Still battling Indulgences HERE…

Take the time to watch this VIDEO…

29:1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!

“Ascribe” means to give, set, take upon.  In this glorious Psalm, David is clear that ALL glory belongs to the Lord.  It’s to be given to Him as an offering.  It’s to be set upon Him as the only ONE worthy to receive it.  It’s to be taken to Him as obedience to a command…which it is (an imperative).

As much as we look to the grandiose to spark some “God thoughts” in us, I want to encourage / challenge you to give, set, take the Glory to God in the mundane, everyday things.  Consider the majestic language in the Psalm.  What’s the point of reflection?  Creation.  You got that every day!  Certainly we live in a culture where creation is exalted above Creator (except where unborn babies are concerned, they’re treated as less than creation by some), so we must be cautious.  However, don’t lose seeing that the God that whispers is the God that thunders and roars.

Within creation, David notices that God is still at work causing things and allowing things that will praise Him (as it’s doing from David’s lips).  There are storms, devastation, births.  God is not passive, nor is He uninvolved.  This means that God’s glory is right here, right now.  Whether you are sitting in a coffee shop like I am right now, or peering out an office window, riding a bike…God’s glory is ever-present because God is ever-present.

And lest we forget, the way that God has chosen to be glorified the greatest is when we treasure His Son, Jesus Christ…

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Okay, first of all it’s a Tuesday-Monday.  You know, the first day of the work week after a blessed Monday off with the family and everything collides on this day so that the rest of week is less than chaotic (yep, that’s my rampant optimism shining through in my hopes that this week is “less than chaotic”).  Mondays are normally more administrative / evaluative for me and Tuesdays are full of meetings (today alone I have a 9:00, 10:30, 1:00 (staff mtg) and 4:00).  So, obviously the admin is taking a hit this week.

Therefore, the title of this blog “death sentence” is no response to it being a Tuesday-Monday.  It’s a response to some thoughts from Sunday’s message.

In John 21:18-19, John makes clear that what’s been said by Christ is to show what kind of death Peter would glorify God in.  Essentially, we only have snippets of church history / folk-lore to give any indication how Peter died.  It is common to think he was crucified upside down, having deemed himself  unworthy to die like Christ.  We just don’t know.  Therefore, the point of John’s statement must focus on the fact that Christ was preparing Peter to live in such a way that even in his death, God would be glorified.

Now, John goes on to record Christ’s words in John 21:19 to Peter, “Follow me.”  It is in this two word imperative that we essentially find the means of dying a God glorified death.  I know, this is awfully morbid talk for a Tuesday-Monday, but I’m in good company.  Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 that it’s better to go to a funeral than a birthday party.  Why?  Because it makes us wise for living.  The Puritans were seen as a melancholic sort (I like ‘em), but when you read the amount and depth of their writings you see a pervading wisdom of living because they examined their own mortality on a regular basis.  Luther did this as well.

At different times we all have mortality moments.  It may come at the death of a loved one, a difficult medical diagnosis, or even testing for something that may turn out to be nothing.  Take wisdom from those experiences to examine how your “follow me” part of life is going.  Are you treasuring Christ above all things?  Do you love Him?  Are you truly born again?  Ask these questions in light of the fact that we all have a death sentence and rejoice in the Lord’s provision of “mortality moments” so that we find even greater assurance in our eternal destiny.

As we come up on Memorial Day weekend it is important for us to remember those who have paid so much, even their lives, for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States.  The freedoms we enjoy allow for great good and great evil.  It is the responsibility of free citizens to help and aid those without a voice and unable to help themselves.  The government should help us maintain these freedoms with responsibility.

The idea of human rights is based on the idea in our constitution that we are endowed with said rights by our “Creator.”  Now, the church too often adopts this for their overall view of humanity, which scripture says is fallen.  While we are the chief of God’s creation, we are creation nonetheless.  We have a capacity for social good, and responsible to do that.  However, God’s kind of good is only for those who are in Christ Jesus (read Rom.3 if you doubt what I’m saying).  Soldiers throughout American history have died to maintain our human freedoms and their sacrifice (through God’s providence) make us the most free society on the face of the planet, with the greatest capacity for human good.

