I'm on Summer Project in New Zealand right now. But hopefully I'll have time to post some of my teaching times. Maybe even thoughts at some point. We'll see. Here's the first teaching thing I've done as of late. The wedding homily of two of my best friends. Love 'em. Here it is.
Jay and Adrienne, today you’re making a commitment before God to love each other as husband and wife, and all of us are here to celebrate with you. The passage you’ve chosen for your wedding, though, indicates something that we all know: loving people with consistency is hard work.
We all know this, don’t we? There are times we ‘don’t feel it,’ we get our feelings hurt and strike back, we have desires that go unfulfilled and we fight. And we say things we know will be hurtful. And more than these things, when we make a commitment to love, we’re making a commitment to feel and act in certain ways with consistency. Let me say that again, when we make a commitment to love, we’re making a commitment to feel and act in certain ways with consistency. When we think about it that way, the task of love seems really difficult, doesn’t it? Maybe even impossible.
What this section from God’s book tells us is that God, through Jesus, is the only source of lasting love. Again, what we’re to see here is that God, in Jesus, is the only cause and support of lasting love. We’ll be looking at this text under three headings: the source of love, the example of love, and the completing of love.
The Source of Love
First, let’s look at the source of love. If you open your program, you’ll see the Scripture text printed in it. Please follow along with me as I read verses 7 and 8.
“Fellow disciples of Jesus, let us love each other, since love is from God, and each one who loves has been birthed by God and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God, since God is love.”
So the answer to the question: How can I truly love in a consistent way? What’s the source of this love? Is this – it’s God. Verse 7 says, “love is from God.”
You may have noticed something, though. This Scripture isn’t addressed to all people, but to disciples of Jesus. What’s a disciple? Well, it’s someone who is dedicated to a teacher – to believe all they teach and to obey what they command. The best example I can think of concerning this is Luke Skywalker. He was a disciple of Yoda. He had to believe what Yoda taught and do what he commanded. The scene where Luke tries to use the force to raise the X-Wing out of the swamp is a great example of discipleship. Yoda tells him what to think, how to act, what to believe, and then shows him by example how to do it.
Being a disciple of Jesus is similar. It involves seeking to obey what he commands. That involves seeking to be under his teaching.
There’s one other aspect of being a disciple that is vital to Jesus – and that is a complete reliance on him for eternal life. Like a drumbeat in Scripture, God teaches that our doing good things will not and cannot contribute to getting us eternal life. That’s because we have sinned against him. Either we can fully rely on what Jesus did, bank on that, and God will treat us as if we’d obeyed him; or, we can just partially rely on Jesus, or not rely on him at all. The problem only partially relying on what Jesus did is tthat in God’s economy, we’re guilty – and either Jesus’ death and resurrection will completely take care of our guilt – or we will still stand guilty before God.
So a disciple of Jesus is one who treats him as owner of this world, and who isn’t relying on themselves in whole or in part for eternal life – but is just relying on what Jesus has already done.
Now, this passage applies specifically to disciples of Jesus and isn’t particularly about marriage. But since Jay and Adrienne are both disciples of Jesus, this applies to them and their marriage in a heightened way. How does God being the source of love for them work? Like this: all disciples of Jesus have been birthed by God. Read verses 7 and 8 with me again:
“Fellow disciples of Jesus, let us love each other, since love is from God, and each one who loves has been birthed by God and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God, since God is love.”
So in other words, disciples of Jesus have a new nature. They have new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting than they used to – and God is the one who did that. This new nature now is a nature that loves as God intends people to love.
That’s kind of hard to understand, because Jay and Adrienne, when they made their decisions to become disciples of Jesus – they didn’t look physically different. But they did have new hearts and new minds.
Think of it this way. In Terminator 2, when Arnold comes to rescue Sarah Connor in the mental institution, she’s scared to death. Why? Because Arnold, in the previous movie, was a robot from the future sent to kill her. But in Terminator 2, the Arnold Terminator had been reprogrammed to do exactly the opposite of what it was originally programmed to do. Rather than terminating her, it was rescuing her.
That’s exactly what God does with his disciples. He reprograms them. They think, feel, and believe differently than they used to. How they view life becomes structured around the person of Jesus, their new King; and this verse tells us that they then, by nature, will have a consistent love for each other – from God.
So what Scripture says here is this: God is the source of love by being the creator of a new nature in those who trust Jesus. Or in other words, God is the source of love for all disciples of Jesus, because he’s reprogrammed how they think and feel about life. And that’s a comforting thing as we think about how hard it can sometimes be to really and truly love – God is the one who makes that love in Jesus’ disciples.
The example of love
So that’s the first point: God is the source of love. The second subject to tackle is this: the example of love in this passage. God commands love, and then tells us what it looks like.
Again, look at your program, and read verses 9 and 10 with me.
“The love of God has been made known among us in this: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to punish him in our places for our sins.”
Or to paraphrase: God has shown us what love looks like: he sent Jesus into the world and punished him for the disobedience of all his disciples, so that they would live. Again, love looks like this: God sent Jesus into the world and punished him for the disobedience of all his disciples, so that they would live.
There are a few key components to understanding how God showed us his love: disobedience, punishment, Jesus, and life. We’ll tackle them one by one.
