Beautiful Feet

Tonight during Family Teaching Time, we discussed John the Baptist's witness of Jesus as written of in John 1:19-34. It is interesting to note, as I discussed with Amanda (my dear wife) and our four children, that John the Baptist admits that he did not know who Jesus Christ was not once but twice. In both verses 31 and 33, he said, "I did not recognize him."  He did not recognize him, yet he came baptizing with water so as to manifest Christ to Israel.  He did not recognize him, yet in obedience he listened to God who said, "He whom upon you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit" (33). John was believing in the Word before he was even given a sign.

God gave John the Baptist a sign to recognize Jesus Christ; however, the sign was given to a man who had already believed in God's promised Messiah. John was baptizing because he was obedient. John was obedient because he believed. John believed because he was chosen. Luke 1:16 records that John was filled with the Holy Spirit in his mothers womb! Do you believe God had plans for John? Do you believe God has plans for you? He does, and they were determined before you were born.  Paul was elected by God to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles before Paul was born.

So, then, how did they know what it was they were suppose to do? God told them.  God told John the Baptist to baptize with water as a sign of the coming of the Lord. God told Paul that He owned him.  Paul repented of his sin, and God instructed him to preach to the Gentiles.

I told my family that many people are looking for a "sign." Jesus warned against this when he indicates that the sign of Jonah would be enough for those in Israel, and it is enough for us. You may ask, "What is the sign of Jonah?" Jonah was told to go to Nineveh and preach a message. That was the message of repentance.  He, eventually did, even with a begrudging attitude. Do you know what happened? The king of Nineveh repented, and God spared that nation.

Signs are not what people need. People, like me,
need the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Signs do not save. Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). It is God's word that awakens the heart of people chosen by God  to be the recipient of His amazing grace!  I warned my children, be weary of those who say they came to Christ because of a sign.  But listen to those who came to Christ because of His revealed Word!

John the Apostle wrote, "Therefore many other signs Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30-31).

The Second London Confession in Chapter 1 Of the Holy Scriptures explains the importance of Scripture so beautifully.

 "The Holy Scriptures is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving Knowledge, Faith, and Obedience; Although the light of Nature; and the works of Creation and Providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will, which is necessary unto Salvation.  Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterward for the better preserving, and propagating of the Truth, and for the more sure Establishment and Comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and the World to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of Gods revealing his will unto his people being now ceased."

Oh! The Scripture is what man needs not a sign.  Sinful man (include your/my name here) needs not a sign but a Savior. The Savior Jesus Christ is revealed in the Bible. This is how Paul describes the one who brings the Gospel of Christ, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things" (Romans 10:15 )! Praise God!

Should The Christian Be Discouraged

I would like to recommend a book entitled A Lifting Up of the Downcast by William Bridge. It was first published in 1649 and later reprinted by Banner of Truth. Prior to prayer on Wednesday nights, our pastor is discussing this book with the congregation.  Last night, the discussion focused on the difference between humility and discouragement in the aftermath of sin.

I must confess, I had never drawn the distinction between the two, but last night gave me moment to pause and ask myself, in sin, do I find myself humbled or discouraged?

 "When a man is humbled, truly humbled, the object of his grief or sorrow or trouble is sin itself, as a dishonor done unto God.  The object of discouragement is a man's own condition, or sin producing that condition, the ultimate object of discouragement being a man's own condition" (81).

When someone is discouraged they focus on their woes and their wrongs.  One might say, my sin has caused me to bear such a great burden and it causes me to do this or feel that.  A person becomes discontent and downcast because they feel much discontentment due the sin they committed. It is a self affliction.

However, when someone is humbled, they focus on the transgression which he or she has done against the Lord Jesus Christ.  Remember in the courtyard when Peter denied Jesus the third time and the rooster crowed? Jesus looked at Peter, and the Scripture said he wept bitterly.  Why did he weep? Because he had transgressed against his Lord.

