I recently listened to a broadcast of Al Mohler on his radio show. I think it was the last "Ask Anything Wednesday" episode in which he answers questions from callers.
One caller asked him about the possibility of him supporting a third party candidate (Constitution Party). Mohler responded by talking about principle and pragmatism. He first said that each believer should make up their minds the first tier issues... On these issues, Mohler said that Christians should decide beforehand those candidates they would not vote for as a matter of principle.
But then, once the candidates for the two main parties have been chosen, he seemed to be saying that Christians should weigh their vote pragmatically. He concluded by saying that there's very little possibility of a third party candidate winning. Mohler didn't give a "therefore" after that last statement, but it seemed clear to me that his conclusion was "Therefore, I wouldn't vote for a third party candidate."
Is it just me or does it look like pragmatism wins out in this situation? I've wrestled with this issue before and am open to reasonable answers, but I just don't see it for now. If the election was tomorrow and I had a choice between Giulianni? or McCain vs. Hillary or Obama, I would vote for someone else. Is that unreasonable?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
I Can't Help It
I've mentioned this to a couple of you already. I can't help it, I just like Adrian Rogers. Some of his teachings really had a positive impact for me when I was a new Christian. I know of his distaste for all things reformed, but I just can't help but like him. Many of the teachings I heard pointed me to the cross and for that I am thankful.
So, do you have a "guilty pleasure" like my sometimes listening to AR? What authors/speakers/preachers do you read or listen to that are helpful although they're not committed to the doctrines of grace?
So, do you have a "guilty pleasure" like my sometimes listening to AR? What authors/speakers/preachers do you read or listen to that are helpful although they're not committed to the doctrines of grace?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Together Again
Years ago, Caedmon's Call was one of several influences in my life that led me into reformed theology and a more serious embracing of the Bible. I was very disappointed when Derek Webb - one of the best songwriters I've ever heard - left the band to go solo. (He left over The Prayer of Jabez - see here.)
So today I am very happy to hear that Derek has rejoined the band. I can't wait to hear their new album and hope to catch them on tour at some point in the future. Here's the story.
By the way, Derek's new solo cd just came out a few weeks ago - I hear it's fantastic.
JN
So today I am very happy to hear that Derek has rejoined the band. I can't wait to hear their new album and hope to catch them on tour at some point in the future. Here's the story.
By the way, Derek's new solo cd just came out a few weeks ago - I hear it's fantastic.
JN
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Early Church Fathers on the Age of the Earth
While I continue to disagree with the theory of evolution and find it incompatible with Scripture, I currently do accept the age of the earth as being 4.6 billion years old (and the universe even older).
Now, let's be clear - this debate among creationists is important - but it should not distract us from the higher callings of God's service.
With that said, I want to address a pet peeve: Over and over again I have been told by my young-earth friends that for centuries every Christian knew that the days in Genesis 1 were literal 24-hour days, and that it is only recently that some Christians have "compromised" to science and taken a different view. The fact is, this is utterly false. While some early church fathers certainly did hold to a literal 24-hour day, the majority did not. In fact, taking quite literally that "a day to the LORD is as a thousand years", men like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Cyprian held that we should read each day of creation as a separate period of a thousand years. Clement and St. Augustine took the more appropriate approach, I think, in simply pointing out that the nature of these days is probably a lot more than we can conceive. Among my other early church old-earth brethren are Eusebius of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, and Jerome (who, of course, said that a minister needed to be at least 30 years old before he dares expound the first chapter of Genesis).
I haven't read this book yet, but I'm certainly planning to do so. It is written by one of the elders at City Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA (a PCA church).
JN
Now, let's be clear - this debate among creationists is important - but it should not distract us from the higher callings of God's service.
With that said, I want to address a pet peeve: Over and over again I have been told by my young-earth friends that for centuries every Christian knew that the days in Genesis 1 were literal 24-hour days, and that it is only recently that some Christians have "compromised" to science and taken a different view. The fact is, this is utterly false. While some early church fathers certainly did hold to a literal 24-hour day, the majority did not. In fact, taking quite literally that "a day to the LORD is as a thousand years", men like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Cyprian held that we should read each day of creation as a separate period of a thousand years. Clement and St. Augustine took the more appropriate approach, I think, in simply pointing out that the nature of these days is probably a lot more than we can conceive. Among my other early church old-earth brethren are Eusebius of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, and Jerome (who, of course, said that a minister needed to be at least 30 years old before he dares expound the first chapter of Genesis).
I haven't read this book yet, but I'm certainly planning to do so. It is written by one of the elders at City Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA (a PCA church).
JN
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Basketball?
I was just wondering if anyone was up for basketball on Monday since it's Memorial Day? Let me know what you think.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Homeschool Conference - Last Day
This morning we listened to a talk about the importance of disciple-making in homeschool. There were three more hours of breakout sessions, but we were ready to go. (All together there were 11 different hours of breakout sessions offered, with about 75 different sessions to choose from.)
Overall impressions:
1. This annual conference is highly beneficial, particularly to those considering or beginning homeschool. I would recommend anyone to go.
2. Those who tend to criticize homeschooling as creating shy, sheltered young adults would do well to see the hundreds and hundreds of students that were roaming around this weekend. They were very independent (you almost never saw them with their parents) and very confident in interacting with others.
I agree with JC's comment about homeschooling not being right for everybody - however, for Christian families, I can think of very few occasions when it would not be right. Having subbed regularly at what has to be the best public elementary school in Nash County - where the vast majority of teachers are kind Christians - I can still tell you some reasons why I would not send my child there (or to any other public school):
1. From the time young kids enter school, they are taught that learning is "uncool". Everytime I tell the kids at school "Take out your reading book", I am greeted with "Do we have to?" or "Can't we go outside instead?" Kids that actually look forward to learning are called names and made fun of. Their innate desire to learn is lost as they seek to be liked.
2. Though the vast majority of teachers at the school I sub at are Christians, the worldview being taught in the textbooks (and most of the Accelerated Reader library books) is decidedly secular.
One example: feminism is rampant in even the literature for the youngest kids - a complementarian perspective is seldom if ever presented.
Another example: Two weeks ago I had the joy of teaching 5th graders from their history textbook about the first two decades of the twentieth century. I was absolutely astounded at the liberal perspective presented. Page after page praised the "progressives", and defined a progressive person as "someone who desires to make positive changes". As most of you probably know, a "progressive" is the name that most liberals use for themselves. In all of those pages, there was only one sentence referencing the fact that some people didn't agree with the explosion of big government that took place in that era. It was truly an awful presentation of history.
Allow me a third example: On several ocassions I've had opportunities to go to FCA's and speak to the high school students. On some of these, I stopped by the library and looked for a book on the Puritans. In every case, the only books in the library that said anything about the Puritans said the same things: they hated women and burnt witches.
I could give more examples of the anti-Christian worldview in the public curriculum and library books, but I'll stop with those three.
3. Homeschooling provides a much better teacher / student ratio. Ask any teacher, and most will tell you that the key to better schools is a lower teacher / student ratio. Obviously, you can't beat the teacher / student ration in homeschooling.
