And because he saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. And after he sat down, his students came to him. Then, he opened his mouth and began to teach them, saying...
Matthew 5:1-2
What are you thinking about as you sit down to read this today? Maybe you’re thinking, “I really need to feel connected to God.” Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, here we go - I’m going to be disciplined and read some spiritual stuff now.” Maybe you’re a naturally disciplined person, and you’re doing this out of habit - a very good habit - but thinking about other things that you’ve got lined up for the day.
Whatever it is you’re thinking about, I think you’d agree that what we think about is a result of what we long for, and the action of longing comes from an underlying belief that if we get what we long for, we’ll be happier and avoid pain. And that’s normal. As people, we all are on a pursuit to find lasting happiness and avoid pain.
The people who heard and saw Jesus were no different. They heard the promises of a perfect, happy Kingdom which would be given as a gift to everyone who submitted to God’s commands. And they saw the preacher reverse the effects of sin in the world - stopping sickness, pain, and even death. Word spread, and people gathered. Like us, these people wanted to be happy. And this guy looked like a good candidate to give them what they wanted.
He went up the mountain...
Jesus responded to the gathered crowds by going up a mountain. Now, Matthew, who was one of Jesus’ students who was there, and who wrote this book, isn’t trying to be a good storyteller in telling us that Jesus went up a mountain. He’s not trying to simply give us a setting for this sermon; there are no other setting elements. Further, Jesus intentionally went up the mountain. He was sending a message by his actions along with his words that would shock the crowds (7:29).
This is why Jesus’ ascending the mountain would’ve been surprising. The most important prophet in Israel’s history was Moses. That’s because God established his relationship, technically ‘covenant,’ with Israel, through Moses. Moses was commanded to ascend a mountain to get the terms of the covenant from God to deliver them to the people. And when he did, God, accompanied by darkness, thunder and lightning, from the mountain, verbally announced his Law to the whole nation. They were, understandably, terrified. (See Exodus 19-20.)
God’s covenant with Israel included laws, and it also included promises - promises that were ultimately for the forgiveness of sins and eternal joyful life in God’s presence. The God who had announced himself to all of Israel was certainly scary, but he was also certainly good and loving - and could be trusted. God had introduced himself to Israel way back then - and it was an act of favor to people who had no real, lasting hope.
So when Jesus, the herald of God’s coming Kingdom, went up a mountain he was sending a message. God was about to speak again. God was about to introduce himself. God was about to initiate relationship with man.
Humans were about to see the glory and hear the voice of the God who loves.
He sat down...
When Jesus sat down, he was taking the cultural posture of a preacher in that day. It was as if he was getting behind a pulpit. His students, or disciples, came to him. They were committed to his teaching before this point; but now their attention was really grabbed. And why wouldn’t it be? What experience would be more momentous than God relating to you?
He opened His mouth and taught...
Matthew then tells us that Jesus opened his mouth and taught. On a quick reading, one might pass over that phrase ‘opened his mouth’ as just a strange manner of speaking of ancient people. But it wasn’t. Matthew, reflecting back on this sermon years later, purposefully said ‘Jesus opened his mouth.’
The reason for this is that in the past God is said to have opened the prophets’ mouths - particularly Moses’. That’s an idiom for saying that he gave them the words to say. They were acting as prophets - speaking God’s words. Matthew wrote this to clue us in on this startling fact: Jesus was speaking about the eternal Kingdom of God based on his own authority over it. He opened his own mouth.
Matthew didn’t understand that at this point. But it would just be a short time after this that Jesus would be publicly and brutally murdered. Matthew and the others were scared out of their minds. For a couple days, anyway. Then Jesus rose from the dead and came back to his students. They went up the same mountain together, probably recalling the first time they’d ascended it; and then, Jesus told them clearly: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me”(28:20).
In that sentence, Jesus claimed to have sovereignty over everything that exists. And when he did, the disciples probably thought back to the first time he ascended this mountain - and remembered with awe - they were not just hearing God’s words given to them by a prophet like Moses, though that would in itself be amazing. No - they sat in the presence of God himself, as God himself spoke to them, based on his own authority as creator of everything they could see, everything they couldn’t see, and every event that would ever take place in space and time.
They weren’t just hearing from a prophet of God. They were actually with God. Or, to be a little more precise, God had come down to be with them.
After rising from the dead, Jesus also told them to announce his teachings to every culture on earth, because he would grant some people entry into his Kingdom. And he promised that he would be with his students always, until the end of the world (28:19-20).
But how would he be with his disciples? Because it certainly doesn’t look or feel like he is here sometimes. Simple - the same way he had done so with the disciples before. By his word. By his teaching... as he governs and controls everything that exists.
Jesus’ disciples didn’t see a cloud of darkness and fire descend on a mountain, with thunder and lightning, and the terror-inducing voice of God like Moses and the ancient Israelites did. They saw a man who they liked, who was righteous, who did miracles - and they sat with him. And they would look back on that moment and be in awe: “We sat with God!”
But that God - Jesus - is still the one who is in charge of everything. And he still comes to relate to people by the words that Matthew and the other disciples recorded. When we come to these words of Jesus, we are coming to more than a religious document, a self-help manual, a list of rules, or a historical writing. We are coming to God himself, just as Jesus’ students were.
But unlike the disciples we can know it now. Jesus came and announced a new Kingdom. He announced the forgiveness of our apathy towards God and the breaking of his laws. He showed what that kingdom would be like by reversing suffering in the world. And he promised to be with us forever.
If you have turned to him as God, away from yourself, he is with you. When you sit down with his word, depending on him to hear from him, God himself, is sitting down with you, to talk to you. And one day, you will be in the physical presence of Jesus. You’ll actually hear his voice, and you’ll actually see his kindness as he listens to you.
Things you may want to pray about:
1. It’s very easy to forget that the greatest gift God gives to people is the experience of knowing him... so thank him for stooping down in love to us so that we could know him, because of Christ.
2. Think of people in your life: friends, family, people in your church, people around the world. Think of places in the world where God isn’t known. Ask God to make himself known to those people and in those places so that they can know him.
3. Think about the things on earth that you trust in to make you happy that aren’t God. Tell God you’re sorry for turning to those things instead of trusting him for joy. Ask him for help.
4. Ask God to deepen your knowledge of him and your love for him. He’ll do this by showing you more and more of his own glory.
