We do grieve the loss, but not as if there is no hope. Our hope is in Christ whose death and resurrection guarantees life everlasting for those who trust and rest in Him.
And he ended the service by quoting the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism which says, "What is thy only comfort in life and death?"
And the answer: "That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him".
As you can tell, it was a beautiful service and I was blessed to be along side of Pastor Mike Argabrite of Grace Chapel Baptist Church. All of the people of this church were such a blessing as they served our family a funeral dinner and encouraged us with their love and grace. Once again, it was a beautiful display of the body of Christ caring for its own! So, whether in Warren, Ohio with my home church or 4 hours away in Kingwood, West Virginia, God displays His love and kindness through His people. Praise the Lord!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Night of Praise and Worship
Just a quick note to remind everyone of our Night of Praise and Worship this Friday at 7:00 pm. This is a free event that will take place in the sanctuary here @ First Baptist. So come and enjoy the opportunity to draw near to God. There will be refreshments in the fellowship hall immediately following the Night of Praise so this will also be an opportunity for fellowship.
I will probably mention more about our worship leaders after this event...but if you have been around our church for any length of time you will quickly realize that we have been extremely blessed by God with talented singers and musicians. But, it is not their "talent" that I am so blessed by...as much as it is their hearts!
I am very thankful to God for the people who lead our worship Sunday after Sunday. They are a group of humble individuals who have a passionate desire to worship our Great God and lead others to know Him better. While so much "church music" has turned to entertainment and emotionalism...our church has grown in their appreciation for music that is doctrinally sound and that edifies the hearer and glorifies the Savior! As a pastor, I am truly blessed!
So, if you can come tomorrow evening, I know you will be challenged and stirred as we worship God in spirit and truth!
I will probably mention more about our worship leaders after this event...but if you have been around our church for any length of time you will quickly realize that we have been extremely blessed by God with talented singers and musicians. But, it is not their "talent" that I am so blessed by...as much as it is their hearts!
I am very thankful to God for the people who lead our worship Sunday after Sunday. They are a group of humble individuals who have a passionate desire to worship our Great God and lead others to know Him better. While so much "church music" has turned to entertainment and emotionalism...our church has grown in their appreciation for music that is doctrinally sound and that edifies the hearer and glorifies the Savior! As a pastor, I am truly blessed!
So, if you can come tomorrow evening, I know you will be challenged and stirred as we worship God in spirit and truth!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Incline my heart to Your testimonies!
This past Sunday I shared a message on Psalm 119. One of the verses that really spoke to me was Ps. 119:36 "Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!"
All of Psalm 119 is about God's Word. The Psalmist begins the Psalm by saying "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart". It is this seeking that he prays for over and over again. In vs. 36 he says "incline my heart". The Psalmist prays for God to do a work in His heart that he might have a eager yearning for God and His Word.
As we begin a new year, like New Year's resolutions...it is commonplace within church congregations to emphasize a daily time in God's Word. Which I agree with wholeheatedly. But, what is often missing in these messages and challenges is the prayer of the Psalmist. The Psalmist understood that what He needed desperately is a work of God's grace in his heart that he might yearn for the law of the Lord.
As a pastor, I often hear people say something like "I know I need to be in the Word more" or "I should be reading my Bible but..." - but what I very rarely hear is "I need God to change my heart so that I desire His Word more". But, that is exactly what Psalm 119 is all about.
Begin today to pray and ask God to "incline" your heart to His testimonies. Recognize that God must supply this motivation. We are not naturally "inclined" to long for God and His Word. In fact, just the opposite is true. We are inclined towards everything else...everything that serves our flesh and is easy and brings instant gratification. Notice that vs. 36 brings this out in the second part of the verse - "incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain". Selfish gain!
So while we pray for God to change our hearts...we need to fight against our sinful nature that is so preoccupied with serving ourselves with what feels good and is easy. Our biggest battle in desiring God and His Word, is our desires for everything else. Those desires (although not necessarily sinful) fight against the desire to read and meditate on God's Word.
It is not natural to believe that we desperately need God and His Word to sustain us and protect us. It is not natural to get up each morning with a hunger for the Word of God believing that your soul and your well-being depend upon this nourishment. So, pray for God to do something supernatural in your heart...and mine!
All of Psalm 119 is about God's Word. The Psalmist begins the Psalm by saying "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart". It is this seeking that he prays for over and over again. In vs. 36 he says "incline my heart". The Psalmist prays for God to do a work in His heart that he might have a eager yearning for God and His Word.
As we begin a new year, like New Year's resolutions...it is commonplace within church congregations to emphasize a daily time in God's Word. Which I agree with wholeheatedly. But, what is often missing in these messages and challenges is the prayer of the Psalmist. The Psalmist understood that what He needed desperately is a work of God's grace in his heart that he might yearn for the law of the Lord.
As a pastor, I often hear people say something like "I know I need to be in the Word more" or "I should be reading my Bible but..." - but what I very rarely hear is "I need God to change my heart so that I desire His Word more". But, that is exactly what Psalm 119 is all about.
Begin today to pray and ask God to "incline" your heart to His testimonies. Recognize that God must supply this motivation. We are not naturally "inclined" to long for God and His Word. In fact, just the opposite is true. We are inclined towards everything else...everything that serves our flesh and is easy and brings instant gratification. Notice that vs. 36 brings this out in the second part of the verse - "incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain". Selfish gain!
So while we pray for God to change our hearts...we need to fight against our sinful nature that is so preoccupied with serving ourselves with what feels good and is easy. Our biggest battle in desiring God and His Word, is our desires for everything else. Those desires (although not necessarily sinful) fight against the desire to read and meditate on God's Word.
It is not natural to believe that we desperately need God and His Word to sustain us and protect us. It is not natural to get up each morning with a hunger for the Word of God believing that your soul and your well-being depend upon this nourishment. So, pray for God to do something supernatural in your heart...and mine!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Your kindness, Lord, leads us to repentance!