One more point: In homeschooling, as the student learns, the whole family is learning together. The father, the mother, and the child are all learning. They get to do science experiments together, take field trips together, etc. Since homeschooling can be done in the evenings, even the working parent can take part. And what is the result of all this? The result is a family spending quality time together. Isn't that what we all want?
I know the objections people raise - I've raised many myself. Here's a couple:
1. I'm not qualified to teach. The fact is, statistics have shown over and over that what matters most in teaching is not how well-educated the teacher is, but how involved they are willing to be in helping the student learn. It's not the parent's job to know it all - it's the parents job to help the student learn. In conventional schools, most of the teachers teaching don't know in their head all of the things they have to teach. That's why they use textbooks. The most important part of teaching is simply to be involved, and most any parent can do this.
2. But we'll go broke. This objection comes up because homeschooling typically means that one parent stays home and doesn't work. And yes, there is a financial sacrifice here. But quite frankly, I think it is well worth it. It is very hard in our culture to learn to live on one income, but it can be done. Few families are going to go hungry because of homeschooling. They just may have to live in a smaller house, go out to eat less, and not be able to afford cable television (gasp!). If there really is a family that would have to go hungry in order to homeschool, their church ought to come around them and help them. But this is seldom the case. Worldliness is pervasive - even in the Christian church.
I could keep going on this, but this post is already too long. If anyone's interested, we can discuss a particular aspect of all this in a future post.
JN
Overall impressions:
1. This annual conference is highly beneficial, particularly to those considering or beginning homeschool. I would recommend anyone to go.
2. Those who tend to criticize homeschooling as creating shy, sheltered young adults would do well to see the hundreds and hundreds of students that were roaming around this weekend. They were very independent (you almost never saw them with their parents) and very confident in interacting with others.
I agree with JC's comment about homeschooling not being right for everybody - however, for Christian families, I can think of very few occasions when it would not be right. Having subbed regularly at what has to be the best public elementary school in Nash County - where the vast majority of teachers are kind Christians - I can still tell you some reasons why I would not send my child there (or to any other public school):
1. From the time young kids enter school, they are taught that learning is "uncool". Everytime I tell the kids at school "Take out your reading book", I am greeted with "Do we have to?" or "Can't we go outside instead?" Kids that actually look forward to learning are called names and made fun of. Their innate desire to learn is lost as they seek to be liked.
2. Though the vast majority of teachers at the school I sub at are Christians, the worldview being taught in the textbooks (and most of the Accelerated Reader library books) is decidedly secular.
One example: feminism is rampant in even the literature for the youngest kids - a complementarian perspective is seldom if ever presented.
Another example: Two weeks ago I had the joy of teaching 5th graders from their history textbook about the first two decades of the twentieth century. I was absolutely astounded at the liberal perspective presented. Page after page praised the "progressives", and defined a progressive person as "someone who desires to make positive changes". As most of you probably know, a "progressive" is the name that most liberals use for themselves. In all of those pages, there was only one sentence referencing the fact that some people didn't agree with the explosion of big government that took place in that era. It was truly an awful presentation of history.
Allow me a third example: On several ocassions I've had opportunities to go to FCA's and speak to the high school students. On some of these, I stopped by the library and looked for a book on the Puritans. In every case, the only books in the library that said anything about the Puritans said the same things: they hated women and burnt witches.
I could give more examples of the anti-Christian worldview in the public curriculum and library books, but I'll stop with those three.
3. Homeschooling provides a much better teacher / student ratio. Ask any teacher, and most will tell you that the key to better schools is a lower teacher / student ratio. Obviously, you can't beat the teacher / student ration in homeschooling.
One more point: In homeschooling, as the student learns, the whole family is learning together. The father, the mother, and the child are all learning. They get to do science experiments together, take field trips together, etc. Since homeschooling can be done in the evenings, even the working parent can take part. And what is the result of all this? The result is a family spending quality time together. Isn't that what we all want?
I know the objections people raise - I've raised many myself. Here's a couple:
1. I'm not qualified to teach. The fact is, statistics have shown over and over that what matters most in teaching is not how well-educated the teacher is, but how involved they are willing to be in helping the student learn. It's not the parent's job to know it all - it's the parents job to help the student learn. In conventional schools, most of the teachers teaching don't know in their head all of the things they have to teach. That's why they use textbooks. The most important part of teaching is simply to be involved, and most any parent can do this.
2. But we'll go broke. This objection comes up because homeschooling typically means that one parent stays home and doesn't work. And yes, there is a financial sacrifice here. But quite frankly, I think it is well worth it. It is very hard in our culture to learn to live on one income, but it can be done. Few families are going to go hungry because of homeschooling. They just may have to live in a smaller house, go out to eat less, and not be able to afford cable television (gasp!). If there really is a family that would have to go hungry in order to homeschool, their church ought to come around them and help them. But this is seldom the case. Worldliness is pervasive - even in the Christian church.
I could keep going on this, but this post is already too long. If anyone's interested, we can discuss a particular aspect of all this in a future post.
JN
Friday, May 25, 2007
Homeschool Conference - Day 2
I forgot to mention it yesterday, but this conference is put on each year by the NCHE - North Carolinians for Home Education. Did you know that there are over 32,000 homeschooling families in our state? There are close to 350 in Nash County alone.
Today we learned about 'Classical Conversations' - a classical curriculum for homeschoolers that includes weekly meetings (12 in the fall, 12 in the spring) with other families doing the same thing. There are groups that meet in Wilson, Knightdale, and Wake Forest. We've emailed the leader of the group in Wilson, but we're still waiting to see if there is an opening for Jonathan.
The Classical method includes a lot of memorization, but this helps lay a framework for learning later in life.
This morning we heard a keynote address from Chris Klicka about "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of homeschooling. Under "the bad" he talked about past legal battles for homeschooling. Under "the ugly" he talked about things that caused homes to split. Under "the good" he talked about the centrality of Christ and the Word in homeschooling and the kind of disciples Christ-centered homeschooling develops.
I also heard a very interesting talk on "Evolution: the enemy of truth and science", and went to a talent show where we watched lots of people play piano, do "lyrical dance" (yawn), and one set of siblings do a diablo routine (this was very cool).
Oh, if you are ever in WS, you should check out XIA Asian Fusion Cuisine - this little restaurant was fantastic.
Reporting again from the business lounge of the Salem Best Western Hotel in Winston Salem (on a really old and slow computer with a spacebar that sticks), JN.
PS. JC - we met some of your folks here - they seemed to be having a good time.
Today we learned about 'Classical Conversations' - a classical curriculum for homeschoolers that includes weekly meetings (12 in the fall, 12 in the spring) with other families doing the same thing. There are groups that meet in Wilson, Knightdale, and Wake Forest. We've emailed the leader of the group in Wilson, but we're still waiting to see if there is an opening for Jonathan.
The Classical method includes a lot of memorization, but this helps lay a framework for learning later in life.
This morning we heard a keynote address from Chris Klicka about "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of homeschooling. Under "the bad" he talked about past legal battles for homeschooling. Under "the ugly" he talked about things that caused homes to split. Under "the good" he talked about the centrality of Christ and the Word in homeschooling and the kind of disciples Christ-centered homeschooling develops.