Grace and Peace,
Onesimus
Showing posts with label Devotionals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotionals. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A Godly Woman in Her Leisure Time
A Godly Woman in Her Leisure Time… this is a loaded title. In order to speak on this topic, one would have to assume that the speaker is a “Godly Woman”. In so many ways I feel inadequate to take on this responsibility. There are multiple times throughout the course of a day when I know I am not representing “Godliness”. I am not always the meek and quiet wife I should be. My frustration gets the better of me in my dealings with my children. Even though our home is a constant place of gatherings and fellowship I am not always the most generous and hospitable hostess. There are moments when I have failed miserably at being the “Christ like” image and witness that this world needs to see when I am in public. And although I have the reputation of possessing a laid back personality, I have acquired the skill of slicing an individual with subtlety. The mere reality of knowing just how “ungodly” I am can be overwhelming and I wonder if I will ever grow from what and where I am to true “Godliness”. In times such as these, I often find myself reflecting on the happenings, details and focus of the day (if not week). As a result, I usually find that my behavior is due to a lack of time with the Father in prayer and His Word. Prayer is the lifeline that has been given as a form of communication between us and the Holy, Righteous Creator of this universe. His Word is the blueprint by which we are shown how to survive in this world even though we are not of it. So, if I have deprived myself of these two necessities, then how in the world do I expect to represent, walk and live in “Godliness”?
The demands and responsibilities that we wives hold seem to be endless. I personally have the privilege of being a wife, mother of 4, homemaker, house keeper, school teacher, nurse, cook, waitress, janitor, peace maker, chauffer, and laundry attendant in our home, among others. There are times when I just want to allow my brain to breathe, take a short sabbatical and enjoy “leisure time”.
According to the Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of “leisure” is “Freedom provided by the cessation of activities, especially time free from work or duties”. Paul H. Wright states in The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary that, “The Bible recognizes the need for regularly scheduled breaks from work. The weekly Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) and several yearly festivals (Lev. 23:1-44, Deut. 16:1-17) were intended to focus on Israel’s spiritual needs but also provided breaks from physical labor. In fact, the Mosaic Law mandated a yearlong honeymoon for newlyweds (Deut. 24:5, Luke 14:20)...”
Anyone who truly knows me is fully aware of the fact that one of my most favorite places in the entire world is to be with Jimmy (my husband)… preferably cuddled. I love his company, conversation, friendship, everything about him. He seemingly has the capability of relieving my stress regardless of the day. I also enjoy catching a good movie, listening to music, going somewhere to enjoy the wonder of God’s creation, or collaborating and creating with others artistically. For some, leisure may be cooking, for others it could be reading a book, some may prefer to shop, exercise, talk on the phone or sip on a cup of coffee/ tea while enjoying a pleasant conversation. “Leisure” has many faces and comes in many forms. This creates a question. Can leisure, although recommended scripturally, become sinful at any point? I believe it can, especially when the leisure time is misplaced. When any form of leisure takes precedence to the gentle tugging of the Holy Spirit that prompts us to spend time with Him, then it has most definitely developed into sin. The problem lies when leisure becomes our first and sometimes only means of release. Those favorite pastimes have been made into idols and before we know it, we have lost the sense of knowing how to think of time spent with Him as enjoyable, but rather as just another task that we have to push through. There have been times when I have been so exhausted that the focus needed to read, pray or meditate on His Word requires more effort than I am willing to sacrifice. All I want to do is “chill” and not “think”! Wow… how self-centered is that? Where does pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17) and delight in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law should I meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2) come into play? How ironic then that I wonder why I have a problem with portraying “Christ likeness”.
What example did Christ set as a model for us to follow? What did He routinely do whenever He went off to get away from the crowds and disciples? He prayed. I think there is something to be said in this. Even though Christ was fully God, He was also fully man. His physical body required the relaxation that mortals must have. During this time of relaxation He deliberately positioned Himself in such a way where His mortality would not give way to sin. Times of fatigue and exhaustion are prime occasions for our flesh to be given opportunity to rise up and surrender to the desires that we are too tired to fight. We are “too tired” to make the necessary sacrifices that are needed to remain focused on a life of Godly submission and obedience. If I am in need of a release/ rest and it is Christ that I am having difficulty representing to the world and my family, then wouldn’t it make sense for me to follow Christ’s example? Christ showed us that it is an honor and privilege to go to the Originator and Creator of all things, at all times, regardless of our “feelings”.
We live in a culture that lacks a true understanding of suffering and deprivation. Regardless of one’s financial status or living circumstances, the fact remains that we live in a land of abundance. It is an abundance of media, entertainment, activities, food, relationships, etc. Suffering believers that live in other regions of the world, consider prayer a necessity for daily living. They risk their lives to merely possess the Holy Scriptures that have become their true daily bread. Our nations’ privileges are such distractions. We have allowed for them to be given power that keeps us from enjoying the intimacy that all believers should experience with the Lord. In light of these things, I have to soberly ask, “How ridiculous does my need to “chill” sound?” The answer is that my priorities must change, which in turn will determine my definition of leisure. In addition, I am learning that as I attempt to spend time with the Father, I must also be willing and ready to allow for the time to be one of self-examination. As He washes me with His Word, my hearts’ cry must be that He exposes every ounce of what I look like before Him. When there is a lack of self-examination, the result of the time spent will only become an increase in head knowledge without life transformation. If we come to these times with this in mind, then the gospel will be that which bleeds into our everyday interactions. As I truly get to know Him and clearly see what it is that I look like before Him, then my interactions will change to resemble “Christ likeness”.
I have come to the conclusion that relaxation is necessary but that Christ must become my first exhale. He must become the One I first seek for “cuddling”, the One I first enjoy. He must be my #1 leisure.
Grace & Peace
Nikki Miles
The demands and responsibilities that we wives hold seem to be endless. I personally have the privilege of being a wife, mother of 4, homemaker, house keeper, school teacher, nurse, cook, waitress, janitor, peace maker, chauffer, and laundry attendant in our home, among others. There are times when I just want to allow my brain to breathe, take a short sabbatical and enjoy “leisure time”.
