Wright Thinking

Bodily Training

2012-02-21T10:28:00.009-05:00

We live in a culture of extremes. Consider our approach to physical fitness. At one end of the spectrum are those who seem to care little about their physical health or bodily appearance. At the other end are those who consider their physique and bodily condition as a pearl of great price! While the former live and eat without apparent regard to nutrition or fitness, the latter look like slaves who worship the body in an attempt to maintain some extreme standard of strength and beauty. Gyms, spas and workout facilities of all shapes and sizes are rapidly multiplying. Magazines are replete, even preoccupied, with the physical attributes, both attractive and unattractive, of modern celebrities. Plastic surgeons are getting rich by exploiting the vanity of modern body-worshipers. Granted, the human body is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14), but the fact remains: it is made! It is not worthy of worship. Yet in typical idolatrous fashion darkened man has exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an unrealistic and lust-driven image resembling mortal man (Rom 1:23).

Perhaps this has to do in large part with the desire of the flesh, but also I think with the pride of life. For too many, health, beauty and corporal strength appear to be the signs of success. In a bygone era obesity was the tell-tale sign of opulence. Today, affluence seems to be signaled by a tanned, toned and tummy-tucked body. For the contemporary idolater who serves at the altar of physique, the final reward will consist in part of a tombstone which reads, “He was born, lived, ate well, worked out, looked great, and died.” After a few short years, like a vanishing mist, a human life ends. One is forced to ask the question, Does the end justify the means? Wisdom answers with a resounding No! In the whole scope of things, how satisfying is a good looking corpse?

Paul observes, while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (1Tim 4:8). He admits that bodily training provides some benefit, but not to the degree ascribed to it in our day by its more extreme devotees. From the apostle’s perspective, the true value of bodily training stems from its serviceability to the Kingdom of God. I think his comments issued in another context are germane: The present form of this world is passing away, and I say this for your own benefit… to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord (1Cor 7:31, 35). Attention to physical fitness is well-founded when it promotes good order and devotion to the Lord! In other words, bodily training can make one more physically and mentally fit in this life to serve the cause of Christ. But far more valuable for this world and the next are the spiritual disciplines by means of which every follower of Christ may grow in godliness. If a Christian devotes himself to the Word, sacraments and prayer with the same kind of devotion, diligence and determination our culture dedicates to bodily discipline, the benefits will be enormous and everlasting. This is because these are the means through which Christ communicates to us the benefits of His mediation (WLC 153). Such saving graces as evangelical faith, repentance, love and obedience are nourished and strengthened by the Holy Spirit through a believer’s consistent devotion to the ordinances of Christ. This is how God ordinarily blesses His people. We wait and pray and hope for His gracious, heavenly influence as we pursue godliness through these means. So let us rejoice and wait patiently at these gates so we might receive according to the promise of our gracious King those most precious gifts of life and favor from the Lord (Prov 8:34-35).

The Father's Cup

2012-01-17T12:12:00.003-05:00

It may be difficult for some to believe in the Father’s love. After all, as the One whose thunderous voice shook Mount Sinai He threatens wrath against sinners whom He hates (Ps 5:5; 11:5). With good reason do sinners fear the strict, severe and unyielding justice of God. The Bible is rich with examples illustrating this point. But we must not fail to appreciate the equally strong and eternally significant teaching about our heavenly Father’s compassion toward His beloved children.

To illustrate I refer to the night of Christ’s betrayal, when Jesus prayed Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me? (Jn 18:11). It was the Father’s cup! It was described by Isaiah as the cup of staggering, the bowl of wrath (Is 51:22). During the fiercest struggle of His life, as He bled agonizingly through strained pores, the Son prayed fervently to have this cup withdrawn (Mt 26:39). The thought of enduring the infinite weight of divine wrath so overwhelmed Him that His body started breaking down under the stress. He found His humanity engulfed by thick darkness and confronted with rank and robust evil. Could He not be spared this ghastly substitution?

But the Father was resolute. In love He predestined us and out of love He sent Christ. That great love with which the Father loved us compelled Him to place that appalling cup of wrath into the innocent hands of His own Son, His only Son, the Son whom He loves. What’s more, this pleased Him! (Is 53:10) Apparently the same joy set before Christ that sustained Him (Heb 12:2) was what brought pleasure to the Father who sent Him. Both Father and Son shared a common desire for our eternal salvation.

Can God do anything more to demonstrate His love for us? Rather than question His love we should simply admire its breadth and length and height and depth (Eph 3:18). Love moved the Father to place the cup, and the Spirit to fill the cup, and the Son willingly to drink that awful cup to its dregs. Who cannot marvel at the immeasurable love of the triune God? Who among us will fail to adore the love of our heavenly Father who willingly crushed His Son for our salvation? Who among us will refuse to marvel at the love of our crucified Savior who willingly endured such infinite suffering for our redemption? Who among us will decline to wonder at the love of our heavenly Comforter who willingly drove Christ into the wilderness, led Christ to Jerusalem and directed Christ to the cross?

It was God’s infinite reservoir of holy love that motivated salvation’s decree, accomplishment and application. The same just God who threatens wrath against our sin is the loving God who took the cup from our hands and placed it in His Son’s. It is the same God who in the Person of Christ fully imbibed the dregs of that cup which we as sinners so richly deserve. It is the same God who is pleased to breathe upon dead sinners quickening them so they can receive and rest upon the Redeemer. God’s love is deep, broad and eternal. It is a boundless ocean in which we will forever joyfully swim, an inexhaustible river of delights from which we will eternally partake (Ps 36:8), a perpetual fountain of living waters because of which we will never thirst (Jer 2:13). So let us not doubt the Father’s love. Against the backdrop of thunderous threats, let us rejoice in limitless love! Our immutable God always has and always will care deeply for His children.

Financial Seminar at Redeemer Church (PCA)

2012-01-09T18:42:00.001-05:00

Redeemer Church (PCA) in Hudson, Ohio will be hosting a 13 week course using Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University curriculum. The classes will begin in February and take place on Saturday evenings. Learn more about FPU and Dave Ramsey in this video.

More info will available soon on how to sign up for these amazing classes. We look forward to seeing you there.

New PCA Ohio Presbytery Website

2011-12-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

Please visit the new PCA Ohio Presbytery website. Thanks to Matt Timmons for all his hard work.

The Ohio Presbytery exists for the purpose of zealously preaching Christ crucified and engaging in the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the northern Ohio region.

Christmas Eve Service at Redeemer Church

2011-12-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Please join us for our annual Christmas Eve Service at 7pm on Christmas Eve. An appetizer hour will begin at 6pm.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
(Luke 2:8-10 ESV)

The Mind of Christ

2011-12-09T16:32:00.002-05:00

Fantastic sermon by our elder Ray Gilliland...

Confession of Sin

2011-11-29T14:17:00.000-05:00

Our Father, we have sinned by often letting our worship, service and evangelism become man-centered. Many times we have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere trinkets prized on earth. We have insulted your majesty by focusing our attention on personalities, eloquence, abilities as well as worldly riches and success. With relative indifference we have treated the unrivaled gift of your Son, even Jesus whom you sent to be the propitiation for our sins. We have failed to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, to give thanks in all conditions. Frequently we have quenched your Spirit. Please forgive us in Christ.