I also heard a very interesting talk on "Evolution: the enemy of truth and science", and went to a talent show where we watched lots of people play piano, do "lyrical dance" (yawn), and one set of siblings do a diablo routine (this was very cool).
Oh, if you are ever in WS, you should check out XIA Asian Fusion Cuisine - this little restaurant was fantastic.
Reporting again from the business lounge of the Salem Best Western Hotel in Winston Salem (on a really old and slow computer with a spacebar that sticks), JN.
PS. JC - we met some of your folks here - they seemed to be having a good time.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Home School Conference - Day 1
Hey guys. A few initial observations about this conference:
1. This is definitely a Christian conference - every session leader begins with prayer, the Bible is used, and the curriculum offered is distinctively Christian (some, distinctively reformed).
2. There are a lot of people here. We're talking well over a thousand, though no number has been given. (Not much racial diversity, though.)
3. The curriculum fair is huge, with booth after booth of curiculum sellers showing off their products. Everything from math books to violins to light-up ant farms and everything in between is being sold. (Anyone want a rocket kit?)
The first session I attended was taught by Jeff Baldwin - he gave a great talk on apologetics and the faulty arguments of atheism.
The second session I attended gave an overview of the different approaches to homeschooling:
a. Conventional
b. Classical
c. Charlotte Mason
d. EarlyLearning
e. Delayed Learning
f. Unit Study
g. John Holt
As I mentioned before, Crystal and I are definitely convinced of the need for clasical education, though we intend to use unit studies and Charlotte Mason ideas as well. (I'll take questions later - or you can probably look these things up on wikipedia.)
The keynote speaker was a nuclear chemist who made the case for homeschooling. It was excellent - go here to see what was presented (it's a pdf file - if that doesn't work, just go to the resources section of apologia.com) Anyone feeling "unqualified" to teach their children at home should definitely check out the statistics he displayed. As it turns out, homeschooled kids taught by parents without even a high school diploma tend to do much better than kids taught by teachers with education degrees in public or private schools.
Overall impression so far: I'm more convinced than ever of the need for Christian homeschooling, and I'm more than excited about the journey ahead for my family. (It is well worth my wife staying home, having less income, a smaller house, etc.)
Reporting from the business lounge of the Salem Best Western Hotel in downtown Winston Salem, JN
1. This is definitely a Christian conference - every session leader begins with prayer, the Bible is used, and the curriculum offered is distinctively Christian (some, distinctively reformed).
2. There are a lot of people here. We're talking well over a thousand, though no number has been given. (Not much racial diversity, though.)
3. The curriculum fair is huge, with booth after booth of curiculum sellers showing off their products. Everything from math books to violins to light-up ant farms and everything in between is being sold. (Anyone want a rocket kit?)
The first session I attended was taught by Jeff Baldwin - he gave a great talk on apologetics and the faulty arguments of atheism.
The second session I attended gave an overview of the different approaches to homeschooling:
a. Conventional
b. Classical
c. Charlotte Mason
d. EarlyLearning
e. Delayed Learning
f. Unit Study
g. John Holt
As I mentioned before, Crystal and I are definitely convinced of the need for clasical education, though we intend to use unit studies and Charlotte Mason ideas as well. (I'll take questions later - or you can probably look these things up on wikipedia.)
The keynote speaker was a nuclear chemist who made the case for homeschooling. It was excellent - go here to see what was presented (it's a pdf file - if that doesn't work, just go to the resources section of apologia.com) Anyone feeling "unqualified" to teach their children at home should definitely check out the statistics he displayed. As it turns out, homeschooled kids taught by parents without even a high school diploma tend to do much better than kids taught by teachers with education degrees in public or private schools.
Overall impression so far: I'm more convinced than ever of the need for Christian homeschooling, and I'm more than excited about the journey ahead for my family. (It is well worth my wife staying home, having less income, a smaller house, etc.)
Reporting from the business lounge of the Salem Best Western Hotel in downtown Winston Salem, JN
A Moment of Gratitude
Allow me to say thanks to all of you guys that helped out with the tent meetings. It is always refreshing to hear Gospel truth preached cleary and passionately. It is a joy to be counted as your friend - I feel unworthy to be in such a band of brothers. Let's continue to pray that God will bring forth spiritual fruit from the labors of the past week.
Beginning today, Crystal and I will be attending a 3-day home schooling conference. Since several of you have expressed interest in eventually pursuing home schooling, I'll try and blog each night what we learned.
There are many approaches to home-schooling, but Crystal and I have become convinced that a Classical Christian approach (using the trivium) is the way to go. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, check out this page or this excellent book (which you can borrow from us, just don't assume that I'm a big fan of Douglas Wilson - I know about his "federal vision" and do not agree.)
Anyway, again, let me say that I thank God for all of you and the grace in your lives. May He do something incredible here in our neck of the woods.
JN
Beginning today, Crystal and I will be attending a 3-day home schooling conference. Since several of you have expressed interest in eventually pursuing home schooling, I'll try and blog each night what we learned.
There are many approaches to home-schooling, but Crystal and I have become convinced that a Classical Christian approach (using the trivium) is the way to go. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, check out this page or this excellent book (which you can borrow from us, just don't assume that I'm a big fan of Douglas Wilson - I know about his "federal vision" and do not agree.)
Anyway, again, let me say that I thank God for all of you and the grace in your lives. May He do something incredible here in our neck of the woods.
JN
Monday, May 21, 2007
Church Discipline Isn't Easy
I don't think there's any question that the Scriptures teach church discipline. Tough questions come on how to apply the biblical teachings. It's interesting how issues come up in bunches.
Lifeway's Sunday school curriculum had a lesson last week on church discipline. It was a pretty good lesson, focusing on the necessity of confrontation in some circumstances and the importance of confronting in love, gentleness, and humility.
I have also been hearing of a church that had been recently attempting to apply church discipline. They see the biblical teaching for it, they see the need for it in their own midst, and they're trying to do right. I don't know all the details, but it seems like their going about it in all the wrong ways. It appears judgmental and condemning.
I know that corrective church discipline may frequently seem judgmental and condemning, but it doesn't look like it's being done for restoration in this circumstance.
In the teaching of Jesus in Matt. 18, steps one and two seem like the easy ones... Go alone... go with one or two others. Simple enough. Where it gets sticky is with the final couple of steps, "tell it to the church" and "treat him like an unbeliever," especially the former.
I see how it's easy for churches to start messing up at this point. So, practically, what do you think? How do you "tell it to the church" and "treat him like an unbeliever?"
Lifeway's Sunday school curriculum had a lesson last week on church discipline. It was a pretty good lesson, focusing on the necessity of confrontation in some circumstances and the importance of confronting in love, gentleness, and humility.
I have also been hearing of a church that had been recently attempting to apply church discipline. They see the biblical teaching for it, they see the need for it in their own midst, and they're trying to do right. I don't know all the details, but it seems like their going about it in all the wrong ways. It appears judgmental and condemning.