According to the Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of “leisure” is “Freedom provided by the cessation of activities, especially time free from work or duties”. Paul H. Wright states in The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary that, “The Bible recognizes the need for regularly scheduled breaks from work. The weekly Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) and several yearly festivals (Lev. 23:1-44, Deut. 16:1-17) were intended to focus on Israel’s spiritual needs but also provided breaks from physical labor. In fact, the Mosaic Law mandated a yearlong honeymoon for newlyweds (Deut. 24:5, Luke 14:20)...”
Anyone who truly knows me is fully aware of the fact that one of my most favorite places in the entire world is to be with Jimmy (my husband)… preferably cuddled. I love his company, conversation, friendship, everything about him. He seemingly has the capability of relieving my stress regardless of the day. I also enjoy catching a good movie, listening to music, going somewhere to enjoy the wonder of God’s creation, or collaborating and creating with others artistically. For some, leisure may be cooking, for others it could be reading a book, some may prefer to shop, exercise, talk on the phone or sip on a cup of coffee/ tea while enjoying a pleasant conversation. “Leisure” has many faces and comes in many forms. This creates a question. Can leisure, although recommended scripturally, become sinful at any point? I believe it can, especially when the leisure time is misplaced. When any form of leisure takes precedence to the gentle tugging of the Holy Spirit that prompts us to spend time with Him, then it has most definitely developed into sin. The problem lies when leisure becomes our first and sometimes only means of release. Those favorite pastimes have been made into idols and before we know it, we have lost the sense of knowing how to think of time spent with Him as enjoyable, but rather as just another task that we have to push through. There have been times when I have been so exhausted that the focus needed to read, pray or meditate on His Word requires more effort than I am willing to sacrifice. All I want to do is “chill” and not “think”! Wow… how self-centered is that? Where does pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17) and delight in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law should I meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2) come into play? How ironic then that I wonder why I have a problem with portraying “Christ likeness”.
What example did Christ set as a model for us to follow? What did He routinely do whenever He went off to get away from the crowds and disciples? He prayed. I think there is something to be said in this. Even though Christ was fully God, He was also fully man. His physical body required the relaxation that mortals must have. During this time of relaxation He deliberately positioned Himself in such a way where His mortality would not give way to sin. Times of fatigue and exhaustion are prime occasions for our flesh to be given opportunity to rise up and surrender to the desires that we are too tired to fight. We are “too tired” to make the necessary sacrifices that are needed to remain focused on a life of Godly submission and obedience. If I am in need of a release/ rest and it is Christ that I am having difficulty representing to the world and my family, then wouldn’t it make sense for me to follow Christ’s example? Christ showed us that it is an honor and privilege to go to the Originator and Creator of all things, at all times, regardless of our “feelings”.
We live in a culture that lacks a true understanding of suffering and deprivation. Regardless of one’s financial status or living circumstances, the fact remains that we live in a land of abundance. It is an abundance of media, entertainment, activities, food, relationships, etc. Suffering believers that live in other regions of the world, consider prayer a necessity for daily living. They risk their lives to merely possess the Holy Scriptures that have become their true daily bread. Our nations’ privileges are such distractions. We have allowed for them to be given power that keeps us from enjoying the intimacy that all believers should experience with the Lord. In light of these things, I have to soberly ask, “How ridiculous does my need to “chill” sound?” The answer is that my priorities must change, which in turn will determine my definition of leisure. In addition, I am learning that as I attempt to spend time with the Father, I must also be willing and ready to allow for the time to be one of self-examination. As He washes me with His Word, my hearts’ cry must be that He exposes every ounce of what I look like before Him. When there is a lack of self-examination, the result of the time spent will only become an increase in head knowledge without life transformation. If we come to these times with this in mind, then the gospel will be that which bleeds into our everyday interactions. As I truly get to know Him and clearly see what it is that I look like before Him, then my interactions will change to resemble “Christ likeness”.
I have come to the conclusion that relaxation is necessary but that Christ must become my first exhale. He must become the One I first seek for “cuddling”, the One I first enjoy. He must be my #1 leisure.
Grace & Peace
Nikki Miles
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Preach the Gospel to yourself?
The modern Church owes a great debt to Jerry Bridges. It's largely through his teaching that our generation has learned to 'preach the gospel' to ourselves on a daily basis.
I don't plan on defending or explaining that concept in this post (though if people are interested, I can write another post later). Rather, I want to address something that I think we might be missing in some of our 'gospel-centered' fellowships.
I was reading Titus 3 this morning, and it says this in verses 1-2:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
I was praying as I read, and I was struck by the phrase 'to be ready for every good work.' It seems to me that God expects us to do good as a reflex. When something happens in our lives, rather than responding with anxiety, or anger, or indifference, or arguing, we are to respond by actively doing good, because we're ready to do so.
I asked God for help to do this. Then I started asking 'how?' How can I 'be ready for every good work'?
Then God opened my eyes to what's actually happening in this passage. Titus was Paul's missionary to Crete. He was a pastor and was sent to appoint pastors.
Here, Paul is telling him to remind the people what they're supposed to do. In other words, Titus, as a pastor, was to remind all the people how they were supposed to live.
The implication is that we need reminders about how we're to obey God.
This doesn't diminish the need we have for the Gospel. This passage is sandwiched between two passages that are about the Gospel, after all! The Gospel is taught here as the grounds by which we are to obey. We're empowered by hearing about the glory of God in saving sinners to obey him.
But that said, we also need reminders to obey! We need to be reminded about how we're to glorify God, even with regard to specific situations.
So here are some practical implications:
1) If you're a preacher, you need to preach both Gospel and Law.
2) You need to listen to your pastors as the teach you both Gospel and Law. Don't dismiss either as something you 'already know.' You need constant reminders of both.
3) If you're in a position of leadership in a church or in a household, you need to teach both Gospel and Law to those in your care.
4) As you read the Bible, you should be looking for what God has done to save you and for ways that you are to honor God in response to his saving work.
Onesimus
I don't plan on defending or explaining that concept in this post (though if people are interested, I can write another post later). Rather, I want to address something that I think we might be missing in some of our 'gospel-centered' fellowships.
I was reading Titus 3 this morning, and it says this in verses 1-2:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
I was praying as I read, and I was struck by the phrase 'to be ready for every good work.' It seems to me that God expects us to do good as a reflex. When something happens in our lives, rather than responding with anxiety, or anger, or indifference, or arguing, we are to respond by actively doing good, because we're ready to do so.
I asked God for help to do this. Then I started asking 'how?' How can I 'be ready for every good work'?