Handed Over To Satan

2011-11-27T08:05:00.003-05:00

Paul mentions almost in passing the regrettable condition of Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom he had handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme (1Tim 1:20). It is a mysterious and spine tingling phrase that is relatively obscure as far as disciplinary measures go. What does it mean to hand over someone to the devil? Is Paul talking about church discipline? Or is he referring to an apostolic prerogative? Or perhaps could he be alluding to some uniquely Pauline measure that consisted in part of chanting imprecatory psalms or offering maledictory prayers? We are left wondering what exactly was involved in this severe measure.

Paul employs the same phrase in the case of the incestuous Corinthian who took his father’s wife, something even the pagans refuse to tolerate. Having already pronounced judgment himself, Paul directs the congregation to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord (1Cor 5:5). This suggests that the measure was not a uniquely apostolic or Pauline privilege. The church herself utilized it with success. The man eventually repented and was readmitted to full fellowship (2Cor 2:6-8). Interestingly, God Himself employed this measure or something like it when He said to Satan, Behold, Job is in your hand; only spare his life (Job 2:6). Of course the rest of the story describes in painful detail the severe physical, mental and emotional assaults endured by Job at the hands of the evil adversary. It was not Job’s sin that demanded suffering but God’s sovereignty that ordained it even though the measure itself seems to have been commensurate with if not identical to the handing over to Satan mentioned by Paul to Timothy.

The precise nature of this spiritual extradition to the powers of evil is obscure. But one thing we may safely conclude is it involved pain and suffering, perhaps physical, certainly spiritual. Hymenaeus and Alexander received a severe censure of church discipline designed to prevent further sin from infecting the church and to reclaim if possible these professing but erring Christians. They must learn not to blaspheme. God would honor this disciplinary measure by lowering His hedge of protection and exposing them to danger. What a terrifying chastisement! Satan is pure evil and a malicious murderer. His nature knows not one ounce of pity. Therefore to be placed under his authority, if even temporarily, would be a frightening and dreadful sentence.

But as Scripture reveals true change in a sinner only comes by way of the cross. It is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1Cor 1:18). The cross was the instrument employed at one and the same time by God’s love and Satan’s malice. Though Satan meant it for evil, God overruled it for good. In like manner, every cross appointed for us is ordained by our heavenly Father who knows what is best and will use whatever means necessary to preserve us from perdition.

Although we may not know exactly what constituted being surrendered to Satan, we do know that like all other disciplinary measures God utilizes it for good – for the good of Christians individually and the church corporately. Let us thank our Lord for His infinite wisdom and steadfast love from which nothing in heaven or on earth can ever separate us.

Come and Visit With Us at Redeemer Church

2011-11-26T14:54:00.000-05:00

We'd like to extend a warm invitation to join us for worship tomorrow as Elder James Pavlic fills our pulpit. Elder Pavlic is currently attending seminary at RTS in Charlotte and has graciously offered to preach for us. Find out our more about Redeemer Church by checking out our website.

Elder James Pavlic

Hard Hearts, Withered Hand

2011-11-26T09:20:00.005-05:00

Our sermon series on the book of Mark continues as we examine Mark 3:1-6.

Join Redeemer's Facebook and Google+ pages and keep up to date on current events and share your own.

Why Do Christians Die?

2011-07-27T05:05:00.003-04:00

In his correspondence with the Roman Christians the apostle Paul makes a statement that helps explain an important issue regarding the death of Christians. He says, For one who has died has been set free from sin (Rom 6:7). It is through death that liberation from sin’s power and dominion is achieved. Now of course that has to do primarily with the death of Christ, who died for us that we might be freed from sin’s clutches and might live in Him for God. But it also helps clarify the reason why believers, now forgiven and accepted by God, must still experience physical death as sin’s wages.

The Westminster Divines dealt with this question and codified it in the Larger Catechism. They asked, Death being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death, seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ? (Q 85) Their answer echoes the apostle and is very illuminating: The righteous shall be delivered from death itself at the last day, and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it; so that, although they die, yet it is out of God’s love, to free them perfectly from sin and misery, and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory, which they then enter upon (A 85). While the death of Christians seems to be an inconsistency, it is really a severe mercy by which our loving Father frees us from sin and introduces us into glory. So in Christ’s death we are freed from sin legally, morally, spiritually, and in our own death we are freed from sin perfectly. What a glorious gospel! God in Christ has overruled the curse so that the very punishment for sin itself is now a means of tremendous blessing. What a glorious God! Is death an enemy? On one level, yes it is. On another level, it is not at all. It comes out of God’s love to free us perfectly from sin and misery. This is why Christians may look forward even to death itself. It is why we need not fear the valley of the shadow. For the one who dies has been set free from sin!

Christ's Attitude Toward Death - Dr. T. David Gordon

2011-07-23T11:21:00.000-04:00

Dr. T. David Gordon

The Vision Proverbs 16:3

2011-07-19T18:04:00.000-04:00

This is the concluding sermon in the series on our new mission statement. Come and visit us at Redeemer Church.

Testimony

2011-07-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

Testimony

It may have been a renewed interest in detective stories that triggered the most recent movie about Sherlock Holmes. The film shows the super sleuth demonstrating his amazing skills of observation in solving cases that otherwise would have been left unsettled. Often he manages to untangle a knotty problem based on the slightest circumstantial evidence, which other noble but less observant detectives are unable to perceive. Such circumstantial evidence is valuable not only in the world of super sleuths. It also serves an important function in the spiritual realm. In fact, we are invited to trust in Christ, in part, because of the amazing circumstantial evidence.

As Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure - literally His exodus (Lk 9:31) – He acknowledged their doubts and did not rebuke them. That is not all, for He invited them to believe on account of the works themselves (Jn 14:11). In other words, if they were unable to believe Him, they at least should have concluded from the evidence that He was who He said He was. In this case one need not be in possession of Sherlockian skills to deduce the right verdict logically from the facts themselves. The works of Jesus testify to His deity. They witness to His union with the Father. They are works that no one else did or can do (Jn 15:24). Even Watson could have solved this one. The prophets predicted Messiah’s stunning powers over nature, disease and devils. All those predictions were fulfilled by Jesus Christ who thereby confirmed His messianic mission not only by word but by deed too. His miracles are incontrovertible proof of His identity as God’s Son. Did the New Testament authors fabricate the evidence? They lacked motive and opportunity. Why die for a hoax? What incentive is there in sacrificing one's life for a trick? What's more, the fraud would have been easily detected by malevolent Pharisee-types. They would not have tolerated a fictitious account of recent events. Even if someone refutes the infallibility of the apostolic record, its reliability is beyond question. These were credible witnesses that even the influential Sanhedrin could not intimidate. Their testimony and the evidence they record points to one grand conclusion: Jesus of Nazareth is the very Son of God. He is the Savior of sinners. He offers salvation to all and any who believe. Of course, the natural man will not receive it and, indeed, cannot receive it (1Cor 2:14). But dear Christian, rejoice! For your Savior is indisputably divine. That makes all the difference.

His Signs

2011-05-10T07:03:00.002-04:00

Miracles are meant to grab our attention. They are above and beyond the ordinary. They are so extraordinary – so contrary to nature, so unusually singular, so atypical and bizarre – that they give occasion for pause from mundane living. Folks take notice of miracles because when they occur, they do so either without or above or against the ordinary means usually employed, like being sustained without bread (Mt 4:4), or bearing children with bodies as good as dead (Rom 4:19), or defying gravity (2Kgs 6:6) or flames (Dan 3:27). Jesus came in the fullness of time, and His miracles provided credible and convincing testimony about His identity as the Son of God. These amazing works given by the Father to accomplish were witnesses to Christ’s deity, messianic identity and redemptive purpose having testimony weightier than even that of John (Jn 5:36).