I know that corrective church discipline may frequently seem judgmental and condemning, but it doesn't look like it's being done for restoration in this circumstance.
In the teaching of Jesus in Matt. 18, steps one and two seem like the easy ones... Go alone... go with one or two others. Simple enough. Where it gets sticky is with the final couple of steps, "tell it to the church" and "treat him like an unbeliever," especially the former.
I see how it's easy for churches to start messing up at this point. So, practically, what do you think? How do you "tell it to the church" and "treat him like an unbeliever?"
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sermon Help
Hey guys, I wanted your input on something. I was planning on preaching the text Matt. 5:17-48. Let me know what you think of my outline.
I. Christ came to fulfill the law (17-20). God's word stands. His law stands. Christ came to perfectly fulfill it. Therefore, we shouldn't relax his commands as the scribes and Pharisees did.
II. The deeper meaning of "You shall not murder" (21-26). Ungodly anger and verbal insults is worthy of punishment.
III. The deeper meaning of "You shall not commit adultery" (27-32). Looking with desire is adultery of the heart. Divorcing a person b/c of "sexual immorality" makes him commit adultery and remarrying a divorced person is adultery.
IV. The deeper meaning of "You shall not swear falsely" (33-37). Don't take an oath at all. Be true to your word.
V. On retaliation and loving your enemy (38-47). Pretty much just quote the text here.
VI. Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (48). Here's where it gets tricky. I haven't found any commentaries supporting the way I read it. I read this verse as a summary statement of Jesus' teachings thus far. This is not just moralistic preaching on Jesus' part. Rather, he wants to humble those who want to justify themselves. The point is you can't be perfect (complete) in the way that God is. I read it as similar to Jesus' instruction to the rich young ruler to go sell everything and follow him if he wished to be perfect. Then, my last point would be about God's grace... though we deserve only punishment from a holy God, we can receive grace through Jesus Christ.
But the commentaries read it as going along with 43-47 (loving your enemies). We are to love others... even our enemies as God loves.
What do y'all think? Am I fudging the text to get my point across? I'd appreciate your help.
I. Christ came to fulfill the law (17-20). God's word stands. His law stands. Christ came to perfectly fulfill it. Therefore, we shouldn't relax his commands as the scribes and Pharisees did.
II. The deeper meaning of "You shall not murder" (21-26). Ungodly anger and verbal insults is worthy of punishment.
III. The deeper meaning of "You shall not commit adultery" (27-32). Looking with desire is adultery of the heart. Divorcing a person b/c of "sexual immorality" makes him commit adultery and remarrying a divorced person is adultery.
IV. The deeper meaning of "You shall not swear falsely" (33-37). Don't take an oath at all. Be true to your word.
V. On retaliation and loving your enemy (38-47). Pretty much just quote the text here.
VI. Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (48). Here's where it gets tricky. I haven't found any commentaries supporting the way I read it. I read this verse as a summary statement of Jesus' teachings thus far. This is not just moralistic preaching on Jesus' part. Rather, he wants to humble those who want to justify themselves. The point is you can't be perfect (complete) in the way that God is. I read it as similar to Jesus' instruction to the rich young ruler to go sell everything and follow him if he wished to be perfect. Then, my last point would be about God's grace... though we deserve only punishment from a holy God, we can receive grace through Jesus Christ.
But the commentaries read it as going along with 43-47 (loving your enemies). We are to love others... even our enemies as God loves.
What do y'all think? Am I fudging the text to get my point across? I'd appreciate your help.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Drawing Near to God
(THOMAS WATSON)
To draw near to God, is our wisdom. ‘The price of wisdom is above rubies.’ Job xxviii. 18. No jewel we wear does so much adorn us as wisdom; and wherein is our wisdom seen more than in our nearness to God? It is judged wisdom to keep in with great men, Prov. xix. 6. ‘Many will entreat the favor of the Prince.’ But a prince's love is mutable. How often does the sunshine of his royal favor set in a cloud. But it is wisdom to draw near to God; he is the sweetest friend, and the worst enemy.
To draw near to God is our honor. It is counted an honor to converse with noble personages. What high dignity is it, that the great God will allow sinful dust to draw near to him! Surely the apostle did speak of it with an holy boasting, 2 John i. 3. ‘Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus:’ As if he had said, we do not walk with peasants of the world; we are of the blood-royal of Heaven; we live above other men; 'our fellowship is with the Father.’ That the King of kings will hold forth a golden scepter to us, invite and welcome us into his presence, and bid us draw near; this is no small favor, 1 Sam. xxii. 2. ‘Every one that was distressed and in debt drew near to David, and he became a captain over them.’ So that we who are distressed and in debt, may draw near to God; and that he will not only be our captain, but our husband, Isaiah liv. 5. What transcendent dignity is this! It is a wonder God does not kick us out of his presence; but that we should be admitted to see the king's face and that he should send us dainties from his own table, is an honor more fit for angels than men.
To draw near to God is our safety. God is a ‘strong tower,’ Prov. xviii. 10. It is good in times of danger to draw near to a fort or castle, Hab iii. 4. ‘He had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.’ The horns coming out of God's hands, are to punish his enemies, and the hiding of his power is to safeguard his people. God is an impregnable stronghold. Indeed there is no safety, but in drawing near to God. If the sheep wanders from the fold, it is in danger of the wolf; if we straggle and wander from God, we are in danger of Satan.
To draw near to God is our peace. The only thing which breaks our peace is, when we do not keep close to God: but what harmony, yes Heaven is in the soul, when it draws near to God! Psalm cxix. 165. ‘Great peace have they which love your law.’ This peace, like pearl in broth, is cordial. David drew near to God, for he was ‘ever with him,’ Psalm cxxxix. 17. And this made his pillow soft when he went to sleep, Psalm iv. 8. ‘I will lay me down in peace;’ as the honey-dew falls upon the leaf: O that sweet serenity which drops as honey upon the soul while it is drawing near to God! How comfortable it is to draw near to the sun! and how sweet is it to approach near to the Sun of Righteousness.
To draw near to God is our riches. It is good drawing near to a gold mine. If we draw near to God, he will enrich us with promises, and divine consolations; he will enrich us with the ‘pearl of great price,’ Ephes. iii. 8. He will reward us as a king, yes as a God! He will make over his land and jewels to us; he will give us the spring flowers of joy here, and the harvest of glory hereafter.
If we draw near to God, he will draw near to us. If we draw near to him in duty, he will draw near to us in mercy. When the prodigal approached to his father, his father drew near to him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him, Luke xv. 20. If we draw near to God with repenting hearts, he will draw near to us with a compassionate heart. David prayed, Psalm lxix. 18. ‘Draw near unto my soul.’ It is good to have God draw near to us. How sweet is his presence! he is light to the eye and joy to the heart. How happy was it for Zaccheus, when Christ drew near to him! ‘This day is salvation come your house,’ Luke xix. 9. When God draws near to the soul, Heaven and salvation draw near.