Then God opened my eyes to what's actually happening in this passage. Titus was Paul's missionary to Crete. He was a pastor and was sent to appoint pastors.
Here, Paul is telling him to remind the people what they're supposed to do. In other words, Titus, as a pastor, was to remind all the people how they were supposed to live.
The implication is that we need reminders about how we're to obey God.
This doesn't diminish the need we have for the Gospel. This passage is sandwiched between two passages that are about the Gospel, after all! The Gospel is taught here as the grounds by which we are to obey. We're empowered by hearing about the glory of God in saving sinners to obey him.
But that said, we also need reminders to obey! We need to be reminded about how we're to glorify God, even with regard to specific situations.
So here are some practical implications:
1) If you're a preacher, you need to preach both Gospel and Law.
2) You need to listen to your pastors as the teach you both Gospel and Law. Don't dismiss either as something you 'already know.' You need constant reminders of both.
3) If you're in a position of leadership in a church or in a household, you need to teach both Gospel and Law to those in your care.
4) As you read the Bible, you should be looking for what God has done to save you and for ways that you are to honor God in response to his saving work.
Onesimus
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Teach Us, Lord, to Pray The Lord’s Prayer
Introduction
If we’re honest, most of us would admit that we need help in the area of prayer. Thankfully we’re not alone. One of Jesus’ disciples, after watching him pray, asked, “Lord, teach us to pray”(Luke 11:1).
Jesus responded with the prayer that came to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” He provided us with this pattern of prayer to teach us what our prayers should include. Praying through the Lord’s Prayer is an excellent way to improve the content of your prayers and your communion with God. It’s also an excellent way to learn to pray with others. Notice that there’s no ‘I,’ ‘me,’ or ‘my’ in the prayer!
As you approach the first station, ask God to teach you to pray and to draw near to you.
Station 1 - Our Father
Jesus taught us to begin our prayers ‘our Father,’ because it shows us that we are not praying to earn God’s favor. We already have his favor because of what Christ did for us in his life, death, and resurrection.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he loved us, his people from every tongue, tribe, people and nation, and gave his Son to die in our place.
...but God shows his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
2. Praise God that he raised Christ from the dead, and through Jesus’ resurrection, he has birthed us into his family.
He gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)
3. Praise God that one day all of his people, from every corner of the globe, will see Christ face to face and enter into glory forever.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2)
Station 2 - in heaven
Jesus taught us to approach God not only as our Father, but our Father who is in heaven. He did this to remind us that God not only loves us dearly, but is holy. That is to say, he is separate from all of his creation, not only in his moral perfection, but also in his being. He alone is God over all, from whom, through whom, and for whom are all things.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he has created all things, and that all things exist by his will.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things... (Revelation 4:11)
2. Praise God for the fact that everything that happens is according to his will and ultimately, for him.
...from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
3. Praise God for his holiness: he alone is God and worthy of praise!
...you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)
Station 3 - Sanctify Your name!
The first request Jesus taught us to make of the Father is that he set his name apart from every other name, or in other words, that he glorify himself. Some have said that this request is the controlling request for all prayer - that God would help us to pray for the things that would honor him. This is part of what it means to pray ‘in Jesus’ name’ - namely, to pray for the things that would honor Jesus.
In this request, we admit our inability to glorify God as he deserves, and ask him to glorify himself in our prayers and in the world.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray that the requests that you are about to make would be honoring to God.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit (John 15:7)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)
1. Pray that God would be worshipped by every tongue, tribe, people and nation.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! (Psalm 67:3)
2. Pray that God would remove idolatry and lusts from the earth and replace those longings with a desire for him.
God said, “I am Yahweh! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols!” (Isaiah 42:8)
Station 4 - May your kingdom come
When Jesus taught us to pray for the Kingdom of God to come, he was teaching us to pray two things, because the Kingdom of God is coming in two stages.
First, the Kingdom of God comes when the Gospel is preached and the Holy Spirit makes it effective by bringing a sinner to a love of Jesus. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14)
Second, the Kingdom of God will come when Jesus returns to this world and sets the world to rights, bringing justice to the world. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘the Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!’” (Rev 11:15)
So, in this request, we are asking both for the advance of the Gospel in the world and expressing our desire for Jesus to return to gather us to himself.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray for boldness, love and opportunities for yourself and others you know to tell the Gospel to unbelievers. (Acts 4:31)
2. Pray for missionaries that you know of, for their closeness to God and boldness in speaking the Gospel. (Colossians 4:3-4)
3. Pray that God would grant repentance unto eternal life to people you know and to people to whom missionaries are evangelizing. (1 Timothy 2:1)
4. Pray that God would raise up missionaries and send them to places and ethnic groups among whom Christ is not being proclaimed. (Matthew 9:37-38)
5. Pray that the Lord would come quickly. (Revelation 22:20)
Station 5 - May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Jesus taught us to pray that the Father would have his will done on this earth. God’s will, in the Gospel of Matthew, means obedience to Jesus’ commands. So when we pray ‘may your will be done,’ we’re admitting our inability to obey God while also acknowledging God’s ability to cause us to obey his laws.
And not only are we praying for ourselves, but all disciples of Christ among every ethnic group throughout the world.
Consider some of the ways our Lord described the ethics of his Kingdom, and pray for help in obeying his commandments, not only for yourself, but for all God’s children.
Here are some of the commandments our Lord gave his Church. Pray that God would grant us all help in obeying them.
1. Rejoice in the midst of persecution, because our reward is in heaven (Matt 5:12)
2. Emulate Christ’s character in the world so that people will come to know and worship him (Matt 5:16)
3. Don’t be angry with fellow-Christian; rather, make sure that there is harmony and love in Christian relationships (Matt 5:22-24)
4. Don’t long for someone who’s not your spouse; rather, take drastic action to escape temptation and sin (Matt 5:28-29)
5. Always keep your word, since every word we speak is spoken in the presence of God (Matt 5:37)
6. Love, be kind to, and pray for the ones who hurt you (Matt 5:44-48)
7. Do righteous deeds for the glory of God - not to receive glory from people (Matt 6:1-6)
8. Set your longings and work on treasures in heaven, not for things on earth (Matt 6:19-24)
9. Don’t be anxious; rather, trust our loving and sovereign God (Matt 6:25-34)
10. Don’t be condemning towards other believers; rather, focus on repenting of your own sins and lovingly help them do the same (Matt 7:1-5)
11. Value the glory of the Gospel more than even people (Matt 7:6)
12. Ask God for the good things pertaining to his Kingdom (Matt 7:7-11)
13. Consider how we’d like to be treated, and then treat others that way (Matt 7:12)
14. Watch out for false teachers. Their lives and doctrine do not accord with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 7:15)
Station 6 - Give us this day our daily bread
When Jesus taught us to ask the Father for our daily bread, he spoke against two tendencies we have. Those two tendencies are, first, the belief that we are independent and capable of supporting ourselves, and second, the belief that our focus should be our distant, earthly future.