This means, humbleness is a right response to sin and a restoration in relationship between the man or woman and his or her Savior in moments of grievous sin.But discouragement never results in a healing relationship because discouragement is sin itself in that it is focused upon me and that is selfish.

A Christian, the book espouses, should never be discouraged. Just consider what Christ had done and is still doing for His Church today! He died; He rose; He prays; He delivers; He sent His Spirit; He watches over; He preserves; and so much more.  Be humbled for sure. If you find yourself discouraged, seek His forgiveness and know that there is hope in Christ. Praise God!

Life is Hard Part II

I do believe that my favorite section of Job is when the Lord asks Job to consider the Leviathan. First this is an ancient sea creature. It was massive in size and feared by fisherman. It was a river monster! God said to Job, "Lay your hand on him; remember the battle; you will not do it again" (Job 41:8)!

In yesterday's post, I discussed life as being hard. Maybe, life is like the Leviathan. It's big; it's tough; it's scary; it hurts. I am sure you can add your own "life is hard because . . ." You and I wrestle with the difficulties of life constantly, and we don't forget the battle.

None of us would purposely create a hard life just to live through the everyday pains and trials for the fun of it. But they exist don't they, and we did not purposefully ask for them did we? If I had to do many things over, in the knowledge I have now, I do not think I would do them again. I know the same is true of you. The individual does not go out looking to fight Leviathan (unless they are insane), but Leviathan shows up unexpected or unannounced. We might say our paths cross. Hard life is the same way.

So, here is why I think life is hard. First, know this, my world view informs me.My world view is a Biblical view. Life is not hard because I seek to make it hard. Life is hard because God is instructing me. You face difficulties in life because God is instructing you.

 Our lives are being lived out before a sovereign God who is perfect in all His ways. We are sinful in all of ours. Our lives, our thoughts, our motives are directly opposed to God so we live lives that arouse his anger. Now before you get mad, God is love, but God is God and He loves that which is righteous and hates that which is wicked. If He did not hate the wicked how could He be love? If all He did was love everything, He would not be love but He would be indifferent, and God is not indifferent! But in His hatred of wickedness and His love of righteousness, He directs difficulties to come into our lives. Why you may ask? He does so to turn our attention to Him and His mercy and forgiveness. So instead of instantly destroying us because of sin, He turns us to Him. (I don't know how you feel, but this is a much better alternative than instant destruction.)

The Lord God wants our attention focused on Him. Before you say that is selfish, let me say that all good things come from God. He has every good thing. I do not have any good in me. If I focus on myself, I focus on that which is not good. If I focus on the Lord Jesus Christ (who gave His good life on behalf of my bad life) I focus on that which is not only good but perfect. In fact, to focus on the reality that God the Father gave us His only Son and that the only Son, Jesus Christ, freely gave His life for my sin and yours is selflessness at its maximum.

In the hardness of life, God in His mercy is calling  us to look to Him and the  good that He has to offer. That offer is extended to man through Jesus Christ. The hardness of life is a result of sin. Jesus Christ forgives sin, and helps us to live through the hardness of life by turning our attentions to all the good that is in Him. Praise God!

Life Is Hard

As I am reading through the Book of Job, I am continually reminded that he was afflicted with a tremendous amount of suffering and pain. I sometimes feel guilty for my complaints when I read his. During one of his speeches given to his friends he asks a question, "Have I not wept for the one whose life is hard" (30:25)?

Job, as far as we know, was wealthy before disaster struck.  His children enjoyed the wealth of their father, his hired servants enjoyed the prosperity of their master, and his friends, no doubt, enjoyed his company.  But Job, a man of compassion, wept for those whose lives were hard. Job was now in a hard position, and his understanding of the plight of those who have hard lives is raw and real. From that point on, when he wept over those whose life was hard, he would do it from a new perspective.

God allows hard lives for many of his children.  He allows it through bad decisions made on the part of the individual. He allows it in order to bring about something better. In Job's case he allowed an instant hardness. No matter how hard life arrives, it is allowed by and decreed by God to be so.