"Do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"
Often we forget that feelings of guilt and conviction and especially repentance are gifts that flow from the goodness and kindness of our Great God! We often think of repentance as the "hammer of God" coming down upon us...although at times it may feel like God is crushing us, remember that it is out of His goodness and kindness that He is working and bringing us to a place of repentance. Ultimately God is kind and good to bring us to "repent" so that we can be brought back to God. If God wanted to hurt His children with only the desire to 'hurt' us...then He would simply leave or forsake us because that would be the worst treatment He could give us. But, the fact that we are His children guarantees that He will never leave or forsake us. Instead, He is committed to working in us by His Spirit. God is a jealous God and He will most certainly continue to work in us to bring us back to Himself and to make us more like Himself. It may be that God has to chasten or discipline us (as His children) in order to awaken us and cause us to listen, obey and trust Him greater. And while we are on the issue of God's chastisement - listen to what Octavius Winslow has to say about God's chastening:
"Think, suffering child of God, of the many consoling, alleviating, and soothing circumstances connected with your chastisement. How much worse your position might be, how much more aggravated the nature of your sorrow, and how much heavier the stroke of the rod. Think of the disproportion of the chastisement to the sin, for 'know that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.' Think of the many divine supports, the precious promises, the tenderness of God, the gentleness of Christ, the sympathy and affection dwelling in the hearts of the saints-and all this will demonstrate to you that the chastisement of the saints is the chastening of love."
Any suffering or chastisement that God's children receive never flows from the source of wrath or anger or condemnation. If we find ourselves underneath our Heavenly Father's chastisement or discipline, it is because of His great love for us. Again, listen to Winslow:
"Oh, could we always analyze the cup, how astonished should we be to find that in the bitterest draught that ever touched our lips the principal ingredient was love! That love saw the discipline needful, and love selected the chastisement sent, and love appointed the instrument by which it should come, and love arranged the circumstances by which it should take place, and love fixed the time when it should transpire, and love heard the sigh, and saw the tear, and marked the anguish, and never for one moment withdrew its beaming eye from the sufferer. Alas! How much is this truth overlooked by the disciplined believer!"
Often we forget that feelings of guilt and conviction and especially repentance are gifts that flow from the goodness and kindness of our Great God! We often think of repentance as the "hammer of God" coming down upon us...although at times it may feel like God is crushing us, remember that it is out of His goodness and kindness that He is working and bringing us to a place of repentance. Ultimately God is kind and good to bring us to "repent" so that we can be brought back to God. If God wanted to hurt His children with only the desire to 'hurt' us...then He would simply leave or forsake us because that would be the worst treatment He could give us. But, the fact that we are His children guarantees that He will never leave or forsake us. Instead, He is committed to working in us by His Spirit. God is a jealous God and He will most certainly continue to work in us to bring us back to Himself and to make us more like Himself. It may be that God has to chasten or discipline us (as His children) in order to awaken us and cause us to listen, obey and trust Him greater. And while we are on the issue of God's chastisement - listen to what Octavius Winslow has to say about God's chastening:
"Think, suffering child of God, of the many consoling, alleviating, and soothing circumstances connected with your chastisement. How much worse your position might be, how much more aggravated the nature of your sorrow, and how much heavier the stroke of the rod. Think of the disproportion of the chastisement to the sin, for 'know that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.' Think of the many divine supports, the precious promises, the tenderness of God, the gentleness of Christ, the sympathy and affection dwelling in the hearts of the saints-and all this will demonstrate to you that the chastisement of the saints is the chastening of love."
Any suffering or chastisement that God's children receive never flows from the source of wrath or anger or condemnation. If we find ourselves underneath our Heavenly Father's chastisement or discipline, it is because of His great love for us. Again, listen to Winslow:
"Oh, could we always analyze the cup, how astonished should we be to find that in the bitterest draught that ever touched our lips the principal ingredient was love! That love saw the discipline needful, and love selected the chastisement sent, and love appointed the instrument by which it should come, and love arranged the circumstances by which it should take place, and love fixed the time when it should transpire, and love heard the sigh, and saw the tear, and marked the anguish, and never for one moment withdrew its beaming eye from the sufferer. Alas! How much is this truth overlooked by the disciplined believer!"
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Some Things You Just Can't Get Away From!
It is always nice to get away for a vacation. My wife and I enjoyed our time away with our children. Our vacation began with a Worship conference in Gaithersburg, Maryland. After 3 1/2 days of services and seminars, our vacation officially began.
While we "vacationed" from work and Warren...I was reminded of two things that we never vacation from:
1. Sickness - unfortunately, our youngest son, Jaxson, got an ear infection while we were away. He is improving now that we have been home, but he was definitely not himself for the final 3 or 4 days of our vacation. When we plan for vacations, we don't always consider the possibility of one or more members of the family being ill. While this did not ruin our vacation it certainly caused us to adjust.
2. Sin nature - ok...so we are reminded afresh and anew this vacation of indwelling sin! We deceive ourselves when we think that changing our location (as if there is some perfect setting) will change our nature or make us better people. Actually, vacations can bring out a family's vulnerability to sin more so than our normal routines. Since vacations are intended to be fun-filled days that make special memories - we often find ourselves uniquely tempted. The children have such a temptation to be selfish about what activities the family does. Or in the activities, the children can be tempted to complain about who gets to be first or who gets to have the bed as opposed to the pullout sofa, etc. And the parents can be tempted to be impatient with their selfish children or to get angry that these perfect memories that they had planned for their scrapbooks are getting ruined!!
Of course, all of this is not anything that we have experienced...just what I have observed about other families while we were vacationing!!
The fact that we can never vacation or have a time of cessation from sickness and sin is a reminder that there is a day coming when we will have the ULTIMATE VACATION! Because Christ has won the victory over sickness and sin and death, we know that there will be a day where sickness and sin will be no more...but we will not experience it in full until we are resting in our Heavenly Abode with our Risen Savior! So, vacations are nice...but they are once again a small glimpse of the rest and joy that we look forward to in Eternity with our Great Savior!
One last note, while we were away we spent much time in amish country. My wife and daughter both enjoy reading the amish novels and were looking forward to seeing some of the culture and lifestyle that they read about in these novels. As for me, I just enjoy the good food! Actually, I kinda find the amish culture and family life as a little odd...but then again, many see us christians as a little odd as well. Especially, those of us that are a part of the homeschool culture! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this little number from one of my favorite christian comedians Tim Hawkins!