The fact is this: we depend on God’s holy pleasure for our continued existence, even in this very moment. Much more, we depend on his good pleasure for our doing his will and sanctifying his name.
Here are some steps to follow in praying this request:
1. Take a minute to think about what you need to live in this world for God’s glory.
2. Admit your complete dependence on God, and ask him to provide to you what you need.
3. Take a moment to thank God for the things he’s given you in the last day.
4. Take a moment to think about the needs of others in Christ’s global Church, including even emotional needs.
5. Pray that God would give his people what they need to serve him well.
Station 7 - Forgive us our debts
Our actions, every day, come infinitely short of what we owe to God. When we pray ‘forgive us our debts,’ we admit that God is worthy of glory, and we have not honored him as he deserves. We also confess that he can and will give us entry into his Kingdom despite our lawlessness, based on Jesus’ obedience to God, not ours.
Here are some steps to follow in asking God for forgiveness:
1. Think about the past day and what God deserved from your efforts, emotions, and time this past day.
2. Confess the ways that you have fallen short in word, deed, and affection.
3. Ask God to forgive you for your breaking of his commandments - for him to treat you with kindness rather than discipline. Ask him to do the same for all of his people worldwide.
4. Thank God for providing forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses...” (Ephesians 1:3, 7)
Station 8 - as we also have forgiven our debtors
Christ values love as the supreme trait of those who would claim to be his disciples. We cannot legitimately ask God to treat us with mercy rather than justice when we desire others to be punished for hurting us. Such desires betray an underlying belief that we are more worthy of blessing than God himself.
So this is worth asking: are you holding something against a brother or sister in Christ? Are you treating someone in a such a way so as to, in a sense, punish them, rather than treating them as someone Christ loves and died for?
If you are, you cannot seriously ask God to treat all the disciples of Christ with love and kindness - after all, you’d be asking God to forgive sins that you’re wanting to punish people for!
Is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled?
Here are some steps to follow towards reconciliation, as well as some items for which to pray:
1. Ask God for forgiveness for your anger.
2. Make a decision to reconcile with the other person. Today. Decide what time you will contact them.
3. Ask God to treat that other person with grace.
4. Ask God to cause his Church to be known in the world as a group of people who love each other.
Jesus prayed this for us: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”(John 17:21).
5. Ask God to give us the strength to love those who persecute us for our obedience to Christ.
Station 9 - And lead us not into temptation
If we are to sanctify God’s name in our lives, we must avoid things in this world that would take our attention from him and divert our affections away from him. Jesus taught us in this request, though, that God is in control of not only our souls and desires but also our circumstances.
Take a moment to consider the things that divert your affections from Christ. Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself (from Tim Keller):
1. What are you most afraid of?
2. What do you run to for comfort?
3. What do you complain about?
4. What makes you most angry?
5. What makes you happiest?
6. How do you define yourself to people?
7. What do you talk about most?
8. What do you give up other things for?
9. Whose approval do you seek, other than Christ’s?
10. What do you want to control or master?
11. What comfort do you treasure the most?
These questions do a great job uncovering the things in our lives that compete with God for our affections. Ask God to lead you away from these things and give you the power to flee them.
Your idols are probably not unique to you, but are good things that the people of God worldwide need to flee as well. Take a few moments praying for others, that God would guide them away from temptation as well.
Station 10 - but deliver us from the evil one.
This final request has traditionally been translated ‘deliver us from evil’; however, most commentators agree that a better translation is ‘deliver us from the evil one,’ namely, the devil.
The devil’s goal has always been fairly simple: he desires the condemnation of souls, the suffering of God’s people, and the perversion of the truth which saves. Our Lord said of the devil, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Satan attacks the people of God now with persecution and false doctrines. He keeps the world blinded from salvation with idolatry and rebellious worldviews.
Jesus is teaching us to pray for the deliverance of the Church here. We do desire that unbelievers receive Christ and join his Church, but what we are mainly praying for in this request is for the power to withstand persecution and for the wisdom to discern false beliefs that do not accord with God’s word.
So, pray these things for not only yourself, but for all of Christ’s Church:
1. Pray for the power to testify to Christ without wavering, despite persecution.
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:14-15)
2. Thank God that he will vindicate his persecuted people.
“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb and their witnessing message, because they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11)
3. Pray that God would set his Church apart with the truth of the Scriptures and give us the power to discern false teaching.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
“In Jesus’ name” means that Jesus’ work in dying and rising has secured our entry into God’s throne room to make requests of him. It also means that we are making our requests for the glory of Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
If we’re honest, most of us would admit that we need help in the area of prayer. Thankfully we’re not alone. One of Jesus’ disciples, after watching him pray, asked, “Lord, teach us to pray”(Luke 11:1).
Jesus responded with the prayer that came to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” He provided us with this pattern of prayer to teach us what our prayers should include. Praying through the Lord’s Prayer is an excellent way to improve the content of your prayers and your communion with God. It’s also an excellent way to learn to pray with others. Notice that there’s no ‘I,’ ‘me,’ or ‘my’ in the prayer!
As you approach the first station, ask God to teach you to pray and to draw near to you.
Station 1 - Our Father
Jesus taught us to begin our prayers ‘our Father,’ because it shows us that we are not praying to earn God’s favor. We already have his favor because of what Christ did for us in his life, death, and resurrection.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he loved us, his people from every tongue, tribe, people and nation, and gave his Son to die in our place.