So with that said, should we grieve because we have a hard life or be joyful? I say both.  But let me qualify joy as not being happy because life is hard, but being satisfied that God is sovereign. These two emotions can co-exist. Job grieved, contemplated, and complained. Job also worshiped and rejoiced in the fact that God is good despite his circumstances.

Maybe you don't have a hard life. God may have allowed you to have all you need and want. You are, in your words, "truly blessed." But for those that struggle life is hard. Life is full of second guessing.  Did I go wrong here?  Is that the decision that messed everything up? Why has God allowed this in my life? Are we sinful for asking those questions internally? Job explored those questions. At the end of the day, God told Job to hush up and consider who He was and how powerful He was and all wealth and ease existed in Him alone. Job's spirit was quieted before God. He worshiped. He was still hurt. He was still depressed (he had just lost all of his children), but he worshiped God. That is encouraging. That is reality. We can be sad, emotionaly exhausted, frustrated, and yet, we can worship God because He is sovereign.

Be like Job. Have pity on those whose life is hard.  If you have had a hard life, but God has allowed you to come into an easier life, share that with others for encouragement.  If your life is hard today, hang in there. Pray to God, ask questions, search for ways to make it better, and above everything else trust God. Worship God. Praise God.

Turn Off the Lights

Sunday nights are bitter sweet. As a pastor and now as a church member, Sunday evenings symbolize two things.  The first and most joyous is that God has allowed me to enjoy corporate worship and rest.  Corporate worship is a gift from God. In Scripture there is focus upon focus of the Assembly gathering to give praise. On Sundays, we meet together, we eat together, we sing together, we listen together, we laugh together, we cry together, and then we leave together.

This lead to the bitter of the sweet. On Sunday nights, the lights are turned off, the air conditioner finally grows silent and the air ceases to stir.  The sanctuary creaks in the emptiness.  Rows of pew, which were once bustling with anticipation, now sit empty and silent.  There may be one last ray of sunlight that exposes the tiny dust particles floating about the empty space, and that is when the deep reality hits the gut. . . Monday is coming.  Not a day of corporate worship, but a day of corporate work.  Not a day to gather with the faithful, but a day to be among the faithless.

Now you may say, but that is when we are to take the Gospel to the lost world!  At that, I would say, you are right, and I would further say we should do it with all our might and joy.  But let'
s just admit that the one who truly loves Christ and His Church finds Sunday nights to be bitter sweet.

Have a great week in the Lord. Praise God!

The Simple Message

In a day when  a simple following of Christ alone is diluted by an ever increasing push by pastors, church staff, and other members that one must prove his or her Christianity by doing this and being part of that, Paul warns the Church at Galatia to be on guard of false teachers.

The message of Paul, never lacking in deep theological meaning, was actually quite simple. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20). Paul's salvation was not based upon anything else other than Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection for the glory of God and the forgiveness of sins.

To demonstrate the authority he had to teach this Simple Message, he gave the Church members of Galatia three qualifications.
1. He received the context of his teaching directly from Christ Jesus (1:11-17) (Acts 26:15-18).
2. He received approval from the Apostles in Jerusalem (2:11-10).
3. He rebuked the Apostle Peter (2:11-21)

Considering that he received his message directly from Christ, is it not then a message of pure authority? He went away for three years after his conversion. Could it be there that he met with the Lord Jesus who taught him what to write and preach? Based on this authority, do you read the Bible as the direct words of Jesus?  Do you approach the Bible and understand that it has authority, and that authority despite how you and I feel is the authority of God nonetheless?

Many times we are lead to believe that the we must feel something when coming to the Scripture (some emotional state of being), but that is not always the case. However, knowing that it is the very Word of God, it is true and powerful no matter our mood or our feelings.  God does not need us to be psyched in order to make His Word awesome!  The Simple Message that Jesus Christ saves sinners is awesome!