While we "vacationed" from work and Warren...I was reminded of two things that we never vacation from:
1. Sickness - unfortunately, our youngest son, Jaxson, got an ear infection while we were away. He is improving now that we have been home, but he was definitely not himself for the final 3 or 4 days of our vacation. When we plan for vacations, we don't always consider the possibility of one or more members of the family being ill. While this did not ruin our vacation it certainly caused us to adjust.
2. Sin nature - ok...so we are reminded afresh and anew this vacation of indwelling sin! We deceive ourselves when we think that changing our location (as if there is some perfect setting) will change our nature or make us better people. Actually, vacations can bring out a family's vulnerability to sin more so than our normal routines. Since vacations are intended to be fun-filled days that make special memories - we often find ourselves uniquely tempted. The children have such a temptation to be selfish about what activities the family does. Or in the activities, the children can be tempted to complain about who gets to be first or who gets to have the bed as opposed to the pullout sofa, etc. And the parents can be tempted to be impatient with their selfish children or to get angry that these perfect memories that they had planned for their scrapbooks are getting ruined!!
Of course, all of this is not anything that we have experienced...just what I have observed about other families while we were vacationing!!
The fact that we can never vacation or have a time of cessation from sickness and sin is a reminder that there is a day coming when we will have the ULTIMATE VACATION! Because Christ has won the victory over sickness and sin and death, we know that there will be a day where sickness and sin will be no more...but we will not experience it in full until we are resting in our Heavenly Abode with our Risen Savior! So, vacations are nice...but they are once again a small glimpse of the rest and joy that we look forward to in Eternity with our Great Savior!
One last note, while we were away we spent much time in amish country. My wife and daughter both enjoy reading the amish novels and were looking forward to seeing some of the culture and lifestyle that they read about in these novels. As for me, I just enjoy the good food! Actually, I kinda find the amish culture and family life as a little odd...but then again, many see us christians as a little odd as well. Especially, those of us that are a part of the homeschool culture! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this little number from one of my favorite christian comedians Tim Hawkins!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Way Up is Down
From our book study, Unpacking Forgiveness:
"Jesus delivers a lesson on humility in the context of teaching on conflict resolution and forgiveness. We see quickly how relevant humility is to those situations. First, true humility nips conflict in the bud. In one way or another, selfish pride causes all quarrels and fights (James 4:1-10; Matt. 7:1-5). Second, if we are truly humble, then when we do have conflicts, they will be resolved far more quickly."
"Pride is not limited to arrogance or cockiness; it is not just an inflated opinion of oneself. Pride is any way of putting self into central focus. This distinction is critical because if we understand it, we can identify more subtle, more insidious kinds of pride. In addition to arrogance or conceit, pride might express itself in any of the following ways: overly critical, insecure, shy, overly sensitive, impatient with others shortcomings, easily embarrassed, or given to worry and anxiety. If you couldn't find yourself in the list, you are not off the hook. We all struggle in some way with centering too much on ourselves. C.S. Lewis said, 'if you think you are not conceited, then you are very conceited indeed'. He also said that 'there is no fault which we are more unconscious of than in ourselves'. The question is not if you struggle with pride but how."
C.J Mahaney says in his little book "Humility: True Greatness" that pride is our greatest enemy and humility is our greatest friend. So, listen to a few more quotes on this very important topic:
Jonathan Edwards - "pride is the worst viper that is in the heart and the greatest disturber of the soul's peace and sweet communion with Christ". He called sin the most difficult sin to root out and the most "hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts".
John Stott - "pride is more than the first of the seven deadly sins; it is the essence of all sin".
Charles Bridges - "pride is contending for God's supremacy"
Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him!!
So what is the first and greatest remedy for the sin of pride?
John Owen - "fill your affections with the cross of Christ that there may be no room for sin" (including pride)
Martyn Lloyd Jones - "there is only one thing I know that crushes me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God and especially contemplate the cross...nothing but the cross can give us the spirit of humility"
John Stott - "every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, 'I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying'. Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size."
There are many other disciplines that will help us to fight off pride and to be truly humbled, but none greater than staying near to the Cross.
We sing it often in "When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride".
True humility comes from application of Truth! Humility will come when we honestly assess ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness. Once again it is so critical that we know the Truth of God's Word because what we "believe" will always affect the way we "behave"!
"Jesus delivers a lesson on humility in the context of teaching on conflict resolution and forgiveness. We see quickly how relevant humility is to those situations. First, true humility nips conflict in the bud. In one way or another, selfish pride causes all quarrels and fights (James 4:1-10; Matt. 7:1-5). Second, if we are truly humble, then when we do have conflicts, they will be resolved far more quickly."
"Pride is not limited to arrogance or cockiness; it is not just an inflated opinion of oneself. Pride is any way of putting self into central focus. This distinction is critical because if we understand it, we can identify more subtle, more insidious kinds of pride. In addition to arrogance or conceit, pride might express itself in any of the following ways: overly critical, insecure, shy, overly sensitive, impatient with others shortcomings, easily embarrassed, or given to worry and anxiety. If you couldn't find yourself in the list, you are not off the hook. We all struggle in some way with centering too much on ourselves. C.S. Lewis said, 'if you think you are not conceited, then you are very conceited indeed'. He also said that 'there is no fault which we are more unconscious of than in ourselves'. The question is not if you struggle with pride but how."
C.J Mahaney says in his little book "Humility: True Greatness" that pride is our greatest enemy and humility is our greatest friend. So, listen to a few more quotes on this very important topic:
Jonathan Edwards - "pride is the worst viper that is in the heart and the greatest disturber of the soul's peace and sweet communion with Christ". He called sin the most difficult sin to root out and the most "hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts".
John Stott - "pride is more than the first of the seven deadly sins; it is the essence of all sin".
Charles Bridges - "pride is contending for God's supremacy"
Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him!!
So what is the first and greatest remedy for the sin of pride?
John Owen - "fill your affections with the cross of Christ that there may be no room for sin" (including pride)
Martyn Lloyd Jones - "there is only one thing I know that crushes me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God and especially contemplate the cross...nothing but the cross can give us the spirit of humility"
John Stott - "every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, 'I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying'. Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size."
