Weep and Rejoice with Your Neighbors

Concerning the command to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15), Cranfield writes:

The Christian is to take his stand beside his fellow-man (whoever he may be), to have time and room for him in those experiences in which he is most truly himself, in his real human joy and his real human sorrow, and to strive to be both with him and for him, altogether and without reserve, yet without compromising with his evil or sharing, or even pretending to share, the presuppositions of this age which is passing away, even as God Himself is in Christ both ‘with us’ (Mt 1:23) and ‘for us’ (Rom 8:31) all. Commentary on Romans, vol 2, page 642

Scripture Memory- Make a Plan

In 2018 we will work on memorizing the book of Philippians. It sounds like an impossible task. But little by little, it is very doable. Here is a link to some helps.

https://fighterverses.com/memory-aids/tools-tips/tips-for-extended-memory/

What’s up with all these metaphors?

Each of the metaphors used for the church can help us to appreciate more of the richness of privilege that God has given us by incorporating us into the church. The fact that the church is like a family should increase our love and fellowship with one another. The thought that the church is like the bride of Christ should stimulate us to strive for greater purity and holiness, and also greater love for Christ and submission to him. The image of the church as branches in a vine should cause us to rest in him more fully. The idea of an agricultural crop should encourage us to continue growing in the Christian life and obtaining for ourselves and others the proper spiritual nutrients to grow. The picture of the church as God’s new temple should increase our awareness of God’s very presence dwelling in our midst as we meet. The concept of the church as a priesthood should help us to see more clearly the delight God has in the sacrifices of praise and good deeds that we offer to him (see Heb. 13:15-16). The metaphor of the church as the body of Christ should increase our interdependence on one another and our appreciation of the diversity of gifts within the body. Many other applications could be drawn from these and other metaphors for the church listed in Scripture. -Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 859.

The church must be something wonderful. Let’s work today to realize all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus.

Church, This is Us (1 Peter 1)

• We are a born-again people (1 Peter 1:3, 23-25)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again

• We are a hopeful people (1 Peter 1:3-4, 9)

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

• We are a guarded people (1 Peter 1:5)

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• We are a Jesus-glorifying people (1 Peter 1:6-7)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

• We are a Jesus-loving people (1 Peter 1:8)

Though you have not seen him, you love him.

• We are a Jesus-believing people (1 Peter 1:8)

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and

• We are a rejoicing people (1 Peter 1:6, 8)

rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

• We are a surely-saved people (1 Peter 1:9)

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

• We are a served people (1 Peter 1:10-12)

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

• We are a thinking people (1 Peter 1:13, 18)

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

• We are a holy-obedient people (1 Peter 1:14-17)

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

• We are a redeemed people (1 Peter 1:18-21)

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

• We are a loving people (1 Peter 1:22)

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

• We are a born again people (1 Peter 1:23-24)

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

The Good Gift of Sex

I’m publishing my upcoming sermon here so parents can read it for themselves and decide if it is appropriate for their children.

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8                                                   9/11/2016

Main Point: Sex and sexuality are not ultimate; God is ultimate

In 1991 Salt-n-Pepa sang the introduction to this sermon.

Let’s talk about sex for now
To the people at home or in the crowd
It keeps coming up anyhow
Don’t decoy, avoid, or make void the topic
‘Cause that ain’t gonna stop it
Now we talk about sex on the radio and video shows
Many will know anything goes
Let’s tell it how it is, and how it could be
How it was, and of course, how it should be
Those who think it’s dirty have a choice
Pick up the needle, press pause, or turn the radio off
Will that stop us, Pep? I doubt it
All right then, come on, Spin

Let’s talk about sex, baby
Let’s talk about you and me
Let’s talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be
Let’s talk about sex

Now, Salt-N-Pepa are not inviting us into a conversation about God’s design for sex or sexuality. Salt-N-Pepa want us to embrace the world’s view of sex. Somethings have changed drastically since 1991 but one thing hasn’t changed. God has a good design for sex. Without being childish or prudish we need to navigate the rough personal and cultural waters of sexuality.