The beginning of these signs occurred in Cana of Galilee where Jesus miraculously transformed water into the finest of wine (Jn 2:1-11). As a sign it was meant to convey something personally and theologically significant about Him, as well as signify the joy and abundance of His kingdom. That is, it manifested His glory (Jn 2:11). Natural men viewed Him as nothing but an ordinary Galilean man. Spiritual men esteemed Him as far more and welcomed His demonstrations of divine power which let the glorious light of His deity shine through the modest veil of His humanity. His disciples believed in him. Indeed, Peter said Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through Him (Acts 2:22). Do you believe Him to be who He said He was? Consider the testimony! The apostles could not have fabricated all that was written of Him. The malicious Jews could have easily debunked historical fiction. The New Testament reliably testifies to His miraculous deeds, which themselves reliably testify to His glorious, divine, messianic identity. Thus, Do not fear, only believe!

Suitable Sorrow

2011-04-27T06:09:00.001-04:00

“Moderation in all things” is not a bad motto. As with almost everything else, it applies to the sphere of mourning. On the one hand, there is a time to weep… a time to mourn (Eccl 3:4). We live in a fallen world and the days are evil (Eph 5:16). Tombstones around the globe stand as silent witnesses of death’s shadow which permeates every facet of human existence. Daily the obituaries testify to the passing of one generation and the rise of another (Eccl 1:4). In this scenario it is appropriate to grieve. Abraham mourned for his beloved Sarah (Gen 23:2), all Israel grieved the death of Samuel (1 Sam 25:1), and Jesus Himself wept for His dear friend Lazarus (Jn 11:35). Such sorrow is natural and expected. With it comes no shame or culpability. On the other hand, one must not indulge his grief overmuch. Like any passion excessively coddled, sorrow can become a snare to godly living. For example, the disciples failed to support their Master in His hour of greatest need because they were found sleeping for sorrow (Lk 22:45). Even after Christ’s command to pray and His warning of temptation, they slept because their souls were exhausted from the grievous news about His sufferings and betrayal.

So the proper course, the right way is to moderate our sorrows under God’s providential dealings. In this vale of tears we will suffer. Our Lord Himself showed that godly grief is both good and right. Yet as believers in a wise and gracious providence we must not let our losses and disappointments master our hearts. “Moderation in all things.” The extremes are worldly – all or nothing, overindulged heartache or callous insensitivity. The balance is Christian – a measured, faith-filled godly grief. The one produces death, the other leads to salvation without regret (2 Cor 7:10). Let us not grieve as others do who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13). For Jesus died and rose again. Hallelujah!

Conferences

2011-04-25T06:25:00.004-04:00

Some people disparage modern conferences as a waste of time. “Can anything good come out of two day meeting?” they ask. “What does it profit a man to discuss the whole world and consider religious themes? Let’s just plod along faithfully in the ordinary path of weekly worship and gospel service looking for and expecting gradual growth.” Of course the latter approach is biblical, wise and profitable. But the former outlook is ill-advised and short-sighted. There is a place for conferences which strengthen one’s faith, build up the church, and encourage the fainthearted (1 Thess 5:14).

Consider the brief but productive conference that took place in Sychar. It was surprising given the animosity between first century Samaritans and Jews. Jesus astonished His disciples by stopping at a well to confer with a Samaritan woman. This was shocking, but they must have been flabbergasted when at the request of new converts He stayed there two days (Jn 4:40). As a result of that brief conference, Sychar enjoyed a revival of religion as many more believed because of His word (v. 41). As far as we know, He performed no miracles, exorcised no demons, displayed no feats of omnipotence in that place. He simply gave them His word which transformed a community. This small village enjoyed two whole days with Jesus. Neither His modest appearance nor his humble condition caused them to stumble. Those people would never be the same and that town was “turned upside down.” So the next time you have an opportunity to spend “two days with Jesus” discussing the world and considering religious themes, remember the Sycharian experience. It might just change your life.

A Good Man

2011-04-04T06:39:00.002-04:00

At a marriage seminar we considered hypothetically how each one would eulogize his or her spouse. It was an exercise designed both to provoke thought and to provide encouragement. Many nice things were said about our respective spouses. But nothing could have been said that would have surpassed what the Holy Spirit affirmed in describing one of the early church’s leading men. Barnabas rejoiced at the work of God in Antioch and exhorted the believers to fidelity, and the sacred text makes this observation: he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24).

Of course he was not inherently good, but became so as a result of the Spirit’s presence and faith’s exercise. With the blessed Promise filling his heart, he was divinely enabled to believe – it was granted to him (Php 1:29) – and in so doing he was able to receive and rest upon the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what made him good. That is what enabled him to rejoice in and work for the Kingdom. And that is why he was recognized and esteemed as a son of encouragement (Acts 4:36). In Barnabas we see an example of divine prophecy fulfilled. I will give you a new heart… and I will put My Spirit within you (Ezek 36:26-27). His soul and life were undeniably transformed by means of the gracious and powerful influence of the Holy Spirit. The same is true of every believer. Like Barnabas we have within our hearts a Presence that sanctifies and sweetens life. He sanctifies even to the extent that wicked sinners can now be classified as good. What a stunning transformation! What an amazing gospel! The Father chose us for this. The Son lived and died and rose again for this. The Spirit descends and indwells and disinfects for this. All of it unfolds for the glory of God and the good of His people.

Withering Grass

2011-01-28T05:25:00.003-05:00

Human pride, what the Greeks called hubris, is a strange and unreasonable thing. It leads us to form an estimate of ourselves that is far too high, at least according to the Bible. We naturally think of ourselves as worthy of love and deserving of respect because of who we are or what we have done or how we have been gifted. Yet with one broad stroke Scripture paints us as flowers of the grass that soon wither (Jas 1:10). Great and small, rich and poor alike appear for a short while, and then fade away like front lawn blades that wither under the sun’s scorching heat. Experience confirms it. Just as a flower’s beauty perishes (Jas 1:11), so one’s outward appearance exhibits the ravages of time. Various creases, losses and illnesses multiply as the years rack up and prove that our bodies are ephemeral, at least in this life. Our earthly existence is fleeting! The inescapable truth is that life is short, beauty is vain, and sin is misery.

In light of this, the Psalmist prays that God would teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom (Ps 90:12). Considering our frailty as well as the shortness and uncertainty of life, we ought to realize that there is no room for human pride. Such meditations, if sincerely pondered and suitably applied, ought to lead us to seek true wisdom, that is, to seek the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Col 2:3). The swift approach of death and the vast expanse of eternity should lead to a heartfelt trust in and earnest embrace of the One who alone can give us hope of a blessed future. Let the march of time and ravages of age motivate our thought, and let us apply ourselves to the humble pursuit of genuine godliness, for that is wise. The Lord Jesus is an inestimable treasure on whom we may rest our confidence, in whom we may find inexpressible joy (1Pt 1:8), and from whom we may receive the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68). Ponder and be wise!

