Room for Boasting

Elder Ray Gilliland brings us the evening message this week, "Room for Boasting."

Elder Ray Gilliland

Living Stones

This week we had the pleasure of having Dr. T. David Gordon fill our pulpit. He is currently Professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College and an ordained minister in the PCA.  Prior to that, he taught New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminar. Be blessed as you listen to the Word he brought to us.

Dr. T. David Gordon

A Time of Deliverance - 1 Samuel 11

Evening sermon from our own James Pavlic.

    Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days' respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.
    Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
    Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.” Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
    (1 Samuel 11 ESV)

Who Is This Man? - Luke 5

Sermon delivered by Elder James Pavlic.

James Pavlic

    On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
    While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
    On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
    (Luke 5:1-26 ESV)

Emotionalism

The crowds escorting Jesus into Jerusalem were animated by various things.  Some were pilgrims en route to celebrating Passover.  Others were looking for a healing touch from Jesus or just plain curious about His ability to raise the dead (Jn 12:9).  Still others were merely swept up in the excitement of an enthusiastic crowd and really didn't know what was going on.  Each person had his own reason for walking, singing, shouting and laying down branches.  The one thing they all seemed to have in common was excitement.  In terms of redemptive history, it was the glorious fulfillment of messianic prophecy (Mt 21:4-5; Zech 9:9; Gen 49:11).  The majestic heir of David was entering Jerusalem amid loud acclamations of praise and salutation.  He didn't arrive in a chariot or on a war horse or with an army.  He came as the Prince of Peace doing what rulers usually did in times of peace, viz. riding a colt (cf. 1Kgs 1:33).  In terms of human psychology, this was an example of misguided expectations mingled with strong emotions.  Those present were probably greatly stirred by the thrilling experience of participating in such an event.  How often does one get to be part of a vast multitude escorting a prophetic miracle-worker into a capital city?  The event was filled with emotion.  Given their mistaken expectations, there was likely a great deal of confusion as well.  Only days later, many if not all in this crowd would turn on Jesus and demand His execution.  Crucify Him! They would yell, and yell it more than once (Mk 15:13-14).

Emotionalism is a very dangerous "-ism."  It is the label we give that approach to faith and life which elevates feelings, moods and emotions to the top tier of guiding principles.  Sadly it characterizes many modern American Christians.  In and of themselves feelings and emotions are God-given gifts for which we should be thankful.  They are what Robert Lewis Dabney called man's motive power.  The intellect, he said, is that which directs the ship's compass, while the feelings are the elastic energy which throbs within the machinery.  Without them, the ship will be motionless, regardless of how accurate the ship's rudder might guide it.  In most endeavors, to be successful, we need feeling, emotion and excitement to press on and persevere, especially when circumstances get tough.  Jacob's seven years' service under Laban seemed like a few days because of his deep love for Rachel (Gen 29:20).  The Psalmist often expresses his passionate desire to commune with God and worship among the saints (e.g. Psalm 84:2).  It is this heartfelt desire and spiritual joy that enables a believer to persevere through even the most difficult situations.  But unless our emotions are harnessed by truth, they will run away with us.  It is a bit like riding a wild colt which has a mind of its own!  Unharnessed emotions characterize children who are tossed to and fro by the various waves and winds of doctrine (Eph 4:14).  To solve this problem, Paul advises speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15).  This is what gives the necessary structure within which we may joyfully experience the most powerful of human emotions, those which often imbue our worship in the presence of God!  Sound doctrine, good theology, biblical truth will provide the proper framework within which that glorious, throbbing energy produced by strong, spiritual feeling will infuse and motivate the Christian life.

As I said, it seems modern American Christians are overly-emotional.  Better yet, they are emotional without having a proper framework within which to enjoy their feelings and emotions.  We should not value good feelings, warm impressions and thrilling experiences to the exclusion of sound doctrine.  Regrettably, how one feels has become the only gauge of spiritual health and well-being.  If I feel good, I may conclude that everything is right with my soul.  Modern worship services often cater to this approach.  Whether or not one's worship is "acceptable" is for many a novel and offensive concept (cf. Heb 12:28).  Strange is the "old-fashioned" notion that regardless of how I feel, I should worship the Creator, humbly bow before the King and adore the infinite perfections of Almighty God.  Our generation seems to have forgotten that worship is to be a service to God, not a session for man!  Like those animated crowds escorting Jesus into Jerusalem many today are sincerely enjoying the experience, but are being easily discouraged and disillusioned as difficulties arise.  When Providence brings the many tribulations through which one must pass to enter God's Kingdom (Acts 14:22), the overly-emotional Christian – the rocky ground hearer! – soon withers and falls away (Mk 4:17).  This is tragic and it happens too often.  James is unambiguous in his declaration:  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (Jas 1:12).

What we need today is what we have always needed…  a sure-footed, well-rounded, biblically-founded understanding and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable… (Jas 3:17).  Pure doctrine is vital to the Christian life.  Believers should know and embrace and treasure the truths of Christ's incarnation, substitution, crucifixion, resurrection, intercession and ultimate exaltation.  They should be familiar with creation and providence, sin and salvation, faith and repentance, the law and its usage.  They need to know about man's ruin, Christ's redemption and the Spirit's regeneration.  They should study the truths associated with the themes of guilt, grace and gratitude.  Within this doctrinal framework, let the feelings throb and the emotions run deep!  Let us rejoice in the Lord and shout His praise!  Let us experience those glorious foretastes of heaven where the saints will enjoy eternal pleasures at God's right hand (Psalm 16:11).

Hearing His Word

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?

Familiarity & Contempt

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).