...but God shows his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
2. Praise God that he raised Christ from the dead, and through Jesus’ resurrection, he has birthed us into his family.
He gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)
3. Praise God that one day all of his people, from every corner of the globe, will see Christ face to face and enter into glory forever.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2)
Station 2 - in heaven
Jesus taught us to approach God not only as our Father, but our Father who is in heaven. He did this to remind us that God not only loves us dearly, but is holy. That is to say, he is separate from all of his creation, not only in his moral perfection, but also in his being. He alone is God over all, from whom, through whom, and for whom are all things.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he has created all things, and that all things exist by his will.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things... (Revelation 4:11)
2. Praise God for the fact that everything that happens is according to his will and ultimately, for him.
...from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
3. Praise God for his holiness: he alone is God and worthy of praise!
...you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)
Station 3 - Sanctify Your name!
The first request Jesus taught us to make of the Father is that he set his name apart from every other name, or in other words, that he glorify himself. Some have said that this request is the controlling request for all prayer - that God would help us to pray for the things that would honor him. This is part of what it means to pray ‘in Jesus’ name’ - namely, to pray for the things that would honor Jesus.
In this request, we admit our inability to glorify God as he deserves, and ask him to glorify himself in our prayers and in the world.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray that the requests that you are about to make would be honoring to God.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit (John 15:7)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)
1. Pray that God would be worshipped by every tongue, tribe, people and nation.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! (Psalm 67:3)
2. Pray that God would remove idolatry and lusts from the earth and replace those longings with a desire for him.
God said, “I am Yahweh! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols!” (Isaiah 42:8)
Station 4 - May your kingdom come
When Jesus taught us to pray for the Kingdom of God to come, he was teaching us to pray two things, because the Kingdom of God is coming in two stages.
First, the Kingdom of God comes when the Gospel is preached and the Holy Spirit makes it effective by bringing a sinner to a love of Jesus. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14)
Second, the Kingdom of God will come when Jesus returns to this world and sets the world to rights, bringing justice to the world. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘the Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!’” (Rev 11:15)
So, in this request, we are asking both for the advance of the Gospel in the world and expressing our desire for Jesus to return to gather us to himself.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray for boldness, love and opportunities for yourself and others you know to tell the Gospel to unbelievers. (Acts 4:31)
2. Pray for missionaries that you know of, for their closeness to God and boldness in speaking the Gospel. (Colossians 4:3-4)
3. Pray that God would grant repentance unto eternal life to people you know and to people to whom missionaries are evangelizing. (1 Timothy 2:1)
4. Pray that God would raise up missionaries and send them to places and ethnic groups among whom Christ is not being proclaimed. (Matthew 9:37-38)
5. Pray that the Lord would come quickly. (Revelation 22:20)
Station 5 - May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Jesus taught us to pray that the Father would have his will done on this earth. God’s will, in the Gospel of Matthew, means obedience to Jesus’ commands. So when we pray ‘may your will be done,’ we’re admitting our inability to obey God while also acknowledging God’s ability to cause us to obey his laws.
And not only are we praying for ourselves, but all disciples of Christ among every ethnic group throughout the world.
Consider some of the ways our Lord described the ethics of his Kingdom, and pray for help in obeying his commandments, not only for yourself, but for all God’s children.
Here are some of the commandments our Lord gave his Church. Pray that God would grant us all help in obeying them.
1. Rejoice in the midst of persecution, because our reward is in heaven (Matt 5:12)
2. Emulate Christ’s character in the world so that people will come to know and worship him (Matt 5:16)
3. Don’t be angry with fellow-Christian; rather, make sure that there is harmony and love in Christian relationships (Matt 5:22-24)
4. Don’t long for someone who’s not your spouse; rather, take drastic action to escape temptation and sin (Matt 5:28-29)
5. Always keep your word, since every word we speak is spoken in the presence of God (Matt 5:37)
6. Love, be kind to, and pray for the ones who hurt you (Matt 5:44-48)
7. Do righteous deeds for the glory of God - not to receive glory from people (Matt 6:1-6)
8. Set your longings and work on treasures in heaven, not for things on earth (Matt 6:19-24)
9. Don’t be anxious; rather, trust our loving and sovereign God (Matt 6:25-34)
10. Don’t be condemning towards other believers; rather, focus on repenting of your own sins and lovingly help them do the same (Matt 7:1-5)
11. Value the glory of the Gospel more than even people (Matt 7:6)
12. Ask God for the good things pertaining to his Kingdom (Matt 7:7-11)
13. Consider how we’d like to be treated, and then treat others that way (Matt 7:12)
14. Watch out for false teachers. Their lives and doctrine do not accord with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 7:15)
Station 6 - Give us this day our daily bread
When Jesus taught us to ask the Father for our daily bread, he spoke against two tendencies we have. Those two tendencies are, first, the belief that we are independent and capable of supporting ourselves, and second, the belief that our focus should be our distant, earthly future.
The fact is this: we depend on God’s holy pleasure for our continued existence, even in this very moment. Much more, we depend on his good pleasure for our doing his will and sanctifying his name.
Here are some steps to follow in praying this request:
1. Take a minute to think about what you need to live in this world for God’s glory.
2. Admit your complete dependence on God, and ask him to provide to you what you need.
3. Take a moment to thank God for the things he’s given you in the last day.
4. Take a moment to think about the needs of others in Christ’s global Church, including even emotional needs.
5. Pray that God would give his people what they need to serve him well.
Station 7 - Forgive us our debts
Our actions, every day, come infinitely short of what we owe to God. When we pray ‘forgive us our debts,’ we admit that God is worthy of glory, and we have not honored him as he deserves. We also confess that he can and will give us entry into his Kingdom despite our lawlessness, based on Jesus’ obedience to God, not ours.
Here are some steps to follow in asking God for forgiveness:
1. Think about the past day and what God deserved from your efforts, emotions, and time this past day.
2. Confess the ways that you have fallen short in word, deed, and affection.
3. Ask God to forgive you for your breaking of his commandments - for him to treat you with kindness rather than discipline. Ask him to do the same for all of his people worldwide.
4. Thank God for providing forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses...” (Ephesians 1:3, 7)
Station 8 - as we also have forgiven our debtors
Christ values love as the supreme trait of those who would claim to be his disciples. We cannot legitimately ask God to treat us with mercy rather than justice when we desire others to be punished for hurting us. Such desires betray an underlying belief that we are more worthy of blessing than God himself.
So this is worth asking: are you holding something against a brother or sister in Christ? Are you treating someone in a such a way so as to, in a sense, punish them, rather than treating them as someone Christ loves and died for?