First, disobedience is a subject here. Why? Because God made us and owns us. And though we may be nice to other people, none of us really treat God like he’s God – like he’s owner of all things. He has commanded much, and we really only obey when we want to. We don’t treat God like God. We treat us like God. And so, we are disobedient.
Second, punishment is a subject in these verses. Why? Because God punishes people that disobey him. That’s all of us. And that’s really bad, because the punishment matches the crime, and since the person we’ve disobeyed is infinite, so is the punishment. If you rob a convenience store, you get some jail time. If you murder someone you either get life in prison or the death penalty. If you fail to treat an infinite being as an infinite being, the punishment will be infinite. So that’s the second theme here: we all have disobeyed God, and we all are in danger of punishment from him.
Third, Jesus is a subject in these verses. Jesus was very clear in teaching that he was actually God in human flesh. He’s significant in these verses, because God here says that God the Father punished Jesus instead of punishing his disciples. Or in other words, for all who trust and obey Jesus, Jesus voluntarily took the wrath of God that was due them. The Bible says God will not acquit people he considers guilty, and so, out of his love, he punished his Son Jesus instead of punishing those who would trust Jesus. Picture this: you’re part of a country and you have a good King who always does what’s right. But you rebel – you commit treason. What happens to traitors? They get executed. But this King and his Son make an agreement because of love for you– and they agree that the Son will be executed instead of and as a substitute for everyone who obeys him.
Fourth, life is a subject in these verses. Life is the result of Jesus being punished in the place of his disciples. And that life is life with Jesus in a future world with all the effects of sin removed: a world where God is seen and enjoyed, with no pain, and with only beauty and joy forever. Jay and Adrienne are about to go on a honeymoon. When they do so, they’ll be leaving a lot of hard things about life behind – work, finances, etc. And their purpose will be to just enjoy each other. That’s a little picture of the life that Jesus has accomplished for his disciples in his future Kingdom!
SO, this is how God showed his love – look at verses 9 and 10 again in your program: “The love of God has been made known among us in this: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to punish him in our places for our sins.”
And so Jay and Adi and everyone here who is a disciple of Jesus, love is a hard command to follow. But remember, as we just saw, love comes from your new nature created by God, and on top of that, he’s shown you love – Jesus suffered and was executed voluntarily in your place!
There are probably many of you here who are not disciples of Jesus. You either aren’t actively seeking to obey what Jesus has commanded or you are partially banking on ‘being a good person’ for God to let you into heaven - you aren’t relying solely on what Jesus has done. And the problem with that is that none of us are good to God.
But God is making his love known to you right now. Think about it – he killed his Son for the lives of others. And in your case, you’ve not yet been judged. And Jesus, in his love, is tugging at your sleeve, saying, “Hey – I was already executed for treason I didn’t commit. Won’t you let that count for you – so you’ll live? Treat me as King and rely on what I did – and you won’t be judged, but rather, I’ll give you eternal life.”
There is love! In that opportunity – all you need to know is Jesus died for rebels, he rose again from the dead, he owns the world and is coming to judge it – and forgives everyone of everything they’ve done and will do – if they’ll turn to him as King and trust him for it. You may have questions about other things and that’s totally fine– but that is all you need to know to accept the love and eternal life that he offers right now.
And if that’s too much – he’s giving you a chance to explore what he’s said in the Bible – and you owe it to yourself to explore this love. And his hands are open wide to you for you to do so.
-So – God is the source of love. And he’s given us the example of love by killing his Son in the place of his disciples for their eternal life. Third, let’s look at the completing of love.
The Completing of Love
Look at your program again with me at verses 11 and 12. God says, “Fellow disciples of Jesus, if this is how God loved us, we also are obligated to love each other. No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God abides among us and his love is completed among us.”
Jay, Adrienne, and everyone in this room: God showing his love requires us to love each other, because God wants to show his love in this world. Again, look at verse 12, “No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God abides among us and his love is completed among us.”
God demonstrated his love in Jesus’ death – but that happened 2,000 years ago, and God is still love – so how will he show it? In you, Jay and Adrienne. In you all who have received Jesus as Lord. Verse 12 says that God’s love is completed by the actions of his people.
Say you were starting a charitable organization to help with the AIDS epidemic in Africa. You would go, and you’d pour yourself into helping suffering people. But Africa’s a big place; you’d never be able to help everyone. How would you do it? You’d show other people how to do what you were doing, and then have them complete your task.
That’s exactly what God has done. He’s shown us how to love in Jesus, and has put us in a world to finish what he started. We are here to finish what Jesus started, and as we do, it will be God showing his love to the world.
We’ve seen three things in this passage: 1) God is the source of love. He changes human nature so that disciples of Jesus will love. 2) God gives us an example of love: he punished Jesus instead of all his disciples, and thus gives them eternal life. 3) God’s disciples are the fulfillment of his love: we continue to show Jesus’ love off, even though Jesus is now in heaven.
Jay, Adrienne – sometimes love will not be easy. But remember at those times: God’s given you a nature that can love; he’s shown you how to love in Jesus; and he wants to show off his love through you.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Unmoderated comments, a note, and a link
I apologize I've not been on here recently, as I've been moving and preparing to leave for New Zealand on summer project. As such, I haven't moderated any comments. I plan on doing so shortly.