For the people at Galatia, Paul goes a step further to prove his authority. He had the approval of the other Apostles.  John, Peter, and the rest recognized Paul as having the authority to proclaim God's word as an Apostle.  The Apostles also sided with Paul concerning the Gentiles that they need not conform to circumcision in order to be saved.  There was no other requirement for Gentiles to be saved other than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  They did not need Jesus Christ plus anything. The Apostles recognized it, and we need to remember it.

Finally, his authority is demonstrated when he recalls rebuking PETER the Apostle.  Wow! Can you imagine how uncomfortable that must have been? The concern was that Peter was causing others to go astray by reverting back to the old customs of the Jews which included restrictions, and he was portraying a need to do these things as a necessity to walk with Christ.  Now, Peter was not a false teacher, but for a moment he was false teaching. Paul spoke up and corrected the situation. We must be aware and fight the urge to make preferences necessity. Don't forget, there is Liberty in Christ.

No doubt, authority is established according to these proofs.  So what else should we take from this?  Paul's message is the message of Jesus Christ.  It is a Simple Message that has been echoed down through the corridors of Church History with  Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Whitfield, Spurgeon, and Lloyd-Jones.  That message is that we have been saved by grace through faith.  The work is not of us, and the we have nothing to offer.  It is Christ by himself though His work that saves us.  Let this be a Simple Encouragement to live for Him. Praise God!

Why Is It Difficult To Pray?

Currently in Sunday School, the Church is exploring the Gospel of Luke.  In today’s lesson (led by one of the Church elders) the question was asked, “Why is it difficult to pray?”  In my own mind, I thought, “Ever since I became a Christian, it has been hard to pray.”  I have struggled with prayer since becoming a Christian. In fact, it seems to be even harder in these recent years.

 I waited for the answers with some trepidation due to the guilt welling up inside me.   Here were the answers from others in the congregation:

1.   Prayer is a spiritual exercise; therefore, it’s a spiritual battle and is a constant fight.

2.    Discouragement can set in because not all prayers are answered in the way one would hope.

3.   There is a strained relationship between man and God because either one does not realize who he or she is    coming before or one does realize who he or she is coming before.

4.   One can be discouraged simply because he or she feels inadequate to pray.

Wow! I have sensed all of these struggles and more.  If you do not struggle with prayer, this post is probably not for you, but Jesus knew people would struggle with prayer so he told a parable.

The parable He told is about a woman who came before a judge and kept coming requesting legal protection against her transgressors (Luke 18:2).  Luke writes the reason Jesus shared the parable.  “Now  He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (1).  Who loses heart when it comes to prayer? I do, and Jesus gave this parable and He did so to give encouragement.

Just as the woman went continually asking for justice, we too ought to continue approaching the throne of God through Jesus Christ because He will bring justice.  Listen to the words of Jesus, “Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”  The answer is yes.  The Lord will bring about justice for his elect, and He will not delay long in bringing that justice.

What does this have to do with having difficulty praying?  It goes back to the four reasons given for difficulty. Each reason carries a sense of inadequacy in the one praying.  One is not strong enough to endure the fight.  One is not convinced prayers are answered.  One does not find himself meditating on the power of God enough.  One simply feels tired or feels guilty that he or she cannot keep a simple train of thought.  One is discouraged to pray because he or she is looking to him or herself for the strength to pray.

Stop looking at yourself! These difficulties are overcome in Christ even if they exist in you.  Jesus said, “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For  He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will Kill Him; and the third day He will rise again” (31-33).  The One who will rise in three days is coming to bring justice to the elect.  He is the one who tells us to pray.

Prayer is not based on a feeling.  It finds its basis in a promise.  The promise is not based on ones election, but on Christ’s return bringing about justice for His elect.  Take heart, the success of my prayers are not dependent upon me, but upon Christ.

 He has even given His Spirit to help us until He returns.  The Spirit helps us to pray.  “In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).  My confidence is not in myself when it comes to prayer it is Christ.  As I continue to struggle to pray, I know this, Christ is coming for his elect, until He arrives in bodily form, His Spirit will help me pray.  Praise God!