There are many other disciplines that will help us to fight off pride and to be truly humbled, but none greater than staying near to the Cross.
We sing it often in "When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride".
True humility comes from application of Truth! Humility will come when we honestly assess ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness. Once again it is so critical that we know the Truth of God's Word because what we "believe" will always affect the way we "behave"!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Final Word
The following is my article in our church newsletter, The Final Word:
On June 7th, we will finish (God willing!) a 6 week sermon series on “Can I really know if there is a God?” The study was intended to answer questions like:
- If there really is a God, has He done anything to make Himself known?
- Has God left us with any evidence or clues that He truly exists?
- Is it really possible for a human being to know that there is a God?
The study is assuming that if we are to know God, it is up to Him to do something to make Himself known. If God chose to keep Himself hidden, He could! But the Bible tells us that we have been given much revelation from God to let us know who He is! God has not left Himself without a testimony, but instead has revealed Himself through Creation, our conscience, the Commandments, through Christ and even through His church.
But, while it is true that God has revealed Himself through these means, it is also still true that for us to know Him, it will require work or diligence on our part. Much like any good relationship that you have, it is only possible because the other person is willing to open up themselves and allow you to know them. But, just because someone is willing to be known doesn’t guarantee that you will have a deep and meaningful relationship with them. Often it takes effort and work on your part. You have to set time aside for conversations and activities that allow you to truly understand and know the other person. This is why the Bible often uses terms like “seek the Lord” and “draw near to God” or “pursue God”. For us to know God and have a growing relationship with Him, it will always require diligence and discipline on our part.
I am telling you this as an introduction to a new summer series that we will be offering beginning June 14th during the Adult Bible Fellowships. Our ABF classes meet at 9:30 am each Sunday morning. We will be taking a class called “Spiritual Disciplines: For the purpose of Godliness”. This class will be a foundation class for us as we launch our “Core Tracks” in September. The Spiritual Disciplines class is based on a book by Donald Whitney called “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life”. The goal of this class is to help each of us grow in godliness.
We usually like to think about ourselves growing in godliness but we cringe when we hear the word discipline. But we have to remind ourselves that growth in godliness doesn’t just happen. It is no different than any other area of skill or ability. Most of us have been watching the NBA playoffs here in Northeast Ohio. We are following our beloved Cavaliers and hoping that they can forge a comeback over the Orlando Magic (UPDATE: Never mind!!). Every Cavs fan knows that there is one reason why they have made it this far and there is only one guy who can possibly bring them back. LeBron. Yes, he has reached the status of “one name” individuals. Like Michael, Tiger, Shaq, and now LeBron. Well, when we watch LeBron do what he does, we often forget that this required hours of commitment and dedication to the sport of basketball. It often looks so effortless for him that we deceive ourselves by thinking that this just comes natural for him. Certainly natural talent and ability has something to do with it but LeBron had to do something with that natural talent and ability that God gave him. He had to put in many years of disciplined practice. While LeBron’s efforts are celebrated before a worldwide audience, our efforts to grow in godliness are still far more important.
The apostle Paul spoke of this in I Timothy 4:7-8:
“train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
As important and impressive as physical training and exercise can be, we are told here that spiritual training unto godliness is far more significant. In fact, while physical training does have some value (strength, better health, etc.), godliness has value in every way! Knowing God and becoming more Christ-like will have an impact on every part of our lives. The word “train” in I Timothy in the greek is actually where we get the word “gymnasium” in English. When we do physical training, we often go to the gym to use weights or kettle bells (ask Mary Jane and Amanda) to train and build up your muscles. In much the same way, the spiritual disciplines are like the weights that we use to exercise ourselves unto godliness. We will be taking a look at the following spiritual disciplines throughout the summer: Bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling and learning.
So, we hope that you will commit to being a part of these classes and grow in godliness this summer and continue in them until Christ returns!
May I end this with a warning from the author himself:
“Do not fall into the trap of thinking that spiritual disciplines are a way to reconciliation with God. Practicing, even mastering spiritual disciplines will not make you right with God. Only repentance and faith in Jesus Christ – trusting in His atoning sacrifice to pay the penalty for your sins and having His righteousness credited to your account – can make you right with God. Throughout our Christian life, when we are seeking to do something to grow closer to God – we must be aware of our innate attraction to seek forgiveness from God through obedience to God. Only Christ can reconcile us to God!”
On June 7th, we will finish (God willing!) a 6 week sermon series on “Can I really know if there is a God?” The study was intended to answer questions like:
- If there really is a God, has He done anything to make Himself known?
- Has God left us with any evidence or clues that He truly exists?
- Is it really possible for a human being to know that there is a God?
The study is assuming that if we are to know God, it is up to Him to do something to make Himself known. If God chose to keep Himself hidden, He could! But the Bible tells us that we have been given much revelation from God to let us know who He is! God has not left Himself without a testimony, but instead has revealed Himself through Creation, our conscience, the Commandments, through Christ and even through His church.
But, while it is true that God has revealed Himself through these means, it is also still true that for us to know Him, it will require work or diligence on our part. Much like any good relationship that you have, it is only possible because the other person is willing to open up themselves and allow you to know them. But, just because someone is willing to be known doesn’t guarantee that you will have a deep and meaningful relationship with them. Often it takes effort and work on your part. You have to set time aside for conversations and activities that allow you to truly understand and know the other person. This is why the Bible often uses terms like “seek the Lord” and “draw near to God” or “pursue God”. For us to know God and have a growing relationship with Him, it will always require diligence and discipline on our part.
I am telling you this as an introduction to a new summer series that we will be offering beginning June 14th during the Adult Bible Fellowships. Our ABF classes meet at 9:30 am each Sunday morning. We will be taking a class called “Spiritual Disciplines: For the purpose of Godliness”. This class will be a foundation class for us as we launch our “Core Tracks” in September. The Spiritual Disciplines class is based on a book by Donald Whitney called “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life”. The goal of this class is to help each of us grow in godliness.
