Deutero Q

2009-04-03T10:51:00.003-05:00

A LITTLE LEAVEN

-Museum of Idolatry-

This is what happens when the church fails to remain faithful to correct preaching and teaching of God's Word.

http://www.alittleleaven.com/

2009-03-14T08:15:00.003-05:00

THE COMING EVANGELICAL COLLAPSE

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html
One of the most disturbing quotes from the article linked above is this one:
"We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it" (emphasis mine).

2009-01-01T11:31:00.002-06:00

The Future of the Evangelical Church

Here is an excellent analysis by David Wells on the future of evangelicalism. He is surely right in observing that the pastor/theologian has been replaced by the CEO/entrepreneur; worship has been replaced by entertainment; etc. This is a thought-provoking and disturbing analysis. Check it out:

http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=990&var3=main

2008-12-18T11:13:00.007-06:00

READ, WEEP, AND LEARN

The following account is from Pastor Chris Brauns' website. Pastor Brauns relates this story in his book, Unpacking Forgiveness. His website, from which this account is taken, is:

http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/17/scott-and-janet-willis-want-to-meet-with-gov-ryan/

The story is as follows:

On November 8, 1994, Scott and Janet Willis were driving through the Milwaukee area on I-94 with their six youngest children in a mini-van. They had left a couple of hours before from Chicago. They had fun singing and laughing together on the first part of the trip. But, after they stopped and got gas, they encouraged the children to get some sleep. Three older children were not there.

When he was able, Scott Willis described what transpired on I-94 that November day.

I was looking at the road and was alert. Our little baby was behind us; Ben was behind us on the other side. In the back were the other four children; they were all buckled in. I saw the object (a metal brace, 6″x30″, 30 lbs.). I thought it was one of those blocks that maybe came off a flatbed truck. The car in front of me swerved, and I knew I couldn’t miss hitting the object. I thought if I took it on the tire I might roll the car. It was a split-second decision.

When we hit the object, the rear gas tank exploded, taking the car out of control. I was able to grip the wheel and take the car out of the slide. When we were sliding and the flames were coming around the seat, it was a shock—a surprise—like, ‘What is this?’ It was just roaring flames coming up on both sides. I was yelling to get out of the car. Janet and I had to consciously put our hands into the flames to unbuckle the seat belts and reach for the door handles.

Janet fell out the door while the car was still moving. [Our son] Benny was in the midst of the burning; his clothes were mostly burned off by the time he got out. The five youngest children, who had been asleep, died instantly. No sound was heard by Janet or me as we struggled to get out of the van. An unknown man took his shirt off his back to soak Benny’s wounds, and another beat out the burning clothes on Janet’s back. Benny died in intensive care around midnight.

If possible, the tragedy got worse for the Scott and Janet Willis. They had found some comfort in knowing that their children had died instantly. But months later, they learned that there were signs that some of the children struggled to get out of the van. Their son Benny lost consciousness at the scene. They assumed that he had not regained it before he died. But, a hospital worker told them he was alive and alert at the hospital. He had asked her to hold his hand but she was unable to do so because of his burns. He had asked her to pray with him.

Then, Scott and Janet Willis learned that the driver of the semi had obtained his license illegally because of corruption under George Ryan, future governor of Illinois, who at that time was Secretary of State. Licensing facilities accepted bribes that allowed unqualified drivers to receive licenses. These bribes became a part of Ryan’s campaign fund. Ironically, Janet Willis had voted for Ryan the very morning of the accident.

On the morning of the accident, the driver ignored repeated warnings from other drivers that there was a large piece of metal that was going to fall of the back of his truck. It all seemed so senseless, so preventable.

So Scott and Janet Willis had to decide how to relate to a driver who should have heeded warnings, who should not have been on the road in the first place. They had to decide how to treat a politician whose corrupt values had played a part in their children’s deaths.

In the short run, it would have been easiest to gravitate to one of following two extremes. They could have been angry and vindictive; they could have hated the politicians who allowed unqualified drivers to get a license through a bribe. Or, they could have granted automatic forgiveness. This would have meant that there would be no accountability for actions. Instead of either of these extreme choices, the Willis family chose to live out the principles of Romans 12.

This is evident from letters that they sent to a U.S. District Judge, including this one written recently by Janet:

My husband and I have prayed and asked God to keep us from bitterness and to help us be faithful to him and he has. We tried to honor God by not complaining.

But there is a time to speak. I am sharing these facts only because I believe if justice rules, wrongdoing will be deterred. I have learned “when [God's] judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil.” (Isaiah 26:9, 10). Scott Willis added his thoughts to her letter:

Janet and I are ordinary people. Not powerful, not forceful. Our children brought great joy to us. Benjamin, Joseph, Samuel, Hank, Elizabeth and Peter were like anybody else’s kids: playful, happy, mopey, energetic. The boys loved reading and sports. Elizabeth was her mom’s shadow and her doll’s mom. We love them. We miss them. We do not despair. We live with a God-promised hope in Jesus Christ.

Almost 12 years have passed since Nov. 8, 1994. The heartache remains but has softened. Janet and I have prayed to not have a bitter or revengeful spirit. These feelings have only occasionally flared up but have not consumed or dominated our thoughts and are not the motive for this letter.

Our thoughts are not on punishment. That is for the court to decide. The real tragedy is that no reconciliation has yet been attained between George Ryan and Janet and me. My wife and I have a strong desire to forgive Gov. Ryan but it must be on an honest basis: sorrow and admission. Even a 6-year-old boy knows when he’s done wrong he needs to be truly sorry, and admit it. Then forgiveness and mercy can be graciously offered. That would be our joy.

Notice how the Willis family lived out the principles of Romans 12:9-21.

Wow. And again, wow.

Pray for this family. Pray for Gov. Ryan. And pray that each of us learns from this powerful, lifechanging story.

2008-12-09T13:49:00.004-06:00

The True Meaning Of Christmas:
God Became Man

For many of us, Christmas is one of the highlights—perhaps the highlight—of the year. It is a time to spend with loved ones in warm homes, enjoying good food, and exchanging gifts. There is nothing wrong with all this, of course. Most of us will spend Christmas in this manner.

But if this is all Christmas means to us, then we have missed the true meaning of the season.

What is Christmas all about? The true meaning of the season is this: God became man. What an amazing truth! Think about it: two thousand years ago the Lord entered human history. He clothed Himself in flesh and blood, becoming incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ.

Why did God do such an astounding thing? First Timothy 1:15 provides an answer: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The Lord came to us primarily as our Savior.

What awesome news! This is not the stuff of a fairy tale … this is not mere myth or legend … this is historical fact—God became man to redeem spiritually dead people.

Have you seen yourself as the sinner the Bible says you are, and have you trusted in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death upon the cross for your salvation?

Please do not let Christmas go by without remembering the real significance of the season. Look beyond the Christmas tree, the lights, the tinsel, and all of the holiday trappings. These things have their place, but let us see Christmas for what it really is: God becoming man in the Person of Jesus Christ.

May this Christmas season find us responding like those shepherds of old who, after seeing Jesus, returned home and glorified and praised God for all the things they heard and saw, which were just as they had been foretold (Luke 2:20).

May God bless you this holy season as you experience the true meaning of Christmas!

2008-09-15T12:31:00.004-05:00

GUITAR MAESTRO

This awesome Flamenco selection is by the great guitarist Paco Cepero. It was recorded in Spain in the 1970s. Enjoy the clip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Z3FnBOHWw

2008-08-29T06:48:00.002-05:00

HURRICANES AND SOVEREIGNTY

As Hurricane Gustav churns out in the Gulf, I find myself once again reflecting on the sovereignty of God as it pertains to weather. I have came away from my study of Scripture convinced that nature is neither controlled by Satan nor does it have its own will. Rather, all of nature is under the control of Almighty God.

Consider the biblical evidence:

"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.... He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow" (Ps.147:8; 16-18).

"When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses" (Jer. 10:13).

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm and clouds are the dust of his feet" (Nah. 1:3).

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matt. 5:45).

Thinking about sovereignty and storms brings to mind a great hymn by Isaac Watts. The third verse of his “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” declares:

"There's not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known; And clouds arise and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care, And everywhere that man may be, Thou, God, art present there."

Watts was right: the sovereign God (not Satan or nature) is the One who makes “clouds arise and tempests blow.”

2008-08-15T08:29:00.001-05:00

Olympic Christians

Like many of you, I have enjoyed the Olympic games and have marveled at the skill of athletes such as Michael Phelps.

Of course none of us are Olympic athletes, but we Christians are athletes of a different kind. We are spiritual athletes—or, if you prefer, Olympic Christians!

There are a number of places in the Bible where God’s people are spoken of in athletic terms. For instance, Hebrews 12:1 speaks of running with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Have you got your spiritual running shoes on?

The Christian life has been compared to a marathon race rather than a 100-meter sprint. The issue is not how fast we start the race (or even how many times we fall), but how we finish. With our eyes on the prize, we should dedicate ourselves to finishing strong.

I once read a book about three young preachers: Chuck Templeton, Bron Clifford and Billy Graham. Obviously we all know of Billy Graham. But years ago, Templeton and Clifford were better known preachers and had larger crowds than Graham. Many thought Clifford was the most gifted preacher of his generation.

But in only a few short years, Templeton left the ministry and later said he no longer believed the claims of Jesus. By 1954, Clifford lost his family, his ministry, his health and died as an alcoholic at the age of 35.

They did not finish the race well.

As spiritual athletes, let us dedicate ourselves to running the Christian race with perseverance. In fact, let's determine to live as Olympic Christians ... and resolve to finish strong!

2008-07-21T13:28:00.005-05:00

FAITH PLEASES GOD!

This past Sunday I preached from Hebrews 11:1-19 and sprinkled my sermon with the following quotations from three great Christians:

"Without an element of risk in our exploits for God there is no need for faith." --Hudson Taylor

"Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God." --William Carey

“Faith, though it hath sometimes a trembling hand, it must not have a withered hand, but must stretch.” --Thomas Watson

Of course as wonderful as those quotations are, more wonderful and powerful still is the following scriptural declaration:

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

2008-07-09T10:14:00.003-05:00

Presbytery of South Louisiana Lawsuit withdrawn against New Orleans church that voted to leave PCUSA for EPC

By Patrick Jean, Staff Writer

The Layman Wednesday, July 9, 2008

The Presbytery of South Louisiana has withdrawn a lawsuit against one of its congregations. The litigation included an effort to prevent the congregation from meeting to decide if it would leave the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The presbytery had filed suit against Woodland Presbyterian Church in New Orleans on June 6 – two days before the church's scheduled congregational meeting on its future in the PCUSA. The lawsuit sought a temporary restraining order (TRO), preliminary injunction and permanent injunction to prevent the congregation from gathering that Sunday and to order it to comply with the presbytery's policies.

A judge denied the TRO petition and set a hearing on June 16 for arguments on the preliminary injunction. The congregation proceeded with its June 8 meeting and vote; they decided by a 93 percent majority (150-6, with six abstentions) to disaffiliate from the PCUSA and by a 97 percent majority (157-3, with two abstentions) to affiliate with the New Wineskins transitional presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

On June 24, South Louisiana Presbytery filed, and was granted, a motion to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice.

"We are, of course, thrilled about that," said the Rev. Dr. Scott Luckey, Woodland Church's pastor of 2½ years. "We understand that some strings have been pulled by the synod and by Louisville, and we understand that behind the scenes, Louisville and the Synod of the Sun have been at work in all of this. That's just our impression. But we are still committed to love, and serve with, the fine folks of PSL even as we align ourselves with a new denomination."

His sentiments were echoed by the church's attorney, Lloyd J. Lunceford of Baton Rouge. "I am pleased that the Presbytery of South Louisiana, in consultation with the synod's administrative commission, has chosen to voluntarily dismiss its own suit," he said. "This is far preferable to amending its suit to persist in the effort to persuade a civil court to enforce religious documents or discretionary guidelines in violation of the local church's constitutionally protected right of freedom of association."

The presbytery and its synod overseers were rightly criticized for filing the suit in the first place," Lunceford said. "However, they are now to be commended for acting to dismiss the suit rather than amending it or just doing nothing and letting the matter fester. I hope that both parties will be able to amicably move forward to the different futures to which each feels called."

'Led by Christ and not by culture'

For Luckey and his church, that future is in the smaller, more conservative EPC.

"We at Woodland want to align ourselves with a denomination that is led by Christ and not by culture," he said. "We just reached a point where enough was enough, and the last straw for us was the formation of the synod administrative commission. It's been viewed by many as a hostile takeover of our presbytery with regard to property decisions."

Luckey said he and his congregation are excited "about aligning with a Christ-centered and Bible-based body of believers. … They have been warm, gracious and Christ-like – just a real study in contrasts when you look at the way that the national denomination has treated evangelicals and the way we've been marginalized and even villainized."

Luckey said he won't miss "revisiting all of these battles that have just been a real drain on our churches in the denomination. We are looking forward to furthering the Kingdom of God and lifting up the name of Jesus. We are excited about the prospect of working with the EPC and New Wineskins, and exalting Christ and affirming the authority of Scripture, and not fighting these same old battles year after year. That just diverted our time and energy from more important matters."

The "fine and faithful members and ministers" who remain in the PCUSA will be missed, Luckey said. "I have a number of colleagues in ministry that have chosen to remain. Although the friendships will continue, we probably won't be seeing as much of one another. … We'll miss the regular gatherings, but for the most part, there's not much at all we're going to miss. We're so disillusioned by, and so discouraged with, the Presbyterian Church (USA)."