To draw near to God, is our wisdom. ‘The price of wisdom is above rubies.’ Job xxviii. 18. No jewel we wear does so much adorn us as wisdom; and wherein is our wisdom seen more than in our nearness to God? It is judged wisdom to keep in with great men, Prov. xix. 6. ‘Many will entreat the favor of the Prince.’ But a prince's love is mutable. How often does the sunshine of his royal favor set in a cloud. But it is wisdom to draw near to God; he is the sweetest friend, and the worst enemy.
To draw near to God is our honor. It is counted an honor to converse with noble personages. What high dignity is it, that the great God will allow sinful dust to draw near to him! Surely the apostle did speak of it with an holy boasting, 2 John i. 3. ‘Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus:’ As if he had said, we do not walk with peasants of the world; we are of the blood-royal of Heaven; we live above other men; 'our fellowship is with the Father.’ That the King of kings will hold forth a golden scepter to us, invite and welcome us into his presence, and bid us draw near; this is no small favor, 1 Sam. xxii. 2. ‘Every one that was distressed and in debt drew near to David, and he became a captain over them.’ So that we who are distressed and in debt, may draw near to God; and that he will not only be our captain, but our husband, Isaiah liv. 5. What transcendent dignity is this! It is a wonder God does not kick us out of his presence; but that we should be admitted to see the king's face and that he should send us dainties from his own table, is an honor more fit for angels than men.
To draw near to God is our safety. God is a ‘strong tower,’ Prov. xviii. 10. It is good in times of danger to draw near to a fort or castle, Hab iii. 4. ‘He had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.’ The horns coming out of God's hands, are to punish his enemies, and the hiding of his power is to safeguard his people. God is an impregnable stronghold. Indeed there is no safety, but in drawing near to God. If the sheep wanders from the fold, it is in danger of the wolf; if we straggle and wander from God, we are in danger of Satan.
To draw near to God is our peace. The only thing which breaks our peace is, when we do not keep close to God: but what harmony, yes Heaven is in the soul, when it draws near to God! Psalm cxix. 165. ‘Great peace have they which love your law.’ This peace, like pearl in broth, is cordial. David drew near to God, for he was ‘ever with him,’ Psalm cxxxix. 17. And this made his pillow soft when he went to sleep, Psalm iv. 8. ‘I will lay me down in peace;’ as the honey-dew falls upon the leaf: O that sweet serenity which drops as honey upon the soul while it is drawing near to God! How comfortable it is to draw near to the sun! and how sweet is it to approach near to the Sun of Righteousness.
To draw near to God is our riches. It is good drawing near to a gold mine. If we draw near to God, he will enrich us with promises, and divine consolations; he will enrich us with the ‘pearl of great price,’ Ephes. iii. 8. He will reward us as a king, yes as a God! He will make over his land and jewels to us; he will give us the spring flowers of joy here, and the harvest of glory hereafter.
If we draw near to God, he will draw near to us. If we draw near to him in duty, he will draw near to us in mercy. When the prodigal approached to his father, his father drew near to him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him, Luke xv. 20. If we draw near to God with repenting hearts, he will draw near to us with a compassionate heart. David prayed, Psalm lxix. 18. ‘Draw near unto my soul.’ It is good to have God draw near to us. How sweet is his presence! he is light to the eye and joy to the heart. How happy was it for Zaccheus, when Christ drew near to him! ‘This day is salvation come your house,’ Luke xix. 9. When God draws near to the soul, Heaven and salvation draw near.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
It Finally Came!
After waiting and waiting, today I finally received my "Anointed Bible Acts 19:11-12 Green Prosperity Prayer Handkerchief"! I needed it for a sermon illustration in a few weeks.
Here's what happened: While visiting my family in Alabama, I saw a religious program featuring Don Stewart - a man gifted by God for preaching, prophesying, healing, etc. He told me that if I would request my Green Prosperity Prayer Handkerchief, my miracle would be on the way. His Prayer Cloth could be my "Touchpoint" for God's abundance and healing in my life. Well, what could I do but request one?
So today it came. There's not much special about the handkerchief itself- it's just a cheap, thin piece of green fabric with fraying ends. But what is important is what I am to do with the hanky. Here are my instructions from Pastor Stewart:
1. On the handkerchief, I am supposed to write my name and the amount of money that I need.
2. Then, I am supposed to touch the hanky to my forehead. This is for the healing of any diseases in my body.
3. I am supposed to put the hanky in my billfold overnight. (This helps trigger the financial blessings.)
4. First thing tomorrow morning, I am to send the hanky back to Pastor Stewart so that he can annoint it with oil. He'll then send it back to me, and my miracle will be on the way.
Oh, one more thing. I'm asked to send a donation for his ministry along with the hanky. This isn't required, but his letter is filled with stories of people who "gave God their best" and then received "God's best" in return. A few quotes:
"Justin, whatever you make happen for God's work, God will make happen for you."
"Do you feel the anointing in this letter? Is God speaking to you now while you read these words? PLEASE OBEY THE WORD OF GOD. The greater your sacrifice, the greater your blessings."
And of course, the letter is filled with testimonies. I'll just quote a few:
"I felt like life was not worth living. I had so many debts, I didn't know what to do. I took a giant leap of faith and gave God $150. That was my best. Then God started giving me HIS best. He's brought me blessing after blessing and THOUSANDS of dollars so far." (Ms. Nori)
"Dear Rev. Stewart, I just had to write and tell you the Green Prayer Cloth you sent me really works. I put it in my wallet for 2 days just like you told me to, and $3,000.00 came from nowhere. It was something that never happened to me before." (J. C. Jr.)
"I made a pledge of $50 and by the end of the following week, I got a check for $400.00. The following week, I got a check for $1380.00 which I didn't expect. WHEN YOU PRAYED OVER SOME BILLS, I GOT ALL THOSE BILLS PAID OFF AND THE MONEY'S STILL COMING IN! And week bfore last, I sent a check for $20 to you, and coming back...I just picked up $10!" (no name given)
And my favorite:
"I received $113,000.00 and a brand-new MERCEDES BENZ when I made a Vow." (Elizabeth)
The sad thing is that some Christians fall for this. It appeals to their flesh, leading them into the sin of craving money and material things under the guise of spiritual legitimacy. What a shame that Pastor Stewart considers "God's best" for us to be money - not Christ. Interestingly, there is no reference at all to Jesus in any of the materials I was sent.
Let us be reminded that there are wolves in sheep's clothing eager to deceive and harm the sheep. Let us be quick to protect our sheep by helping them grow in wisdom and discernment, so that they are not "tossed to and from by the waves and carried along by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Eph. 4:14)
JN
PS. I would not want to be Pastor Stewart on Judgment Day. It is a dangerous thing to be in the business of trying to deceive and destroy those who belong to the Bride of Christ. Our great Groom will respond in righteous, furious justice on that great day. Let us all tremble.
Here's what happened: While visiting my family in Alabama, I saw a religious program featuring Don Stewart - a man gifted by God for preaching, prophesying, healing, etc. He told me that if I would request my Green Prosperity Prayer Handkerchief, my miracle would be on the way. His Prayer Cloth could be my "Touchpoint" for God's abundance and healing in my life. Well, what could I do but request one?