Let’s begin with truth that will help us find and keep the right perspective, Philippians 3:1-11

I. Sex and sexuality are not ultimate: God is ultimate

The Apostle Paul is here encouraging us to affirm and then begin to live in pursuit of the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Jesus is better than your nationality. Jesus is better than your spirituality. Jesus is better than your reputation. Jesus is better than anything you could do or gain in this world.

• Sex is rubbish compared to Christ (Phil 3:1-8; 1 Cor 7:1)

There does not appear to be any good reason to think the Apostle Paul disagrees with the Corinthian’s statement in 1 Corinthians 7:1, “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.’” 1 Corinthians 7 makes the case that it is good to be single. It is good to be single and therefore it is good to not have sex.

Look at 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 (read it). Paul is single and expresses his desire for everyone to be single. Paul is not affirming a Corinthian hook up culture. He is affirming the goodness of the single life but he also realizes the celibate life is not for everyone. Marriage is for some people and singleness is for some people. Remember, being single is good. Look over at 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.

The goodness of the single life is the ability to be devoted solely to the Lord. The goodness of the single life is to be more available to pursue and know the all surpassing greatness of Jesus Christ. With the Apostle’s call to be single, his deliberate choice to not marry, let’s turn back over to Philippians 3:7-8 (read it).

The Apostle Paul had the right to take a wife (1 Cor 9:5) but he intentionally gave up that right in order that he might be fully devoted to the pursuit of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. Paul did not need a woman in order to be a man. He didn’t need someone to complete him. He found Christ to be more than enough. In fact, foregoing a wife, children, and sex was counted as rubbish compared to the greatness of Jesus Christ. You do not need a spouse in order to be complete or happy or fully human. You need Jesus Christ. In the pursuit of Christ it is crucial to be on guard.

• Beware of the enslaving power of your appetites (Phil 3:17-21; 2 Tim 3:1-5)

We were in Philippians 3:8. Now look across the page to Philippians 3:17-21 (read it).

Their god is their belly. They are ruled by their appetites. Think about it this way, what do you have to have in order to be safe and happy? For some it is new clothes. Others need to make a big sell in order to feel happy. Some need another round, another hit, or another pill. Still others need sweets, the prospect of a vacation, or their family in order to feel content and secure. Now, it should be no surprise to hear that some people need sex or pornography in order to feel safe and happy. What do you want? What is your god?

So how do you know if something good like rich food, family, or sex is starting to take over and enslave you? If you have to have it to be happy, or, if you are only happy when you have it, then you are most likely enslaved. If you can’t sleep without that person or that thing then you are most likely enslaved. If you can’t thank God for it, or if you have stopped thanking God for it, then you might be enslaved.

Married and single alike, will face times of sexual temptation. Alongside a deepening joy in Jesus Christ, what can we do?

II. We need to understand God’s good purposes for making us sexual persons

• Sex is for procreation (Gen 1:27-28)

Adam and Eve were created naked and not ashamed (Gen 2:25). Look at Genesis 1:27-28 (read it)

After blessing them, the first command God gives them is to make babies; be fruitful and multiply. God made us male and female in order that a husband and wife would have children. Outside of the clear biblical prohibitions of homosexuality (1 Cor 6:9-10), there is also the common sense understanding that homosexuality is unnatural because it cannot produce children. It is good for husbands and wives to multiply. Therefore, deliberate childlessness and homosexuality are wrong. Sex is for procreation and

• Sex is for unity (Gen 2:23-25; 1 Cor 6:16-18)

Look over at Genesis 2:23-25 (read it).

A man shall leave his father and his mother and unite himself to his wife. The husband and wife become a new family. There is a level of intimacy shared between a husband and wife which has no competitors. It is a sign of the fall that dogs have become man’s best friend. A man’s best friend is his wife, or at least should be and their union is typified mainly when the two become one flesh. A lack of unity, bitterness and resentment, will hinder a husband and wife coming together. Sex is for procreation, unity, and

• Sex is for shared joy

Let’s go back to 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (read it).