Now, here's a note - I've been reading 1 Kings 5 and following - looking at the building of Solomon's temple. It had to be magnificent. Everything made from cedar, covered in gold, bronze ornamentation and vessels everywhere, intricate carvings on all of the walls and doors - just incredible.
It's interesting, then, to see that God calls us his house now. We, as a corporate entity - the people who have believed in Jesus - form a house - click here.
And it's even interesting that it's called God's house. We're invited to his house. We come in, and to use the language of 1 Kings, we experience his 'dwelling.' God has chosen to live among his people. This ultimately really happens with Jesus, and ultimately will happen again.
And that dwelling is beautiful! It is worthy of God's glory - his throne (the ark) is there, and he makes it beautiful. Angels worship him, and foliage springs up around him. There is a sea of water and a table providing food and incense perfuming the air.
Is this for God or for us?
Yes. Both. God is worthy of being surrounded by beauty and provision. But he loves us so - that we get to experience his provision, his beauty, his very dwelling, his glory - forever.
So I haven't blogged or checked my blog recently...
But I plan on coming back. Plus, I've been posting on another blog. The conversation may be worth your while to read. Here.
Now, here's a note - I've been reading 1 Kings 5 and following - looking at the building of Solomon's temple. It had to be magnificent. Everything made from cedar, covered in gold, bronze ornamentation and vessels everywhere, intricate carvings on all of the walls and doors - just incredible.
It's interesting, then, to see that God calls us his house now. We, as a corporate entity - the people who have believed in Jesus - form a house - click here.
And it's even interesting that it's called God's house. We're invited to his house. We come in, and to use the language of 1 Kings, we experience his 'dwelling.' God has chosen to live among his people. This ultimately really happens with Jesus, and ultimately will happen again.
And that dwelling is beautiful! It is worthy of God's glory - his throne (the ark) is there, and he makes it beautiful. Angels worship him, and foliage springs up around him. There is a sea of water and a table providing food and incense perfuming the air.
Is this for God or for us?
Yes. Both. God is worthy of being surrounded by beauty and provision. But he loves us so - that we get to experience his provision, his beauty, his very dwelling, his glory - forever.
So I haven't blogged or checked my blog recently...
But I plan on coming back. Plus, I've been posting on another blog. The conversation may be worth your while to read. Here.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I love being interdenominational
I have been asked by more than one Reformed church to consider taking up a pastor position. I declined for multiple reasons, but let me say I'm so glad I'm not part of a Reformed denomination. Why?
1) I'd probably spend too much time talking about Reformed distinctives and less about the gospel and world evangelization.
2) I'd not have to actively and thoughtfully engage with real people with whom I disagree on secondary matters.
3) I would not have the sphere of influence for Reformed theology if I were on staff with a Reformed church.
4) I'd make secondary goals primary.
5) I'd probably start being even more judgmental and hyper-critical than I already am.... scary.
The idea of a parachurch ministry being a place where Christians can unify around the gospel, and secondary matters are attended to by individaul churches, is really great. All this to say, I'm not against Reformed denominations; thatd' be ridiculous. It's just good for me not to be in one.
1) I'd probably spend too much time talking about Reformed distinctives and less about the gospel and world evangelization.
2) I'd not have to actively and thoughtfully engage with real people with whom I disagree on secondary matters.
3) I would not have the sphere of influence for Reformed theology if I were on staff with a Reformed church.
4) I'd make secondary goals primary.
5) I'd probably start being even more judgmental and hyper-critical than I already am.... scary.
The idea of a parachurch ministry being a place where Christians can unify around the gospel, and secondary matters are attended to by individaul churches, is really great. All this to say, I'm not against Reformed denominations; thatd' be ridiculous. It's just good for me not to be in one.
Monday, June 9, 2008
People are by nature idiots....
There's got to be more to this story: a monkey-god was made the chairman of a business school. But, wow, this is stupid.
Lord, what do you have to say about this? OH, right...
But let's face it, we run to things to save us from pain on earth, for pleasure here, rather than Jesus. Sin makes us stupid... and makes us forget Jesus.
In other news, two dudes wearing thongs over their heads robbed a convenience store. They were caught because, well, thongs don't cover much. That'll teach robbers to shop at Victoria's Secret. Wal-Mart Granny Panties are way better for such things...
Lord, what do you have to say about this? OH, right...
But let's face it, we run to things to save us from pain on earth, for pleasure here, rather than Jesus. Sin makes us stupid... and makes us forget Jesus.
In other news, two dudes wearing thongs over their heads robbed a convenience store. They were caught because, well, thongs don't cover much. That'll teach robbers to shop at Victoria's Secret. Wal-Mart Granny Panties are way better for such things...
AGH! One more thing!!!!
That is to say, one more thing you have to do: read John Piper's book The Future of Justification: a Response to N.T. Wright.
NT Wright is a Bible scholar who has done a great job responding to the Jesus seminar, teaching on Biblical theology, and teaching about the resurrection - and undermining (though not denying) the gospel of grace. Piper, in a kind, clear fashion evaluates and critiques Wright.
Though if you haven't run across people that are denying the doctrine of the imputation of Jesus' righteousness through faith - then, this book will probably be of no use to you.
And if you don't know what the imputation of Jesus' righteousness is, then read this. If you don't understand imputation, you need to.
NT Wright is a Bible scholar who has done a great job responding to the Jesus seminar, teaching on Biblical theology, and teaching about the resurrection - and undermining (though not denying) the gospel of grace. Piper, in a kind, clear fashion evaluates and critiques Wright.
