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).

Vivification - Colossians 3:12-17

    Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)

"...And the injuries and the griefs that He sends are those which tend to mortify our pride and sanctify our souls and therefore, we recognize His hand so that though others meant it for evil God meant it for good."

Regeneration and Redemptive History - Reformed Forum Podcast

Regeneration and Redemptive History was the topic this week as I joined the Reformed Forum team on their podcast. From the intro...

In this episode of Christ the Center, Rev. Dr. Scott R. Wright develops a redemptive-historical understanding of the doctrine of regeneration. Rev. Wright is senior pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA) in Hudson, Ohio. His dissertation, “Regeneration and Redemptive History,” is a thoroughgoing treatment of regeneration in the tradition of Geerhardus Vos. Often, regeneration is treated statically, without reference to biblical eschatology and the categories of historia and ordo salutis. This can lead to serious problems in systematic theology, such as positing essentially different modes of salvation between the testaments. Wright reorients the discussion along biblical categories and brings a fresh approach to the study of this important Reformed doctrine.

Listen to the podcast here and enjoy.

Evangelism Explosion Coming to Redeemer

Share Your Faith Workshop

Save the Date

Saturday January 26, 2013

9:00am to 4:30pm

at

Redeemer Church

190 W. Streestboro St.

Hudson, Ohio 44236

Sponsored by

Evangelism Explosion International 

&

The Missions Committee of Redeemer Church

•Would you like to:

•[1] develop a love for the lost?

•[2] overcome the fear of witnessing?

•[3] find people who are open to God’s word?

•[4] share the Gospel through the use of stories?

•[5] be effective in gaining commitment to the Lord?

•[6] develop an ongoing ministry of evangelism?

This is your opportunity to learn. 

$25.00 fee per family

Model Spiritual Servants

Sermon delivered by Elder Ray Gilliland. Be encouraged by what our elder has brought us.

God's Final and Perfect Word to His Children

Wonderful sermon delivered by visiting speaker Rev. Ed Morris on 30 December 2012.

The Order of Salvation (Ordo Salutis)

Adult Sunday school class on the Ordo Salutis by Elder Mark Van Drunen.

 

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

We invite you

to join us for our

Candlelight

Christmas Eve

Service

at 7pm

24 December 2012

Everyone is

Welcome

    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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
    “Glory to God in the highest,
        and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
(Luke 2:8-14 ESV)

   

Expectations

Our expectations of this life are far too great and those of the life to come are way too small.  These unrealistic expectations, when disappointed, lead to much of the depression and discouragement experienced by professing Christians.  As the wise man observes, Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prv 13:12).  Either delayed gratification or unmet expectation will “sicken” the soul with disappointment.  Many modern Christians are sick because they know not what to expect from life in a fallen world and cannot begin to anticipate the glorious life of heaven.  Having expectations “out of whack” they live an imbalanced, unstable and disheartened Christian life.

Let us start with this life.  What should we expect?  At the very least, according to Genesis 3, we should anticipate painful childbirths, fractured relationships, wearisome toil, exasperating problems and inevitable death.  This explains, in part, why Paul calls it the present evil age (Gal 1:4).  Sin has infiltrated, contaminated and devastated every aspect of human life such that our Lord Himself made reference to this adulterous and sinful generation (Mk 8:38).  It is an evil generation! (Lk 11:29).  Death has spread to all men (Ro 5:12) and cemeteries litter the earth’s surface as reminders of sin’s ruinous consequences.  The golden years of retirement are actually evil days and days of darkness (Eccl 12:1; 11:8).  No wonder Solomon threw up his hands at one point and exclaimed, All is vanity! (Eccl 1:2).  In addition, the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1Jn 5:19).  Satan has usurped authority in this age and as the god of this world he has blinded the minds of the unbelievers (2Cor 4:4).  So the mass of unbelieving humanity, unable and unwilling to grasp spiritual truth (1Cor 2:14), now hates the light (Jn 3:20), hates the Lord (Ro 1:30) and hates the followers of Christ (Jn 15:19).  We should not be surprised, therefore, at the fiery trial when it comes upon us as though something strange were happening (1Pt 4:12).  We should expect it!  John says the world is passing away along with its desires (1Jn 2:17).  It is a fallen world, a futile age, a fading universe.  Here we must eat the bread of adversity and drink the water of affliction (Is 30:20).  God in His mercy continues to bestow good things on just and unjust alike (Mt 5:45).  But all our days are full of sorrow, and our work is a vexation.  Even in the night our hearts do not rest (Eccl 2:23).  Should we not then frame our expectations of this life according to the biblical perspective and thereby avoid the heart-sick condition of dashed expectations?