Colleagues in the presbytery will also be missed, he said. "I would point out that we view our friends in the Presbytery of South Louisiana in a favorable light. … Our concern was not so much with the Presbytery of South Louisiana; our great concern was with the denomination – the PCUSA and the direction it has been going, and continues to go."

Woodland Church has had no direct communication with the PSL since before the disaffiliation vote. The only contact has been through letters and attorneys, Luckey said.

South Louisiana's general presbyter, the Rev. Dr. Alan Cutter, did not respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment.

'Dangerously exciting times'

Woodland Church has some 300 active members – about half of its total roll before Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in August 2005, Luckey said. No one who voted against changing denominational affiliations or abstained from voting has left, he said.

"Indeed, we have begun to see already people coming to Woodland Church who have expressed support for the action we've taken," he said. "We are seeing new faces as a result of the vote to disaffiliate from the PCUSA."

Woodland Church is observing its 50th anniversary in October, and plans to invite a speaker from the EPC as part of the celebration, Luckey said. "We will continue to be, and advertise ourselves as being, a Christ-centered, Bible-based Presbyterian church. In fact, we will be the only EPC-affiliated church in the New Orleans area. So this is a real pioneering effort by our folks, and I'm just so very proud of our congregation for having the courage to say, 'Enough is enough.'"

Luckey concluded with a point he said he brings up frequently in his ministry: "We recognize that we are living in dangerously exciting times. … The more dangerous it gets, the more excited Christians can get, for in this late hour, God is moving mightily around the world. Jesus is being exalted. Lives are being transformed by the living Christ. And so we have cause for great excitement in the midst of much danger."

God says in His Word, 'I will honor those who honor Me,' " he said. "We take that very seriously and believe that with all of our heart, that the Lord will indeed honor those who honor Him."

2008-07-08T07:21:00.003-05:00

24 in 24

During last night's Bible study (we are studying Colossians) we spent some time talking about overflowing thankfulness (Col. 2:7). Someone asked the question, "How do we get to the place of "overflowing with thankfulness"? The suggestion was then made that during the next 24 hours we should consciously and deliberately give specific verbal thanks to the Lord at least 24 times!

The idea is that as we reguarly get in the habit of voicing thanks--rather than complaints!--we can live more and more into Col. 2:7. Sounds like a great idea to me. Of course becoming an overflowing thanksgiver is contingent upon receiving Christ Jesus as Lord, continuing to live in him, being rooted and built up in him, and being strengthened in the faith (Col. 2:6-7). It also means that we draw upon the Lord's power rather than our own.

I am grateful for this opportunity to become a more deliberate thanksliving (rather than complaint-giving) Christian!

2008-06-29T17:32:00.011-05:00

GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISASTER

Well, it's official: the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly meeting in San Jose, California, has come to a close. Many different words and metaphors come to mind as I continue to process the lunacy that characterized the GA meeting. Pardon my bluntness, but the crap coming out of the PC (USA) colon stinks to high heaven. (I've used that metaphor quite a bit lately, but I think it is a fitting one.)

I can do no better than share with you the New Wineskins' assessment of the recent PC (USA) General Assembly:

"The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has become theologically unhinged from our Biblical and Reformation foundation. The actions of this assembly are schismatic. They foster division within our denomination and threaten the sundering of the denomination from the world Church of Jesus Christ. Specifically,

· The assembly recommends re-writing the historic Heidelberg Catechism by truncating a quotation from Scripture (1 Cor. 6:9) in order to remove reference to homosexual behavior as sinful.

· The assembly has asked the church once again to overturn historic, Biblical standards of sexual holiness for those being ordained. Previous authoritative interpretations about sexuality and ordination standards have been rendered void. Presbyteries will be asked to delete the "fidelity in marriage, chastity in singleness" clause of G-6.0106b.

· The assembly has authorized creating a special fund to battle in civil courts congregations which cannot in good conscience continue to stay in the PC(USA). Such legal action includes not only disputes over property but, as in the Londonderry case, litigation against elders. Donations will be sought. However, we are hopeful that the General Assembly's strong approval of a resolution encouraging presbyteries to initiate and communicate a gracious process for dismissal will decrease a rush to civil court on all sides.

· The assembly has misunderstood and disrespected all three religions in its resolutions about Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The assembly calls upon these religions to celebrate religious holidays together: as if a good Muslim could celebrate the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ at Christmas, as if a good Jew could look to the crucifixion on Good Friday for atonement, as if a good Christian could consecrate himself or herself during Ramadan to a Unitarian God who is not the gracious Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Triune God.

· The assembly declined asking the church to redefine marriage as between one man and one woman (Mt. 19: 4-5). Nevertheless, a civil marriage between 2 men was performed by a PC(USA) minister at the More Light General Assembly gathering. Those charged with defending our constitution have remained silent on this breach of ordination vows."

I have no misgivings about leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA). And I am so proud of the church I pastor for saying, "enough is enough" and voting by an overwhelming margin to leave our former denomination.

I suspect that the coming months will see an exodus of many more churches from the Presbyterian Church (USA). In light of the General Assembly's recent actions, it's not hard to understand why.

2008-06-21T18:47:00.002-05:00

CLOSING STATEMENT

Debate on Calvinism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKciLp1B3K0
(This is good stuff by James White, a Refomed Baptist and first-rate Christian apologist)

2008-06-16T11:21:00.005-05:00

ON A LIGHTER (OR HEAVIER!) NOTE

As a former Mastiff owner, I can appreciate this backseat driver!

2008-06-13T06:20:00.017-05:00

Why I Left the Presbyterian Church (USA)

For many years, I was called to remain in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a voice for reformation and renewal. To that end, my wife and I served as national representatives for a wonderful renewal ministry called Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International. We coordinated and participated in many church renewal events across the country and were blessed to be part of God’s transforming work at the congregational level.

Additionally, I actively supported and aligned myself with other Presbyterian renewal ministries and movements, including Presbyterians for Renewal, The Confessing Church Movement, New Wineskins, and Presbyterians Pro Life. I longed to see my soul-sick denomination return to its biblical and historical roots.

However, after serving for some twenty years in the PC (USA), during which I watched it stray dangerously far from the authority of Holy Scripture and the centrality of Jesus Christ, I concluded that God had removed His hand of blessing from much of mainline denominationalism. A friend of mine put it bluntly years ago when he said that a fitting label for the PC (USA) was the biblical name Ichabod (meaning “no glory”). Over the years, as I surveyed the spiritual wreckage that is the PC (USA), I concluded that the glory had departed.

I did not share the belief system and worldview that prevail in much of the Presbyterian Church (USA), especially at the leadership level. I was—and continue to be—wholeheartedly committed to the historic, biblical faith, and found myself frequently at odds with my former denomination on many, many issues, including:

*The 1993 Re-imagining Conference. Supported largely by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and other mainline denominations, the conference promoted a radical feminist agenda that included prayers to the goddess Sophia and the substitution of a profane milk and honey ritual for the Lord’s Supper. One conference speaker declared that Mary and Martha in the Bible were not actual sisters but lesbian lovers, while another speaker led participants in a prayer to “earth maker Mauna, our creator.” Delores Williams, a “womanist” theology professor and Re-imagining conference speaker, said, “I don’t think we need a theory of the atonement at all…. I don’t think we need folks hanging on crosses and blood dripping and weird stuff.”

*Denominational pronouncements that support terrorist, Marxist, and radical leftist causes, while often vilifying the United States and Israel.

*Denominational support of the slaughter of innocents (abortion on demand) in the name of choice.

*The failure to discipline radical gay-rights advocates/renegade ministers who are performing same-sex unions.

*The PUP report and its provision for “local option.”

*The replacement of traditional language for the Triune God (i.e., “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”) with “Mother, Child, Womb” and other designations. This is advocated in a report titled “The Trinity: God’s Love Overflowing” that the 217th General Assembly voted to receive in 2006.

*Mainline clergy, seminary professors, and students who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, salvation through Christ alone, the God-breathed nature and authority of Holy Scripture, etc. Many of these PC (USA) leaders and future leaders also embrace and promote Marxism, liberation theology, homosexuality, radical feminism, universalism, and seemingly every belief except biblical Christianity. Historic Reformed theology receives comparatively little attention in mainline Presbyterian Church (USA) seminaries.

*Spiritually barren denominational publications that say very little about personal transformation via the living Christ. I think also of the countless hours I spent engaged in human-centered meetings and busywork that were void of the manifest presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

*The refusal of the PC (USA) to take seriously the loss of 2 million of its members since 1965 and a yearly hemorrhage of church membership—projections point to yet another year of huge losses.

*The draconian measures denominational bureaucrats are employing to keep churches from leaving the PC (USA) with their property; and the vilifying of Christ-honoring, Bible-based denominations such as the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and New Wineskins Association of Churches, with which many PC (USA) congregations are aligning.

I had no qualms about leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA): for in truth, I did not leave the denomination … the denomination left me and many of us years ago. While I acknowledge that there are fine and godly people who remain in my former denomination, I reached a point where I could not be true to my conscience and my God by remaining onboard a rudderless and sinking denominational ship that had been commandeered by spiritual pirates … a ship that continues to be blown here and there by the fickle winds of prevailing culture, rather than by the wind of the Holy Spirit. I cannot--and will not--raise my children in that setting.

To be sure, I am excited by the prospect of setting sail on a sturdy vessel that has as its Captain the Lord Jesus Christ. I am eager to serve the Lord in a Christ-exalting, Bible-based Presbyterian denomination.

Tragically, the designation “Christ-exalting” and “Bible-based” no longer describes the Presbyterian Church (USA). I believe my friend was right: the more fitting moniker for culturally-bound denominations such as the PC (USA) is Ichabod.

2008-05-12T14:50:00.011-05:00

WIND AND FIRE

During this season of the church year, I am reminded of a church service I attended on Pentecost Sunday many years ago. Although I don’t remember much about the service itself, I do remember that the sanctuary was decorated in red. There were red banners, streamers, and paper tongues of fire that were hanging over the pews. It was a fun visual experience.

But years later, as I look back on that event, it occurs to me that Pentecost needs to be more than a visual experience of streamers, banners, and paper flames of fire. Pentecost in Scripture is all about the dramatic changing of lives. It has to do with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. That ought not to be a once a year remembrance, but an ongoing reality in the lives of the people of Christ.

In other words, Pentecost should not only be on the church's calendar, it should also be the church’s condition!

As I prepared my sermon for Pentecost Sunday, I was especially drawn to the wind and fire in Acts 2. In the first few verses of Acts 2, Luke writes that the early believers were together. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house. Not a light, gentle breeze, but a mighty, rushing wind as the Holy Spirit descended.

It is not uncommon to hear Christians refer to the Holy Spirit as “a gentleman,” perhaps not realizing that God’s Spirit comes in ways that are not always gentle. For example, Judg. 14:6 speaks of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon Samson in power, after which Samson tears apart a lion with his bare hands. Likewise, 1 Sam. 11:6 speaks of the Spirit of God coming upon Saul in power, and in Ezek. 2:2 and 3:12 we read how the Spirit literally raises the prophet to his feet.

While the Spirit of God can be a gentle comforter, the Old Testament reveals His powerful and invasive work, most often in terms of coming upon people.

And Luke writes that the Holy Spirit descended, sounding like a violent wind. In a spiritual sense, the early followers of Jesus were about to be "blown away" by a hurricane from heaven!

The believers in the upper room also saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

In the Bible, fire at times represents the presence of God. I think, for example, of God giving the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. We read in Exodus 19:18 that:

“Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire.”

Hebrews 12:29 says that God is a consuming fire.

The wind and fire of God came down upon that upper room 2000 years ago, powerfully touching--and dramatically changing--lives. Followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit. As the Book of Acts records, the result of the lifechanging encounter with heavenly wind and fire led to powerful praise, proclamation, and passion in the lives of the early Christians.

Which causes me to wonder: could it be that many of us need to be changed by heavenly wind and fire? Could it be that we need the wind of the Spirit to blow away impurities, and to blow apart structures of sin in our lives?

And could it be that we need the fire of God to burn away the chaff and set us ablaze for the Lord?

During this season of Pentecost--indeed, throughout the year--may we earnestly entreat the Lord to send some much needed wind and fire from heaven.

Come, Holy Spirit!

2008-05-04T13:46:00.005-05:00

A WORD OF COMFORT

As I travel the journey of grace, I am taking greater comfort in the biblical truth of God's sovereignty. The words of the psalmist are comforting ... and life changing:

"Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." --Psalm 115:3

2008-04-29T20:27:00.005-05:00

FIVE MARKS OF CULTURAL DECLINE

Back in the 1970s, Francis Schaeffer penned an important work titled, How Should We Then Live? I have recently revisited Schaeffer's work, and at times find him prophetic. According to Schaeffer, Western Civilization shares the following traits with the Roman Empire during its decline:

-a love of affluence
-a growing gulf between the rich and the poor
-an obsession with sex
-freakishness in the arts
-an increased desire to live off the state

Could it be that the greatest threat to Western Civilization comes not from without, but from within? And might the same thing be said of the church?

2008-04-23T13:54:00.015-05:00

"MAINLINE" DENOMINATIONS:

CULTURAL DINOSAURS

As I watch the shenanigans being played by many of our denominational bureaucrats, I have become convinced that the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a dying institution.