Called By Name

2011-01-25T05:10:00.002-05:00

Being anonymous in a strange place is a lonely feeling. It seems as if no one cares. The popularity of the 1980’s sitcom Cheers was due in part to its being a place “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” The notion of a local pub with familiar faces, warm acquaintances and intimate friendships was appealing, especially in a culture plagued by fractured relationships, decentralized and sprawling communities, an ever-increasing sense of isolation, and rampant alienation. Interest in such a concept came as no surprise because we were created as social beings who crave the warmth and familiarity of close relationships. Indeed, friendship is one of life’s finest comforts. At root is the fact that God has placed eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11). We were made for fellowship! Augustine said, “Our souls cannot find rest until they find their rest in You.”

Perhaps nowhere do we find a more heartening promise of this kind of intimacy than when Jesus says He calls His own sheep by name (Jn 10:3). He refers not to the general appeal made to all, but to that special, intimate, effectual call of an omnipotent King whose Spirit glides sweetly and savingly into the innermost recesses of the soul. He calls by name! He is intimately acquainted with each and every sheep. He knows you individually. He understands you thoroughly. He loves you particularly. There is no need to explain anything to Him. He already knows. You have been called by name. And He says, “Nothing will ever separate us.” Despite the disintegration of family ties, one’s union and communion with Christ can never break. So do you know Him? Does the King know your name? He promises you will never seek His face in vain. Cheers!

Brutish Prayers

2010-11-29T05:32:00.003-05:00

What fills your prayers? For what do you spend most of your “knee-time”? In many cases the focus of our prayers fixates on earthly goods and temporal welfare. We ask God to bless our work, fill our coffers, heal our bodies, provide our food, increase our giving, enlarge our church and protect our nation. But if animals could speak, would not this absorb their devotions as well? If ease and comfort occupies first place, do not our prayers resemble the howls of hounds crying at the slightest inconvenience? He would be justified who classifies such petitions as nothing other than brutish prayers.

Jesus says Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt 6:33). Herein lies the answer to what should fill our prayers. Our first concern, our great request, our primary petition must involve our Lord’s kingdom. The one whom God chooses and who enjoys His favor is he who places Christ’s reign and righteousness before all temporal blessings such as food, clothing and other earthly comforts. Like a deer that pants for flowing streams, his soul pants for the living God. He thirsts for God (Ps 42:1-2). He longs for the place where the sacred assembly gathers (Ps 84:2) and is most glad when he can attend the worship of God (Ps 122:1). He is most concerned about Christ’s kingdom and considers that his first priority in life. Not surprisingly his prayers are both well ordered and God-centered. He is content with any circumstance as long as he enjoys God (Ps 73:25). As Thomas Manton points out, this only is how to be freed from complaining about God’s providence and questioning His love. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually (Ps 105:4). This is the secret to living a contented, steady, fruitful Christian life. In all things Jesus Christ is preeminent.

A Lottery Life

2010-11-07T07:15:00.005-05:00

There is something beautiful about symmetry. It is pleasing to the eye. By contrast, irregularity and unevenness and lop-sidedness seem distasteful and ugly. The Law says No one who has a blemish shall draw near, such as one who has a limb too long (Lev 21:18). Such a man could not serve the altar because, being asymmetrical, he was blemished. Symmetry is beautiful. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in a uniform life. When a man’s thoughts, words and actions harmonize the result is like a beautiful fugue. Yet too many in our day have lives that are disorderly and irregular. Their minds, mouths and manners are all at odds and disproportionate. Their experience is not all of one piece. Sometimes right, sometimes wrong, normally confused, often inconsistent, there is no uniform godliness. Their lives are like a lottery in which thoughts, words and actions are jumbled together and governed by “chance”.

This helps to explain David’s prayer, Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name (Ps 86:11). He longs for a well-ordered life, when all is done well with a single focus, a united heart. Not a multiplicity of ends but one overarching purpose predominates. For us it means an eye fixed on Christ and a clear sense of final judgment. Under the Spirit’s blessing this brings harmony to all the disparate aspects our lives. Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom (Ps 90:12). A divided mind and wavering heart will produce an inconsistent life, a man who is unstable in all his ways (Jas 1:8). But one who knows Jesus and his own mortality, expecting the consummation of all things, will enjoy increasing symmetry in knowledge to think well, grace to speak well and power to live well to the glory of God.

Ancient Paths

2010-10-29T05:44:00.005-04:00

Recently I noticed a signed emblazoned on the glass window of Starbucks, Take Comfort in Rituals. The semi-obvious suggestion was that I should stop in and buy a cup on a regular basis. This economically-motivated slogan touched on a universal feature of human experience, viz. there is something reassuring about a regular routine. When everything else seems to be in flux, our daily habits and familiar traditions provide stability as well as reassurance that there is a “normal” to our experience. Those rituals link us with a past, perhaps even ancient, and give us hope for familiarity in an unknown future. Nowhere is this more important than in the Christian life. Following well-worn, ancient paths of the faith in faith we may enjoy a fullness of contentment and depths of pleasure.

Paul commends the Corinthians because they maintain the traditions as delivered (1Cor 11:2). These traditions are divinely-inspired, apostolic teachings and practices designed to build faith, strengthen character and provide stability in a dark and dangerous world. We are pilgrims and strangers making our way to the celestial city, and God knows we need such rituals. Not only do they offer reassurance for “resident aliens” but the Holy Spirit has promised to attend them with His presence and to accompany them with His blessing. They are, as our forefathers called them, means of grace, i.e. divinely-designated means through which God conveys His grace. So the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). The Thessalonians stood firm and held to the traditions taught them (2Ths 2:15). Timothy was to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching (1Ti 4:13). Through these means God prepares a table for us even amidst our enemies (Ps 23:5). So Take Comfort in Rituals – the rituals of Christ – and expect a glorious future!

Heaven's Breeze

2010-09-09T16:30:00.004-04:00

Some lament, “Why does it seem that so few in our day believe?” Perhaps the more appropriate question is, “Why does anyone in our day believe?” Everything seems stacked against it. The world’s temptations, the devil’s malice and the weaknesses of fallen humanity (“the flesh”) all conspire to prevent sinners from accepting the free offer of grace. We are no match for these foes. The enemies of our salvation are too powerful for us. Our great Champion has won salvation at the cross, but unless some mighty Advocate applies that amazing victory to each of us individually, it will be to no avail. In other words, apart from being delivered, rescued, liberated, we will perish.

The apostle John assures us that sovereign grace will prevail. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1Jn 4:4). Take, for instance, the crucified yet believing thief. Hanging from nails, struggling for breath, defending our Lord, he expressed a simple but firm confidence in the majestic royal priesthood of Christ. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Lk 23:42). The man somehow overcame all odds to believe this King would intercede for him in heaven! In fact, the very charge for which the Lord Jesus was sentenced by the religious elite served as a basis for this man’s faith. Christ is King! How did the thief embrace such a conviction? The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes (Jn 3:8). The Breeze of Heaven, the Holy Spirit, blew into this man’s soul, gliding sweetly into its innermost recesses, implanting faith in his heart, bringing life to his spirit and securing his eternal dwelling in paradise with Christ (Lk 23:43). We believe in the Holy Spirit, that heavenly Zephyr whose grace is invincible.