We usually like to think about ourselves growing in godliness but we cringe when we hear the word discipline. But we have to remind ourselves that growth in godliness doesn’t just happen. It is no different than any other area of skill or ability. Most of us have been watching the NBA playoffs here in Northeast Ohio. We are following our beloved Cavaliers and hoping that they can forge a comeback over the Orlando Magic (UPDATE: Never mind!!). Every Cavs fan knows that there is one reason why they have made it this far and there is only one guy who can possibly bring them back. LeBron. Yes, he has reached the status of “one name” individuals. Like Michael, Tiger, Shaq, and now LeBron. Well, when we watch LeBron do what he does, we often forget that this required hours of commitment and dedication to the sport of basketball. It often looks so effortless for him that we deceive ourselves by thinking that this just comes natural for him. Certainly natural talent and ability has something to do with it but LeBron had to do something with that natural talent and ability that God gave him. He had to put in many years of disciplined practice. While LeBron’s efforts are celebrated before a worldwide audience, our efforts to grow in godliness are still far more important.
The apostle Paul spoke of this in I Timothy 4:7-8:
“train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
As important and impressive as physical training and exercise can be, we are told here that spiritual training unto godliness is far more significant. In fact, while physical training does have some value (strength, better health, etc.), godliness has value in every way! Knowing God and becoming more Christ-like will have an impact on every part of our lives. The word “train” in I Timothy in the greek is actually where we get the word “gymnasium” in English. When we do physical training, we often go to the gym to use weights or kettle bells (ask Mary Jane and Amanda) to train and build up your muscles. In much the same way, the spiritual disciplines are like the weights that we use to exercise ourselves unto godliness. We will be taking a look at the following spiritual disciplines throughout the summer: Bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling and learning.
So, we hope that you will commit to being a part of these classes and grow in godliness this summer and continue in them until Christ returns!
May I end this with a warning from the author himself:
“Do not fall into the trap of thinking that spiritual disciplines are a way to reconciliation with God. Practicing, even mastering spiritual disciplines will not make you right with God. Only repentance and faith in Jesus Christ – trusting in His atoning sacrifice to pay the penalty for your sins and having His righteousness credited to your account – can make you right with God. Throughout our Christian life, when we are seeking to do something to grow closer to God – we must be aware of our innate attraction to seek forgiveness from God through obedience to God. Only Christ can reconcile us to God!”
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Everything else can wait!!
This past week I was away with a College group from our church to a conference called "NEXT". NEXT was in Baltimore, Maryland over Memorial Day Weekend.
While we enjoyed our time of fellowship with one another, the most important part was worshiping our Great God through music and the preaching and teaching of God's Word!
The conference had a very unusual theme - Beholding Jesus Christ! You would think that "beholding Christ" would not be an unusual theme for christian conferences...but in a day and age where most conferences are about self-help, healing, finances, relationships, successful Christian living, and (the one I despise the most) church growth...this conference really is a rarity!
We spent 4 days beholding Jesus Christ and it was awesome! We heard messages on Christ and His incarnation, life, death, resurrection and His return. The speakers were Josh Harris, D.A Carson, Kevin DeYoung, C.J. Mahaney and Sinclair Ferguson. I personally got to meet C.J (he actually pushed Jaxson around in his stroller - I have a picture to prove it!) and Sinclair Ferguson. Which leads me to a funny moment. As many of you know, every year I attend the Basics pastor's conference at Parkside Church with Alistair Begg. Each year they have different speakers in...so when we were there just a couple of weeks ago, Alistair said they do not have the lineup yet for next year but they are looking at Tim Keller, possibly Mahaney, and possibly Ferguson. So, when I met them, I mentioned that we hope they will both come next year to the conference. Each of them gave me a blank stare and then said "this is news to me!" (Alistair, if your reading...which I'm sure your not!!...I'm sorry! I hope I didnt get you in trouble! But if you would like...I am willing to travel the country to invite each speaker on your behalf...if Tim Challies can travel to conferences as a blogger, why cant I travel to conferences as your representative? Just let me know...I'll be waiting!)
Ok...back to the point of the blog. Each message was excellent but one quote really stood out, so I thought I would share it with you. C.J Mahaney quoted Charles Spurgeon as he began his message on the death of Christ. Here it is:
“Dear friends I am going to preach to you again upon the cornerstone of the gospel. How many times will this make, I wonder? The doctrine of Christ crucified is always with me. As the Romans sentinel in Pompeii stood to his post even when the city was destroyed, so do I…every thing else can wait, but this one truth must be proclaimed with a voice of thunder. Others may preach as they will but as for this pulpit it shall always resound with the substitutions of the Christ…Our blessed Savior would have us hold his death in great reverence; it is to be our chief memory we cannot think of that death too often.” – Charles Spurgeon
So, when C.J. Mahaney concluded his message, he finished with these words:
"Are you indifferent to the cross or are you repentant? Do you see the sacrifice of the Savior as your only hope? Do you see the cross as the ultimate demonstration and expression of God’s love for you?
For the Christian I pray that this proclamation of his death leaves you amazed by the grace of God. We cannot think of his death too often.
May his death be our chief memory from this conference. Everything else can wait."
Amen!
If you would like to hear this message or any of the others from the Next conference, they are now available as free downloads on the Next website.
Click here
While we enjoyed our time of fellowship with one another, the most important part was worshiping our Great God through music and the preaching and teaching of God's Word!
The conference had a very unusual theme - Beholding Jesus Christ! You would think that "beholding Christ" would not be an unusual theme for christian conferences...but in a day and age where most conferences are about self-help, healing, finances, relationships, successful Christian living, and (the one I despise the most) church growth...this conference really is a rarity!
We spent 4 days beholding Jesus Christ and it was awesome! We heard messages on Christ and His incarnation, life, death, resurrection and His return. The speakers were Josh Harris, D.A Carson, Kevin DeYoung, C.J. Mahaney and Sinclair Ferguson. I personally got to meet C.J (he actually pushed Jaxson around in his stroller - I have a picture to prove it!) and Sinclair Ferguson. Which leads me to a funny moment. As many of you know, every year I attend the Basics pastor's conference at Parkside Church with Alistair Begg. Each year they have different speakers in...so when we were there just a couple of weeks ago, Alistair said they do not have the lineup yet for next year but they are looking at Tim Keller, possibly Mahaney, and possibly Ferguson. So, when I met them, I mentioned that we hope they will both come next year to the conference. Each of them gave me a blank stare and then said "this is news to me!" (Alistair, if your reading...which I'm sure your not!!...I'm sorry! I hope I didnt get you in trouble! But if you would like...I am willing to travel the country to invite each speaker on your behalf...if Tim Challies can travel to conferences as a blogger, why cant I travel to conferences as your representative? Just let me know...I'll be waiting!)