We have strayed far from the authority of Holy Scripture and the centrality of Jesus Christ.

The signs of our demise are everywhere. For example, the PC (USA) continues to decline by tens of thousands of members every year; sadly, such has been the case for decades (yes, decades).

In the 1960s, mainline churches (i.e., theologically moderate to liberal denominational bodies made up of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Congregationalists, and others) accounted for about 40 percent of all American Protestants. Today the number is closer to 12 percent, and shrinking fast.

Further evidence of the final gasps of a dying entity can be seen in the draconian measures our leaders employ to stop churches from exiting the denomination.

What is more, we mainliners (more appropriately, “sideliners”) embrace a governing structure that is locked in a 1950s time warp. I think here of American car manufacturers with their overpaid executives, plethora of middle level managers, and outdated manufacturing structures. The parallels to mainline/sideline Protestantism are striking.

Just like many corporate officials, 21st-century denominational bureaucrats are out of touch with their constituents and the times in which we live. Unwilling to respond to their “market audience” (grassroots Presbyterians), mainline institutionalists are also unwilling to exchange outdated “business” practices for more streamlined and effective ones.

Our rulebook, The Book of Order, grows more and more bloated and is cited and discussed ad nauseum at our presbytery, synod, and General Assembly "business" meetings. Scripture is largely ignored, and pressing issues such as evangelism, church growth, moral and spiritual revival, etc., are rarely addressed.

While conservative, Bible-believing churches continue to grow, the membership of mainline Protestantism continues to shrink. Amazingly, the number of ministers—at least in the liberal Presbyterian Church (USA)—is increasing!

Unless the Lord intervenes from on high, mainline Protestantism will continue to wither away … or sink deeper into the sea of irrelevancy … or go the way of dinosaurs … or, well, you pick your metaphor!

As long as mainline Protestantism steers its present course, with spiritual pirates at the helm, I am pessimistic about its survival. I am, however, extremely optimistic about the body of Christ, and regularly remind myself of Jesus’ words that the gates of Hades will not overcome His church.

Mainline denominations will come and go, but the body of Christ will endure.

2008-03-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

CHURCH MEASURES ATTENDANCE BY WEIGHT

BRAINERD — Grace Valley Baptist church has been losing a dozen members per year. But according to a recent measure, the church is expanding 7 percent annually.

The reason: They now measure attendance by weight rather than per person. "We may be shrinking numerically, but in sheer mass we're growing fast," says pastor Sam Winter.

The church meets in a former manufacturing facility with tonnage scales beneath the sanctuary floor. The staff turned on the scale "for kicks" one Sunday and measured the tonnage of the morning crowd. They were gratified to find that the weight was growing every week, especially during the holidays.

They divide the number by the weight of the average American. "It sounds cheesy, but it actually feels good to be growing, at least by one measure," says the youth pastor.

Source: LarkNews

2008-03-12T08:15:00.003-05:00

IN WHOM DO WE TRUST?

Long ago, the psalmist David declared that some people trusted in horses while others trusted in chariots. In our time, many people trust in doubleminded politicians and an unstable economy.

Some trust in Republicans and some in Democrats. Personally, I am wary and weary of the whole lot of them. To be sure, politicians will come and go and the economy will rise and fall. We would do well to learn from the psalmist, who wisely said, "...but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).

May these perilous times find us trusting in the Sovereign of nations. In the midst of changing, uncertain times, God alone is our immovable rock. Of this I am convinced: all trust is misplaced, if it is not ultimately in the name of the Lord our God.

2008-03-04T15:56:00.009-06:00

LEARNING FROM CALEB

In Numbers 14:24 we find this remarkable assessment of a man of God from long ago: "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

Caleb was of a different spirit.

I have heard it said that each person is born original, but most people die as copies of someone else!

The world seeks to conform us to its image, but the people of God are not to be conformed to this world; rather, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Christians are indwelt by the Spirit of God and should be different--much different--from the world around us. In other words, followers of Christ should be people of a different spirit.

Scripture also says that Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly. And because of that, he (and Joshua) entered the promised land. Tragically, more than 600,000 men of Caleb's generation perished in the wilderness. The Israelites had been brought out of Egypt to be brought into the promised land. They were so close to fulfilling their destiny, but fell short because of unbelief.

But not Caleb. He had a different spirit, and he followed His Lord completely. Consequently, he entered into Canaan.

The promised land of eternal and abundant life--both now and in the world to come--awaits those who trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.

Therefore, let us learn from Caleb and be people of a different spirit, trusting and following the Triune God wholeheartedly!

2008-02-26T07:25:00.002-06:00

STIRRING COMMENTARY ON RODRIGO'S

CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wlyRr9-Y1Z0&feature=related

2008-02-22T07:25:00.005-06:00

HEAVENLY MUSIC

PART ONE:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=J4brmp-t8yI&feature=related

PART TWO:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ac55mbKA-Cw&feature=related

2008-02-13T22:08:00.002-06:00

Mega Church Downsizes, Cuts Non-Essential Members

WINSTON-SALEM — Julie and Bob Clark were stunned to receive a letter from their church in July asking them to "participate in the life of the church" — or worship elsewhere.

"They basically called us freeloaders," says Julie.

"We were freeloaders," says Bob.

In a trend that may signal rough times for wallflower Christians, mega-church Faith Community of Winston-Salem has asked "non-participating members" to stop attending.

"No more Mr. Nice Church," says the executive pastor, newly hired from Cingular Wireless. "Bigger is not always better. Providing free services indefinitely to complacent Christians is not our mission."

"Freeloading" Christians were straining the church's nursery and facility resources and harming the church's ability to reach the lost, says the pastor.

"When your bottom line is saving souls, you get impatient with people who interfere with that goal," he says.

Faith Community sent polite but firm letters to families who attend church services and "freebie events" but never volunteer, never tithe and do not belong to a small group or other ministry. The church estimates that of its 8,000 regular attendees, only half have volunteered in the past 3 years, and a third have never given to the church.

"Before now, we made people feel comfortable and welcome, and tried to coax them to give a little something in return," says a staff member. "That's changed. We're done being the community nanny."

Surprisingly, the move to dis-invite people has drawn positive response from men in the community who like the idea of an in-your-face church.

"I thought, 'A church that doesn't allow wussies — that rocks,'" says Bob Clark, who admires the church more since they told him to get lost.

He and Julie are now tithing and volunteering. "We've taken our place in church life," he says.

Source: Lark News :)

2008-02-06T07:34:00.000-06:00

THE GOD-HATERS

James White shares some insights about Christopher Hitchens' anti-Christianity and anti-God vitriol. Check out the video at: http://aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=2504

2008-01-24T14:13:00.001-06:00

WORDS TO PONDER

"Let your thoughts of Christ be many, increasing more and more each day."

--John Owen, The Glory of Christ

If you read only one book this year--besides the Bible, of course--let it be Owen's sublime and powerful work, The Glory of Christ. A very readable edition can be found here: http://www.monergismbooks.com/The-Glory-of-Christ-p-16143.html.

2008-01-16T11:33:00.000-06:00

THE GOSPEL IS OURS TO PROCLAIM--

NOT EDIT

I came across the statement above at aomin.org. In a time of political correctness and moral relativism (both within the church and without), it is refreshing to encounter Christians who truly believe that the gospel is to be proclaimed, not edited or changed.

2008-01-07T10:20:00.000-06:00

DATELINE: INDIA

According to a friend who is a missionary to India, Christians in the state of Orissa have experienced intense persecution the last few weeks. At least thirty churches were burned and hundreds of Christians had to flee to the jungle or to refugee camps. The violence was unleashed by Hindu fanatics as the churches were celebrating their Christmas services. Please pray for Indian brothers and sisters in Christ during this difficult time.

2008-01-03T09:22:00.000-06:00

A HOPE AND A PRAYER FOR 2008

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us--

yes, establish the work of our hands."

--Psalm 90:17

2007-11-28T11:55:00.000-06:00

GOD BECAME MAN

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14

For many of us, Christmas is one of the highlights--perhaps the highlight--of the year. It is a time to spend with loved ones in warm homes, enjoying good food and exchanging gifts.

There is nothing wrong with any of that, of course. Most of us will spend Christmas in just such a way. But if that is all Christmas means to us, then we have missed the true meaning of the season.

What is Christmas really all about? The true meaning of the season is this: God became man. What an amazing truth! Two thousand years ago the second person of the Godhead entered human history, becoming incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. The Creator became a creature!

Why did God do such an astounding thing? First Timothy 1:15 provides an answer: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

The Lord came to us primarily as our Savior. That is because we human beings are, by nature, spiritually “…dead in [our] transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). But in His great love and mercy, the Lord has done something about our sinful human condition. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

What incredible news! This is not the stuff of a fairy tale. This is not mere myth or legend. This is historical fact: God became man to rescue spiritually dead people.

Have you seen yourself as the sinner the Bible says you are? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ and His atoning death upon the cross to save you from your sins?

Please do not let Christmas go by without remembering the real significance of the season. Look beyond the Christmas tree, the lights, and all of the holiday trappings. These things have their place, but let us see Christmas for what it really is: God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ, living a sinless life and then dying upon a cross and rising from the dead … so that sinful people could be forgiven and experience abundant and eternal life.

May this Christmas season find us responding like those shepherds of old. After seeing Jesus, they returned home and glorified and praised God for all the things they heard and saw, which were just as they had been foretold (Luke 2:20).

May God bless you this holy season as you experience the true meaning of Christmas!

2007-10-30T11:57:00.000-05:00

OCTOBER 31

REMEMBER THE REFORMATION!

http://www.leadercall.com/features/local_story_300113838.html?keyword=topstory

2007-10-25T11:27:00.000-05:00

THE COMING STORM

We are living in dangerously exciting times, both within the church and without. Even a casual survey of the cultural landscape reveals danger and excitement.

For instance, I was surprised to learn recently that human knowledge is now doubling every five years or less. Whether or not that is true, I cannot say. But this I know: the rapid—almost dizzying—technological advancements in our time are surely cause for marvel.

On the other hand, consider the troubling realities that confront us in the early twenty-first century, among them: the breakdown of the traditional family, moral relativism, economic uncertainty, the scourge of terrorism, and so-called natural disasters.

As I write these words, the city in which I live and minister, New Orleans, is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most destructive storms in American history.

From a Christian perspective, we could add to the previous list a number of spiritual dangers, including the subversion of biblical truth and the increase of non-Christian religions and cults such as Islam and Mormonism.

Bible-believing Christians are increasingly becoming targets of the radical left. The Ten Commandments and other references to God are being removed from public life. At the same time, many college campuses are now installing foot baths to appease Muslims.

America's cultural elites and leftists, who trumpet inclusivism and tolerance, display incredible hypocrisy in their intolerance of the religion of the cross (Christianity), while showing great lenience toward the religion of the sword (Islam).

I am reminded of the Presbyterian-related college in California that years ago removed a cross from its chapel because it might offend non-Christians.

And what can be said about the cultural rot all around us? Millions of American households open the sewer valve daily and allow Hollywood to pump its unfiltered sludge into our homes via television.

The murder of innocents (abortion) continues and much of the American Church has conformed to the hedonistic spirit of the age. There is little difference between the lifestyles of Christians and non-Christians.

I have an ominous sense that America and the church are in for some tough times ahead. There is a storm on the horizon of which today's "culture wars" and ideological clashes are but a harbinger. These are dangerous times, indeed. And they are about to become even more dangerous.

Already in Canada, Bible-believing pastors are being persecuted by the government for preaching that homosexual behavior is sinful.

But the more dangerous it gets, the more excited true followers of Jesus Christ can become. God has the last word, and there is a new heaven and new earth on its way. The time is coming when the Warrior King from heaven will come to vanquish His foes and right all wrongs (Revelation 19:11-16).

May those of us who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and who seek to live God-honoring lives under the authority of Holy Scripture, determine to travel the narrow road in these dangerously exciting times.

And rejoice ... for the Sovereign of nations will prevail!

2007-10-16T15:51:00.000-05:00

JIMINY CRICKET REVISITED!

Strange title, you say? Check out the following link for an excellent analysis of the "your best life now" theology of Joel Osteen--as well as an explanation of the Jiminy Cricket reference!
http://www.wscal.edu/faculty/wscwritings/horton.osteen/glorystory.php

2007-10-11T12:01:00.000-05:00

CHRISTIAN UNITY AND WORSHIP

God’s communal nature is of foundational importance. That is because God not only exists, but also coexists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While each of the Persons of the Godhead is unique and distinct, they are in perfect agreement with one another and coexist in perfect harmony and unity.

What does this have to do with Christians and worship? More than we may realize! The triune nature of God is the ideal model for church life. Inherent in God’s tripersonal being are love, community, fellowship, and many other distinguishing characteristics.

The persons of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—relate to one another in united, loving fellowship, and of course united, loving fellowship should also characterize the people of God. This should especially be true in the realm of Christian worship, which is the primary activity of the people of God, both now and forever.

Is it not strange that we can emphasize Christian unity in the areas of evangelism, fellowship, prayer, etc., and yet not stress unity in the church’s worship life? Since worship is at the heart of Christian life, does it not follow that God’s people should unite in this most important endeavor? Or should we only seek unity in other areas of church life?