Thoughts on the PCA Strategic Plan

2010-09-09T16:22:00.010-04:00

The PCA’s website asserts that its Strategic Plan is a contribution “to the progress of the gospel and the building of God’s kingdom with wisdom and intentionality.” As I understand it, the Plan appears to be strong on intentionality but weak on (true) wisdom (few if any Scripture passages are quoted, paraphrased, or alluded to). It has been in the making for two years, and its three themes consist of providing for 1) “safe places” to discuss new ideas, 2) increased involvement and more diverse representation in PCA leadership, and 3) more effective participation in global mission. Each theme includes various means by which the respective goal is to be reached. The General Assembly approved the entire plan except for one of the means under increased involvement: “establish standards for voluntary certification of men and women for specific non-ordained vocational ministries.”

Having read the plan and listened online to Dr. Bryan Chapell’s presentation, I think its strength lies in its social, cultural, and ecclesiastical analysis. Strategic planning is certainly not wrong. It is biblical. Paul himself was a master strategist (e.g. seek out synagogues in major cities). The Cooperative Ministries Committee has done a good job in assessing some of the strengths and weaknesses of our denomination at this historical juncture. Its desire to facilitate discussion, expand denominational participation, and promote greater effectiveness is noble. The structure of the Plan is clear, having three major themes with stated goals and specified means to achieve them. Much of the material should be considered carefully as it may prove helpful to us as a church in fulfilling our commission.

However the Plan is extremely weak on biblical rationale. This is likely to be the Achilles’ Heel of the whole project. In fact, the Plan is strikingly undersupplied with references to Scripture. Hence, the whole tenor of the document has a pragmatic air to it. It may be argued that biblical principles are assumed rather than stated because everyone is aware of the foundational underpinnings. However, even if a majority of PCA’ers understand them (which we should not assume), it is helpful and important to be reminded of them in a document such as this.

Equally bothersome is the fact that some of the proposed means may be contrary to biblical principle. For instance, “Public forums at GA to test ideas without vote or risk” may open the door for heretical opinions being unaddressed and passed over for the sake of “safety.” This contradicts our commitment to uphold biblical standards in belief as well as practice. Also, enlisting a more diverse involvement in our leadership may lead to quota systems much like those we must endure in politically-correct America rather than godly character which matters most. In addition, the proposed “unifying funding” sounds like an ecclesiastical tax to me, which flies in the face of God’s delight in and approbation of cheerful giving (2Cor 9:7) and His implied non-delight in conscripted giving. If ultimately passed, every church, if they want a vote at GA, must pay the legislated fee (I think it was 1/3 of 1% of annual budget). Lastly, the express mention of withdrawing from NAPARC so that we can minister more effectively seems to undervalue the importance of truth. The Plan suggests we “withdraw from organizations with whom we share doctrinal history, but not ministry priorities, currently draining our ministry energies (e.g. NAPARC).” What would constitute ministry priorities apart from doctrinal concerns? Do we not receive our "marching orders" from Christ our King? Does He not reveal those orders in His word? Is that not doctrine? I fear this weakness might lead to the proverbial “slippery slope.”

In sum, I think there are beneficial aspects to this Plan. As a mere advisory document aimed at spurring us on to think of our place in history and its unique challenges, the Plan has some merit. As a binding aspect of our denominational life, I think the Plan is dangerous. It has a pragmatic, worldly air that concerns me and keep me from lending it my full support. At best it is severely lacking in biblical support. Perhaps like the 17th century Parliament, we should send it back for Scripture proofs (though I’d rather have more than mere “proofs”).

A Devil's Dream House

2010-09-04T09:09:00.001-04:00

Immoral behavior seems to have increased dramatically in American society. This should not surprise anyone for as outward restraints are removed, inward lusts find freer expression. As a result, support groups have sprouted up across the landscape as many grope for answers and seek by various means to reestablish morality, civility, and decorum. In some instances, a degree of external reform is achieved and society is benefitted in some provisional way. But the advantage is small and often short-lived. The solution to America’s moral decline is not a 12-step program but a rebirth of souls.

Indeed, mere behavioral improvement without spiritual rebirth is a surefire way to build a devil's dream house. The Lord Jesus makes this point while being accused of collaborating with Beelzebul. He exposes His opponents’ fallacy by stressing the principle of a divided house and the practice of their own sons (Lk 11:17-19). It is in that context that He says outward reform without inward renewal is like neatening a house for a vacationing demon (Lk 11:24-25). Mere external restraints and moral reform groom a soul for demonic repossession of a worse kind (v. 26). The religious leaders themselves were as whitewashed tombs because they worked hard to appear outwardly righteous but remained inwardly corrupt. In other words, the hypocrites were furiously religious but ungodly at heart (Mt 23:27-28). The truth is, apart from a sincere, heart-felt profession of Christianity, reforming conduct is like applying lipstick on a pig. Paint it with the market’s best cosmetics and at the end of the day it is still a pig. So while both the reform of morals and the renewal of souls are vitally important, the latter should be our most fervent prayer. May the Spirit breathe life into Christ’s church!

Redeemer Church (PCA) Building Dedication

2010-08-19T20:01:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share a few photos from our building dedication service last Sunday.

A view from the front

Elder James Pavlic

Elder Mark Klein

Elder Ray Gilliland

Salvation is a Man, Not a Method

2010-07-31T09:58:00.000-04:00

An uplifting sermon by our Elder James Pavlic.

The Return of Christ

2010-07-12T13:25:00.002-04:00

"Love is Kind"

2010-07-05T06:55:00.000-04:00

Our guest speaker this week was Dr. T. David Gordon who delivered his sermon from 1 Corinthians 13.

Doctrine of God - God's Grace

2010-06-29T08:14:00.002-04:00

Our series on the Doctrine of God concluded this week with God's Grace.

You can check out our other sermons, studies and guest speakers here.

The Son of God

2010-06-22T15:08:00.002-04:00

Part two of a series on Mediation.

(Please ignore the pop-up adds)

The Need for Mediation

2010-06-14T20:50:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we began a new study on mediation. Check it out below.

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The Grip of Gold

2010-06-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

In our age, as in every other, the lure of riches has foiled more than one aspirant to heaven. Through the refining fire of worldly temptation many Demas’s have been exposed. The wealthy man in Jesus’ parable illustrates this point. He had a lot going for him – civility, morality, general respect. His outward adherence to God’s law must have commanded hearty respect from many (Lk 18:21). But his inward disposition was under the grip of gold. Like so many he lacked the ability, or more accurately the heart, to forego earthly treasures out of devotion to Christ. In stunning fashion, Jesus concluded that we might sooner expect a camel to glide through a needle’s eye than a wealthy man like this to enter the gates of heaven (Lk 18:25). The clasp of riches cannot easily be broken. It is powerful. Many today have been seized by this fatal attraction.
Is there anything that can break gold’s grip? The only answer, according to Jesus, is the almighty power of our gracious God. What is impossible with men is possible with God (Lk 18:27). He alone is able to free the fettered heart from its enslavement to mammon. A poor sinner must experience what Thomas Chalmers calls the expulsive power of a sincere love for Christ. Love for money cannot just be removed. It must be replaced. The old must come off and the new must be put on (Eph 4:22-24). Sinners are utterly incapable of re-tooling their souls to aim heavenward. The Holy Spirit must blow through their hearts with the fresh breeze of Christ-glorifying, sovereign grace. Only then will a money-loving, mammon-serving person be freed the clench of copper. A sincere, heart-felt love for Jesus will reorient affections and produce a radical change.