So today it came. There's not much special about the handkerchief itself- it's just a cheap, thin piece of green fabric with fraying ends. But what is important is what I am to do with the hanky. Here are my instructions from Pastor Stewart:
1. On the handkerchief, I am supposed to write my name and the amount of money that I need.
2. Then, I am supposed to touch the hanky to my forehead. This is for the healing of any diseases in my body.
3. I am supposed to put the hanky in my billfold overnight. (This helps trigger the financial blessings.)
4. First thing tomorrow morning, I am to send the hanky back to Pastor Stewart so that he can annoint it with oil. He'll then send it back to me, and my miracle will be on the way.
Oh, one more thing. I'm asked to send a donation for his ministry along with the hanky. This isn't required, but his letter is filled with stories of people who "gave God their best" and then received "God's best" in return. A few quotes:
"Justin, whatever you make happen for God's work, God will make happen for you."
"Do you feel the anointing in this letter? Is God speaking to you now while you read these words? PLEASE OBEY THE WORD OF GOD. The greater your sacrifice, the greater your blessings."
And of course, the letter is filled with testimonies. I'll just quote a few:
"I felt like life was not worth living. I had so many debts, I didn't know what to do. I took a giant leap of faith and gave God $150. That was my best. Then God started giving me HIS best. He's brought me blessing after blessing and THOUSANDS of dollars so far." (Ms. Nori)
"Dear Rev. Stewart, I just had to write and tell you the Green Prayer Cloth you sent me really works. I put it in my wallet for 2 days just like you told me to, and $3,000.00 came from nowhere. It was something that never happened to me before." (J. C. Jr.)
"I made a pledge of $50 and by the end of the following week, I got a check for $400.00. The following week, I got a check for $1380.00 which I didn't expect. WHEN YOU PRAYED OVER SOME BILLS, I GOT ALL THOSE BILLS PAID OFF AND THE MONEY'S STILL COMING IN! And week bfore last, I sent a check for $20 to you, and coming back...I just picked up $10!" (no name given)
And my favorite:
"I received $113,000.00 and a brand-new MERCEDES BENZ when I made a Vow." (Elizabeth)
The sad thing is that some Christians fall for this. It appeals to their flesh, leading them into the sin of craving money and material things under the guise of spiritual legitimacy. What a shame that Pastor Stewart considers "God's best" for us to be money - not Christ. Interestingly, there is no reference at all to Jesus in any of the materials I was sent.
Let us be reminded that there are wolves in sheep's clothing eager to deceive and harm the sheep. Let us be quick to protect our sheep by helping them grow in wisdom and discernment, so that they are not "tossed to and from by the waves and carried along by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Eph. 4:14)
JN
PS. I would not want to be Pastor Stewart on Judgment Day. It is a dangerous thing to be in the business of trying to deceive and destroy those who belong to the Bride of Christ. Our great Groom will respond in righteous, furious justice on that great day. Let us all tremble.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Are you going "hyper"?
Our goal as pastors is to lead our people to be Biblical - not to convert them to a particular system of theology. When people begin to discover the gospel truths that are sometimes called Calvinism, it is easy to become overly zealous for the 5 Points (instead of being zealous for the Savior that the 5 points exalt). Concerned that you or somone you know may be obsessing about Calvinism? Here are the 25 Warning Signs.
PS. The link should be working, but if not, go to http://www.purgatorio1.com and search for hyper. The guy that runs this site goes to Piper's church.
PS. The link should be working, but if not, go to http://www.purgatorio1.com and search for hyper. The guy that runs this site goes to Piper's church.
An Amillenial Perspective
Since some of you guys asked about it on Monday, here is the manuscript of the message on Christ's return (from an amillenial perspective) from the last night of the "Falling in Love with Jesus" conference.
JN
JN
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Basketball
Well, the news for my Saturday is finally in. My meeting has been canceled. That means I am up for basketball in Nashville at 10:00 AM if that is still the plan. I am anxious to see the skills of us pastors (that could be great!) and to have a wonderful time of fellowship. Does anyone have a basketball? Who's in?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Women and the Church
Russell Moore says that most Christians are living in a "same-sex" marriage! Listen to this great interview on women in the church with Dever, Mahaney, Stinson, and Moore.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Christ Became Poor, That We Might Become Rich
Call me a glutton for punishment. Here's the message I preached on Sunday. I've been reading a lot on preaching lately (Christ-Centered Preaching by Chapell, Preaching and Preachers by Lloyd-Jones, and now Between Two Worlds by Stott), and I'm very eager to preach well, so be encouraged to leave a comment/criticism.
But first, be sure to read and reflect on Justin's previous post on Congregational Rule since I bumped it so quickly.
But first, be sure to read and reflect on Justin's previous post on Congregational Rule since I bumped it so quickly.
Christ Became Poor, That We Might Become Rich
God says in Psalm 50, “Every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine” (Ps. 50:10-12).
How can we give anything of worth to a God who owns everything? We cannot. There is nothing God needs that we can give him. Everything already belongs to him. We are not giving money because he needs it. We are not building a facility because God needs it. But in his wisdom he has decided that these types of things would be means to fulfill his purpose.
Money and buildings are only tools for the mission. We are building in order to have a new base of operations… to have a place where we can gather together as the Body of Christ and be equipped to be ambassadors of Christ. The building is not the end in itself. It is not the goal. The mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. The goal is that God might be glorified through all that we do, from the beginning to the end and even after. And I think he has been glorified so far in this campaign.
It is my prayer that God would be glorified in our giving… in how we give in this campaign, and in how we give in our day to day lives… in how we handle our money.
There is a close correlation between a person’s commitment to money and his commitment to God. If a man has a strong commitment to money, he will not have a strong commitment to God. If he has a great love for God, then he will not have a great love for money. Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24).
So, as we look at our text today, keep that theme in mind… You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money.
Please turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 8:1-9.
Paul wrote this second letter to the Corinthians urging them to remain united with him and their other leaders. Evidently, his leadership had been challenged, and he wanted to assure the believers of his love for them and assert his authority among them. We also know that Paul had made a “painful visit” to the Corinthian church and didn’t want to do that again. He wanted them to correct their errors, but he wanted them to know he loved them. It looks like the Corinthians had corrected some of their errors, for Paul speaks of their obedience and excellence in everything.
Also, as he was writing this letter, Paul had been going around to various churches collecting money for the poor saints in
In our passage Paul challenges the Corinthian believers to excel in the grace of giving. Just as they had excelled in everything, becoming obedient and correcting their errors, Paul wanted them to prove the genuineness of their love by giving to the poor saints in
This morning, it is God’s desire that we also excel in the grace of giving. Whether it is to the poor, to the church, to missionaries, or to the building campaign, it is God’s will for us that we excel in the grace of giving.
In Malachi, God says to
After talking with the rich young ruler, Jesus tells his disciples, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).
In Luke 3:11, John the Baptist tells the crowds “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Paul says that those who are rich “are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
We should excel in the grace of giving.
Follow along as I read 2 Corinthians 8:1-9.