Our government should lead the world in defending and helping the helpless.  There is no greater helpless segment of our society than unborn children.  As long as these unborn humans are seen as tissue, the government will get it wrong.  Perhaps while many are trying to remove the 10 Commandments from courthouses everywhere we should have many publicly reading Psalm 139.

Here’s what Piper says…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O68MByaMVdM]

Now we come to my final observations from Hobbiton, I mean Chicago.

There we were about half way through the first day and I began to notice an underlying theme.  I leaned over to Cole Penick and inquired of him…he confirmed my suspicions… The Gospel Coalition is the Shire of evangelicalism.  Allow me to explain.

First, I noticed the strong resemblance between Don Carson, and Bilbo Baggins…

Then, there came the nagging feeling that Tim Keller had a little “Gollum” in him…

I then get a text from Cole Penick to notice the speakers in our workshop room.  Here they are…

And the final piece of the “puzzle” was when Ligon Duncan professed his strong affinity for all things J.R.R. Tolkien, whom I suspect he’ll look like when he gets older (pipe or no, I have no idea)…

So, there and back again.  The Gospel Coalition Conference was fantastic, but we definitely got more than we bargained for!

Don Carson’s talk was very good on cultural flexibility – being all things to all men to reach some.  I thought he did a very ample job of making sure that the flexibility is only for the messenger, NOT the message (the gospel) or even the convert (still demanding repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation).  Here are the (brief) notes on his talk.  I encourage you to go HERE to get the full video.

Don Carson

1 Cor.9:19-23

How do you demand faithfulness and flexibility?

You must flow the argument of chps.8&9.

Who are the weak? (Chp.8)

The issue here is that the exercising of rights must be constrained by understanding the nature of being a stumbling block.  The weakness, then, is in the one who does not have knowledge of the truth to lead to a clear conscience in the manner.  If the mature believer goes ahead and acts knowing there is damage to the weaker brother, they sin against the brother and Christ Himself.

Out of the compulsion of being captured by Christ, Paul DESIRES to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.  He then goes on to describe just how he constrains his personal rights in order to joyfully and willfully make the gospel plain…

1 Cor.9:19-23

1)    Paul has to be flexible because he doesn’t belong to these categories any more

2)    How do you flex to this NOT under the law?  He’s not under the law.  He’s free but He’s not.  Paul makes determination on whether or not to flex according to the gospel.  If there is a demand unto salvation, no flexibility is in order (or associate with those who demand such things).  Where it’s cultural there is possibility given that it doesn’t damage the weaker brother.

3)    Paul has to flex because he wants to win people in all these categories

4)    If you want to flex so the gospel is more accessible to others then understand you have to bring them back to being a Christian.  Every culture has idols.  To follow Christ, idols must be forsaken.  So, be flexible, but call and command the mandate of the gospel.

5)    Paul has to flex because he wants to participate in the gospel category (v.23)

6)    ALL FOR THE GOSPEL

Paul wants to be certain of his own conversion in his actions and his fellowship in the sufferings of Christ.

PREACHING IT / LIVING IT

The flexibility and accommodation in this passage are the flexibility and accommodation of the messenger, not the message OR the convert.

Ligon Duncan is one of my favorite contemporary preachers (and rappers?).  His treatment of 2 Timothy 4:6-22 was excellent.  Here are my notes…

Ligon Duncan

2 Timothy 4:6-22

READ and PRAY the pastoral epistles of Paul.

Problems in the Western Church:

1)    Paul’s message won’t work today

2)    Message works, but our methods need overhaul and they are removed from the church’s doctrine and theology

However, Scripture makes plain that our methodology is connected to our theology.  If our methods are contrary to our beliefs, then methodology will overcome theological positions.

The pastoral epistles give us gospel message and gospel means.  Our theology informs our methodology.

“What you win them by is what you win them to,” James M. Boice.

What can we learn about the gospel and ministry in closing remarks?

2 Timothy is more personal than 1 Timothy, yet they both are written with the corporate body in view.  So, it is a public letter.