Ok...back to the point of the blog. Each message was excellent but one quote really stood out, so I thought I would share it with you. C.J Mahaney quoted Charles Spurgeon as he began his message on the death of Christ. Here it is:
“Dear friends I am going to preach to you again upon the cornerstone of the gospel. How many times will this make, I wonder? The doctrine of Christ crucified is always with me. As the Romans sentinel in Pompeii stood to his post even when the city was destroyed, so do I…every thing else can wait, but this one truth must be proclaimed with a voice of thunder. Others may preach as they will but as for this pulpit it shall always resound with the substitutions of the Christ…Our blessed Savior would have us hold his death in great reverence; it is to be our chief memory we cannot think of that death too often.” – Charles Spurgeon
So, when C.J. Mahaney concluded his message, he finished with these words:
"Are you indifferent to the cross or are you repentant? Do you see the sacrifice of the Savior as your only hope? Do you see the cross as the ultimate demonstration and expression of God’s love for you?
For the Christian I pray that this proclamation of his death leaves you amazed by the grace of God. We cannot think of his death too often.
May his death be our chief memory from this conference. Everything else can wait."
Amen!
If you would like to hear this message or any of the others from the Next conference, they are now available as free downloads on the Next website.
Click here
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Do not be surpised by suffering!
This past Sunday evening I opened the service by reading from 1 Peter 4:12-13 ("Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering….But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ...") because this has been on my heart lately. And then today, I found some writings on these verses from a missionary in Equatorial Guinea (thanks to Kevin DeYoung's blog). The missionary who writes the following is named Jason Carter. Jason's wife Lisa is now very sick and they have not been able to diagnose the cause of her illness. They also have one little boy named Kenyon. Please read the following and then pray for this missionary family!
In the States, when suffering occurs, many times we are surprised by it. My attitude usually is: “There are solutions; this isn’t supposed to happen. Everything will turn out okay.” In Africa, people would be surprised if suffering didn’t occur. “Nobody in the hospital?....What’s going on here?” I can remember some days when our church of almost 1800 members in Bloomington, Illinois didn’t have a single person in the hospital! That would never happen in Equatorial Guinea.
But, yet, here I am, still getting surprised by suffering – both ours and our friends’ suffering – showing me how American I really am. I get surprised that Mateo Ndong (20 years old) can come back from a youth retreat feeling fine and then proceed to spend the next 3 weeks in bed -- sitting in a hospital bed for the last week where 4 people die in 7 days from the same thing he has. And it’s purely a tropical illness – nobody knows WHY this happens! (How can this be?!!) His calf and foot are enlarged and the doctors have no answer to why this sort of thing happens – there is no explanation (it’s simply called an abscess). And the treatment seems, to my (admittedly) untrained medical mind, like something out of the medieval ages: they will slice open his leg to draw out the puss and hope that takes care of it.
So when 1 Peter says we shouldn’t be surprised at the painful trials of suffering, I must confess it’s actually hard not to be surprised at so much suffering. Peter is actually counter-intuitive for me!! Does the fact that suffering sneaks up on me, surprises me, and catches me off guard tell me how American I really am? Tell me how insulated to suffering my life has been? Oh, there are definitely Americans who have seen more than “their share” of suffering – folks with whom I wouldn’t want to change places with in the States – but it just seems that the African “share” in the balance of suffering is tipped decidedly and continually in their “favor”.
Here in EG, when somebody dies, you can smell it at the funeral. There is no make-up, nobody says “oh, look how beautiful Mrs. Obiang is” at the funeral – No. The deceased person actually looks…well, dead. There is no covering up the fact by make-up or an expensive coffin. The family usually has to dig the grave. It’s the family who probably nailed some boards together to make the coffin. At the funeral you see the finality (and sound) of dirt being piled upon the wooden box. Africans aren’t surprised by suffering. It doesn’t sneak up on them. It’s their traveling companion in the journey of life.
This should actually teach me a great deal. If it’s a lesson I am willing to learn.
But, it’s a lot easier to visit the hospital as a pastor-missionary than live with uncertainty over your own roof and in your own life. As Lisa and I ponder our return to the States and wait to be able to identity what is really going on health-wise with Lisa, it’s a difficult time. Not knowing is tough. To live in the information age without adequate information is exasperating. And yet, “do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…but rejoice”. That is, for lack of a better term, just plain “weird”. The Bible sometimes speaks Fang to me – as in, I can barely make out what is going on and pretty soon I find myself not really trying (or wanting) to understand.
Suffering is never part of the plan. Or rather, never part of our plan. And yet: “Moses approached the thick darkness where God was” (Ex. 20:21). I don’t like the fact that, at times, God resides there – in thick darkness. Just as a passenger would rather have a storm-tested sailor leading a voyage on the rough seas, I’m trusting that God is using the difficulties and testings of Africa to deepen my own spiritual anchors. I want to lean into these experiences (easier said than done) to have a life that is more “storm-tested”, to be able to navigate from the stern of the ship with more perspective and depth. That’s the destination and my prayer….one day, I hope to get there.
May God help us to no longer be surprised by suffering that comes our way, but to actually rejoice in the fact that we are accounted worthy to be followers of our Suffering Savior!
In the States, when suffering occurs, many times we are surprised by it. My attitude usually is: “There are solutions; this isn’t supposed to happen. Everything will turn out okay.” In Africa, people would be surprised if suffering didn’t occur. “Nobody in the hospital?....What’s going on here?” I can remember some days when our church of almost 1800 members in Bloomington, Illinois didn’t have a single person in the hospital! That would never happen in Equatorial Guinea.