Though if you haven't run across people that are denying the doctrine of the imputation of Jesus' righteousness through faith - then, this book will probably be of no use to you.
And if you don't know what the imputation of Jesus' righteousness is, then read this. If you don't understand imputation, you need to.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Three things you have to like.
The ESV Study Bible
Yeah, it doesn't come out until October. Pre-order now. Read Phil Ryken's review here, and check out the official website, including samples, here. This is the best study Bible I've seen. And it's in the ESV.
I'm just gonna go on record and objectively say the ESV is the best English translation of the Bible. At least for adult-types.
Rambo
This is the best Christian movie I've seen, I think. It's up there with Luther. And unlike the Passion, doesn't break the 2nd Commandment and is more theologically accurate. Nothing beats Stallone staring a dude down, sticking an arrow in his face, having a cross dangle from his wrist, and saying, "Live for nothing - or die for something" - and persuading a group of people that they need to go rescue missionaries.
But, ahem, Rambo is the one who really gets rescued.
Yeah, it's got some cheese moments in it. So what. Check out the trailer. Be aware that there's some grotesque moments in the film, as well as colorful language. Don't say i didn't warn you.
Thrice
Premise 1 - we need to hear the gospel all the time.
Premise 2 - we listen to music.
Premise 3 - most Christian music sucks in one of three ways - the lyrics are virtually non Christian, the lyrics are cheesy as crap, or the actual music sucks. Or at least, is geared towards middle-aged women.
Meet Thrice. They turn all this over on its head.
Image of the Invisible.
Come All You Weary.
The Messenger.
And just for some added fun, here are the lyrics to The Messenger.
It's Isaiah 6, by the way.
The Messenger
Mark me with fear, I'm trembling
Send someone else instead
I know my world is ending
I can't repay my debt
Can I carry such a heavy burden?
Can I move when I am paralyzed?
I see a fire behind a heavy curtain
I lean in closer and I close my eyes
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
Mark me with fire and
Send me among the living dead.
They cannot comprehend me;
I watch the sickness spread
Now, can they hear me when their hearts are hardened?
Now, can they see me when they close their eyes?
So let me tell you I'm an easy target
A wooden saw is quite a way to die
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
"Here I am, send me."
Yeah, it doesn't come out until October. Pre-order now. Read Phil Ryken's review here, and check out the official website, including samples, here. This is the best study Bible I've seen. And it's in the ESV.
I'm just gonna go on record and objectively say the ESV is the best English translation of the Bible. At least for adult-types.
Rambo
This is the best Christian movie I've seen, I think. It's up there with Luther. And unlike the Passion, doesn't break the 2nd Commandment and is more theologically accurate. Nothing beats Stallone staring a dude down, sticking an arrow in his face, having a cross dangle from his wrist, and saying, "Live for nothing - or die for something" - and persuading a group of people that they need to go rescue missionaries.
But, ahem, Rambo is the one who really gets rescued.
Yeah, it's got some cheese moments in it. So what. Check out the trailer. Be aware that there's some grotesque moments in the film, as well as colorful language. Don't say i didn't warn you.
Thrice
Premise 1 - we need to hear the gospel all the time.
Premise 2 - we listen to music.
Premise 3 - most Christian music sucks in one of three ways - the lyrics are virtually non Christian, the lyrics are cheesy as crap, or the actual music sucks. Or at least, is geared towards middle-aged women.
Meet Thrice. They turn all this over on its head.
Image of the Invisible.
Come All You Weary.
The Messenger.
And just for some added fun, here are the lyrics to The Messenger.
It's Isaiah 6, by the way.
The Messenger
Mark me with fear, I'm trembling
Send someone else instead
I know my world is ending
I can't repay my debt
Can I carry such a heavy burden?
Can I move when I am paralyzed?
I see a fire behind a heavy curtain
I lean in closer and I close my eyes
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
Mark me with fire and
Send me among the living dead.
They cannot comprehend me;
I watch the sickness spread
Now, can they hear me when their hearts are hardened?
Now, can they see me when they close their eyes?
So let me tell you I'm an easy target
A wooden saw is quite a way to die
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
"Here I am, send me."
Believe in hell.
I've been thinking about hell a lot, recently. I don't really know why; I just have.
I mean, it is a good thing to think about. It's quite real, and quite a lot of people are on their way there.
Perhaps it's because of a sermon I was listening to about missions - about how every single individual in literally hundreds if not thousands of unreached people groups are going there. Yeah. Every individual. Because you need to believe to be saved and hear to believe.
So for instance, every individual that's part of the Nung people, who live in the highlands of Vietnam - every one of them is on their way to hell.
Sobering, isn't it? And yet we've got things like 'Red Letter Christians' now. "We've got to pay attention to all these commands to take care of the poor," they say. True, true. Of course they're forgetting why those commands are there to begin with... to point us to our world's dire need for a Rescuer...
Or the emergents, who say we have to 'reach' the culture by getting them to 'experience' God - always of course outside of the means he's told us to use. And beyond that, reach them with what? So they can have a spiritual experience... and still go to hell?
Or the doctrine hounds, who attack everyone 'til there's no one left to attack, then turn on their own - if not for a trifle of bad doctrine, then for a trifle of bad ministry philosophy. I think forgetting that their own philosophies and preaching is imperfect...