Living Water

2010-05-29T10:06:00.001-04:00

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of man’s propensity to pollute the earth. For all sorts of reasons, such as greed and sinful ambition, he fouls the environment and endangers life. The oil spill is just one example of how this celestial globe lies defiled under its inhabitants (Is 24:5). An ocean region teeming with life is now a contaminated ecosystem where birds, mammals, shellfish and other organisms find it difficult to survive. As the creation groans we do so inwardly under such a burden as this. What a tragedy! It is a reminder that apart from the wise and gracious providence of God, this earth would have been uninhabitable long ago. Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth, preserves and governs the natural order, yet offers something better.
The Samaritan woman marveled when He mentioned as one of His amenities living water (Jn 4:11). Her misinterpretation of it as a physical provision led Him to contrast the short-term quenching qualities of Jacob’s well water with the eternally-satisfying character of His (vv. 13-14). Christ’s water goes beyond that which teems with life. It is living water. The polluted resources in the Gulf give pause for reflection and reason for sorrow. Man should be a better steward. But there is cause for rejoicing as we ponder the rich, unlimited supply of heavenly irrigation that is offered in Jesus. It is a spiritual resource that cannot be spoiled by human greed and sinful ambition. It cannot be polluted but can purify the foulest sinner. Jesus offers Himself as a reservoir of blessing that is of absolute purity, eternal duration, and infinite extent. He is the fountain of life. Man’s pollution fouls the earth’s water. Christ’s water removes the soul’s pollution. It is an amazing contrast. May you drink from this fountain of living water and rejoice!

Sunken Treasure

2010-05-26T13:16:00.003-04:00

Not long ago, treasure seekers discovered a vast horde of ancient gold coins at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. After years of expensive endeavors and costly failures they finally "struck gold." It was a once in a lifetime find and everyone associated with it instantly became rich. But while this brought unusual "padding" to their bank accounts, it did nothing for their heavenly reward. In fact, the vast wealth now available to the discoverers was a huge temptation to greed. For that reason, it was "sunken treasure"!

Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Lk 12:34). That for which we spend ourselves and our resources will rivet our affections. The discoverers devoted all their time, energy, and resources to finding sunken treasure. Part of its “sunken-ness” has to do with its temporality. It fades. It does not last. It will eventually perish. But heavenly treasure is eternal. That means if we focus our efforts on and spend ourselves for the things of God, then our wealth is forever preserved in heaven. But if our hearts are set upon the things of this earth, then our treasure will be short-lived. Worldly possessions spoil and are spoiled. They have the potential of choking the soul out of its hold on the truth, are easily stolen and may be destroyed by both seen and unseen forces. Scripture teaches that spiritual riches ennoble the soul and neither rust nor may be taken away. Why settle for "sunken treasure" when you can have heavenly riches that will not spoil with the keeping, not waste with the spending, and not disintegrate with the passage of ages? Jesus guarantees that if you seek, you will find (Mt 7:7). And you need not dive to the bottom of the ocean!

Image credit

The Irony of Unbelief

2010-05-25T04:56:00.005-04:00

At the feast, the people were unbelieving. This despite the fact that Jesus had done so many signs before them (Jn 12:37). The world itself could not contain the books if records had been kept of all that He had done (Jn 21:25). A great light had shone. Its brilliance was stunning. Yet, they stubbornly refused to receive the testimony of His miracles and acknowledge Him as God's Son. The continuous aspect of the verb indicates an ongoing refusal to believe despite the radiance of His light. So Isaiah's prediction had come true (many times over), and these folks persisted in their unbelief. Jerusalem housed the spiritually blind, deaf and dumb. How tragic for them. How insulting to Jesus. How defiant before the Majesty who had thundered from heaven (Jn 12:29).

The plot thickens when John reveals the result of their unbelief, which was more unbelief. He writes, Therefore they could not believe (v. 39). Literally, they were not able to believe. Divine judgment had come in the form of spiritual blindness and hardening (v. 40). Sadly the Jews had no idea their own unbelief signaled both their guilt and (provisional) punishment. If persisted in, their unbelief would incur the full weight of divine fury hereafter. For now, they were storing up wrath through unbelief, incurring the judgment of more unbelief, and increasing their burden as well as adding to their guilt.

I'm reminded of Jesus' words: To the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Mt 13:12). Almost certainly those crowds did not recognize unbelief as a form of judgment. Lightning bolts had not struck, the earth had not swallowed, the waters had not transgressed their boundaries. Life seemed good. Little did they know that spiritual thunder bolts had struck stripping them further of any opportunity to receive Christ. Their unbelief was both a sin and punishment.

How often today do people mistake their freedom to sin as proof of heaven's impotence or indifference. Such a mistake is typically made by the spiritually blind, deaf and dumb. Clearly whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (Jn 3:36). As children of wrath, born and bred under the Judge's frown, they simply incur a greater penalty and retain less opportunity by persisting in their unbelief. That is the judgment. May the Lord keep us from stubbornly refusing to receive Christ whose light shines brightly in the pages of Scripture.

Hearing His Word

2010-05-24T13:23:00.001-04:00

The advance of modern technology has its disadvantages. Along with better communication and more effective cures it brings with it a constant barrage of distractions. The seemingly infinite number of calls, emails, texts, and commercials tends to interrupt our concentration on things that matter most. But then, the world's countless distractions have always been problematic. For example Martha was tempted to distraction by household chores for she was anxious and troubled about many things.

In this situation Mary's example is instructive. As a godly woman she was no less hospitable than her sister. Yet when Jesus arrived she sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching (Lk 10:39). The preposition at, perhaps better rendered toward, suggests a posture of humble receptivity. Mary's entire focus was Christ-ward. She digested every word. It required conscious effort, for it meant refusing to let otherwise good things distract her from the one thing necessary (v. 42). Mary's priorities were straight. Her mind was alert. Her attention was riveted. It was to her as if time stood still and like Wesley’s experience centuries later, her heart was strangely warmed.

The contrast between Mary and Martha is not one of faith and unbelief. Rather it is one of focus and distraction. Both women loved Jesus. But only one at His feet enjoyed undistracted fellowship with Him. To which are you most prone? We are not ignorant of the devil's schemes. If he can't dissuade you from believing the truth, he will try to distract you from hearing the word. It is a subtle method of taking away from us the good portion (v. 42). In a day of unprecedented hustle and bustle, what steps have you taken to ensure a posture of humble receptivity to what is most important in life? Are your priorities straight? Do you resolutely make time for the one thing necessary?

Christ's Humanity

2010-05-22T05:43:00.005-04:00

The humanity of Jesus is extremely important to the Christian faith. Our confessional documents echo Scripture unambiguously as they inform us about this important truth. For instance, the Shorter Catechism says, "Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul" (#22). In the Nicene Creed we read that Jesus, "the only begotten Son of God... was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man." He was one of us, in our nature, sharing humanity, equipped to experience the temptations common to man, yet without sin. What an incredible, awe-inspiring mystery!
We find a thought-provoking example of His humanity in the record of Lazarus' death. When Jesus observed Mary and others around her weeping the text says, "He was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled" (Jn 11:33). Some translate it, "He groaned in the spirit." According to Robertson, the verb carries the notion of snorting with anger like a horse. Jesus was indignant. There is some debate as to what was the object of His anger. I don't believe it was because He was perturbed by hypocritical mourning, but because He was angry at Satan's short-lived triumph over one whom He loved deeply. Christ was human, He was angry (without sin), and righteous indignation welled up within Him. Then it says He wept (v. 35). How human!
It also says He was "greatly troubled." Jesus became disturbed, upset, stirred up by this whole episode. Of course He knew it would serve to glorify God as Lazarus came forth in stunning fashion. But the man Jesus had a profound sense of sorrow as He beheld the misery caused by the devil's work. The collective sobbing moved Him so that His soul was agitated with a fellow feeling of their grief. His own spirit, His human spirit, was troubled in the presence of death. He was truly man with a soul that felt deeply the pangs of loss in a fallen world. Thank God for a Redeemer who is gentle and sympathetic. His compassion flows freely and abundantly to those for whom He came to die, on whom grief descends, and with whom He shares a common nature.
With gratitude we can love and admire our divine Savior who was able to bear the infinite weight of God's wrath in our place and save us to the uttermost. At the same time, we should thank God that Jesus is man who was fit for bearing that wrath and capable of sympathizing with us as an elder brother, an everlasting Father, and a compassionate high priest. Let us not fail to see the love of our Savior who assumed humanity for our sake and for our comfort.