But, yet, here I am, still getting surprised by suffering – both ours and our friends’ suffering – showing me how American I really am. I get surprised that Mateo Ndong (20 years old) can come back from a youth retreat feeling fine and then proceed to spend the next 3 weeks in bed -- sitting in a hospital bed for the last week where 4 people die in 7 days from the same thing he has. And it’s purely a tropical illness – nobody knows WHY this happens! (How can this be?!!) His calf and foot are enlarged and the doctors have no answer to why this sort of thing happens – there is no explanation (it’s simply called an abscess). And the treatment seems, to my (admittedly) untrained medical mind, like something out of the medieval ages: they will slice open his leg to draw out the puss and hope that takes care of it.
So when 1 Peter says we shouldn’t be surprised at the painful trials of suffering, I must confess it’s actually hard not to be surprised at so much suffering. Peter is actually counter-intuitive for me!! Does the fact that suffering sneaks up on me, surprises me, and catches me off guard tell me how American I really am? Tell me how insulated to suffering my life has been? Oh, there are definitely Americans who have seen more than “their share” of suffering – folks with whom I wouldn’t want to change places with in the States – but it just seems that the African “share” in the balance of suffering is tipped decidedly and continually in their “favor”.
Here in EG, when somebody dies, you can smell it at the funeral. There is no make-up, nobody says “oh, look how beautiful Mrs. Obiang is” at the funeral – No. The deceased person actually looks…well, dead. There is no covering up the fact by make-up or an expensive coffin. The family usually has to dig the grave. It’s the family who probably nailed some boards together to make the coffin. At the funeral you see the finality (and sound) of dirt being piled upon the wooden box. Africans aren’t surprised by suffering. It doesn’t sneak up on them. It’s their traveling companion in the journey of life.
This should actually teach me a great deal. If it’s a lesson I am willing to learn.
But, it’s a lot easier to visit the hospital as a pastor-missionary than live with uncertainty over your own roof and in your own life. As Lisa and I ponder our return to the States and wait to be able to identity what is really going on health-wise with Lisa, it’s a difficult time. Not knowing is tough. To live in the information age without adequate information is exasperating. And yet, “do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…but rejoice”. That is, for lack of a better term, just plain “weird”. The Bible sometimes speaks Fang to me – as in, I can barely make out what is going on and pretty soon I find myself not really trying (or wanting) to understand.
Suffering is never part of the plan. Or rather, never part of our plan. And yet: “Moses approached the thick darkness where God was” (Ex. 20:21). I don’t like the fact that, at times, God resides there – in thick darkness. Just as a passenger would rather have a storm-tested sailor leading a voyage on the rough seas, I’m trusting that God is using the difficulties and testings of Africa to deepen my own spiritual anchors. I want to lean into these experiences (easier said than done) to have a life that is more “storm-tested”, to be able to navigate from the stern of the ship with more perspective and depth. That’s the destination and my prayer….one day, I hope to get there.
May God help us to no longer be surprised by suffering that comes our way, but to actually rejoice in the fact that we are accounted worthy to be followers of our Suffering Savior!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Basics Pastors Conference
Tomorrow a few men from our church and myself will join many other pastors and church leaders at Parkside Church for a pastors conference. This conference is always one of the highlights of the year for me for two main reasons. First, because the teaching that I am able to sit under is always refreshing and Christ exalting! Second, because of the opportunity to fellowship with other men whom I serve alongside of all through the year. I began to attend this conference in May of 2001 and have not missed one ever since. I still remember attending that first conference by myself (before I came to FBCH) and wishing that I had some other leaders from my current ministry with me. So, one of the great joys of attending this conference is that I am not attending alone, but that other leaders from our church will also be blessed by the time of teaching and fellowship.
Each conference is led by Pastor Alistair Begg and includes a couple of visiting pastors/speakers. This year we are blessed to have John Piper and John Lennox alongside of Alistair Begg and music led by Keith and Kristen Getty.
After Alistair Begg, I have probably been influenced the most by John Piper and his ministry. If you are not familiar with John Piper (and even if you are), I thought you might like to read a short interview with him which includes his spiritual disciplines, his exercise program, what books have influenced him the most...etc.
If you are interested in reading, click here
Each conference is led by Pastor Alistair Begg and includes a couple of visiting pastors/speakers. This year we are blessed to have John Piper and John Lennox alongside of Alistair Begg and music led by Keith and Kristen Getty.
After Alistair Begg, I have probably been influenced the most by John Piper and his ministry. If you are not familiar with John Piper (and even if you are), I thought you might like to read a short interview with him which includes his spiritual disciplines, his exercise program, what books have influenced him the most...etc.
If you are interested in reading, click here
Friday, May 1, 2009
Unpacking Forgiveness
I am excited about a Book Study that we will begin at the end of the month of May. While I was away at a Pastor's Conference, the thought of starting a book study began to form. As a pastor, I am blessed to be able to read and study. One of the priorities of a pastor is to "continue to study and learn" so I can better equip and teach the people whom God has put underneath my care. So, I am constantly striving to learn more and to read good books that will help me to better understand our Great God and His perfect Word! So, I am blessed to be given time to read - most jobs do not allow you to read. My job actually has time "built in" for me to read and learn (and I am so thankful!!). Often while I am reading, I am hit with the thought of how I would love for our church congregation to be able to read some of this great material that I am learning. So, the idea of a book study was born out of the desire to pass much of this great information on to more people. So, at the end of May we are beginning a book study that I hope is the first among many!
Our first book study is by author Chris Brauns called "Unpacking Forgiveness". This book is an attempt by the author to give biblical answers to complex questions and deep wounds. While the name Chris Brauns may be new to you (it was to me)...I have found his writings to be clear, practical and most importantly they are biblically sound. Chris Brauns is senior pastor at the Congregational Christian Church in Illinois. He earned his MBA from Northern Iowa University, MDiv from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
The book begins with a Pop Quiz on the subject of forgiveness. Last week, we placed these questions in our church bulletin and this coming week we will give the answers according to the book. In case you didn't get it OR you do not attend our church, here is the quiz (plus a couple of questions that I have included):
THE FORGIVENESS QUIZ - QUESTIONS (TRUE OR FALSE)
1. Where deep wounds between people are concerned, forgivness can be unpacked in a moment.
2. Personal happiness and joy can legitimatly motivate people to live out what the Bible teaches and how it should take place.