And then there's me - am I moved to love the people who surround me? Who scan my food at the grocery store? Who I see at the gym? Who I'll sit next to on a plane ride? Who I pass on the way to the parking lot of my apartment complex? Am I moved by the fact that they'll get - save for God's intervention in Jesus - precisely what I deserve... forever?
Am I praying? Am I speaking? Am I loving?
Am I forgetting that it's insanely unloving to help take care of what someone feels like they need without trying to help them escape hell?
Am I moved by a love for God that longs for his name to be adored in every corner of the world?
Do I think, live, and feel like he deserves that? And that that is the great goal of all creation?
God showed us what love is by rescuing us. Now he calls us to fill his role as lovers of this hellbound humanity.
O my God - that we would honor you and show your love to a rebellious world! Not simply because it's right - but because you're worth it and have caused us to desire that all glory be given to your name!
I mean, it is a good thing to think about. It's quite real, and quite a lot of people are on their way there.
Perhaps it's because of a sermon I was listening to about missions - about how every single individual in literally hundreds if not thousands of unreached people groups are going there. Yeah. Every individual. Because you need to believe to be saved and hear to believe.
So for instance, every individual that's part of the Nung people, who live in the highlands of Vietnam - every one of them is on their way to hell.
Sobering, isn't it? And yet we've got things like 'Red Letter Christians' now. "We've got to pay attention to all these commands to take care of the poor," they say. True, true. Of course they're forgetting why those commands are there to begin with... to point us to our world's dire need for a Rescuer...
Or the emergents, who say we have to 'reach' the culture by getting them to 'experience' God - always of course outside of the means he's told us to use. And beyond that, reach them with what? So they can have a spiritual experience... and still go to hell?
Or the doctrine hounds, who attack everyone 'til there's no one left to attack, then turn on their own - if not for a trifle of bad doctrine, then for a trifle of bad ministry philosophy. I think forgetting that their own philosophies and preaching is imperfect...
And then there's me - am I moved to love the people who surround me? Who scan my food at the grocery store? Who I see at the gym? Who I'll sit next to on a plane ride? Who I pass on the way to the parking lot of my apartment complex? Am I moved by the fact that they'll get - save for God's intervention in Jesus - precisely what I deserve... forever?
Am I praying? Am I speaking? Am I loving?
Am I forgetting that it's insanely unloving to help take care of what someone feels like they need without trying to help them escape hell?
Am I moved by a love for God that longs for his name to be adored in every corner of the world?
Do I think, live, and feel like he deserves that? And that that is the great goal of all creation?
God showed us what love is by rescuing us. Now he calls us to fill his role as lovers of this hellbound humanity.
O my God - that we would honor you and show your love to a rebellious world! Not simply because it's right - but because you're worth it and have caused us to desire that all glory be given to your name!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Your church is not a democracy.
Or at least, it shouldn't be. We treat it like that sometimes, don't we, though? We take the truth of 'the priesthood of all believers' - the idea that we all have equal access to God through Jesus - and make it mean that we all have equal say in the direction of our churches.
Not so.
Just as there is authority in the family, so there is in the Church. Consider God's words in Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Something in us reacts against those two words I italicized, doesn't it? Maybe it's our American individualism; our democratic ways; an overextension of proper views of humanity; fear of abusers of authority...
Maybe it's just damnable rebellion, though.
Note God's reasons for our submission to church authorities: they are guarding our souls. Or in Peter's words (from 1 Peter 5), they are shepherding God's flock until the Chief Shepherd comes back. They are acting as Jesus to the rest of us, as they explain and execute God's words in the churches.
Of course they will fail to do so perfectly - indeed, entire institutions that were true churches have crumbled into stupid, self-promoting, heresy-spewing cesspools. And much less every true church - every church which proclaims the gospel - has some error in it, taught and practiced.
That, however, does not negate the command. We are under the authority of a King. He tells us to obey those he's put in charge. Let's do it - for his glory and his kingdom.
Not so.
Just as there is authority in the family, so there is in the Church. Consider God's words in Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Something in us reacts against those two words I italicized, doesn't it? Maybe it's our American individualism; our democratic ways; an overextension of proper views of humanity; fear of abusers of authority...
Maybe it's just damnable rebellion, though.
Note God's reasons for our submission to church authorities: they are guarding our souls. Or in Peter's words (from 1 Peter 5), they are shepherding God's flock until the Chief Shepherd comes back. They are acting as Jesus to the rest of us, as they explain and execute God's words in the churches.
Of course they will fail to do so perfectly - indeed, entire institutions that were true churches have crumbled into stupid, self-promoting, heresy-spewing cesspools. And much less every true church - every church which proclaims the gospel - has some error in it, taught and practiced.
That, however, does not negate the command. We are under the authority of a King. He tells us to obey those he's put in charge. Let's do it - for his glory and his kingdom.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Dumb Jews... ?
I grew up with Bible stories, many from the Old Testament, and in my arrogance, self-righteousness, and lack of understanding of how sinful I am, I thought that Bible characters, always forgetting about God and falling into idolatry, were dumb.
I know a bit better now, what with God opening my eyes to my own idols and unbelief.
One of those stories, though, was always the story of Peter. He always seemed so... dumb. His telling Jesus what he couldn't do, denying him, cutting off the dude's ear in the garden, etc.