2007-09-05T12:06:00.000-05:00

LEARNING FROM CHILDREN

As parents, we often see ourselves as wise teachers with much wisdom to impart to our children. But have we ever stopped to think that there is much we can learn from our children?

In his gospel, Mark records that people once brought little children to Jesus to have Him touch them (Mark 10:13-16). The word for “little children” is paidia, and can refer to children ranging from babies to preteens. Those long-ago parents wanted Jesus to bless their children. That is an admirable desire for any parent!

However, their plans seemed to be thwarted when Jesus’ disciples tried to keep the little ones from approaching the Master. Indignant, Jesus told the disciples to let the children come to Him, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” The disciples had much to learn. So, too, do those of us who count ourselves as 21st-century followers of Jesus.

I have much to learn from Jesus. I also have much to learn from the little children who are close to His heart. In fact, could it be that we adults need to become less childish and more childlike?

There are many characteristics about children that are instructive.

For example, children are small. We adults would do well to learn the way of “smallness.” Specifically, we should be small in our own eyes, practicing the way of humility. The Bible is quite clear that God thinks lowly of the proud, but thinks highly of the humble (James 4:6). Therefore, let us learn from our children and become “small.”

Second, children are very trusting. I don’t know about you, but at times I sure can be skeptical. I suspect that I am not alone. Surely we adults have much to learn from our children in the “trust department.” Moreover, children are open to God, often much more so than adults. In fact, my pastoral experience has been that children are among the easiest people to lead to the Lord. Notably Jesus says, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15).

Third, children are sincere. Adults are good at hiding thoughts and emotions. We are adept at putting on masks and are often masters of deception. Children, on the other hand, are easy to read and are characterized by genuineness. There is much about the sincerity of children that we adults should emulate.

No doubt about it, we adults have a good deal to learn from children. As the new school year begins, and we seek to fill our little ones’ heads with all kinds of knowledge, let us remember that we adults have some things to learn as well … and our children might be some of our best teachers!

2007-08-31T14:37:00.000-05:00

THE HEART OF SCRIPTURE

I have been teaching a weekly Bible study on Hebrews and recently focused on the Old Testament tabernacle, the portable tent of meeting where the Lord met His people (see especially Exod. 25-27 for details of the tabernacle).

In many ways the tabernacle typifies Christ, about whom Scripture says He made his dwelling—literally, He “tabernacled”—among us (John 1:14). The furnishings of the tabernacle clearly point to Christ: the altar of burnt offering typifies the sacrificial death of Christ; the laver typifies the cleansing power of the blood of Christ; the lampstand typifies Christ, the light of the world; the table of the bread of the presence points to Christ, the bread of life; the altar of incense typifies the intercession of Christ (incense is associated with prayer in Scripture [e.g., Ps. 141:2]); and the atonement cover—mercy seat—typifies the atoning work of Christ upon the cross.

I have come to a place in my Christian journey where I can affirm with Graeme Goldsworthy that “all biblical texts testify in some way to Jesus Christ. This makes him the center of biblical revelation and the fixed reference point for understanding everything else in the Bible" (Graeme Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, Eerdmans, 2000).

The fact that Jesus Christ is the center of biblical revelation should have major implications for preaching, teaching, Bible study, and living.

How important it is that we affirm the centrality of Christ, who is the heart of Christianity as well as the very center of God’s self-disclosure in Scripture.

2007-08-29T14:12:00.000-05:00

TWO BOOKS: A STUDY IN CONTRASTS

What can I say about Dave Hunt's misinformed book on Calvinism? The word "terrible" is about as gracious as I can be in describing Hunt's What Love is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God.

The book is one long, atrocious polemic that trots out tired cliches, straw men, facile arguments, and shoddy scholarship. Don't waste your time on this one, folks. If this is the best "anti-Calvinists" have to offer, there is nothing to fear! For an indepth review of Hunt's book, see especially Phil Johnson's review at: http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/SC03-1022CDNotes.htm

To my mind, Hunt's work represents yet another example of a pot being offended by the Potter (Romans 9:20-21). Like many of Jesus' followers long ago, many people today--including Hunt--reject the Lord's own teaching on the sovereignty of God in salvation (e.g., John 6:35-45) and instead conform Scripture to their presuppositional theology.

Calvinism is indeed the biblical gospel, and takes seriously the whole counsel of God, particularly the deadness of man in sin and the sovereignty of God in salvation.

On a personal note, as has been previously shared on this blog, I find myself moving away from fads, fluff, and man-centered teachings that characterize much of contemporary church life. I am rediscovering the deep well of Reformation theology (i.e., God-centered and God-glorifying theology), especially the doctrines of grace, the five solas, and other characteristics of Calvinism, which is but another name for biblical Christianity.

With its great emphasis on the sovereignty and glory of God, the invincibility of God's grace, the authority of Scripture, etc., Reformed theology has been cool, clear water for this thirsty soul.

In an era of superficial, fad-driven, and man-centered Christianity (of which Hunt's book is representative), the ancient paths are looking better all the time.

It is high time for those of us in the American church to get out of the "kiddie pool" and start swimming in the deeper waters of God!

For a much more solid and biblical treatment of salvation than is found in Hunt's work, I recommend R.C. Sproul's What is Reformed Theology and his Chosen By God. James White's The Potter's Freedom is also excellent. Of course, the best writing of all in this whole regard is Paul's glorious letter to the Romans!

The other book I have recently read (reread, actually) is Abraham Kuyper's great work, Lectures on Calvinism. One word describes Kuyper's work: Brilliant.

I have revisited Lectures On Calvinism on several occasions, and each time have come away with a greater regard for both Kuyper and Calvinism. To be sure, reading Kuyper's work has brought me to a place of greater awe for the Sovereign of this world and all worlds: The Triune God.

What a world of difference between Hunt's What Love is This? and Kuyper's Lectures on Calvinism. The latter soars, while the former sinks ... and stinks!

2007-08-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

THE PELAGIAN CAPTIVITY OF THE CHURCH

A great read: http://www.bible-researcher.com/sproul1.html

2007-08-22T10:50:00.000-05:00

THE FOCUS OF WORSHIP

How pleasing it must be to God to find a worshiper whose singular preoccupation is not with form or ritual, but with the One to whom the liturgy points. Likewise, how pleasing it must be to God to find a worshiper whose primary focus is not on charismatic experiences and spiritual gifts, but on the Giver of the gifts.

In short, worship acknowledges the triune God’s “worthship” and ascribes to Him the glory due His name.

I remember a helpful worship insight I heard from the Presbyterian minister Dr. D. James Kennedy. He said that most people think of the church as a drama, with the pastor as the chief performer, God as the prompter, and the congregation as the critic. But the truth is, the congregation is the chief performer, the minister is the prompter, and God is the critic. That is a good insight.

To put it more bluntly, God is the One who decides whether a worship service gets the “thumb’s up” or “thumb’s down.” God alone is the One who determines whether or not a service is acceptable or “rejectable.”

Unfortunately, the focus of too many worship services is on entertaining the worshipper rather than on pleasing the Lord.

Since worship should be God-centered, not people-centered, a good question to ask ourselves after a worship service is “How did I do?” In other words, was I focused on my feelings and needs or on God and His glory? God is concerned about our needs, of course, but we must remember that worship is not primarily about us but about the triune God.

One of the pastoral challenges I regularly face is trying to help people understand that worship, at its core, is not about liturgical style (whether traditional or contemporary) or personal preference. It can be easy to become fixated on a favorite song or preferred worship format, forgetting that these things are not our goal or destination; they are vehicles to help us glorify God.

The words of the psalmist are instructive: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness” (Ps. 115:1).

2007-08-18T15:50:00.000-05:00

JUMP-ROPE KING

Check out this short video of an amazing jump-roper:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/18/worlds-greatest-rope-jumper-manages-six-rotations-in-one-jump/

2007-08-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

RUBBERBAND MAN

During a recent Sunday school class, our teacher emphasized Philippians 2:14: "Do everything without complaining or arguing"

She then passed out rubber bands and asked class members to put them on their wrist. She also instructed us to move the rubber band to the oppostie wrist whenever we complained during the week! The point was to take seriously the scriptural injunction about not complaining.

Of course one could go even further with the rubber bands: every time we complain, we could add a new rubber band to our wrist--in which case, many of us would have our arms covered by week's end. Ouch!

2007-08-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

LETTING GO OF OUR BALLOONS!

I learned not long ago about a pastor who tried something innovative to encourage his parishioners to become more intentional about praising the Lord. One Sunday morning, prior to the worship service, the pastor asked the ushers of the church to give each churchgoer a helium balloon. Parishioners were instructed to release their balloons at some point in the service when they felt like expressing praise to the Lord.

Since theirs was a formal and traditional church, congregants were not comfortable saying “Praise the Lord” or expressing their praise apart from the liturgy. The preacher thought this might be a good way to encourage his flock to show spontaneous praise to God. He also thought it might be a non-threatening way to loosen up his stuffy saints. And it seemed to work: all through the worship service, as people felt praise in their hearts to God, they let their balloons go.

By the end of the service, there were quite a few helium balloons on the ceiling. But notably, when the service concluded, the preacher noticed that a third of the balloons were unreleased; people would not let their balloons go!

How about us? Have we been slow to release worship and praise to the Lord? In Ps. 150:6 we find this exhortation: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Is there breath within us? Then let us determine to praise the Lord.

Recently, while driving a remote stretch of highway, I put on some praise music and began to sing to the Lord. I was worn out and weary and in a spiritual desert of sorts. While driving through the barren countryside, I felt prompted to lift up my voice in praise of the Lord. I experienced liberation and jubilation as I lifted my heart and voice to God. Indeed, as I began to offer shouts of praise to the Lord, it was as if a dam broke and refreshing floodwaters of God’s grace washed over me. I rediscovered that heartfelt praise can be truly liberating.

Whether we find ourselves on a spiritual mountaintop, in the valley of discouragement, or somewhere in between, let God’s people determine to heed the words of the psalmist and praise the Lord. Intentionality is the key, as we purpose to worship and praise God for His glory and our good.

To paraphrase the psalmist: let the balloons go!

2007-08-02T15:22:00.000-05:00

WHAT OF "THE WORLD" IN JOHN 3:16?

The word for “world” in John 3:16 is cosmos (κόσμος), and occurs 185 times in the New Testament (78 times in John’s gospel and 27 times in his other letters). The word has a wide range of uses: it can refer to the created universe, the earth, humanity, people living in hostility to God, etc.

The use of “world” as referencing people opposed to God-in-Christ is common in John’s letters (e.g., John 12:31; 15:18; 1 John 2:15-17). As for John 3:16, many Christians understand “world” there and elsewhere in Scripture as indicative of every single human being.

However, the careful Bible student will note that “world” is also used more generally in Scripture. For example, the brothers of Jesus said to Him, “Show yourself to the world” (John 7:4). Obviously they did not have every single human being in mind, but people in general. The same is true of John 12:19, where the Pharisees said about Jesus, “Look how the whole world has gone after him!” Of course, not every single person in the world followed Jesus; rather, all kinds of people—both Jew and Gentile—followed Him.

Relatedly, and on a personal note, I was surprised to learn years ago that the English word “whosoever” or “whoever” (depending on Bible version) in John 3:16 is not found in the Greek manuscripts from which we get our translations. The literal rendering of the “whosoever” section of John 3:16 is declarative, and reads: “so that every one believing in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus makes very clear in John 6 who the believing ones are: they are people given by the Father to the Son (John 6:37, 44). Therefore many Christians, especially those within the Reformed tradition, understand John 3:16’s “world” in more particular terms: as referring to God’s chosen people—the elect—throughout the world, rather than every single person in the world.

In light of Scripture as a whole, the more particular understanding of “world” (i.e., the elect) in John 3:16 is not without exegetical merit.

2007-07-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

SENTIMENTAL THEOLOGY VERSUS BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

Over the course of my ministry, I have heard many people emphasize God’s love and compassion while saying little or nothing about His holiness and wrath against sin. In fact, it was quite a revelation to me years ago to learn that Scripture speaks of God’s love and hate in reference to people.

Earlier in my Christian journey I embraced the popular belief that God hates sin but loves the sinner. It seemed incongruous to me that God could both love and hate people.

As my sentimental theology came up against biblical theology, I realized that I needed to conform my beliefs to the Bible, and not vice versa. After all, Ps. 5:5 says, “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.” Notice that the psalmist did not describe God as hating sin, but as hating the sinner. (Indeed, from the Bible’s point of view, one cannot separate sin from the sinner.)

Likewise, Ps. 11:5 declares, “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.” As unsettling as the thought may be, notice again that God hates particular people. Furthermore, Prov. 6:16-19 describes God’s hatred of sin and sinner. According to Scripture, all people are by nature objects of God’s wrath (Eph. 2:3) apart from God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ.

We are told that God loved Jacob, but hated Esau (Rom. 9:13). And what about the Egyptian soldiers who pursued Moses and the Israelites across the Red Sea? “The horse and its rider [God] has hurled into the sea,” Scripture says (Exod. 15:1). Elsewhere, the Bible speaks of God destroying the enemies of His people (Ps. 135).

All that is to say we must consider and take seriously the whole counsel of God. Let us remember that God is love. But let us also keep in mind that holiness—and not mere sentimentality—characterizes God’s love. In the words of New Testament scholar I. Howard Marshall, “We do wrong to exalt the love of God as his supreme feature just because it is more congenial to our thinking.”