With the ideas that the wife’s body belongs to the husband and the husband’s body belongs to his wife, let’s read Philippians 2:1-7. Husband, demand nothing from your wife that is selfish or conceited. Care for her. Wife, withhold nothing from your husband as an act of rivalry. Care for him. Husband and wife come together to serve one another. Count the other more significant than yourself. Find ways to care for one another and enter into one another’s joy. Pursue unity, through forgiveness and trust. This unity will help fuel your shared joy. Sex is for procreation, unity, shared joy, and

• Sex is a God-given gift to be richly enjoyed (1 Tim 4:1-5; Song of Solomon)

Turn in your bibles to 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (read it). Some people were forbidding marriage and some foods. God created these things to be received with thanksgiving. These things are good. Sex is a great blessing given by God. It is good to be married and to have sex.

The Song of Solomon is an entire book of the bible written as a celebration of the union of husband and wife. The book is filled with mutual affirmation as they encourage one another. The book is filled with mutual carefulness for one another. The Song of Solomon is a biblical celebration of the goodness of sexuality. Sex is good and marriage is good

• Pursue the good gained from marriage (1 Cor 7:2; 5)

There are seasons when husbands and wives should devote themselves to the Lord with an undivided devotion. Look at 1 Corinthians 7:5. There can be short seasons when husbands and wives agree to abstinence in order to devote that relationship energy and investment into spiritual pursuits. These seasons of deprivation need to be agreed upon, few, and far between. Because marriage is a God-given means of fighting against immorality. Look at 1 Corinthians 7:2, “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband.”

Men will be tempted with sexual immorality. Women will be tempted with sexual immorality. Get married, love one another, serve one another, and care for one another. Look at 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, “To the unmarried and the widow I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. One reason marriage is good is because it is a God-given means of fighting against sexual immorality.

Another reason marriage is good is security. Marriage provides the relational security for the powerful intimacy of sex. Marriage provides the long term commitment to know one another and forgive one another and reconcile with one another.

Sex is powerful; use it carefully. In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 the Apostle Paul warns against sexual immorality. God tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:18 to flee from sexual immorality because every other sin a person commits is outside this body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. The physical, emotional, and spiritual union which occurs in the act of sex is safe only in marriage. That union is safe only in marriage.

Sex is like atom smashing. In an atom smasher two particles spin rapidly and then collide creating a phenomenal amount of energy. You don’t want scientists to be smashing atoms anywhere they want with whomever they want. The energy of atom smashing requires a safe place. The intimacy and union of sex is a good and wonderful thing which requires the safety of marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 tells us, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterer.” Value marriage. Marriage is good and beautiful in its own right. And in marriage be sure to keep the marriage bed pure. As Christ is pure to his church, so husbands be pure to your wife. As the church is pure to Christ, wives be pure to your husband.

III. How to pursue holiness

• Sex is ruined by shame; pursue holiness in your marriage

Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed. Then they sinned against God, introduced selfishness, and suddenly wanted to hide from God and hide their nakedness from one another. It’s not that Adam and Eve became ugly in the fall. It makes more sense that Adam and Eve became shameful and untrusting in the fall. Adam and Eve hid from God because their sin made a separation between themselves and God. Adam and Eve covered their nakedness from one another because their sin made a separation between husband and wife. Where there is unrepented sin there can be no trusting unity. If your wife doesn’t trust you, don’t expect her to unite with you. If you have sin in your life and feel shameful about that sin it is hard to give yourself to your spouse. Pursue personal holiness in your marriage. Repent and believe the gospel in your marriage. Reconciliation with God and one another will remove the shame, increase the trust, and invite intimacy. Do you want to have a God-honoring sexuality? Repent and believe the gospel. Here is a practical strategy for holiness.

• ANTHEM[1]

ANTHEM is an acronym from John Piper to help men and women fight for sexual purity. The link is at the bottom of your notes as well as on the church facebook page. We don’t have time to unpack the details. I want to introduce you to the strategy of A- avoid. Flee those situations and avoid those situations like TV shows, books, and solitary time. A- Avoid. N- say no. Tell yourself no. You have 5 seconds before that temptation lodges itself in your mind. A- Avoid. N- say No. T- turn. Turn your mind to that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Avoid, say no, turn, and H- hold. Hold onto that which is good. Do not let go. Set your eyes on heavenly things and keep them there. Endure as long as it takes. Avoid, say no, turn, hold, and E- enjoy. Turn from sin and hold onto to the good until you gain the all surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord. Be unashamed of your pursuit of joy in Christ. And M-move. Do not let yourself get idle. Immorality thrives in idle times. Check it out yourself it is good and helpful. Finally,

• Advice for parents
  1. Invite questions and carefully answer questions

Spend time together talking.