I want to specifically think about Peter's denial of Jesus, though. I mean, how dumb was that? Peter had been told by Jesus who he was, how he was going to come back to life from the dead; he'd seen miracles! But he denied him.
And the way we're used to thinking about this is often about Peter's lack of faith and boldness for Jesus' sake. And that's true. He sinned. We often sin like him, don't we?
But that's not the point. The point is found previously in the passage. And it's this. God struck Jesus and scattered the sheep. Why'd the sheep scatter? Because the Shepherd was struck; he no longer sustained their faith. Remember who gave Peter his faith? God. And who is its sustainer? God!
So what's the point? Jesus is the creator and sustainer of our faith. The point of this passage isn't "Be more bold!" or "Have more faith!" - it's this: Jesus makes faith; look at how great Jesus is; look how forgiving Jesus is; look at how sovereign Jesus is.
We're all dumb, aren't we? But praise God! He gives us faith, gives us righteousness to be declared righteous before him, and is giving us the new universe. Praise the Lord!
I know a bit better now, what with God opening my eyes to my own idols and unbelief.
One of those stories, though, was always the story of Peter. He always seemed so... dumb. His telling Jesus what he couldn't do, denying him, cutting off the dude's ear in the garden, etc.
I want to specifically think about Peter's denial of Jesus, though. I mean, how dumb was that? Peter had been told by Jesus who he was, how he was going to come back to life from the dead; he'd seen miracles! But he denied him.
And the way we're used to thinking about this is often about Peter's lack of faith and boldness for Jesus' sake. And that's true. He sinned. We often sin like him, don't we?
But that's not the point. The point is found previously in the passage. And it's this. God struck Jesus and scattered the sheep. Why'd the sheep scatter? Because the Shepherd was struck; he no longer sustained their faith. Remember who gave Peter his faith? God. And who is its sustainer? God!
So what's the point? Jesus is the creator and sustainer of our faith. The point of this passage isn't "Be more bold!" or "Have more faith!" - it's this: Jesus makes faith; look at how great Jesus is; look how forgiving Jesus is; look at how sovereign Jesus is.
We're all dumb, aren't we? But praise God! He gives us faith, gives us righteousness to be declared righteous before him, and is giving us the new universe. Praise the Lord!
Thank you! And another question for you...
To all that have responded to my request concerning the effectiveness of this blog, thank you! And the blog, God willing, will roll on.
Question - is there anything that you'd particularly like me to comment on - any questions you have that I should blog about?
Question - is there anything that you'd particularly like me to comment on - any questions you have that I should blog about?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Problem with the Young Calvinists
Recently, Christianity Today has been making the observation that there is a growing movement of young, theologically Reformed people. I need to quickly correct that terminology – there are a lot of young people that are getting really into the Five Points of Calvinism; they’re not necessarily getting all of Reformed theology. (I may write about this later…)
That said, I love the fact that the five points of Calvinism are becoming popular again. People are digging into the Bible, seeing the value of reading theology, being centered on God’s glory, recovering the Christian intellect, it’s an awesome thing.
However, there’s one thing that really scares me about it. It seems like these young Calvinists don’t necessarily understand God’s Great Commission – to make disciples of every nation. Now, I don’t necessarily mean they don’t get evangelism. In many pockets, they do, and they’re very focused on being ‘missional.’
But they have forgotten that God cares much more about gathering his elect from every nation than he does about every individual in America. They’ve missed that God’s main purpose on this earth is to glorify himself in every people group – not in every person.
Why might that be? Let me offer a few suggestions.
1) They’ve confused Calvinism with the gospel and thus view evangelism as ‘convincing people of Calvinism’ – and see a ‘great need’ in America for that.
2) They have comfort as an idol and are taking advantage of grace.
3) They view themselves as ‘senders’ – because they want to be like their Calvinist heroes.
4) They don’t ‘feel called’ – and are thus functionally denying sola Scriptura; thus, they’re Five Pointers – but not Reformed.
5) There’s a desire to be ‘cool’ in American culture that supercedes the desire to become all things to all people to win some.
6) An ignorance of the hundreds, if not thousands, of unreached people groups around the world.
There’s probably more to it than this, but this is what I’m coming up with right now. Let’s remember – our goal is the spread of the glory of God in the Gospel of Jesus to every nation – and it’s because that’s God’s goal. Everything we do – the directions of our lives – need to be organized around that principle. Not everyone should go. But for all of us called to vocational ministry, permit me to suggest that it should be our default option.
That said, I love the fact that the five points of Calvinism are becoming popular again. People are digging into the Bible, seeing the value of reading theology, being centered on God’s glory, recovering the Christian intellect, it’s an awesome thing.
However, there’s one thing that really scares me about it. It seems like these young Calvinists don’t necessarily understand God’s Great Commission – to make disciples of every nation. Now, I don’t necessarily mean they don’t get evangelism. In many pockets, they do, and they’re very focused on being ‘missional.’
But they have forgotten that God cares much more about gathering his elect from every nation than he does about every individual in America. They’ve missed that God’s main purpose on this earth is to glorify himself in every people group – not in every person.
Why might that be? Let me offer a few suggestions.
1) They’ve confused Calvinism with the gospel and thus view evangelism as ‘convincing people of Calvinism’ – and see a ‘great need’ in America for that.