This is exactly what many people do; they exalt love as God’s most important quality, while saying comparatively little about His holiness or biblical passages that speak of His hatred. It is important to remember that God’s love and holiness (including His holy hatred) are a both/and not an either/or proposition, as theologian Donald Bloesch points out:

"The love of God is generous, sacrificial, self-giving. It is the love that issues in forgiveness, but it is a costly forgiveness resulting in the death of God’s own Son. It is also costly for the Christian, since it calls him to a life of discipleship under the cross. The love that comes from God accepts the sinner as he is, in his sins, but because it is also a holy love, it demands that the sinner change his ways."

As a pastor, I emphasize the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ. Although Scripture does indeed speak of God's hatred, it also speaks of His love for the world. My understanding is that we must distinguish between His redemptive love for His people (1 John 4:9-10) and His merciful forebearance--or love in a more general sense--toward those outside of Christ.

At the same time, we must not ignore or change the meaning of unsettling passages of Scripture (such as those that reference His wrath and hatred). We must not let sentimental theology trump biblical teaching.

To be sure, God’s wrath and mercy met at the cross, where Jesus atoned for sin; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Christ (Isa. 53:5). God is love, indeed! What a wonderful declaration.

And of this every Christian can be sure: absolutely nothing can ever separate the believer in Jesus Christ from God’s love (Rom. 8:38-9).

2007-07-26T13:10:00.000-05:00

GOD-BREATHED SCRIPTURE

One of the terms often used to refer to the Bible’s uniqueness is “inspiration,” a word meaning to “breathe into” and used by many Bible translations in 2 Tim. 3:16. A more accurate translation, however, is found in the New International Version’s rendering of 2 Tim. 3:16, where we read, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness….”

The term “God-breathed” comes from the Greek word theopneustos (θεόπνευστος) and refers not so much to a breathing into as it does to a breathing out by God. In other words, 2 Tim. 3:16 tells us that Scripture is the product of God’s creative breath. The Bible scholar B.B. Warfield described it this way: “When Paul declares, then, that ‘every scripture,’ or ‘all scripture’ is the product of the Divine breath, ‘is God breathed,’ he asserts with as much energy as he could employ that Scripture is the product of a specifically Divine operation.” To paraphrase, the Author behind the Bible’s human authors is God Himself.

On the other hand, God obviously used individual people to write the Bible. The biblical writers were not mechanical robots; rather, their distinct personalities clearly come through in their writings. That is why the prophetic writings of Isaiah and Ezekiel are very different from the letters of Peter the fisherman and Dr. Luke the physician. But of this we can be sure: God superintended the process of giving us Holy Scripture. He is the Author behind the human authors.

2007-07-24T14:51:00.000-05:00

THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

Hundreds of times in the Old Testament alone we find phrases such as “The Lord spoke,” “Thus says the Lord,” and “The word of the Lord came.” Expressions such as these make it clear that in the Bible we encounter not simply humanity’s word about God, but God’s Word about humanity. Therefore, the Bible is authoritative because it has come from God.

In the Westminster Confession of Faith, we find an excellent statement on the authority of Holy Scripture: “The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God” (1.4). I once heard a theologian refer to that declaration as the finest statement on the authority of Scripture in all of Protestantism.

The Confession of Faith goes on to say, “…our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority [of the Bible] is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts” (1.5).

Notably, the confession does not refer to fulfilled prophecy, the unity of the Bible, “the heavenliness” of its contents, or anything else in referencing the ultimate authority of Scripture. While these things have their place, and can certainly be of use in the area of apologetics (i.e., the defense of the Christian faith), the ultimate authority of the Bible derives from its divine Author. The Bible is true and authoritative because it reflects the nature of its Author!

The Bible is the self-authenticating and authoritative Word of God. The Christian knows this because the indwelling Holy Spirit has confirmed it in his or her heart. And because the Bible is the Word of God, not merely the word of human beings, we need to believe it and obey it.

One of my personal and pastoral pet peeves (try saying that three times fast!) is hearing a preacher stand in the pulpit and, right before reading Scripture to the congregation, say, “Listen for the Word of God.” Such is a common practice among theologically liberal ministers. Rather than, “Listen to the Word of God,” they often say, “Listen for the Word of God.” The difference is subtle yet significant. Ministers who embrace the complete inspiration and authority of the Bible affirm that what Scripture says, God says. Ministers who believe thusly can wholeheartedly say, “Listen to God’s Word.”

Conversely, ministers who deny the God-breathed nature of Scripture believe that the Bible is primarily a human document that contains the Word of God. Therefore, as the Bible is read, it is the responsibility of the hearer to decide what is and what is not God’s Word. Consequently, those who doubt the Bible’s plenary inspiration and authority are prone to say, “Listen for the Word of God.”

To be sure, we are living in a time when the Bible’s authority is questioned and its teachings are ignored, doubted, and twisted, even by people within the church. This should not surprise us, for the Bible speaks of people who abandon the faith and follow false teachings (1 Tim. 4:1-3) as well as distort God’s Word to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16).

Scripture also says, “the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

We do well to remember the God-breathed nature of the Bible, interacting with it reverently and responsibly. Let us bear in mind that what the Bible says, God says.

In the words of a wise old Puritan, “The two Testaments are the two lips by which God hath spoken to us.”

2007-07-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

THE GLORY OF CHRIST

Few Christian books have impacted me as much as John Owen's sublime work, The Glory of Christ. The version with which I am most familiar is published by The Banner of Truth Trust, abridged by R.J.K. Law.

This little volume is packed full of profound truth. In fact, if I were to counsel someone to read only one book this year (beside the Word of God, of course) that book would surely be The Glory of Christ. Compared to much of the pabulum that poses and passes for Christian literature today, this work by the great Puritan is in a class by itself.

Here are some transforming truths from Owen's keen mind and sensitive spirit:

"One of the greatest privileges the believer has, both in this world and for eternity, is to behold the glory of Christ."

"No man shall ever behold the glory of Christ by sight in heaven who does not, in some measure, behold it by faith in this world."

"The splendour of Christ's glory is too much for our physical eyes just as is the sun shining in all its strength. So while we are here on earth we can behold his glory only by faith."

"...men who are complete strangers to seeing the person and glory of Christ by faith have turned to images, pictures and music to help them in their worship."

"So it is only as we behold the glory of Christ by faith here in this world that our hearts will be drawn more and more to Christ and to the full enjoyment of the sight of his glory hereafter."

"A fish would not thank you for taking it ouf of the sea and putting it on dry land under the blazing sun! Neither would an unregenerate sinner welcome the thought of living for ever in the blazing glory of Christ."

"Those who cannot see his glory by faith do not know him."

"If we regularly beheld the glory of Chirst our Christian walk with God would become more sweet and pleasant...."

"What is the true blessedness of the saints in heaven? Is it not to behold and see the glory of God in Christ?"

2007-07-16T14:02:00.000-05:00

THE ONE GOD ESTEEMS

Isaiah 66:2 is a remarkable passage. Therein God says: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word."

What a profound truth--God looks for, and places a high value on, certain kinds of people. God is not looking for religiosity; He is looking for humble and repentant people who take His word very, very seriously.

How about you? How about me? Are we "esteemable" in the sight of the Lord?

2007-07-15T16:46:00.000-05:00

TEN MARTIN LUTHER MYTHS

Check out the following link for some misconceptions about the great reformer, Martin Luther:

http://aomin.org/index.php?blogid=1&archive=2007-06

2007-07-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

CHURCHIANITY -- NOT!

It always amazes me when I encounter churchgoing people who find their identity in a denomination or a church or a program.

These things have their place, of course, but the center of the Christian faith is not a program, building, or denomination. None of these things died for our sins. But Jesus did! A Christian’s identity should, therefore, be in Christ; everything else in which we find our identity should be secondary. That is what the apostle Paul teaches in Scripture. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews, an exceedingly religious man. But he considered all of His religious credentials as nothing “compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Phil. 3:8). Paul’s identity was not in his religion but in Jesus Christ.

I tell people that I am a Christian first … and somewhere after that I am a Presbyterian in the Reformed tradition. My identity is wrapped up in the Person who came into this world for me, and who died on a cross and rose from the grave for me. He is the One I get thrilled and even passionate about. Denominations will come and go. Programs and fads will come and go. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is at the very center of God’s self-revelation and redemptive work; He died for sinners. So let us find our identity in Him!

2007-07-09T10:58:00.000-05:00

"¡Aquí no hay Cristo muerto!"

A friend of mine who is a missionary to Mexico tells a story of a poor family for whom he and fellow mission workers built a house one summer. As the mission workers labored under the hot sun, the family—in this case, a woman and her four children—was powerfully touched by seeing God’s love in action.

On the final day, as the house neared completion, the woman told her oldest son to go get the crucifix hanging on a wall in their old home. She also told him to bring a pair of pliers. Then, in front of my missionary friend, she used the pliers to pull the corpus from the cross, as she said with much emotion in her voice, “¡Aquí no hay Cristo muerto!” (“Here there is no dead Christ!”)

The woman went on to testify how she had seen Christ in the lives of the mission team members who had built her house. She discovered that the Lord was more than a “dead Christ.” He was very much alive in the lives of His people, and she wanted to know the living Lord better.

Praise be to God for Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sinners and for His bodily resurrection from the dead. And praise be to God that the crucified and risen One is, for Christians, “Christ in [us], the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

2007-07-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

HAPPY JULY 4TH!

This Fourth of July, let us look beyond the burgers and backyard fun to remember what the day is all about. Determine to thank God for our country and for the many blessings we enjoy as Americans.

Consider the colors of our flag: red, white and blue. Red stands for courage. I think of the courage of the men and women serving in our country's armed forces. Many of them are in harm's way at this moment. Let us pray for them and allow their courage to be an example to us.

The white of our flag stands for purity. In the midst of much cultural decay, let us pray for moral and spiritual purity to characterize our nation.

Blue stands for justice. Our Pledge of Allegiance concludes with the words, "With liberty and justice for all." May those be more than words. May they be ideals that we live out daily.

As we consider the colors of our flag, may we also look beyond the flag to the One who is the Sovereign of nations: the Lord God Almighty. By no means do I want to wrap the Lord in the American flag, but as I look at our flag's colors, the color red reminds me of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. White reminds me of the way He cleanses from sin. Blue reminds me of the Lord's faithfulness. God is faithful to His Word and promises. He will forgive all who turn from their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

As we celebrate our nation's birthday, let us thank God for the land of the free and the home of the brave. And let us also thank and praise the Sovereign of nations, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, to Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King.

2007-06-28T20:52:00.000-05:00

GOD SAID ... AND IT WAS SO

I have been reading Genesis 1 and am struck by the linkage of these two phrases: "And God said" ... "And it was so" (e.g., Gen. 1:6 and 1:7). God speaks and things happen--such as the world coming into being. That is power beyond comprehension!

Christians down through the centuries have affirmed the doctrine of creation ex nihilo (Latin for “out of nothing”) when speaking of God’s power. Michelangelo needed matter that already existed to create his magnificent works of art. God, however, did not require preexistent matter to create His masterpieces.

God spoke, and because of the power of His creative word, things came into existence. Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” The Hebrew for “word” is dabar (דבר) and can mean “word” or “deed” or both. In fact, the Bible so closely connects God’s words and deeds that one can legitimately say that God’s Word is His deed; thus, the psalmist spoke of God sending forth His word to heal (Ps. 107:20).

In the perceptive words of Abraham Heschel: “Divine power bursts in [God’s] words.”

Truly, one word from God can change your life and mine!

2007-06-27T14:55:00.001-05:00

POWER IN THE WORD

At a recent Bible study, we started our meeting by singing "Power in the Blood." We then moved into our study of the fourth chapter of Hebrews, where we read in verse twelve: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

It occurred to me that there is power not only in the blood of the Lamb, but in the Word of God as well. God-breathed Scripture is alive ... and powerful! Praise God for the soul-cleansing blood of Christ, and praise Him for the life-giving power of the Word. To be sure, there is power, power, wonder-working power, in the blood of the Lamb ... and in the Word of the Lord!

2007-06-19T14:27:00.000-05:00

MAINLINE PROTESTANTISM:

A DYING INSTITUTION

As I watch the shenanigans being played by our denominational bureaucrats (I purposely do not refer to them as “spiritual shepherds”), I am becoming increasingly convinced that the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a dying institution. The signs are everywhere. For example, the PC (USA) continues to decline by tens of thousands of members every year; sadly, such has been the case for decades.

In the 1960s, mainline churches (i.e., theologically moderate to liberal denominational bodies made up of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Congregationalists, and others) accounted for about 40 percent of all American Protestants. Today the number is closer to 12 percent.

Further evidence of the final gasps of a dying entity can be seen in the draconian measures our leaders are employing to stop churches from exiting the denomination.

We mainliners (more appropriately, “sideliners”) embrace a governing structure that is locked in a 1950s time warp. I think here of American car manufacturers with their overpaid executives, plethora of middle level managers, and outdated manufacturing structures. The parallels to mainline/sideline Protestantism are striking.

Just like many corporate officials, 21st-century denominational bureaucrats are out of touch with their constituents and the times in which we live. Unwilling to respond to their “market audience” (grassroots Presbyterians), mainline institutionalists are also unwilling to exchange outdated “business” practices for more streamlined and effective ones.

Our rulebook, The Book of Order, grows more and more bloated and is cited and discussed ad nauseum at our presbytery "business" meetings, while Scripture is largely ignored. Pressing issues such as evangelism, church growth, moral and spiritual revival, etc., are rarely if ever addressed.