I love the question, where did I come from? When asked, one mom thought it was time for the talk but the child was asking about the previous town they lived in. Be sure you are answering the question actually being asked.

Regularly ask your child if there is anything he/she wants to talk about. When it turns to sexual matters, use terms like loving, touching, and acting like husband and wife. Adultery is when a husband lives with another woman and treats her like his wife when they aren’t married. Fornication is when two people who aren’t married come together and act like they are married. Pornography is when a person looks at another person and dreams about being married when they aren’t.

As your child matures then explain your answers appropriately. The most important thing here is to be with your child talking about things that matter. If you build a relationship where you can talk about mattering things like fear, death, God, and joy then it will be more natural to talk about sexual things.

Here is the last piece of advice

2. Celebrate the development of your child

Celebrate milestones in your child’s life. As a church, we celebrate the milestones of birth, graduating out of the nursery, graduating out of children’s worship time, and baptism. Parent, you can make a big deal out of turning ten and turning sixteen. Give them a biblical Christ-centered understanding of their bodies, sexuality, and being responsible. Dads, take your sons for a day away and talk appropriately about why bodies develop. Mom, you can do the same with your daughters. There are all kinds of helps out there for having these types of talks and setting up milestone ceremonies. Take advantage of each new stage to celebrate and teach your child.

Parents and church, we need to, we must, teach and model the good and godly way. Let us work and forgive and love so that each of us knows how to enjoy God and enjoy others for the glory of God and the good of others.

[1] http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/anthem-strategies-for-fighting-lust

Spiritual War & Complacency

The captions read “On the War  Front- the Belgian Bulge” and “On the Home Front- Complacency Bulge.” You can see the cartoon and others with explanation here. The Germans lost the Battle of the Bulge for several factors, the main factor being a lack of supplies. Simply put the Germans ran out of gas. The Allied effort to bomb refineries and factories was a success.

In 1 Peter war type words are used to describe the Christian life. 1 Peter 2:11, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 4:1, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”

There are times in life when obeying the will of God is war. Fighting to put some selfish sin to death, fighting for a joyful marriage, fighting for your child to follow Christ instead of following the world, these things are war. We need to strengthen our supplies.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up on another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Where do you see the “complacency bulge” in your life? In your family? In your church? How can you encourage someone today? How can you strengthen their supplies in the war for joy?

Behold the Amazing Gift of Love

I discovered a wonderful old hymn from Isaac Watts today. The hymn is “Behold the Amazing Gift of Love.” It’s a meditation and celebration of 1 John 3:1-3 which says,

 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (ESV).

Here are the lyrics Isaac Watts penned. In order to get the tune in your head and heart you can listen here.

Behold what wondrous grace
The Father hath bestow’d
On sinners of a mortal race
To call them Sons of God!

’Tis no surprising thing,
That we should be unknown;
The Jewish world knew not their King,
God’s everlasting Son.

Nor doth it yet appear
How great we must be made;
But when we see our Saviour here,
We shall be like our Head.

A hope so much divine
May trials well endure,
May purge our souls from sense and sin
As Christ the Lord is pure.

If in my Father’s love
I share a filial part,
Send down Thy Spirit like a dove,
To rest upon my heart.

We would no longer lie
Like slaves beneath the throne;
My faith shall Abba, Father, cry,
And Thou the kindred own.

Are You Born Again?

Take time to read this helpful biblical wisdom from JC Ryle

Are You Born Again?

Apply it to your own soul. Use it with your children as you seek to lead them to an understanding of life in Christ. Use it as you pray for your church family. It’s that good.

Jesus’ Great Prophetic Mistake?

In today’s bible reading we find this pronouncement by Jesus:

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place” (Luke 21:32).