2) They have comfort as an idol and are taking advantage of grace.
3) They view themselves as ‘senders’ – because they want to be like their Calvinist heroes.
4) They don’t ‘feel called’ – and are thus functionally denying sola Scriptura; thus, they’re Five Pointers – but not Reformed.
5) There’s a desire to be ‘cool’ in American culture that supercedes the desire to become all things to all people to win some.
6) An ignorance of the hundreds, if not thousands, of unreached people groups around the world.
There’s probably more to it than this, but this is what I’m coming up with right now. Let’s remember – our goal is the spread of the glory of God in the Gospel of Jesus to every nation – and it’s because that’s God’s goal. Everything we do – the directions of our lives – need to be organized around that principle. Not everyone should go. But for all of us called to vocational ministry, permit me to suggest that it should be our default option.
Monday, May 19, 2008
New Journal, New Blog, New Article
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Respond, please!
I’m trying to figure out whether or not this blog is helpful. So take a minute and respond. If you’re a subscriber or regular reader, please respond in a comment to say what would be helpful to you for me to include, change, etc.
For those of you whom I’ve tagged in Facebook notes – I’m no longer going to be tagging people. If you’ve found what’s here helpful, go ahead and subscribe (there should be a command in the 'bookmarks' menu) to the actual blog at http://derekjoseph.blogspot.com - and comment on what might be helpful to you.
I look forward to getting your comments. This blog has to be about Jesus and effective in his Kingdom, or I will happily get rid it.
For those of you whom I’ve tagged in Facebook notes – I’m no longer going to be tagging people. If you’ve found what’s here helpful, go ahead and subscribe (there should be a command in the 'bookmarks' menu) to the actual blog at http://derekjoseph.blogspot.com - and comment on what might be helpful to you.
I look forward to getting your comments. This blog has to be about Jesus and effective in his Kingdom, or I will happily get rid it.
How You Should Vote
The following text is the outline for the video which appears above.
1) God created governments
2) God created governments to execute righteousness on earth
3) God’s righteousness is evinced in the Law – the OT Law
4) Other nations are held responsible for disobedience to God’s Law in the prophets
5) There is no normative ‘moral Law’ outside the OT Law – every time conscience/natural law is mentioned it’s negative and subjective
6) So the purpose of government is to uphold God’s Law
7) That includes everything in it – including just war, capital punishment, wisely taking care of the poor to an extent, and even the worship of God. – some things more important than others.
8) That will never actually happen until Jesus returns
9) But we have some authority in our government – and thus responsibility to make sure our government conforms to God’s Laws.
10) We also have the responsibility to be honest with our presuppositions – we don’t start from the position of pragmatism – we start with a belief that God owns us, and that his Law is an expression of love to bring us to Jesus.
11) We also have to start with the presupposition that international or national law (Geneva convention; Constitution) aren’t ultimate. We have to submit to law given, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek to change them.
12) Practically, I typically vote republican. Morally, I believe they are closer to God’s Law. Economically, no one is advocating we stop taking care of the poor. And quite frankly, someone whining about poverty in our country, I believe, is myopic – and probably has never been out of the Western world.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Are prophecy and tongues for today?
What follows are the bulletpoints from the video posted above.
Here are some facts to consider when we think about whether prophecy, tongues, and other miraculous gifts have existed since the apostolic age.
Before I begin, one thing I should mention that I didn't include in the video - 'cessationism' - or the idea that the miraculous gifts ceased after the apostolic age - was the accepted position of the Church from after the apostles until the present day pentecostal movement, which began around 1900. Though that doesn't mean it's true - that does say that there should definitely be no arrogance towards the position.
That said - the facts:
0) Scripture doesn't say that gifts have or haven't ceased.
1) The office of apostle has ceased.
2) Scripture is sufficient to provide us all the information we need to live the Christian life.
3) Jesus taught that after his era, many gifts would disappear (John 9).
4) New Testament prophets are different from Old Testament prophets.
5) 'Prophet' can mean someone who receives direct revelation from God OR someone who interprets it.
6) Prophets in the New Testament Church were subjected to the Church, and the Church to Scripture.
7) There were signs of the apostles; and thus the 'signs of the apostles' have ceased. (2 Cor. 12)
8) Scripture gives us strict rules about how to use these gifts.
9) We must interpret experience by Scripture - not Scripture by experience.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Good news! God killed Jesus!
And of course raised him to life from the dead!
And it's good news because God was going to judge you for your rebellion - but - if you've submitted to Jesus as your divine owner, his death has taken your place and you're forgiven!
In Matthew 26, Jesus gives his disciples passover. The passover meal had four cups of wine, which symbolized the four aspects of God's saving Israel as described in Exodus 6. The third stood for God's action in saving his people and the fourth for entering into God's majestic presence forever. The cup Jesus gave the disciples was the third. So God's action in saving his people is Jesus' death (which results in the New Covenant and salvation!) AND Jesus doesn't drink the fourth because he's waiting until we're with him physically and we really know God!
Then Jesus tells the disciples that God is going to 'strike' him.
Then Jesus asks the Father if it might be possible for the 'cup' to pass from him. The 'cup' in the Old Testament represents God's wrath.
Praise the Lord! We're forgiven because God killed Jesus! And our forgiveness is sure because he lives again!