While conservative, Bible-believing churches continue to grow, the membership of mainline Protestantism continues to shrink. Amazingly, the number of ministers—at least in the liberal Presbyterian Church (USA)—is increasing!

Unless the Lord intervenes from on high, I fear that mainline Protestantism will continue to wither away … or sink deeper into the sea of irrelevancy … or go the way of dinosaurs … or, well, you pick your metaphor!

The words of Jesus are certainly instructive in this whole matter: “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).

May the Lord have mercy upon us.

2007-06-17T18:47:00.000-05:00

BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT -- A STAR IS BORN

I like the set-up by James White over at aomin.org: "When I first clicked on this link I was worried it was going to be another 'Man, can you believe someone like this thinks he can sing?' And when I saw Simon sitting there, my sense of foreboding only increased. But then...well, see for yourself."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=i0dzZTPWrSM

2007-06-15T01:54:00.000-05:00

A NINE-WORD BIBLE SUMMARY

In the sound-byte age in which we live, Christians could well summarize the Bible thusly:

God formed us

Sin deformed us

Christ transformed us

2007-06-11T14:17:00.000-05:00

THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST

Back in the sixties Bob Dylan wrote a song called, “The Times, They are a Changing.” And of course Dylan was right. The times are indeed changing, even in the church. Especially in the church.

One of the changes I have noticed in mainline churches is a shift from Christocentric theology to theocentric theology. In other words, people are talking less about Christ and are talking more about vague and fuzzy notions about God and spirituality. “Spirituality” is the trendy word for our time. Christ is being removed from center stage as people try to construct a god of their own design.

In the 1990s a radical Presbyterian minister preached a sermon titled, “What’s the Big Deal about Jesus?” That sermon created a firestorm in our denomination, as Bible-believing Christians such as myself stood up and said Jesus is a big deal. After all:

1. He is the center of God’s self-revelation in history. What do we celebrate every Christmas? The incarnation--that is, God became man. Jesus is God in human flesh. That’s a big deal!

2. Second, Jesus is the very center of God’s self-revelation in the Bible. The Bible is all about Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation. That too is a big deal!

3. Third, Jesus is at the very center of God’s redemptive work. In other words, Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for sinners. He shed His blood for us. That also is a big deal!

Jesus is a big deal, and there is just no way that Christians can leave Him out of our discussions about God.

In Exodus 32, we read how Aaron and the Israelites turned away from the true God to worship a "god" of their own making. And that is what many people in the world and in the church are doing in our time. People want God on their terms, and so they construct in their minds a “god” of their own making, a "god" who often looks suspiciously like themselves.

But the Bible reveals no such God. If we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus Christ, who is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). At the center of Christianity is God in Christ. In fact, the theme of Colossians is the preeminence and supremacy of Christ. And the theme of Colossians ought to be the theme of the Christian's life as well; Christ should be supreme in the lives of His people.

In these changing times, may those of us for whom Jesus is a big deal allow Him to reign supreme in every area of our lives.

"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." --Colossians 1:18

2007-06-06T15:12:00.000-05:00

A POWERFUL PRAYER

I recently discovered this powerful prayer from a nineteenth-century preacher:

And now, O Lord, this man of God,
Who breaks the bread of life this morning —
Shadow him in the hollow of thy hand,
And keep him out of the gunshot of the devil.
Take him, Lord — this morning —
Wash him with hyssop inside and out,
Hang him up and drain him dry of sin.
Pin his ear to the wisdom-post,
And make his words sledge hammers of truth —
Beating on the iron heart of sin.
Lord God, this morning —
Put his eye to the telescope of eternity,
And let him look upon the paper walls of time.
Lord, turpentine his imagination,
Put perpetual motion in his arms,
Fill him full of the dynamite of thy power,
Anoint him all over with the oil of thy salvation,
And set his tongue on fire.

(From God's Trombones, by James Weldon Johnson)

2007-06-01T19:06:00.000-05:00

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Transgender Pastors ... What Next?

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=952

2007-05-29T09:44:00.000-05:00

TRINITY SUNDAY

AND THE DEITY OF CHRIST

Since this coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday, I thought I would post some thoughts on the related theme of the deity of Christ.

There are many passages in the New Testament that refer specifically to the deity of Jesus Christ. For example, John 1:1 says about Christ, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Notice that the Word (Christ) was God. Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Observe that Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being.

Philippians 2:6 speaks of Christ “…being in very nature God.” The phrase “in very nature (μορφή) God” is also a very strong affirmation of the deity of Christ, as is Col. 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form….”

The New Testament also reveals in other ways that Jesus is God: He forgives sins (Mark 2:8-10); refers to the angels as His angels (Matt. 24:31); speaks of judging the world (Matt. 25:31-46); and is considered worthy of worship (Heb. 1:6). Consider also the names of Jesus, which have counterparts to names for God in the Old Testament: Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 2:8; Isa. 41:4; 48:12); Lord (1 Cor. 12:3; Ps. 96:7-8); Savior (John 4:42; Isa. 43:11); King (Rev. 17:14; Ps. 95:3; Isa. 43:15); etc.

On numerous occasions I have dialogued with Jehovah’s Witnesses about the deity of Christ. In defense of their view that Jesus is not God, Jehovah’s Witnesses have invariably cited John 14:28, where Jesus says, “…for the Father is greater than I.” My response is that, in His incarnation, Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant (Phil. 2:5-11). Jesus was “less” than the Father in the sense that He came into the world as a servant; Jesus was not less in terms of His deity. Elsewhere in Scripture (as we have seen), Jesus is clearly presented as being God. Augustine’s words are helpful here:

"The Son of God, then, is equal to God the Father in nature, but less in 'fashion.' For in the form of a servant which He took He is less than the Father; but in the form of God, in which also He was before He took the form of a servant, He is equal to the Father" (On the Trinity, I.vii).

Biblically speaking, the only way to get around the deity of Christ is to approach Scripture with a presuppositional understanding that He is not God. Then you have to make the Bible fit your beliefs, rather than vice versa. This, of course, is exactly what groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses do: they conform the Bible to their theology, rather than conform their error-filled theology to Scripture.

2007-05-28T16:05:00.000-05:00

MORE ORBISON!

For all you Orbison fans, here are two more great songs:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jSTg73LasVM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=afUBIHXmc6g

2007-05-25T14:09:00.000-05:00

ROY ORBISON REDISCOVERED

I thought I would post this sweet song, "Leah," by Roy Orbison. What a voice! (Elvis Presley once referred to Orbison as "the greatest singer in the world.") Check out the song:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gwv-imrzluA

2007-05-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

THE CHANGING CHURCH

The Christian world’s center of gravity is clearly shifting to the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, those of us in the West would do well to recognize and learn from what the Lord is doing elsewhere in the world.

During the course of my ministry, I have been able to spend time with Christians in Mexico. I have found in my Mexican brothers and sisters a spiritual fervor and depth of faith that is inspirational. Although many of my fellow Christians to the south lack material riches, they are spiritually rich.

Without a doubt, we American Christians have a great deal to learn from Christians in the global South.

The decline of mainline Protestantism is another example of how the church is changing. In the 1960s, mainline churches (i.e., theologically moderate to liberal denominational bodies made up of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Congregationalists, and others) accounted for about 40 percent of all American Protestants. Today the number is closer to 12 percent.

All indications point to mainline Protestantism as a cultural dinosaur on the verge of extinction. Not surprisingly, many conservative/Bible-believing denominations are growing and thriving.

As a mainline Presbyterian pastor, I have experienced sadness, anger, and shame as I have observed church leaders and members within my denomination continue to subvert scriptural authority and disavow foundational doctrines of the faith. I have grown wary and weary of efforts to lift up peace and unity while downplaying biblical purity in the headlong rush to the altar of inclusiveness.

The words of a Chinese poet named Ai Qing well describe my mind-set toward much of mainline Protestantism and its leadership: “I’m tired of listening/To those prolix speeches pretending to be the truth."

While I am aware of sociological factors (e.g., low birth rates and the graying of many church members) that are contributing to the demise of mainline Protestantism, I also know that many parishioners are not being fed in mainline churches; people are going elsewhere for spiritual nourishment.

Moreover, I wonder if God is withholding His blessing from denominations such as my own that flirt with apostasy. Indeed, might our demise be the result of God’s judgment?

Personally and pastorally, I wrestle with whether to work for renewal and reformation or come out from among a denomination that seems bent on making a shipwreck of the faith.

Humanly devised denominations and movements will come and go, but the body of Christ will endure.

2007-05-18T14:55:00.000-05:00

FEED YOUR HEAD

“Feed your head … Feed your head … Feed your head.” So go the closing words of the evocative song--"White Rabbit"--by Jefferson Airplane. There are, in this psychedelic song from 1967, obvious parallels between hallucinatory drug effects and the bizarre imagery in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

The words “Feed your head” have been reverberating in my head lately (I heard the song recently), and bring to mind some similar words with a much different meaning. In Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul urges Christians to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The Greek verb translated “transformed” is metamorphousthe (think of the word “metamorphosis”) and means change from the inside out. That change comes about as we “feed our heads” (with apologies here to Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane) with the Word of God.

While many people choose to feed their heads with drugs, alcohol, and other worldly mind-changers, how much more should Christians desire to feed and fill our minds with the Word of God.

For the Christian, the words of the dormouse --“Feed your head" -- are instructive indeed, although not for the reason that the song “White Rabbit” had in mind!

2007-05-14T16:10:00.000-05:00

ROLLING STONES

I learned today that Rolling Stone magazine considers Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" the greatest song of all time (Reference: "The 500 Greatest Songs of all Time," Rolling Stone, November/2004).

Thinking about rolling stones brings to mind a quotation from a Puritan minister named Joseph Hall, who wisely said, “There is no place for any loose stone in God’s edifice.” It is unfortunate that there are so many loose—and even rolling—stones in the church today. (I think here of one man I know who joined seven churches in less than ten years!)

Rolling stones make for great songs and magazine titles. They are not, however, fitting metaphors for followers of Jesus Christ. Instead, Christians are “spiritual stones” being built together into a house (1 Peter 2:5).

In a time when many Christians regularly roll from one church to another, or from one personality or fad to another, we do well to remember the corporate and relational nature of Christianity. The persons of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—relate to one another in loving, committed fellowship, and of course the same should be true of the people of God.

2007-05-10T10:09:00.001-05:00

MOTHER'S DAY WISDOM

Principles of Motherhood

1. Motherhood ~~ If it was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!

2. Shouting to make your children obey is like using the horn to steer your car; you get about the same results.

3. To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.

4. The smartest advice on raising children is to enjoy them while they are still on your side.

5. Avenge yourself ~~~ Live long enough to be a problem to your children.

6. Grandparents are similar to a piece of string ~ handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of grandchildren.

7. A child outgrows your lap, but never outgrows your heart.

8. Adolescence is the age when children try to bring up their parents.

9. Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.

10. Adolescence is the age at which children stop asking questions because they know all the answers.

2007-05-05T13:36:00.000-05:00

JESUS LOVES ME

Not long ago, while I was at home watching a movie about the life of Christ, my two-year-old daughter came into the room. At that moment, the movie showed Jesus being crucified. With wide-eyed wonder, my daughter asked, “What is that?” to which I responded, “It’s the story of Jesus.” Without any prompting on my part, she began singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

That was an especially poignant moment for me—watching the portrayal of the Lord’s crucifixion while listening to my little daughter singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

I could say more, but I think my daughter's response said it all.

2007-05-01T15:04:00.000-05:00

STORMS AND SOVEREIGNTY

As hurricane season draws near, I find myself once again reflecting on the sovereignty of God as it pertains to weather. I have came away from my study of Scripture convinced that nature is neither controlled by Satan nor does it have its own will. Rather, all of nature is under the control of Almighty God. Consider the biblical evidence:

"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.... He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow" (Ps.147:8; 16-18).

"When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses" (Jer. 10:13).

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm and clouds are the dust of his feet" (Nah. 1:3).

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matt. 5:45).

The biblical witness is clear: it is Father God (not "mother nature") who is in control of the weather. Indeed, nature's laws are God's laws. God certainly has the power to stop hurricanes, storms, and other weather-related phenomena. On the other hand, God allows storms to wreak their awful havoc to fulfill His sovereign plan, which from our limited point of view may seem incomprehensible.

Thinking about sovereignty and storms brings to mind a great hymn by Isaac Watts. The third verse of his “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” declares:

"There's not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known; And clouds arise and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care, And everywhere that man may be, Thou, God, art present there."

Watts was right: the sovereign God (not Satan or nature) is the One who makes “clouds arise and tempests blow.”

2007-04-28T17:58:00.000-05:00

A BIG MASTIFF!

As a previous owner of a Mastiff, I can appreciate this big guy. His name is Hercules, and he is purported to be the world's largest dog.

2007-04-19T10:59:00.000-05:00

THE MONSTER OF SIN

The recent massacre at Virginia Tech has caused me to reflect on what the Bible says about the human condition.

The biblical witness is clear that sinful behavior--such as the horrific murders by the crazed gunman in Virginia--is more than a voluntary act; wicked deeds spring from a heart that is intrinsically sinful (Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1-3). In other words, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice. Though people are bearers of the image of God, that image has been grotesquely disfigured and marred by sin.