If you are, you cannot seriously ask God to treat all the disciples of Christ with love and kindness - after all, you’d be asking God to forgive sins that you’re wanting to punish people for!
Is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled?
Here are some steps to follow towards reconciliation, as well as some items for which to pray:
1. Ask God for forgiveness for your anger.
2. Make a decision to reconcile with the other person. Today. Decide what time you will contact them.
3. Ask God to treat that other person with grace.
4. Ask God to cause his Church to be known in the world as a group of people who love each other.
Jesus prayed this for us: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”(John 17:21).
5. Ask God to give us the strength to love those who persecute us for our obedience to Christ.
Station 9 - And lead us not into temptation
If we are to sanctify God’s name in our lives, we must avoid things in this world that would take our attention from him and divert our affections away from him. Jesus taught us in this request, though, that God is in control of not only our souls and desires but also our circumstances.
Take a moment to consider the things that divert your affections from Christ. Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself (from Tim Keller):
1. What are you most afraid of?
2. What do you run to for comfort?
3. What do you complain about?
4. What makes you most angry?
5. What makes you happiest?
6. How do you define yourself to people?
7. What do you talk about most?
8. What do you give up other things for?
9. Whose approval do you seek, other than Christ’s?
10. What do you want to control or master?
11. What comfort do you treasure the most?
These questions do a great job uncovering the things in our lives that compete with God for our affections. Ask God to lead you away from these things and give you the power to flee them.
Your idols are probably not unique to you, but are good things that the people of God worldwide need to flee as well. Take a few moments praying for others, that God would guide them away from temptation as well.
Station 10 - but deliver us from the evil one.
This final request has traditionally been translated ‘deliver us from evil’; however, most commentators agree that a better translation is ‘deliver us from the evil one,’ namely, the devil.
The devil’s goal has always been fairly simple: he desires the condemnation of souls, the suffering of God’s people, and the perversion of the truth which saves. Our Lord said of the devil, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Satan attacks the people of God now with persecution and false doctrines. He keeps the world blinded from salvation with idolatry and rebellious worldviews.
Jesus is teaching us to pray for the deliverance of the Church here. We do desire that unbelievers receive Christ and join his Church, but what we are mainly praying for in this request is for the power to withstand persecution and for the wisdom to discern false beliefs that do not accord with God’s word.
So, pray these things for not only yourself, but for all of Christ’s Church:
1. Pray for the power to testify to Christ without wavering, despite persecution.
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:14-15)
2. Thank God that he will vindicate his persecuted people.
“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb and their witnessing message, because they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11)
3. Pray that God would set his Church apart with the truth of the Scriptures and give us the power to discern false teaching.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
“In Jesus’ name” means that Jesus’ work in dying and rising has secured our entry into God’s throne room to make requests of him. It also means that we are making our requests for the glory of Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Christians and Vulgarity, Part III
So far we’ve looked at the general subject of Christians and the use of profanity, and then we looked at Ephesians 4:29. We saw that the whole content of what we say is to point people to Jesus – and that that means we shouldn’t be saying things that are untrue or things that result in sin.
This time, let’s look at Ephesians 5:4. We’ll look at the verse and its context first, then make nine observations, then draw and apply conclusions to ourselves.
The Verse and its Context
The translators of the ESV translate Eph. 5:4 as follows: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
The context of the verse is (as always) the key here to understanding God’s meaning. This is part of a section in which Paul tells God’s children to imitate their divine Father – and that means loving everyone in His Church.
God said this: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2).”
Paul then contrasts this with a few things in verses 3-4 – “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Nine Observations
So – first observation: see that contrast in verse 3? The but? That means that whatever activity and speech are being talked about, they’re being contrasted with loving God’s people as God loves his people.
Second observation – the ‘foolish talk’ and ‘crude joking’ are somehow linked to sexual immorality and covetousness. I’m leaving out ‘filthiness’ because it’s not exclusively about speaking, necessarily; but the word means ‘shameful,’ essentially.
Third observation – ‘foolish talk’ is again from that word ‘logos’ – probably referring to entire speech content, and probably referring to doctrine. In other words, don’t say spiritually stupid stuff. Or in other words – have cross-centered speech.
Fourth observation – crude joking – or as some translations put it, ‘vulgar talk,’ is out. Again, this is about whole speech content, not about vocabulary – though certainly vulgar vocabulary is excluded.
But what is vulgar vocabulary? …let’s see if we can answer that question later.
Fifth observation – verse 5 gives the reason for both verses 3 and 4. So verses 3 and 4 ban a list of things, including stupid (doctrinally wrong!), vulgar talk. And then verse 5 comes in and God says that those things are out because, “everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Sixth observation – these manners of speaking are tied to sexual immorality and greed. A quick survey of all the instances of even the word impurity will show us that Paul ties the idea to sexuality. (As in Romans 1:24.)
Seventh observation – verse 4 contrasts these things that are forbidden with giving thanks. The positive command is ‘give thanks!’
Eight observation – impurity is linked in 4:19 again to sexual lust and material lust (greed) – and contrasted with sound doctrine in verse 25.
Ninth observation – this is all linked to things that non-Christians do in secret (5:12). This is probably talking about sex acts that are against God’s will.
Alright, I think that’s enough; I think we can draw some conclusions.
Conclusions, and How We Should Live and Talk
The content of our speech is to be cross-centered, correct doctrinally, and praising God for how he’s rescued us. In doing so, we love fellow Christians, since we point them to our Savior.
And because we’re to point people to Jesus, we need to avoid things that distract us from him. If we were to summarize all this banned stuff – we end up with this sort of general banned talk: we should not talk about things that cause people to desire stuff that is not God.
That would include making light of sexual sin – because it leads to hell (5:5). That would include greedy talk about material things as well. That might include certain words.
But let’s face it – is this verse about our vocabulary and ‘naughty’ words? Absolutely not! And to make it about that is to just make up a rule that we Christians can easily obey. I can easily not use the F-word – if that genuinely makes someone lust.
This verse is about something deeper. It commands that the entirety of my speech to point to Christ; and negatively commands me not to distract people from him. Do I lust after an i-Phone? A beautiful woman who’s not my wife? An HDTV? Financial security?
Do I express those lusts? Do I cause others to stumble into those hell-earning lusts, rather than being expressly thankful for Jesus, our Messiah, who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and is coming again?