Chp.4:6-22 outline

Exhortation, Requests, Warnings, Greetings, Benediction

Remember, the main message of the letter is for Timothy to fan the gift of the white hot flame of the gospel and to endure even through suffering.

Exhortation (vv.6-8)

-       There is no goal / finish line short of the Day you see your Savior.  Do not find some contentment to finish early.  See communities and lives transformed NOW to see Him face to face THEN!

-       Early in ministry, you may have wanted to do great things and be great for God, but ultimately your aim now must be to finish the race, cross the finish line, and all the while not shaming the bride of Christ or the gospel.  Just endure and finish well.  Be spent and spilled out for Him.

Requests (vv.9-13)

-        “Come Before Winter” Spurgeon’s sermon on this passage

-       Paul is lonely.  He wants books and parchments.  Something in these writings gives him comfort.

-       Give yourself to reading.  Focus on the Puritans and biblical Expositions.

-       Consider this meeting – Paul is there with Timothy, Luke, Mark (these men comprise the majority of NT writings…wow!)

Warnings (vv.14-18)

-       Being faithful in gospel ministry does not mean that you will not be left alone.

-       Those bitter toward the church have forgotten that faithfulness and love for the bride of Christ should continue even if they’ve been left alone.

-       While alone, he was able to proclaim the message for Gentiles to hear (1:8; 1 Tim.2).

Greetings (vv.19-21)

-       Paul genuinely loves God’s people and wants the people to know that and that they genuinely love one another

-       This is inspired as well

Benediction (v.22)

-       Assurance of Christ’s presence and ongoing grace

-       Reflect on Moses’ response to God’s charge in Exodus 33 to go on up to Canaan without Him.  Moses says to kill him now.

-       Our longing (regardless of circumstances) must be, should be, to be with Him – the absence of fellowship with God should be horrendous to the disciple.

-       Our charge is “go” but it also includes the vital “I will go with you.”

-       How will Timothy deal with finishing well?  Fulfill requests?  Face danger?  Be alone?  Deliver messages?  Only by the GRACE OF GOD.

Bryan Chapell is a professor of preaching and author of probably the most definitive contemporary book on expositional preaching, Christ-Centered Preaching.  I thought his treatment of 2 Timothy was exceptional and practical – meaning of the greatest help to me for the people of UBC.  Here are the notes…

Bryan Chapell

2 Timothy 3:10-4:1-5

You bank everything on the truth and nature of the Book.  Being reminded of the nature of the book (vv.16-17) is essential to effective ministry.

1)    The Word of God is “breathed out” by God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  When the Bible is read, God speaks.

1. Luther, “The Church is God’s ‘mouth-house.’”
2. God speaks to His people through the Word
3. The faithful exposition of the pastor is the voice of God.
4. Jesus continues to speak to His people through preaching the Scriptures.
5. God has left Himself a witness

2)    There are expectations at the preaching of the Word

1. Expectation of purity
2. Expectation of persecution
3. Expectation of power (4:1)
   1. Jesus is speaker and audience in our preaching
   2. Resurrection power
   3. Enables preaching the Word (v.2)
4. Expectation of patience (even as you preach with authority)

3)    The Hand of Jesus is Present in the Proclamation (the voice of Jesus)

1. Ps.19:7-10 (that which inspired by God reflects His nature)
   1. Perfect (reviving)
   2. Sure (making wise)
   3. Right (rejoicing)
   4. Pure (enlightening)
   5. Clean (enduring)
   6. True (righteous)
   7. Desireable (satisfying)
2. At least 3000 times in the Bible “thus saith the Lord” is used in one form or another
3. The idolatry of self will be confronted
4. The isolation of self will be addressed

4)    The Heart of God is revealed in the Word Proclaimed (His voice)

1. Apart from him there is heartlessness
2. Only God is perfect, and the sacred writings (OT) led Timothy to understanding the gospel.
3. It is the Word that has done this – given Timothy a heart for God
4. When you have the voice, hand and heart of God, you have Jesus (the Word proclaimed is the presence of Christ with His people)
5. Ps.119:131 – God revealing Himself in His Word (the Law) that the only satisfying drink is to know all that we can know about God and fulfilling all that pleases Him
6. The way you give your people Him, is by giving them His Word!!!