While the doctrines of original sin and total depravity may be hard for some people to accept, the Bible teaches that the sin of our first parents Adam and Eve had far-reaching consequences. We have all been affected and infected by it.

In this regard, the English writer Somerset Maugham once said about himself, "If I wrote down every thought I have ever thought and every deed I have ever done, men would call me a monster of depravity."

As offensive as it may be to our belief in the innate goodness of human beings, the Bible reveals that Maugham's monster dwells in every person ... and the monster's name is sin.

But there is Someone who is stronger than the hideous monster of sin. Praise the Lord for the monster-slayer, the Lord Jesus Christ! In the words of the apostle Paul: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).

2007-04-16T14:42:00.000-05:00

WHITEFIELD AND WESLEY

Two of church history’s most effective evangelists were George Whitefield and John Wesley. Whitefield was a Calvinist and Wesley was an Arminian; both proclaimed Christ with passion and power in the eighteenth century.* It is said about Whitefield that Benjamin Franklin often went to hear him preach because he could watch Whitefield burn before his very eyes. Whitefield was ablaze for God, preaching to thousands of people at a time. God used him mightily to lead many people to faith in Jesus Christ.

Wesley was also on fire for God. He wrote more than two hundred books and preached more than 40,000 sermons (sometimes seven or more in a day!), often riding on horseback forty or more miles daily. Like Whitefield, Wesley led many thousands of people to faith in Jesus Christ.

We may not have the same ministry as Whitefield and Wesley, but we can have their fervor and fire for the Lord. In 2 Tim. 1:6-7, the apostle Paul exhorted young pastor Timothy to fan into the flame the gift of God that was in him, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Is the fire on the altar of our Christian hearts burning low? Might we need to fan into flame the gift of God that is in us? What was true of Whitefield and Wesley can also be true of us—we can be ablaze for God and accomplish much for Him.

Let us then pray that God would raise up modern-day Whitefields and Wesleys—twenty-first century Christians who have a burden for lost souls and an accompanying unction of the Spirit’s power to lead many people to Christ. After all, ten words shared in the power of the Spirit will be much more effective than ten thousand words spoken in the flesh.

*Whitefield and Wesley are prime examples of how Christians can disagree on doctrine and yet still love each other. For example, consider these words from a letter that Whitefield wrote to Wesley: “I love and honour you for his [Christ’s] sake; and when I come to judgment, will thank you before men and angels, for what you have, under God, done for my soul. There, I am persuaded, I shall see dear Mr. Wesley convinced of election and everlasting love. And it often fills me with pleasure to think how I shall behold you casting your crown down at the feet of the Lamb, and as it were filled with a holy blushing for opposing the divine sovereignty in the manner you have done. But I hope the Lord will shew you this before you go hence. O how I do long for that day! If the Lord should be pleased to make use of this letter for that purpose, it would abundantly rejoice the heart of, dear and honoured Sir, Yours affectionate, though unworthy brother and servant in Christ, George Whitefield.” George Whitefield’s Journals (Edinburgh.: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1989), 588.

2007-04-10T14:41:00.000-05:00

ON A LIGHTER NOTE

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Whose idea was it to put as "S" in the word "lisp"?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Is there ever a day when mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will materialize?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

2007-04-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CAUSATION

The Westminster Confession of Faith, in its chapter on the providence of God, speaks of God’s purposes in terms of primary and secondary causes:

"Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly, yet, by the same providence, he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently."

In other words, God is the primary cause of happenings in His creation. Secondary causes include the laws of nature (gravity, for instance), which are not independent of God; nature’s laws are God’s laws. Let the reader decide whether or not such distinctions are helpful. As for me, I have made peace with God’s sovereignty over all things, great and small, and am convinced that even those things we call “chance” or “chaos” are somehow related to God’s providential plan.* All things are under His control; not even one little sparrow falls to the ground apart from God’s will (Matt. 10:29).

*In a fascinating article titled “Theological Reflections on Chaos Theory,” John Jefferson Davis makes this perceptive observation about the relationship between secondary causes and chaos theory: “God is the primary and ultimate cause of all that happens, whether the fall of a sparrow, the fall of an empire, the rising of the sun, or the crucifixion of the Messiah. God’s primary causation is usually mediated, however, through the agency of secondary causes, either through human choices or through the operation of natural laws. These secondary causes can act ‘necessarily,’ as in the falling of a stone to the ground; ‘contingently,’ as in the casting of a lot; or ‘freely,’ as in King David’s decision to commit adultery with Bathsheba. Though the seventeenth century worldview of the Westminster divines understood the term ‘contingently’ in terms of what we would now call ‘classical uncertainty’ (i.e., a ‘coin toss’) rather than ‘quantum’ or ‘chaotic’ uncertainty, which were unknown at the time, it is nevertheless the case that their basic standpoint can be extended to encompass the new phenomena of chaos theory. ‘Secondary causes’ can be expanded to include the phenomena described by quantum mechanics and chaos theory as well as those described by Newtonian (or Aristotelian) physics. All events of history and nature are embedded within a lawful, coherent structure ultimately ordered by the providence of God.” John Jefferson Davis, “Theological Reflections on Chaos Theory,” Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 49 (1997): 75-84.

2007-04-08T06:23:00.000-05:00

HE IS RISEN!

JUST AS HE SAID!

2007-04-06T10:46:00.000-05:00

WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY?

Many people answer the question “Who killed Jesus?” by saying it was the Jews, or the Romans, or your sins and mine that sent Him to the cross. And of course there certainly was a human element involved in the death of Jesus. But the Bible teaches that it was God's plan for Jesus to die on the cross. The human factor is best understood against the divine backdrop of God’s sovereignty, for Scripture declares that “it was the Lord’s will to crush him” (Is. 53:10).

Ponder that biblical truth for a few moments: it was the Lord’s will to crush Jesus. In the words of Acts 2:23: “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” The death of Jesus was not an accident or an afterthought on God’s part; rather, the atoning* death of Jesus Christ was planned by the triune God in eternity past and was carried out in history, in perfect fulfillment of God’s will.

While there are many different theories of the atonement, I believe that the atoning work of Jesus Christ is best understood in terms of substitution; that is, Christ died on the cross as the substitute for sinners. The atoning sacrifices in the Old Testament were substitutionary in nature (the blood of animals was shed on behalf of God’s covenant people) and pointed to Jesus Christ, who is the heart of the Bible and the One to whom the Old Testament Law and prophets bear witness.

Christ was the perfect sacrificial victim—the Lamb of God—who died vicariously for sinners. In the words of Isa. 53:6, “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Christians would do well to personalize that profound biblical truth: the Lord laid on Jesus our iniquities—every lie, every theft, every injurious word, every immoral thought and deed, every act of selfishness … all of this and much, much more. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was the sin-bearer for wayward sheep. Good Friday is good because Christ died as the atoning sacrifice for sinners on that Friday long ago!

Elsewhere we are told, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Notice that Christ was made sin for us. Notice, too, the substitutionary language of 1 Pet. 3:18: “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Isaac Watts had substitution in mind when he wrote these words to the hymn, “Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed”:

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed

And did my Sovereign die!
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I!

Was it for sins that I have done
He suffered on the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

When considering the vast and weighty topic of the atonement, we must not lose sight of the fact that it was God’s unmerited love, “love beyond degree,” for sinners that led to the death of Christ. Let us guard against thinking about the atonement in purely theoretical terms.

Accordingly, those of us who have been transformed by God’s grace would do well to pray—as Paul prayed for the Ephesians long ago—that we might “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that [we] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18-19). Perhaps now would be a good time to stop and pray that powerful prayer for ourselves.

*To understand atonement, we need to start with the Old Testament. There we find that the word most often used for atonement is kaphar (כפר) and its derivatives: kaphar is the Hebrew word for “to cover.” The idea is that a person was delivered from punishment by the placing of something between their sin and God. That happened at the cross: Jesus, the sacrifical Lamb of God, took the punishment for sinners, His blood "covering" peoples' sins.

2007-04-04T21:06:00.000-05:00

EVEN IF IT MEANS A CROSS

A timely and powerful word: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200704/20070402_cross.html

2007-04-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

THE SERVANT-MASTER

In John 13:1-17, we find a powerful example of love. During the Last Supper, Jesus showed His disciples “the full extent of his love.” He demonstrated His love by His actions. That is an important point. Jesus did not simply say, “I love you.” Instead, He demonstrated His love.

Biblical love is more than words. It is also more than a feeling. “Dear children,” Scripture says, “let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” In John 13 we certainly see Jesus loving with actions and in truth. John records that Jesus got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and then began to wash the disciples’ feet.

Notice that Jesus got up during the meal to do this. Normally foot washing was done as an act of courtesy when a person entered someone’s home. The fact that Jesus got up during the meal to wash feet tells us that He had more than a courteous act in mind. Jesus showed the full extent of His love by dying on a cross for sinners. But before going to the cross, He humbled Himself and unselfishly washed the feet of His disciples. The Master was a servant.

And of course the lesson must not be missed: servanthood is the high calling of every follower of Jesus, the Servant-Master.

2007-04-01T17:23:00.000-05:00

THE DONKEY AND THE WARHORSE

Today is Palm Sunday, and I once again had the privilege and responsibility of preaching the Word of God to the people of God. This morning's text was from Matthew 21, the passage often referred to as Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. One of the things that stands out to me from the passage is the manner in which Jesus entered Jerusalem: on a colt, the foal of a donkey. That is not the typical mode of transportation one would expect for a king! But in so doing, Jesus perfectly fulfilled prophecy (Zechariah 9). Moroever, entering the city of peace (Jerusalem) on a donkey was in keeping with the humble manner of the Prince of Peace.

By way of striking contrast, John, in Revelation 19, does not speak of the Second Coming of Christ in terms of lowliness and humility--instead, John describes the conquering warrior King riding forth on a white horse to make war. At His Second Advent, the Lord will come as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The donkey will give way to the warhorse!

2007-03-31T11:03:00.000-05:00

GREAT GUITAR WORK!

Check out the following links for some incredible guitar playing by a young Jose Feliciano:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LFvqmIi9Ymc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MeriTXdLfZk

2007-03-29T15:02:00.000-05:00

SERIOUS CHRISTIANITY

To my mind, one of the most inspiring persons in church history was a man named Ignatius (St. Ignatius of Antioch). He lived during the first century and was put to death because of his outspoken Christian witness. Ignatius was an old man when he was thrown to the lions in the Roman coliseum.

Listen to these incredible words of his recorded in a letter he wrote to Christians in Rome shortly before his death. Though somewhat lengthy, the passage resounds with passion and power and is worthy of serious reflection:

"What a thrill I shall have from the wild beasts that are ready for me! I hope they will make short work of me. I shall coax them on to eat me up at once and not to hold off. I shall force them to it. Forgive me—I know what is good for me. Now is the moment I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing seen or unseen begrudge me making my way to Jesus Christ. Come fire, cross, battling with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of my limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil—only let me get to Jesus Christ! Not the wide bounds of earth nor the kingdoms of this world will avail me anything. “I would rather die” and get to Jesus Christ than reign over the ends of the earth. That is what I am looking for—the One who died for us. That is whom I want—the One who died for us. I am going through the pangs of being born. Sympathize with me, brothers! Do not stand in the way of my coming to life—do not wish death on me. Do not give back to the world one who wants to be God’s; do not trick him with material things. Let me get into the clear light and manhood will be mine. Let me imitate the passion of my God. If anyone has Him in him, let him appreciate what I am longing for, and sympathize with me, realizing what I am going through."

The words of Ignatius sound like utter foolishness to the carnal mind. Indeed, I remember a seminary classmate who read those words and summarily pronounced Ignatius crazy. But far from being foolish speech emanating from a crazed Christian, the words of Ignatius poured forth from a mature Christian heart. Ignatius was a man whose thoughts were fixed on Jesus (Heb. 3:1). To be sure, such is the profound privilege with which believers in all times are graced: we can fix our thoughts on Jesus and even behold Him through eyes of faith. And someday, faith will give way to sight and Christians will behold the One whom Ignatius now sees face to face.

2007-03-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

HEART ZAPPING COMPLETE!

I have returend to the blogosphere after a ten-day hiatus of sorts. I would like to thank everyone who prayed and offered words of comfort and support before, during, and after my heart procedure. It has been nearly a week since my pulmonary vein isolation (catheter ablation). In non-technical terms, the doctor "zapped" some areas in my heart that were contributing to eratic and rapid heartbeats (atrial fibrillation). To date, I am doing fine and recovering well. It normally takes the heart several months to heal from such a procedure (in my case, the doctor made 38 "burns" inside my heart), so we shall see what time brings. But thus far, all is well. Praise be to God! And again, thanks for the many prayers and expressions of support!

2007-03-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

GONE FISHING

Well, not really. Actually, I will be out of commission for a week or so while undergoing and recovering from a heart-related procedure. More information will follow. I appreciate the prayers!

2007-03-15T14:11:00.000-05:00

THE JEWISHNESS OF JESUS

It can be easy to perceive of Jesus in unbiblical ways, allowing cultural accretions to confuse our understanding of Him.

For instance, the anglicized (at times blue-eyed and handsome), cinematic Christ of Hollywood bears little physical resemblance to the Middle Eastern Jesus about whom Scripture says, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (Isa. 53:2). The beauty of Jesus was—and is—the greatest beauty of all: the beauty of holiness.