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, inn knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” –2 Corinthians 8:1-9
The grace of God given to the Macedonian churches (8:1-5)
First, let’s see and feel what Paul wants the Corinthian believers to see and feel, namely, the grace of God that was given to the churches of
Paul calls their situation and response a “grace of God.” In their situation, it would have been easy to say, “We’re really going through a lot here. In fact, we’re very poor, so we can’t give at this time.” That’s how the natural person responds. That’s how we all tend to respond without God’s grace. We tend to look toward our own situation, our own problems and our own needs, rather than to the needs of others.
But the Macedonian believers had received a grace from God… a grace that enabled them to give joyfully in the midst of affliction and poverty. The word there, “affliction,” shows that they were under heavy pressure… like they were being squeezed from every side. They were persecuted and there felt like no escape. On top of that, and maybe because of that, they were also extremely poor. But look at their response because of God’s grace.
“Their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” That may not seem to make much sense to you. How could extreme poverty result in an overflow of generosity? How could people who had nothing give anything at all? The answer is in the first part of that sentence, because of their abundance of joy.
Despite the fact that they were under intense pressure and persecution… despite the fact that they were extremely poor, the Macedonian churches had abundant joy. They were content with what they had, because they placed their ultimate joy in Christ. They were in need of nothing, because Jesus Christ filled their every need. What about us? Is our ultimate joy in Christ alone? Does Jesus Christ fill our every need?
The Macedonian believers had abundant joy. And that joy plus their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity. They gave even above their means… beyond their ability. They begged for the chance to take part in giving money to their poor brothers and sisters, even though they themselves were poor.
Not only this, Paul also says that the Macedonian believers first gave themselves to the Lord, and then by the will of God to their leaders. They devoted themselves to the work of the Lord. Their lives, their time, their money… it was all at God’s disposal. They wanted what God wanted and they were willing to give everything to him. When we first give ourselves to the Lord, everything we have becomes his.
This example of the Macedonian churches shows us a few things. First, our joy in Christ should be such that it plus whatever we have overflows in great generosity to others. Christ is our joy. Christ is our treasure. We are in need of nothing, so we can give generously.
Second, for those of you who are poor, you should not be ashamed of your gift. Just like the Macedonians, if you give out of great joy and out of what you have, you gift make a great impact, not only financially, but also spiritually. Remember the widow who put in two coins? Jesus said that she had given more than the rich because she gave out of her poverty all she had to live on.
Third, we should know the reason why we hold on to our money is because we haven’t given ourselves first to the Lord. You cannot serve God and money. The lack of generous giving is not the root problem. It is only a symptom of a deeper issue… that we haven’t given ourselves first to the Lord.
Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church (8:6-8)
Paul uses the example of the Macedonian churches to motivate the Corinthians to give generously. Then he gets to the point. He charges them to excel in the grace of giving.
He says that he had urged Titus to finish what he had started, completing the act of grace among them in
Giving is an act which shows that the grace of God is present in our lives. It’s not 100% proof that a person is a Christian. There are people who give a lot of money, but that is not a guarantee that they are true believers. But a truly changed person, a regenerate believer in Christ, will display this type of gracious giving.
Paul wanted these believers to excel in the gracious act of giving. Evidently, they had excelled in some degree in their faith, speech, knowledge, and earnestness. And Paul again assures them of his love for them. It seems like the Corinthian believers had begun to give, but they were somewhat slow in completing this act. The momentum was slowing down. They had lost the excitement about giving to the poor in
It’s interesting how Paul puts this challenge. I use the word challenge because he himself says, “I say this not as a command.” So, Paul here is encouraging… challenging the believers to excel in the grace of giving. It is not a command, but it is a sort of test… “to prove that your love is genuine.” The Macedonians had proven their love for Paul and for their brothers and sisters in
Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and money.” If the Corinthians responded in selfishness and greed, it would prove that their love was not genuine. If they responded in joyful giving, it would prove that they had a true love for God and his people. I don’t know, but it seems like that wouldn’t go over too well with congregations today. “If you give, I’ll know your love is real. If you don’t, I’ll know you’re just faking it.” Some might say, “Well if you have that attitude about it, I just won’t give anything.”
But Paul was pointing to that correlation between one’s commitment to money and his commitment to God. Those who have a tight hold on money… who serve money, are not Christians. How difficult it will be for rich people to enter God’s kingdom (Mk. 10:23). But those who, like the Macedonian believers, have their ultimate joy in Christ will display the grace of generous giving and will have eternal life.
Let us as a church excel in the gracious act of giving. I have seen this grace evident in you already. More than once, many times I have seen members ready to give generously for a good cause for the sake of the Kingdom. Don’t let this eagerness fade away. Always be ready and eager to share with others and to give to causes that give God glory. It will prove our love for God and one another. And it will be a sign for all to see that God’s grace is evident among us.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (8:9)
So, we should see and feel and be motivated by the example the Macedonian believers set for us. We should strongly desire to excel in the gracious act of giving and so prove the genuineness of our love. And finally we should remember the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The grace of Jesus is the greatest motivator there is when it comes to obedience. We can give out of guilt. We can give out of a sense of duty. But the most wonderful obedience… true obedience comes from joy in what Christ has done for his people.
Paul says “that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” In Philippians 2:3-11, Paul tells believers to have the same humility as Christ. He says:
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
God the Son has been with the Father and the Spirit throughout all eternity. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were created through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1-3, 14).
The Son left his heavenly home and became a part of his creation. He took on human flesh. He was rich, yet he became poor. All things were created through him, yet he became a simple carpenter. He lived perfectly, yet he took the punishment that we deserved. He deserved praise and worship, yet for the sake of his people, he was bruised and beaten, and nailed to a cross. “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Jesus Christ came to be a servant and to give his life as a ransom for his people (Matthew 20:28). A transaction took place on the cross. Jesus never sinned, but on the cross he bore the punishment for our sin. And we who trust in him are made rich by his sacrifice. He took our poverty and by faith we receive the riches of his grace. He was rich, but he became poor for his people, so that we would become rich.
How can we not give, when we have been given so much? If we have truly trusted Christ and have received the riches of his grace, won’t our joy overflow in acts of generosity? If we have everything we need in Jesus Christ, how can we not graciously give to others? Let this grace of the Lord motivate us and give us joy, that we might excel in the grace of giving, and in so doing display the grace of God working in us.
Is the grace of God evident in your life? Do you give out of an overflow of your joy and love for Christ, or do you give because that’s what you’re supposed to do? Do you eagerly look for chances to give so that others might be happy in Christ? Or do you dread it when you come to church a people talk about money? Do you have a tight grip on your money, or do you have a great passion for Jesus Christ? You cannot serve both God and money.
We have all fallen short in this area. None of us have given as much as we should. None of us have given cheerfully as we should. We have all held back from what God wants us to give. We have all held more tightly to our money than we should. For this, we deserve punishment and wrath. Everything in the world is God’s, yet we have acted like it’s ours and hoarded it for ourselves. Let this hit you. Let this truth weigh on you. For our greed and selfishness and covetousness and stinginess, we deserve punishment. We deserve the wrath of God.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:4-9).