3. Most Christian pastors and counselors agree about what forgiveness is and how it should take place.
4. Forgiveness occurs properly only when certain conditions are met.
5. Jesus said little about how people should resolve interpersonal conflict.
6. A willingness to forgive is a test of whether or not a person will go to heaven when he or she dies.
7. Good people get to the bottom of all their disagreements.
8. There are times when it is wrong to forgive.
9. Sometimes it is necessary for us to forgive God.
10. God forgives everyone for everything.
I hope that taking this quiz will motivate you to be apart of this study or to purchase this book and study it on your own. It is well worth your time and may be a great help to you (and to others whom you influence) on the very difficult subject of forgiveness!!
Our first book study is by author Chris Brauns called "Unpacking Forgiveness". This book is an attempt by the author to give biblical answers to complex questions and deep wounds. While the name Chris Brauns may be new to you (it was to me)...I have found his writings to be clear, practical and most importantly they are biblically sound. Chris Brauns is senior pastor at the Congregational Christian Church in Illinois. He earned his MBA from Northern Iowa University, MDiv from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
The book begins with a Pop Quiz on the subject of forgiveness. Last week, we placed these questions in our church bulletin and this coming week we will give the answers according to the book. In case you didn't get it OR you do not attend our church, here is the quiz (plus a couple of questions that I have included):
THE FORGIVENESS QUIZ - QUESTIONS (TRUE OR FALSE)
1. Where deep wounds between people are concerned, forgivness can be unpacked in a moment.
2. Personal happiness and joy can legitimatly motivate people to live out what the Bible teaches and how it should take place.
3. Most Christian pastors and counselors agree about what forgiveness is and how it should take place.
4. Forgiveness occurs properly only when certain conditions are met.
5. Jesus said little about how people should resolve interpersonal conflict.
6. A willingness to forgive is a test of whether or not a person will go to heaven when he or she dies.
7. Good people get to the bottom of all their disagreements.
8. There are times when it is wrong to forgive.
9. Sometimes it is necessary for us to forgive God.
10. God forgives everyone for everything.
I hope that taking this quiz will motivate you to be apart of this study or to purchase this book and study it on your own. It is well worth your time and may be a great help to you (and to others whom you influence) on the very difficult subject of forgiveness!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
An Appointment With the Father
Here is an article from my friend in Jerusalem. It lets us see a little bit of how the Passover is observed in Jerusalem. There are pictures as well.
On Wednesday evening our family participated in a Passover meal with 120 other believers in Jerusalem. Each portion of the meal was a reminder of what God has done to redeem His people from the bondage of the Egyptians during the Exodus from Egypt. For the believer, it was also a reminder of our freedom from the bondage of sin in the death of our Passover lamb, Jesus the Messiah.
On Thursday we traveled to Samaria to observe the Samaritans conducting their yearly sacrifice of the Passover lamb, one for each family as prescribed in the Law. While the Jews in ancient times worshiped God in Jerusalem, the Samaritans continue to worship God on Mt. Gerizim in Samaria (ie. Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4).
To see pictures of this sacrifice, click here. WARNING: photo of slain lamb.
In both instances, the Jewish families and their Passover meals, as well as the Samaritans and their sacrificial lambs, the focus continues to be on the picture or the shadow of the real thing that has already come. They have missed their appointment with God.
Jesus, on the other hand, knew the Scriptures. He made sure to keep his appointment with the Father. Leviticus 23:4-6 tells us regarding Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread that these are God's appointed times. The English translates this as feasts or convocations, but the literal meaning in Hebrew is appointments. Passover (the slaying of the lamb followed by the Passover feast) was to begin at sundown on the 14th of Nissan. This coincides with the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened bread. According to Matthew 26:17-18, Jesus instructed his disciples about preparations for the Passover by saying my appointed time is near.
As Jesus ate this Passover meal with his disciples, he used it as an opportunity to reveal to them what they had only known in word pictures and symbols. The innocent lambs that are sacrificed every year at Passover have been pointing to this moment. I will now give my body to be broken. I will pour out my blood for the forgiveness of sins. In just a few hours the Lamb of God will fulfill his purpose and keep his appointment with the Father. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Have a blessed Resurrection Day!
Dave in Jerusalem
On Wednesday evening our family participated in a Passover meal with 120 other believers in Jerusalem. Each portion of the meal was a reminder of what God has done to redeem His people from the bondage of the Egyptians during the Exodus from Egypt. For the believer, it was also a reminder of our freedom from the bondage of sin in the death of our Passover lamb, Jesus the Messiah.
On Thursday we traveled to Samaria to observe the Samaritans conducting their yearly sacrifice of the Passover lamb, one for each family as prescribed in the Law. While the Jews in ancient times worshiped God in Jerusalem, the Samaritans continue to worship God on Mt. Gerizim in Samaria (ie. Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4).
To see pictures of this sacrifice, click here. WARNING: photo of slain lamb.
In both instances, the Jewish families and their Passover meals, as well as the Samaritans and their sacrificial lambs, the focus continues to be on the picture or the shadow of the real thing that has already come. They have missed their appointment with God.
Jesus, on the other hand, knew the Scriptures. He made sure to keep his appointment with the Father. Leviticus 23:4-6 tells us regarding Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread that these are God's appointed times. The English translates this as feasts or convocations, but the literal meaning in Hebrew is appointments. Passover (the slaying of the lamb followed by the Passover feast) was to begin at sundown on the 14th of Nissan. This coincides with the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened bread. According to Matthew 26:17-18, Jesus instructed his disciples about preparations for the Passover by saying my appointed time is near.
As Jesus ate this Passover meal with his disciples, he used it as an opportunity to reveal to them what they had only known in word pictures and symbols. The innocent lambs that are sacrificed every year at Passover have been pointing to this moment. I will now give my body to be broken. I will pour out my blood for the forgiveness of sins. In just a few hours the Lamb of God will fulfill his purpose and keep his appointment with the Father. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Have a blessed Resurrection Day!
Dave in Jerusalem
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