Take Heed How You Hear!

Ten Practical Preparations for Hearing the Word of God on Sunday Morning

By John Piper

March 2, 1998

1. Pray that God would give you a good and honest heart.

The heart we need is a work of God. That’s why we pray for it. Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart.” Jeremiah 24:7, “I will give them a heart to know Me.” Let’s pray, “O Lord, give me a heart for you. Give me a good and honest heart. Give me a soft and receptive heart. Give me a humble and meek heart. Give me a fruitful heart.”

2. Meditate on the Word of God.

Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” On Saturday night read some delicious portion of your Bible with a view to stirring up hunger for God. This is the appetizer for Sunday morning’s meal.

3. Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment.

James 1:21, “Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” It astonishes me how many Christians watch the same banal, empty, silly, trivial, titillating, suggestive, immodest TV shows that most unbelievers watch. This makes us small and weak and worldly and inauthentic in worship. Instead, turn off the television on Saturday night and read something true and great and beautiful and pure and honorable and excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Your heart will unshrivel and be able to feel greatness again.

4. Trust in the truth that you already have.

The hearing of the word of God that fails during trial has no root (Luke 8:13). What is the root we need? It is trust. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream.” Trusting in the truth you already have is the best way to prepare yourself to receive more.

5. Rest long enough Saturday night to be alert and hopeful Sunday morning.

1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.” I am not laying down any law here. I am saying there are Saturday night ways that ruin Sunday morning worship. Don’t be enslaved by them. Without sufficient sleep, our minds are dull, our emotions are flat, our proneness to depression is higher, and our fuses are short. My counsel decide when you must get up on Sunday in order to have time to eat, get dressed, pray and meditate on the Word, prepare the family, and travel to church; and then compute backward eight hours and be sure that you are in bed 15 minutes before that. Read your Bible in bed and fall asleep with the Word of God in your mind. I especially exhort parents to teach teenagers that Saturday is NOT the night to stay out late with friends. If there is a special late night, make it Friday. It is a terrible thing to teach children that worship is so optional that it doesn’t matter if you are exhausted when you come.

6. Forebear one another Sunday morning without grumbling and criticism.

Psalm 106:25, “They grumbled in their tents; they did not listen to the voice of the LORD.” Sunday morning grumbling and controversy and quarreling can ruin a worship service for a family. When there is something you are angry about or some conflict that you genuinely think needs to be talked about, forebear. Of course if you are clearly the problem and need to apologize, do it as quickly as you can (Matthew 5:23-24). But if you are fuming because of children or spouse delinquency, forebear, that is, be slow to anger and quick to listen (James 1:19). In worship open yourself to God’s exposing the log in your own eye. It may be that all of you will be humbled and chastened so that no conflict is necessary.

7. Be meek and teachable when you come.

James 1:21 “In meekness receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” Meekness and teachability are not gullibility. You have your Bible and you have your brain. Use them. But if we come with a chip on our shoulder and a suspicion of the preaching week after week, we will not hear the Word of God. Meekness is a humble openness to God’s truth with a longing to be changed by it.

8. Be still as you enter the room and focus your mind’s attention and heart’s affection on God.

Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” As we enter the sanctuary, let us “come on the lookout for God and leave on the lookout for people.” Come with a quiet passion to seek God and his power. We will not be an unfriendly church if we are aggressive in our pursuit of God during the prelude and aggressive in our pursuit of visitors during the postlude.

9. Think earnestly about what is sung and prayed and preached.

1 Corinthians 14:20, “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature”. So Paul says to Timothy, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7). Anything worth hearing is worth thinking about. If you would take heed how you hear, think about what you hear.

10. Desire the Truth of God’s Word more than you desire riches or food.

1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” As you sit quietly and pray and meditate on the text and the songs, remind yourself of what Psalm 19:10-11 says about the Words of God “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Pastor John

© Desiring God

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org