In context, Jesus is speaking about end times events. The temple will be destroyed (Lk 21:5-9). There will be war, famine, persecution, and martyrdom (Lk 21:10-19). As predicted, Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles (Lk 21:20-24). There will be great signs in the heavens, there will be widespread debilitating fear and confusion, Jesus will come, and when these things begin we know our redemption is drawing near (Lk 21:25-28). Just like the leaves on a fig tree mark the nearness of summer, so also, these events demonstrate the nearness of the kingdom of God.

So, what did Jesus mean when he promised “this generation will not pass away until all has taken place”? There have been numerous interpretations and here is where I have settled on the issue.

If Jesus meant the generation of Jews who were alive in the 1st century then he flat out blew it. He was wrong and therefore has lost his status as a prophet. If he’s wrong on this prophetic prediction then we shouldn’t trust him about anything (see Deuteronomy 18:15-22).  I reject this option due to my understanding of the nature of Christ and the strange preservation of an obvious error (if that is in fact what it is). History has proven that fans of leaders bury mistakes they don’t preserve them. Jesus is promising something else.

I believe Jesus is promising that the generation who sees these signs begin will be the generation who sees the kingdom of God come. In one sense the Age to Come has already entered this age. However, there is coming a day when the Ages will no longer be mixed. The weeds will be pulled out and the harvest will happen. There will be a short season lasting less than a generation, leading up to that final definitive event- the destruction of every enemy including death (1 Cor 15).

Jesus is not saying the people alive in the 1st century will continue alive until the final resurrection of the dead. Jesus is saying that those who see these signs of the end, these great and terrible markers, they will continue through until all has taken place. In the 1st century Jesus is prophesying; using the present tense to speak of future events.

There are many examples of prophecy working this way but let me give you just one. Take God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. God said, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” In Genesis 15:7 God promised to give Abraham the land as a possession.

If you are familiar with the life of Abraham you know these promises were not fulfilled in his lifetime. I guess that makes God the Father and God the Son both liars. Jesus blew it regarding his return during the generation of 1st century Jews and God the Father blew it concerning the fulfillment of his promises during Abraham’s lifetime. I’m putting it in these stark terms to bring out the obvious.

Prophecy is bigger than we typically understand. Prophecy is bigger than it’s original hearers often understood. It is God’s mode of operation to speak of something to come as if it has already come (Romans 8:30). It’s a sure thing. You can count those chickens before they hatch.

So, Jesus didn’t blow it. Jesus got it right. In the context of Luke 21 we are to understand Jesus’ message to be that when the final events of the end begin we can rest assured that particular generation will see the end of history. Thank God for the brevity of the end times.

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. Bur for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short (Mt 24:22).

The signs that the end draws near and the particular difficulties of the Great Tribulation will not go on and on and on and on. Praise God, the generation that sees the beginning of the end will see the end.

 

He would not let the demons speak

There are days when reading the bible functions as a steady reminder: these are the things that are true, you know them, walk in them. But on other days reading the bible is like receiving a surprising text message in the course of the day. What I read shocks me; sometimes cutting and at other times encouraging. Today was surprising. I was encouraged. This is what stood out:

And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him (Mark 1:34).

Remember, demons were at once angels in the presence of the Father, Son, and Spirit. The Son of God had made the soon to be fallen angels and given them life. Demons had once been with the Trinitarian God serving and enjoying God. But then they rebelled. There was a battle and those rebellious angels were cast out of heaven and were destined for an eternal hell.

Demons hate the One who has defeated them and demons despise the One who is coming again to bind them and cast them into unending torment.

Demons have an ax to grind against the Son of God.

Now here is what stood out. I do not have the ability to silence anyone. We have four children. That means we have had four babies who have screamed. I had no power over those little mouths. We have a dog who loves to bark. I have no power to silence that blessed creature. People have said, and when confronted have continued saying, all kinds of things that are not true. I have no power over those lips. From angry teenagers to disgruntled employees to condemned criminals we do not have the power to silence anyone.

But the Son of God does.

He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

That simple verse reminds me that the Father, Son, and Spirit have a plan and they are working that plan. What has been ordained will not happen a second too early or a second too late. The demons wanted to rush things. They sought to gain the upper hand in order to derail the plan. Jesus wouldn’t let them. He silenced them. He shut their mouths. His was a mission of redemption and not even the demons could thwart one detail.

Trust the God who silences demons. He is sovereign. He is able. Trust Him.