And it's good news because God was going to judge you for your rebellion - but - if you've submitted to Jesus as your divine owner, his death has taken your place and you're forgiven!
In Matthew 26, Jesus gives his disciples passover. The passover meal had four cups of wine, which symbolized the four aspects of God's saving Israel as described in Exodus 6. The third stood for God's action in saving his people and the fourth for entering into God's majestic presence forever. The cup Jesus gave the disciples was the third. So God's action in saving his people is Jesus' death (which results in the New Covenant and salvation!) AND Jesus doesn't drink the fourth because he's waiting until we're with him physically and we really know God!
Then Jesus tells the disciples that God is going to 'strike' him.
Then Jesus asks the Father if it might be possible for the 'cup' to pass from him. The 'cup' in the Old Testament represents God's wrath.
Praise the Lord! We're forgiven because God killed Jesus! And our forgiveness is sure because he lives again!
Do the sins of others sadden you? (News)
If you read Habakkuk 1:1-4, you'll see how sad he is at the sins of others even though he's not personally suffering. And that is a mark of one's desire that God be glorified - and thus - love for God... let's repent of our lack of love for God and thank him that he's forgiven us because of Jesus.
That said, a few news items -
Two teenagers make a bong (for weed) out of a human skull.
That guy that kept his daughter in the cellar and raped her repeatedly is saying he's sorry; he was wrong. How should we respond? How much are his apologies playing on your emotions?
This is what happens when we start saying 'God told me' and are referring to something that Scripture does not say or define. Sick.
Witches are protesting the war in Iraq! I think I'm won over. Quite convincing behavior...
And finally, I'm glad that we can be honest and say that statistics and pragmatism are more reliable than God's word when it comes to how we should behave sexually. Forget about the fact that you have no basis for believing in statistics or have any basis for even defining happiness without the Scriptures.
That said, a few news items -
Two teenagers make a bong (for weed) out of a human skull.
That guy that kept his daughter in the cellar and raped her repeatedly is saying he's sorry; he was wrong. How should we respond? How much are his apologies playing on your emotions?
This is what happens when we start saying 'God told me' and are referring to something that Scripture does not say or define. Sick.
Witches are protesting the war in Iraq! I think I'm won over. Quite convincing behavior...
And finally, I'm glad that we can be honest and say that statistics and pragmatism are more reliable than God's word when it comes to how we should behave sexually. Forget about the fact that you have no basis for believing in statistics or have any basis for even defining happiness without the Scriptures.
Good Preaching vs. Bad Preaching! FIGHT!
Recently, my beautiful fiance and I went to a worship service at a church in Indianapolis. The sermon was theologically sound, gospel-centered, and well-delivered. But she was not happy at all with it. Why? The dude barely referred to or read Scripture!
Remember Paul's commands to Timothy (a young pastor) - 'devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture' - and 'preach the word.'
Tie-in here - I just finished up at College Church's Workshop on Biblical Exposition. It was so restful - restful because I was in the Scriptures so much without distraction. And they are life!
That got me to thinking. Why preach?
Well, so we'll love God!
And also - what is preaching? It is clearly showing people the glory of God in the face of Jesus in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit gave us.
Remember Paul's commands to Timothy (a young pastor) - 'devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture' - and 'preach the word.'
Tie-in here - I just finished up at College Church's Workshop on Biblical Exposition. It was so restful - restful because I was in the Scriptures so much without distraction. And they are life!
That got me to thinking. Why preach?
Well, so we'll love God!
And also - what is preaching? It is clearly showing people the glory of God in the face of Jesus in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit gave us.
Tenacity for the Church Can Send a Man to Hell
There are a lot of evil doctrines afoot in the American Church today. Friendliness to Roman Catholicism, rejection of Scripture's authority, a decrying of penal-substition
as 'divine child abuse,' pragmatism and a failure to preach God's word, unScriptural methods of ministry, feminism...
But some of us, in our desire to protect people from idolatry (making a false 'God' to worship) and ultimately from hell, make ourselves worthy of it.
Consider the Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1. Saul was an evil man. But he was in a position of authority over God's people because God put him there. And David - whose ministry Jesus finished - killed the one who bragged about killing Saul.
David didn't refrain from pointing out Saul's sin, remember. But, though he did it publicly, always was gentle, loving, and invited repentance. I'm reminded of Paul's instruction to Timothy.
Let's never waver in being firm in condemning sinful doctrine and ministry practices; but with love and humility. Remember - those of who've been in ministry - look back - you've screwed up a lot, too. Thank God that he's the One building his Church!
as 'divine child abuse,' pragmatism and a failure to preach God's word, unScriptural methods of ministry, feminism...
But some of us, in our desire to protect people from idolatry (making a false 'God' to worship) and ultimately from hell, make ourselves worthy of it.
Consider the Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1. Saul was an evil man. But he was in a position of authority over God's people because God put him there. And David - whose ministry Jesus finished - killed the one who bragged about killing Saul.
David didn't refrain from pointing out Saul's sin, remember. But, though he did it publicly, always was gentle, loving, and invited repentance. I'm reminded of Paul's instruction to Timothy.
Let's never waver in being firm in condemning sinful doctrine and ministry practices; but with love and humility. Remember - those of who've been in ministry - look back - you've screwed up a lot, too. Thank God that he's the One building his Church!
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