Familiarity & Contempt

2010-05-21T13:20:00.000-04:00

It has been said, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Familiarity is a wonderful thing, especially when it describes one's relationship to God. But when twisted by sin, it can trigger a despicable response. Our culture's general disdain for anything Christian is an illustration of this. It scorns those ideas and convictions that served to undergird our nation's structure. Familiarity with our founding principles has bred contempt. The alarming result is an erosion of the collective commitment to what is true, honorable, just, commendable and excellent (Php 4:8). Sadly, the contemporary Church is not immune from such attrition. While regularly handling sacred things she seems to have lost much of her appreciation for those hallowed privileges entrusted to her by Christ.

Jesus taught that those who saw gospel works and heard gospel words would be truly blessed. This has been fulfilled in our day. Our generation enjoys the blessings of which He spoke. More blessed are we than many prophets and kings who desired to see and hear gospel things, and did not (Lk 10:24). The best, the brightest and the most influential of the Old Testament longed to behold the fulfillment of ancient promises. But they were unable because they did not live to see the gospel age. Today, even the humblest Christian has access to these glorious mysteries. The most unassuming believer is in a more exalted position than John the Baptist himself (Mt 11:11). By grace alone we are living in the latter days. We regularly see proof of God’s miracles of grace in human lives. We routinely hear glad tidings of great joy about Christ's cross and resurrection. Do we cherish these amazing gospel privileges? Do we fully appreciate our place in history? Oh, let not sin pervert the familiarity we have with Jesus. Consider His Person. Ponder his benefits. Deal not falsely like the other familiar friend (Ps 55:13).

New Testament Conjunctions

2010-05-20T05:22:00.012-04:00

Someone has said the conjunctions of the New Testament are the most important words in the Greek text. Whether or not this is true, it can be said with certainty that conjunctions are small but powerful words guiding the flow of New Testament thought. We see this, for example, in the discussion between Jesus and the Jews during the Feast of Dedication.

The Lord was walking in the portico of Solomon when the Jews surrounded Him to continue their ongoing interrogation. Their skeptical and unbelieving attitude intruded itself by demanding another self-disclosure from Jesus that He is the Christ. "I told you and my works testify about me," He responded. Then came the crucial statement, "You do not believe because you are not part of my flock" (Jn 10:26). It is a fascinating response with profound theological implications flowing from the conjunction "because."

The reason why the Jews do not believe, He says, is their exclusion from those who are His sheep. One might have expected Him to say their exclusion from His flock is the result of their unbelief. But if that were meant, the conjunction would have been "hoste" (so that) or "hina" (in order that). In this text, the word "hoti" (because) is used. Infinite wisdom and authority employs it to introduce the ground of their unbelief, not its result.

An appreciation for the conjunction and a careful reading of the "hoti clause" is crucial for understanding this text. Jesus is not saying their exclusion from the sheep is the outcome of their unbelief. Rather, He is saying their exclusion from the sheep is the basis for their unbelief. Christ did not say, "You do not believe so that you are not of my sheep." Rather, He said, "You do not believe because you are not of my sheep." Simply put, the Jews refused to believe because they were not elect people. They were not the objects of redemptive love. They had not been chosen by God. That is one of amazing ironies of Scripture! The chosen were not among the chosen.

Of course, this does not lessen their responsibility. The Jews who were interrogating Jesus bore full responsibility for their hard, unbelieving response. It was their sin for which they would have to give an account. But with this statement (and this conjunction) Jesus pulls back the curtain and subtly reveals one of those secret things belonging to God. According to His infinite wisdom, the sovereign God had passed by these fallen men leaving them in their unbelief. Unless they subsequently repented, of which we have no record, they not only lived in skepticism but died and perished in it as well.

So nothing short of sovereign grace and eternal election is implied by the "hoti clause." That little conjunction carries a lot of weight! It is significant that Jesus affirmed the inspiration and authority of "every jot and tittle," or in the words of the ESV, every iota and dot (Mt 5:18). That means every conjunction is inspired and authoritative. The Holy Spirit speaks through the "hoti clause." Careful study of the New Testament Greek in general and New Testament conjunctions in particular is not only rewarding but critical for understanding what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Tiger's Tiger

2010-05-19T13:17:00.000-04:00

News of Tiger Woods’ infidelities rocked the world. His double life finally caught up with him, and it cost him dearly. He lost his sponsors, his wife and his dignity, and a horrified public scratched their heads saying, “How could he have done such a thing?” From those shocking revelations most concluded that he was overcome by an illness – an addiction - which destroyed his image. What he needs, they say, is a good dose of therapy. But what our culture wrongly describes as an addiction requiring treatment is correctly identified in Scripture as a sin that demands repentance. What that means, at least in part, is that Tiger’s problem is far more urgent and dangerous than people think.

Adultery is not a symptom but a sin. It is the outworking of an indwelling principle of iniquity that plagues every one of us. Indeed, in each heart sin crouches at the door seeking to devour, and unless one does well, he will not rule over it (Gen 4:7). Therefore Tiger has a “tiger” on his hands. He’ll need more than treatment because he is in for a fight. The poignant reality is that he is no match for this sinister beast. It has devoured the best this world has to offer. So like every other sinner Tiger must obtain power from outside himself if he has any hope of mastering the fiend. More specifically, he will need the radical and regenerative influence of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, if he ever hopes to prevail. His golf prowess pales in comparison to the prowess of sin to dupe and destroy. Therefore to win this match He must look to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2), and humbly rely on the indwelling Spirit’s life-giving and heart-transforming energy. Only then will Tiger Woods be whole in One.

The Role of the Man in Marriage

2010-05-18T14:49:00.002-04:00

We are continuing our series of sermons on marriage at Redeemer Church and below is next sermon, Sons of Adam.