Let us now consider the life to come.  What should we expect?  Paul alludes to what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him, and he tells us that God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit (1Cor 2:9-10).  That is, in Scripture we discover revelations of future blessedness, wonderful glimpses of heavenly glory.  Of course language itself fails to describe that remarkable state adequately, but the Bible provides plenty of revelatory gist for the mill of sanctified imagination!  With those ancient saints we desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Heb 11:16).  The heavenly Jerusalem of pure gold, clear as glass, has the glory of God so that its radiance is like a most rare jewel (Rev 21:11, 18).  The Lamb Himself illuminates this glorious city in which there never will be any darkness or corruption or sin (Rev 21:25-27).  In the midst of this city runs the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, and on either side is found the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit for the healing of the nations (Rev 22:1-2).  From this place will be removed all griefs and sorrows because God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain (Rev 21:4).  Paul considers present hardships light momentary afflictions when he compares them to this eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2Cor 4:17).  This we may expect as Christians!  We need not lost heart!  If we frame our expectations biblically, we may avoid the heart-sick condition and live a faithful, hopeful, productive Christian life awaiting the adoption of sons, the redemption of our bodies (Ro 8:23).  With Paul we may consider the sufferings of this present time unworthy of comparison with that glory to be revealed to us (Ro 8:18).

The standing ministry of any church must try to help Christians frame their expectations along biblical lines.  Our preaching and teaching must highlight the reality of sin and misery on the one hand, and the truth of heavenly blessedness on the other.  The Lord Jesus Christ has dealt with the one and secured the other.  While unmet expectations sicken the heart, a desire fulfilled is a tree of life (Prv 13:12) and sweet to the soul (Prv 13:19).  May we press on by faith in the promise of God, and look forward to the day when our expectations are not only met but greatly exceeded. 

Hubris

In the ancient world, excessive pride or hubris was a prominent feature in classical tragedy.  For instance, in Homer’s Iliad the great, mythical conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon was borne out of the deep seated arrogance that permeated both men.  Of course hubris is not just a relic of the past, but is characteristic of every age.  That is because every child of Adam from the moment of conception is infected with this disease, and its symptoms are more or less evident throughout the whole of human experience.  No one is immune.  None is righteous, no, not even one! (Ro 3:10).

Take for example the shocking display of hubris in the life of Herod Antipas.  After delivering an oration arrayed in his imperial regalia, the Caesareans shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” (Acts 12:22).  How foolish he was to welcome this false acclaim!  How excessively proud he was to withhold honor from God.  In the end, it was hubris that led to his gruesome demise.  An angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms (Acts 12:23).

Contrast this with the Paul’s experience in Lystra.  As he was preaching, a man lame from birth was listening and had faith to be healed.  With a penetrating stare Paul looked at him and said, “Stand upright on your feet” (Acts 14:10).  When the cripple sprang to his feet, the Lystrians shouted, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (Acts 14:11).  Noteworthy was the influence of grace in Paul’s heart.  The temptation was great, but he refused to accept their idolatrous praise.  Unlike Herod, he knew himself to be but a sinful creature infinitely beneath the dignity of his Creator.

As the wise man warns, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prv 16:18).  Hubris plagues every human being to one degree or another.  It is something with which we all must struggle.  It reveals itself in countless ways across all walks of life.  Its ugly symptoms can be traced back to that original, diabolical, criminal desire to be like God (Gen 3:5).  The natural man like Herod welcomes the applause.  The spiritual man like Paul knows the truth.  With an enlightened mind he realizes that he is of like nature with the rest of fallen humanity.  It is a humbling insight.  But he also brings good news about turning from such vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them (Acts 14:15).  Amazingly, this living God holds out terms of amnesty to guilty rebels who are willing to lay down their hubris and humbly embrace the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.  Under the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, through the justifying virtue of saving faith, one may display genuine humility reflecting the character of Christ.  Only then may he truly become like God.