Turn to Jesus Christ. Repent and trust in him. Trust him for salvation and for everything you need. Take your joy in him. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Therefore, in light of what Christ has done, let us rejoice. And in the abundant overflow of our joy, let us excel in the grace of giving.
Congregational Rule?
In terms of church polity, I've held the same position for years: that churches should be congregationally ruled and elder led. Recently, however, my understanding of church polity has been feeling a bit unstable. Why?
In preparing to preach a sermon on congregational rule, I realized something from Scripture. Nowhere does the Bible say that it is the congregation which is to rule the church. This is what I have said - that it is the congregation, not the pastors, who are to rule the church. But I am beginning to think that I must stand corrected. Why? Because though the Bible never speaks of the congregation "ruling" the church, the Bible clearly speaks of "elder rule":
"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor..." (1 Tim. 5:17)
I was readding Hammett's "Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches" last night, and heard him assert over and over agan that pastors are not to be the rulers of the church (i.e., p.157). But how does he square that with the verse above?
So here is where I think I'm heading: I still fully believe in congregationalism, though I don't feel comfortable using the term "congregational rule". I believe the congregation's role is to be involved in the choosing of elders and deacons, commissioning of missionaries, and church discipline. But, as we see in all of the Scriptures supporting congregationalism (MT 18:15-20, Acts 6:3, 13:2-3, 15:22, 1 Cor. 5:2, 2 Cor. 2:6), all of this is still done under the authority and guidance of the elders.
In the end, I think I'm falling somewhere between Dever/Piper's congregational rule and Mahaney/MacArthur's absolute elder rule. I'm supposed to preach on this in about 6 weeks, so I would definitely like to hear you thoughts on this!
As pastors, one passage that we need to constantly keep in mind is 1 Peter 5:1-4. Whatever authority we've been given, we must receive it humble and with fear and trembling, "not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
In preparing to preach a sermon on congregational rule, I realized something from Scripture. Nowhere does the Bible say that it is the congregation which is to rule the church. This is what I have said - that it is the congregation, not the pastors, who are to rule the church. But I am beginning to think that I must stand corrected. Why? Because though the Bible never speaks of the congregation "ruling" the church, the Bible clearly speaks of "elder rule":
"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor..." (1 Tim. 5:17)
I was readding Hammett's "Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches" last night, and heard him assert over and over agan that pastors are not to be the rulers of the church (i.e., p.157). But how does he square that with the verse above?
So here is where I think I'm heading: I still fully believe in congregationalism, though I don't feel comfortable using the term "congregational rule". I believe the congregation's role is to be involved in the choosing of elders and deacons, commissioning of missionaries, and church discipline. But, as we see in all of the Scriptures supporting congregationalism (MT 18:15-20, Acts 6:3, 13:2-3, 15:22, 1 Cor. 5:2, 2 Cor. 2:6), all of this is still done under the authority and guidance of the elders.
In the end, I think I'm falling somewhere between Dever/Piper's congregational rule and Mahaney/MacArthur's absolute elder rule. I'm supposed to preach on this in about 6 weeks, so I would definitely like to hear you thoughts on this!
As pastors, one passage that we need to constantly keep in mind is 1 Peter 5:1-4. Whatever authority we've been given, we must receive it humble and with fear and trembling, "not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
Friday, May 4, 2007
John Flavel
"Heart-work is hard work indeed. To shuffle over religious duties with a loose and careless spirit, will cost no great difficulties; but to set yourself before the Lord, and to tie up your loose and vain thoughts to a constant and serious attendance upon him: this will cost you something. To attain ease and dexterity of language in prayer and to be able to put your meaning into appropriate and fitting expressions is easy; but to get your heart broken for sin while you are actually confessing it; melted with free grace even while you are blessing God for it; to be really ashamed and humbled through the awareness of God's infinite holiness, and to keep your heart in this state not only in, but after these duties, will surely cost you some groans and travailing pain of soul."
"Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them. As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world, so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet."
"Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them. As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world, so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet."
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Don't Call Me Pastor...Just Call Me C.E.O.
For the last couple of decades, more and more evangelical pastors have taken a C.E.O. approach to ministry. And why not? If the goal is to gain more attenders (i.e., customers) and to take in bigger offerings (i.e., profit), then obviously the business world has a lot to teach us. Isn't it funny that pastors can attend conferences where they learn how to be good pastors from the founder of a pizza chain and - oh yes - Coach K?
We've confused the goals of pastoring with the goals of business (or even collegiate basketball teams). God's great calling for pastors is not to fill pews and grow budgets, but to lay down their lives in feeding, protecting, and serving His people. We are to be shepherds ministering to God's sheep in humility, not corporate strategists seeking to make our church famous.
Like the Good Shepherd, we are to go before our sheep, guiding them, knowing them by name, protecting them, taking them into pasture; and we should be willing to die for them (since our Savior already has!)
I am completely opposed to the model of pastoring espoused by Andy Stanley in the March, 2006 issue of Leadership Magazine. When asked what was distinctly spiritual about his leadership, his answer was clear and to the point: "Absolutely nothing." To be honest, I expected better of him. EVERYTHING about our leadership ought to be distinctly spiritual! We should pray for the Spirit to sanctify our people, and preach in the Spirit that this might happen. We should strive to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, and to walk in the Spirit. We should depend on the Spirit in every moment of lives, since without Him no good can come of our ministres. Without the Spirit, our leadership can skills might find ways to entertain thousands and expand church budgets, but there will be NOTHING of eternal value. (Let us remember 1 Cor. 3:10-15!)
What do business-model churches create? They create consumer-minded "Christians". And this, in turn, has created a Me-Church generation.
Watch the humurous and poignant video here.
May God give us big hearts to love, serve, and care for His people. Glory to Christ alone!
Justin N.
We've confused the goals of pastoring with the goals of business (or even collegiate basketball teams). God's great calling for pastors is not to fill pews and grow budgets, but to lay down their lives in feeding, protecting, and serving His people. We are to be shepherds ministering to God's sheep in humility, not corporate strategists seeking to make our church famous.
Like the Good Shepherd, we are to go before our sheep, guiding them, knowing them by name, protecting them, taking them into pasture; and we should be willing to die for them (since our Savior already has!)
I am completely opposed to the model of pastoring espoused by Andy Stanley in the March, 2006 issue of Leadership Magazine. When asked what was distinctly spiritual about his leadership, his answer was clear and to the point: "Absolutely nothing." To be honest, I expected better of him. EVERYTHING about our leadership ought to be distinctly spiritual! We should pray for the Spirit to sanctify our people, and preach in the Spirit that this might happen. We should strive to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, and to walk in the Spirit. We should depend on the Spirit in every moment of lives, since without Him no good can come of our ministres. Without the Spirit, our leadership can skills might find ways to entertain thousands and expand church budgets, but there will be NOTHING of eternal value. (Let us remember 1 Cor. 3:10-15!)
What do business-model churches create? They create consumer-minded "Christians". And this, in turn, has created a Me-Church generation.
Watch the humurous and poignant video here.
May God give us big hearts to love, serve, and care for His people. Glory to Christ alone!
Justin N.
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