Do you? What do you want? Is it stuff, or Jesus? What do you talk about wanting – stuff or Jesus? What do you happily talk about in general – stuff or Jesus?
I hope that drives the sword of the word of God into your soul! It does mine.
God commands us to be imitators of him – and that’s because we who believe in Jesus are his loved children. His Son died in the our places, and he is coming to collect us into his eternal kingdom. Let’s let that control our desires and talk like it does – and we’ll love our brothers and sisters by doing so.
This time, let’s look at Ephesians 5:4. We’ll look at the verse and its context first, then make nine observations, then draw and apply conclusions to ourselves.
The Verse and its Context
The translators of the ESV translate Eph. 5:4 as follows: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
The context of the verse is (as always) the key here to understanding God’s meaning. This is part of a section in which Paul tells God’s children to imitate their divine Father – and that means loving everyone in His Church.
God said this: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2).”
Paul then contrasts this with a few things in verses 3-4 – “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Nine Observations
So – first observation: see that contrast in verse 3? The but? That means that whatever activity and speech are being talked about, they’re being contrasted with loving God’s people as God loves his people.
Second observation – the ‘foolish talk’ and ‘crude joking’ are somehow linked to sexual immorality and covetousness. I’m leaving out ‘filthiness’ because it’s not exclusively about speaking, necessarily; but the word means ‘shameful,’ essentially.
Third observation – ‘foolish talk’ is again from that word ‘logos’ – probably referring to entire speech content, and probably referring to doctrine. In other words, don’t say spiritually stupid stuff. Or in other words – have cross-centered speech.
Fourth observation – crude joking – or as some translations put it, ‘vulgar talk,’ is out. Again, this is about whole speech content, not about vocabulary – though certainly vulgar vocabulary is excluded.
But what is vulgar vocabulary? …let’s see if we can answer that question later.
Fifth observation – verse 5 gives the reason for both verses 3 and 4. So verses 3 and 4 ban a list of things, including stupid (doctrinally wrong!), vulgar talk. And then verse 5 comes in and God says that those things are out because, “everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Sixth observation – these manners of speaking are tied to sexual immorality and greed. A quick survey of all the instances of even the word impurity will show us that Paul ties the idea to sexuality. (As in Romans 1:24.)
Seventh observation – verse 4 contrasts these things that are forbidden with giving thanks. The positive command is ‘give thanks!’
Eight observation – impurity is linked in 4:19 again to sexual lust and material lust (greed) – and contrasted with sound doctrine in verse 25.
Ninth observation – this is all linked to things that non-Christians do in secret (5:12). This is probably talking about sex acts that are against God’s will.
Alright, I think that’s enough; I think we can draw some conclusions.
Conclusions, and How We Should Live and Talk
The content of our speech is to be cross-centered, correct doctrinally, and praising God for how he’s rescued us. In doing so, we love fellow Christians, since we point them to our Savior.
And because we’re to point people to Jesus, we need to avoid things that distract us from him. If we were to summarize all this banned stuff – we end up with this sort of general banned talk: we should not talk about things that cause people to desire stuff that is not God.
That would include making light of sexual sin – because it leads to hell (5:5). That would include greedy talk about material things as well. That might include certain words.
But let’s face it – is this verse about our vocabulary and ‘naughty’ words? Absolutely not! And to make it about that is to just make up a rule that we Christians can easily obey. I can easily not use the F-word – if that genuinely makes someone lust.
This verse is about something deeper. It commands that the entirety of my speech to point to Christ; and negatively commands me not to distract people from him. Do I lust after an i-Phone? A beautiful woman who’s not my wife? An HDTV? Financial security?
Do I express those lusts? Do I cause others to stumble into those hell-earning lusts, rather than being expressly thankful for Jesus, our Messiah, who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and is coming again?
Do you? What do you want? Is it stuff, or Jesus? What do you talk about wanting – stuff or Jesus? What do you happily talk about in general – stuff or Jesus?
I hope that drives the sword of the word of God into your soul! It does mine.
God commands us to be imitators of him – and that’s because we who believe in Jesus are his loved children. His Son died in the our places, and he is coming to collect us into his eternal kingdom. Let’s let that control our desires and talk like it does – and we’ll love our brothers and sisters by doing so.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I KNOW you love readin' Chronicles!
Most of you probably don't read the Old Testament much. I understand that. It can feel really boring, full of inconsequential detail - and just plain hard to read.
But it is God's word, good for doctrine and life - and it's here for you.
So let me share with you a paradigm you can use to read through Kings and Chronicles - and all the narratives about kings in Israel.
Read the end of Judges - God's people kept rejecting God because they had no king. Then Israel wanted a king that would essentially act like the pagan kings instead of merely being God's spokesman.
But then God gave them a king - David - who executed God's Law, and God ushered in an era of peace and prosperity and obedience. Awesome. And promised David that his line would be forever.
Oh, and Jesus fulfills that. By the way. (2 Sam 7; Romans 1:3, 4)
So when you're reading about these kings, who show varied levels of obedience and disobedience, compare them to Jesus.
Look at how they sin. Look at how you share in their sin. And look at how Jesus is a better King. How he obeyed God perfectly. How he commanded us perfectly (as recorded in Scripture). How he actually causes our obedience (through the Spirit). How he died for our sins. How he rose and reigns at God's right hand - and how he's coming again to rescue his people from the ills of this world - and to usher us into his presence.
But it is God's word, good for doctrine and life - and it's here for you.
So let me share with you a paradigm you can use to read through Kings and Chronicles - and all the narratives about kings in Israel.
Read the end of Judges - God's people kept rejecting God because they had no king. Then Israel wanted a king that would essentially act like the pagan kings instead of merely being God's spokesman.
But then God gave them a king - David - who executed God's Law, and God ushered in an era of peace and prosperity and obedience. Awesome. And promised David that his line would be forever.
Oh, and Jesus fulfills that. By the way. (2 Sam 7; Romans 1:3, 4)
So when you're reading about these kings, who show varied levels of obedience and disobedience, compare them to Jesus.
Look at how they sin. Look at how you share in their sin. And look at how Jesus is a better King. How he obeyed God perfectly. How he commanded us perfectly (as recorded in Scripture). How he actually causes our obedience (through the Spirit). How he died for our sins. How he rose and reigns at God's right hand - and how he's coming again to rescue his people from the ills of this world - and to usher us into his presence.
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