Take up your cross

It seems the biblical idea of cross-bearing has been misunderstood.  Typically we think of the crosses we must bear as the various trials, temptations and hardships we inevitably undergo in this life.  Each of us endures difficulties in which we as Christians are called to exercise patience and through which we may trust in the wise fatherly care of our God.  Many today view these hardships as “crosses” to bear.  But this misses the mark of what Jesus means when He says, “Take up your cross.”  First, unsaved people endure the same hardships.  They suffer afflictions, experience hardships, lose loved ones and eventually die.  Yet we would not say they are “bearing crosses.”  Second, the command to take up the cross indicates that the disciple is active not passive in this duty.  While most of life’s difficulties are “laid upon” us, the Christian is to “take up” his cross.  Third, the instrument itself, the cross, is an instrument of torture and death.  It suggests a hostile activity, not a patient passivity.  We are to use this instrument of death to kill something, namely, our sin.  Fourth and finally, Luke’s rendition of our Lord’s command includes the word “daily”:  Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Lk 9:23).  Cross-bearing is something disciples must do every day through the scope of their entire lives.  While ordinary hardships are often temporary and of limited duration, cross-bearing is to be daily, every day, on all days, from now until we draw our last breath.  A man does not carry his own cross for two blocks and pass it off to another.  He bears it all the way to his death!  For these reasons, cross-bearing must not refer to the personal disappointments, physical handicaps or difficult hardships we experience with the rest of mankind.  Afflictions will be as diverse as the number of afflicted.  But the cross will be the same.  Regardless of what we suffer, we are all to take up our cross.  So what is the duty of cross-bearing that is incumbent upon every disciple of Christ?

It begins with a sincere faith in the Lord Jesus and a humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit.  Whatever cross-bearing is, one cannot perform it without trusting in Christ and being empowered by His Spirit.  It also involves at the very least the daily and diligent use of God’s appointed means for killing sin.  To deny oneself is the negative aspect of the disciple’s duty.  One must abstain from indulging his sin and starve it to death.  To bear one’s cross is the positive aspect of the disciple’s duty.  One actively crucifies his sin with God-given means of grace, especially the word, sacraments and prayer.  The word is a sword with which the disciple identifies sin, lacerates lust and cuts out selfish ambition, evil desires, sinful sloth, ungodly materialism, etc.  It is a powerful instrument for putting to death self-interest, self-esteem, self-centeredness and self-importance.  Indeed, it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12).  The sacraments are potent means of strengthening and equipping the disciple to fight this spiritual battle.  Luther often defended himself against the devil by saying, “I am baptized!”  The same can be said with regard to one’s own flesh.  “Flesh, would you indulge your sinful lusts?  I am baptized!  I am a communicant!  You will not prevail”  Interestingly, the disciple’s initial duties of self-denial and cross-bearing are matched by the disciple’s initial privilege of baptism (Mt 28:19).  The link between these discipleship firsts is noteworthy.  Specifically, without baptism (and the Lord’s Supper) these initial duties would be far more difficult to fulfill.  Prayer is indispensable in this battle with sin.  One cannot prevail without it.  Cross-bearing requires prayer.  No wonder the early church devoted itself to this discipline (Acts 2:42).  In fact, the whole panoply of spiritual armor enumerated by Paul concludes with an exhortation to be praying at all times in the Spirit (Eph 6:18).  This is how the disciple acknowledges his utter dependence on Christ to receive help in time of need.  We need His power and grace to mortify our sins.  Prayer seeks from the Lord that which only He can supply through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  To those who seem to lack power in overcoming sin and who find themselves flailing and floundering in their struggle with lust, perhaps it needs to be said, You do not have, because you do not ask (Jas 4:2).  Jesus assures us that the heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Lk 11:13).

There is far more to it than this.  Owen’s classic treatise on the mortification of sin is a masterful treatment of this topic.  But a sincere, Spirit-filled believer’s use of the means of grace is certainly a large part of this duty.  While we share in this life’s miseries with all of Adam’s children, as Christians we must be diligent in actively crucifying those sins that threaten our spiritual fruitfulness and well-being.  As Owen wisely advises, Be killing sin, or it will be killing you!  So attend the word.  Participate in the sacraments.  Engage in prayer.  Mortify sin.  Glorify and enjoy Christ.

2012 Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Conference

Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship 2012 Conference

On October 26th-27th, come and hear Don McNeil 

speak about the Reformation.

___

Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship (NORF) is sponsoring a conference at Faith Presbyterian Church, 

with lectures on Friday Oct. 26th at 7:00 p.m.,
and Saturday Oct. 27th at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Preregister by emailing Kate Tasseff at faith.pca.akron@gmail.com with your name(s) and days which you will be attending.

The cost is $5 per person, $10 per family. Please pay upon arrival at the conference.

 —

Don McNeil’s general topic for the conference will be “Religious Persecution During the Reformation.” More specific details about the lectures will be released soon.

Don McNeill serves with MTW and Africa Inland Mission in the areas of Theological Education. He is on staff at Westminster Theological College & Seminary in Uganda.

Don and Fran were reared in Mississippi and met at MS State where both received a Bachelor of Science. Don later earned a Master of Christian Education in 1979 and a Master of Divinity in 1994 from RTS, Jackson. Married for 35 years, they have four children, and grandchildren.