I am recognizing, more and more, the importance of understanding Jesus against the backdrop of Judaism. In the words of a bumper sticker I once saw, “My boss is a Jewish carpenter.”

His very name, “Jesus,” is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Joshua,” (yeshua) meaning “God saves.” In accordance with Jewish law, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Every year His family went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover (Luke 2:41-43). Jesus also took part in the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7) and attended synagogue every Sabbath, “as was his custom” (Luke 4:16). Jesus was a rabbi who fulfilled the Hebrew (Old Testament) Scriptures. And of course the first believers in Jesus were Jews.

It seems to me that coming to terms with the “Jewishness” of Jesus is essential if we are to truly understand the Messiah of Scripture.

2007-03-08T18:36:00.000-06:00

THE SOLACE OF SOVEREIGNTY

Not long ago, a fine Christian brother commented to me that coming to terms with the sovereignty of God over all things (including salvation) was both liberating and lifechanging. (He was raised in an Arminian tradition and formerly embraced that theological system). For myself, the fact that God rules and reigns over everything, great and small, is very comforting.

As I prepare for a surgical procedure in less than two weeks, I am finding solace not only in the biblical truth of God's sovereignty, but also in the God who is sovereign over all. To be sure, my times--and all our times--are in God's hands (Psalm 31:15). The song I learned years ago as a child is certainly true: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

As a college student, I read a work titled The Consolation of Philosophy. I thought then, as I do now, that it was strange for a Christian to find their consolation in philosophy. How much better to find one's solace in the sovereignty of the living God. And how much better still to find one's solace in the God who is sovereign over all, and in whose hands our times and very lives are held!

The God I love and serve is the sovereign Lord. He is the God who has made Himself known in Jesus Christ, in Whom we find true solace: abundant and eternal life. My consolation, both now and forever, is in the triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2007-03-01T10:14:00.000-06:00

Quotable Quotation

“This precious Lamb of God gave up His golden fleece for us.”

Those wonderful words come from Christopher Nesse, a Puritan Christian.

2007-02-19T21:33:00.000-06:00

AFFLICTIVE PROVIDENCES

This afternoon I came across a passage by the Puritan Christian, Thomas Watson. His words seemed to leap off the page at me. Here they are:
"As the painter intermixes bright colours with dark shadows, so the wise God mixes mercy with judgment. Those afflictive providences which seem to be prejudicial, are beneficial.... Afflictions work for good, as they conform us to Christ. God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more lively upon us."
I can resonate of late with the term "afflictive providences," and am so glad "that all things [good and bad!] work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

2007-02-09T20:16:00.000-06:00

New Wineskins Convocation

The Holy Spirit will guide us in this time, pastor tells audience

By Craig M. Kibler, Staff Writer The Layman Online Friday, February 9, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Holy Spirit will guide us during this time, the Rev. Sameh Maurice told more than 500 people Thursday night during the opening worship service of the New Wineskins Association of Churches' Convocation.

The Presbyterian Church in Egypt "was planted by you 150 years ago," he said. "We pray that you will stand strong in the Gospel."

Maurice is the co-pastor of Kasr el Dobara Church in Cairo, Egypt, which event organizers describe as the largest Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church in the Middle East – 7,000 people regularly attend services and reach out to the city and region through multiple ministries and activities.

Before Maurice began to speak, the Rev. Tom Edwards, co-coordinator of New Wineskins, told the audience at First Presbyterian Church that Maurice "walks in humility and boldness for the Lord." Kasr el Dobara Church, Edwards said, has "7,000 worshipping members in downtown Cairo. The number of missionaries the membership of that congregation sends out is 10 times higher than the Presbyterian Church (USA) has throughout the world."

Maurice's message was simple and direct. "Christ," he said, "is the center of the church. Christ is the head of the church, the Savior, and the message itself through him is that we have life in him. Through him, everything was created.""We believe in the centrality of Christ," Maurice said. "We believe that he is not just the Savior, but the Lord. Follow him and listen to him. This is the centrality of Christ. It's all about him. When the church forgets that, there is nothing left."

The centrality of Christ, he said, "is the most difficult thing at this time. Loving him means forgetting about ourselves. It's not me, not I, but him crucified." Maurice told the audience that we believe in the centrality of Christ, "but I'm not sure how much we live it. You need the Holy Spirit. Make him the center, but also receive the Spirit."

With the Spirit's help, people can go out and preach the Word and, "this will put you in more trouble," Maurice said. "This will put us in danger. Give us boldness to speak your Word." "Wait for the Holy Spirit," he said. "He will enable you to do it. You and the Spirit together will do the job. You cannot do it by yourselves."

All through the New Testament and the Bible, Maurice said, the Holy Spirit "enables the church to do the task, the commission, the purpose of our existence – to proclaim the Gospel, to testify to what we have seen to every man and woman." The Holy Spirit is needed, he said, "to be the power and the life of the church, to witness, to kindle the passion and the fire within us to speak the Word of God. Only the Spirit can do that."

Citing Luke 3:16, Maurice said John the Baptist said he "will baptize you with the holy spirit and the fire. This is exactly what happened during Pentecost – the Holy Spirit appeared as fire. He is the real fire."

Jeremiah 20:9 says, "His word is in my heart like a fire."

"We sometimes evangelize the believers with no passion," Maurice said, but we need "to find the lost, to go to them where they are – and they are everywhere. Many times, the church lost the passion to reach the unreached and save the sinners, so they will reject the Word of God. They are not interested because we are not interested, because we don't have the passion. Through the Holy Spirit, we can receive the passion in our hearts."

He also spoke of the courage the Holy Spirit will provide: "Courage to go to your enemies and tell them about the love of God. He is the one that can transform a church from being inside the walls, in a safe place, in a comfort zone. He is the one who can push the church outside the walls to the dangerous places."

The Holy Spirit, Maurice said, provides "the passion, the courage and the wisdom – when to say it, how to say it. Don't be worried, he will give you the words. Don't be worried, the Holy Spirit will teach you." "Do we live it?" he asked. "Do you have a fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Do you listen to him? Do you speak the words of wisdom? Do you speak with courage? Do you believe that the Holy Spirit will do the impossible in the hearts of sinners?" This is only the work of the Spirit, Maurice said.

"We have to testify to proclaim the gospel, but by the power of the Spirit, we see the results, we see the sinner coming to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. It's the grace of the Son, the love of the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit."

Craig M. Kibler is the Director of Publications for the Presbyterian Lay Committee and Executive Editor of The Layman and The Layman Online. He can be reached at cmkibler@layman.org.

2007-01-28T19:22:00.000-06:00

ON YET ANOTHER LIGHTER NOTE!

Living Nativity Falls Apart When Homeless Actors Throw Party
GRAND RAPIDS — The regulars at Jade Avenue Lutheran church's "living nativity" scene, tired of standing endless hours in the cold while drivers crept by, hired local vagrants to take their place this year. But the men began carousing and asking for handouts, throwing the event into chaos.
"We were enjoying the manger scene when Joseph pulled a flask from his robe and took a long pull," said Wendy Shanahan. "Then they banged on the windows and asked for 'gold, frankincense or beer.' My husband moved on pretty quick."
Soon, the down-and-out bunch was high-fiving each other, riding frightened sheep and donkeys around and playing football with the baby Jesus doll.
"It was the coolest nativity scene I've ever seen," says 15-year-old Travis, who'd come along grudgingly with his parents. For an hour, the fracas continued, drawing on-lookers who'd heard about the "party nativity." Church elders arrived to see Joseph beating his chest Tarzan-style, the wise men singing off-color pub songs and the animals huddled fearfully in the corner. Viewers had parked and were tailgating. The man playing Mary was doing a striptease, to the roars of the crowd.
When the police arrived, people scattered. "All robed persons, stay where you are," one officer said over a bullhorn. The hired men spent a night in the county jail and were released. The church was fined for aiding and abetting public drunkenness.
The carousing vagrants already have an invitation to perform in next year's "Rave Nativity" put on by the edgy Rock On Church. "They had a pretty cool groove going," says the pastor there. "We'll borrow that vibe."
Source: Lark News

2007-01-28T18:58:00.000-06:00

ON A LIGHTER NOTE

Jesse Duplantis a Surprise Hit in Paris

PARIS — Coming soon to the Omnisports de Bercy in Paris are Justin Timberlake, Blue Man Group and John Legend. But the only sold-out show so far belongs to Jesse Duplantis, France's favorite American "comique."
"They think he's the second coming of Jerry Lewis," says one bemused New York theater critic. While Duplantis's American audience is limited mainly to TBN viewers and Word of Faith churches, in Paris he's built a following as a comic genius. After his recent appearance a French newspaper called him a "brilliant showman and deft satirist of all things religious and American."
But for Duplantis, this poses a problem. "French audiences don't think I mean what I preach. They think it's an act," he says backstage after one "performance." "The more I tell them I'm serious, the more they think it's an act."
The French see preaching as an American art form, like blues and jazz music. Recently at a packed 15,000-seat arena Duplantis called people forward for prayer, which the French audience gamely did, clamoring for him to touch their foreheads. Some even fell over backwards for effect.
"I loved the audience participation," said one girl excitedly in the lobby afterwards. "It was like being part of his culture for a moment."
"Could we love Mr. Duplantis any more?" wrote Le Monde's culture critic the next day. "His 'sermon' changes every night, so the show remains fresh."
Duplantis has kept mum about his French popularity to U.S. audiences, but keeps playing Paris hoping for a breakthrough.
"Maybe revival is coming to Europe," he says. "I don't know. Maybe this crazy New Orleans preacher is the start of something big."
Source: Lark News

2007-01-25T17:17:00.000-06:00

PUTTING GOD ON DISPLAY

The following words by J.I. Packer (from his Christian classic Knowing God) are instructive:

"Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit: the spirit, that is, that spawns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God.... Churchmen who look at God, so to speak, through the wrong end of the telescope, so reducing him to pygmy proportions, cannot hope to end up as more than pygmy Christians."

I wonder if a reason why much of contemporary church life is spiritually stunted is because we have too small a view of God. Surely one of the imperatives of our time is to put God back on display ... to intentionally magnify His greatness and glory, His attributes, His sovereignty in salvation, etc. Our spiritual health will most certainly improve as we exchange the man-centeredness and faddism so prevalent in American church life for God-centered, biblical Christianity.

(We American Christians seem prone to flit from fad to fad [e.g., the health and wealth gospel, seeker-sensitivity, emergent, etc.]; what makes us so succeptible to spiritual faddism? Any ideas?)

2007-01-19T22:13:00.000-06:00

MORE TOZER

"...no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God."

--A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy.

2007-01-17T21:07:00.000-06:00

WORSHIP AND OUR CONCEPT OF GOD

I am teaching and preaching of late on the subject of worship. Tonight's session included the following words from A.W. Tozer that are well worth pondering:

"Worship, I say, rises or falls with our concept of God .... and if there is one terrible disease in the Church of Christ, it is that we do not see God as great as He is."

--Worship: The Missing Jewel of the Evangelical Church

2007-01-08T16:31:00.000-06:00

INTERESTING THOUGHT!

I saw this interesting tidbit in the January issue of Christianity Today:

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes!

2006-12-24T16:47:00.001-06:00

SEE YOU IN JANUARY!

2006-12-14T22:00:00.000-06:00

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING

Check out this excellent article about the Holy Spirit with the curious title, "The Holy Spirit is not a Failed Ed McMahon." I wish I had written it! Here is the link: http://teampyro.blogspot.com//

2006-12-03T22:31:00.000-06:00

GOD BECAME MAN

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14

For many of us, Christmas is one of the highlights--perhaps the highlight--of the year. It is a time to spend with loved ones in warm homes, enjoying good food and exchanging gifts.

There is nothing wrong with any of that, of course. Most of us will spend Christmas in just such a way. But if that is all Christmas means to us, then we have missed the true meaning of the season.

What is Christmas really all about? The true meaning of the season is this: God became man. What an amazing truth! Two thousand years ago the Lord entered human history, becoming incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. The Creator became a creature! Why did God do such an astounding thing? First Timothy 1:15 provides an answer: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

The Lord came to us primarily as our Savior. That is because we human beings are, by nature, spiritually “…dead in [our] transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). But in His great love and mercy, the Lord has done something about our sinful human condition. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.What incredible news! This is not the stuff of a fairy tale. This is not mere myth or legend. This is historical fact: God became man to rescue spiritually dead people.

Have you seen yourself as the sinner the Bible says you are? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ and His atoning death upon the cross to save you from your sins?

Please do not let Christmas go by without remembering the real significance of the season. Look beyond the Christmas tree, the lights, the tamales and all of the holiday trappings. These things have their place, but let us see Christmas for what it really is: God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ, living a sinless life and then dying upon a cross and rising from the dead … so that sinful people could be forgiven and experience abundant and eternal life.

May God bless you this holy season as you experience the true meaning of Christmas!

2006-11-29T14:52:00.000-06:00

PREPARED TO SPEAK

I have been preparing a men's Bible study from Luke 5 and was drawn to verse one: "One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God...."

Note that Jesus did not speak from a formal house of God. Although He did speak in synagogues, Jesus was prepared to speak the Word of God anywhere--even from a boat! As followers of the Master, we must be prepared to speak the Word of God indoors and outdoors, in the church house and in grocery stores!

Jesus was prepared to speak anywhere and everywhere, as the Spirit led Him. How about us?

2006-11-20T14:28:00.000-06:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

See you Next Week!