Shameless Persistence

2010-05-17T13:15:00.001-04:00

We live in a society of quitters. Marriages fail, companies collapse, careers cease, and lives are lost all because people give up too easily. In a word, we as a culture lack staying power. Sadly this tendency has infiltrated the church. It is alarming how often professing Christians parroting the culture abandon their commitments, renounce their convictions, and give up the pursuit of holiness. They do so simply because they refuse to persevere in following Christ, in walking with the Spirit, and in doing good.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the arena of prayer. In "closet contests" modern Christians seem to have lost the determination to prevail like that which motivated Jacob at Peniel (Gen 32:25). Perhaps this is one reason why the contemporary church finds her task so difficult. She will overcome not by might nor by power but by God's Spirit, who is given in answer to prayer (Lk 11:13). But she is not praying! As pray-ers we must persevere that we may enjoy success in the Christian life. In fact, one must be shamelessly persistent in prayer if he is to obtain whatever he needs (Lk 11:8). That is so counter-cultural! Rather than giving up and crying foul when our desire for instant gratification is foiled, we must stick with it on our knees in asking, seeking, and knocking! In time through persistence our minds and hearts will be properly aligned and suitably poised to receive the good things God has so graciously and generously designed for us. Those desires offered to Him for things agreeable to His will shall be satisfied through our diligent and dogged pursuit of answers from heaven. Isn't this what characterized Jesus Himself, whose greatest work was the fruit of persistent prayer (Mk 14:36)? Let us walk in the same way He walked (1Jn 2:6).

Evil Genes

2010-05-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

A recent study by Swedish researchers claims a common gene variant (or allele) found in both men and rodents regulates a hormone that can affect a husband’s fidelity to his spouse. Without the gene variant, a man is more likely to be faithful, but with it, the possibility of infidelity is increased. One psychologist views this as a positive tool for proactive marriage counseling, though he admits there is some danger associated with its use as a defense for adultery.

While some consider this as something of a breakthrough in genetics research, the real discovery here has to do more with the researchers studying than the subjects studied. In other words, this appears to be just another in a long line of sinful attempts at justifying fallen man in his sinfulness. It illustrates how men seek to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Ro 1:18). Knowing that such things deserve death, “they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Ro 1:32). Blaming a gene for immorality tries to remove the sting from a guilty conscience. In fact, the real reason for infidelity is the sinful, human heart, “for out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery…” (Mt 15:19). To counsel an unfaithful husband that “his genetics made him do it” is folly. The cause is sin, and the only remedy for an unfaithful spouse is the grace of Jesus Christ, who is able to forgive, renew, and restore a man and his marriage. If one will but trust in Him and repent of his sin, he will experience real reform. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Is 55:7).

Engraved Names

2010-05-14T13:13:00.001-04:00

Our culture is not just fascinated by but obsessed with the beautiful, the impressive, the dazzling and spectacular. As that fixation on celebrities and celebrity-ism bleeds into the church, Christians are more apt to esteem great gifts among their ranks than divine grace within their hearts. It was no different with the disciples, who greatly rejoiced when they were authorized to suppress the demons themselves in their gospel ministry. Upon returning from one of their evangelistic "crusades" they jointly celebrated their ability to subject even the spiritual forces themselves (Lk 10:17).

Jesus' response is both instructive and heartening. He said, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are engraved in heaven" (Lk 10:20). It is not as celebrities that we will experience our deepest joy and know our greatest pleasure. Rather, it will be as adopted sons and daughters of God, endowed with all the family privileges that we will know our utmost delight. As an ancient scribe with a stylus would etch the name in a stone tablet, so God has etched the names of His elect children in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27). It is permanent, ineradicable, impossible to remove! This helps put into proper perspective the whole notion of spectacular gifts. While the Lord variously equips His servants for ministry on earth, what matters most is one's membership in heaven. The beautiful, impressive, dazzling and spectacular that so impress men here will make no difference there. It will all fade away. But our place and position in God's family will never wane. The mountains will sing and the trees will clap as we go out in joy (Is 55:12). So we have reason to rejoice!

Living the Cruciform Life

2010-05-13T04:05:00.000-04:00

Excellent sermon by our guest speaker last Sunday, Dr. Nelson Kloosterman.

Hurricanes

2010-05-12T10:56:00.005-04:00

The recent hurricanes in New Orleans and Texas have been described as “natural disasters.” Implying the destructive activity of some impersonal force, this explanation contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. It ascribes to these tempests meaning and purpose arising from the infinite wisdom and power of a personal God. “They saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For He commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea” (Ps 107:24f). As a king directs his army so the Lord raises and commands all the forces of nature. With only a word He wisely orders both winds and waves to mount up and accomplish His sacred aim. “I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Is 45:7).

This of course leads one to ask, “Why did He do it?” Ultimately it is the outworking of His good pleasure. He was pleased so to do. More specifically, according to Elihu, He causes it to happen “for correction or for his land or for love” (Job 37:13). That is, the recent hurricanes were sent for either punishment, mercy, or geographical improvement – or some combination thereof. The U.S.A. has enjoyed generations of God’s mercy, yet today more than ever its moral compass is out of kilter and its sense of gratitude is fast eroding. As a people it seems we have refused to listen, hated knowledge, and forsaken the fear of the Lord. Thus terror has struck “like a storm” and calamity has come “like a whirlwind” (Prv 1:27). This is a critical time. Let us not miss what these disasters are designed to teach. Indeed, as Jesus Himself so solemnly said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Lk 13:5).

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American Idol

2010-05-12T10:44:00.002-04:00

The national phenomenon “American Idol” has been a huge success among TV programs. The show itself is actually one of the more wholesome and enjoyable forms of televised entertainment. It tends to display and develop real talent among aspiring singers, and encourages people of all ages and circumstances to appreciate musical and aesthetic excellence. For this reason the show itself has some redeeming qualities.

But the show’s title is strikingly bold and telling. Broadly speaking an idol is an object of extreme devotion. More narrowly, it is an object of worship, i.e. a false god. With this title the producers either consciously or unconsciously have identified one of the prevailing sins of our culture, viz. the idolatry of entertainment. Entertainment itself is not inherently wrong, but the worship of entertainment is. Occasional diversions from the demands of earthly toil can help refresh both body and soul. But when entertainment becomes an end in itself, it slips into idolatry. It has been said you can tell much about a people by looking at their heroes. If true, America is sunk in the idolatrous worship of “American idols”! Of course idolatry is nothing new. American culturehas always been tainted with it to one degree or another. Yet as moral authority in America deteriorates, people are becoming more bold, blatant, and abandoned in their expressions of idolatry. Previous generations would have blushed at the title “American Idol.” Modern Americans fail to see any harm in it. The only true and proper object of worship is the living and true God through Jesus Christ. “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1Cor 10:14).

Are They For Us?

2010-05-11T11:21:00.002-04:00

Parachurch organizations (those standing outside and alongside of the church) have always been controversial. For example, the disciples were troubled by an unauthorized exorcist because "he does not follow with us" (Lk 9:49). Today such organizations have multiplied in unprecedented numbers. Far from being a sign of ecclesiastical health, their proliferation implies church problems which they are designed to solve (e.g. evangelism, media, education, disaster relief). Sensing an unmet need, sincere Christians often take the initiative in devoting time, energy and resources to facilitate ministry in particular areas. The question for the church has always been, "Are they for us or against us?"Interestingly, when the disciples sought to impede the work of the "non-denominational" exorcist, Jesus corrected them saying, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you" (Lk 9:50). How illuminating! While the Bible identifies the Church as the divinely-appointed agent of gospel ministry, Jesus teaches us in this terse statement how to treat those who seek to glorify Him though they "do not follow with us." We are to exercise godly tolerance toward those sincere Christians who labor for the Kingdom not as a part of our church, not ordained as we are, and not in fraternal relations with us. He who believes in Christ and sincerely tries to serve Him will reach the same end even though he does not follow Him in the same way. We have plenty of enemies already. Why make more? Remember, "Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward" (Mk 9:41).