Within Gunshot of the Devil

Rewards for Believers at the Final Judgment

2011-12-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

For Sunday School this week at SCBC we will be looking at the Final Judgment. Many Christians struggle with the truth that there will be rewards for Christians based off of what they do for Christ in this life. I thought this quote from Grudem was very good at getting to the root of this struggle.

“Even though there will be degrees of reward in heaven, the joy of each person will be full and complete for eternity. If we ask how this can be when there are different degrees of reward, it simply shows that our perception of happiness is based on the assumption that happiness depends on what we possess or the status or power that we have. In actuality, however, our true happiness consists in delighting in God and rejoicing in the status and recognition that he has given us. The foolishness of thinking that only those who have been highly rewarded and given great status will be fully happy in heaven is seen when we realize that no matter how great a reward we are given, there will always be those with greater rewards, or who have higher status and authority, including the apostles, the heavenly creatures, and Jesus Christ and God himself. Therefore if highest status were essential for people to be fully happy, no one but God would be fully happy in heaven, which is certainly and incorrect idea.” Grudem Systematic Theology p, 1145 (emphasis mine)

Advent Sermon Series - Week 1 (Hope)

2011-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

What do Nelson Mandala, the 20th century Egyptian army, IBM, Pablo Picasso, our president, and my sermon tomorrow all have in common?

This painting:

Cute Kids!

2011-11-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a link http://www.lonimaesphotography.com/blog/?p=1734 to a wonderful photographer in the Lincoln, NE area. The kids are pretty cute too.

Why IDOP?

2011-11-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

This Sunday I’ll be preaching from Revelation 12 for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I’ll be addressing the question of “why do we rejoice over and pray for the persecuted church?”

Revelation 12 is an amazing prophetic picture of the battle between Satan and the Church. Through apocalyptic imagery we see that Satan wishes to derail God’s purposes in redeeming a people for himself. When Satan is not able to destroy the messiah (male child), and is thrown from heaven (defeated at the cross) he turns his attention to the Church/messianic community/believers and wages war against them.

In verse 11 a voice from heaven states that “they” (remember the 4 Ps, Pastor Paul says Plug the Pronouns) have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

“they” = brothers in verse 10 = Church
“him” = accuser of the brothers = Satan

1. The Church defeats Satan on the grounds of the victory of the cross of Christ. At the cross Jesus destroyed the one who had power over us through the fear of death.

2. The Church defeats Satan by proclaiming the victory of the cross of Christ (preaching the gospel).

So, why do we rejoice over and pray for the persecuted church?

1. We rejoice because God has already defeated Satan through Jesus and his death on the cross.

2. We pray for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus. No matter the context (persecution or prosperity).

IDOP 2011

2011-11-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

Every Sunday at SCBC we begin our worship service with a responsive reading. We've been working our way through the Psalms for over a year. As I began putting the bulletin together for next week, I turned to the Psalm that we are going to recite, Psalm 124. I read it, and rejoiced that we would read this Psalm on the day that we celebrate, pray for, and worship with the persecuted Church.

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-- let Israel now say-- if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

To my persecuted brothers and sisters, “Our help is in the name of the LORD!”

Family Worship

2011-11-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I'll be preaching about family worship from Deuteronomy 6. During Sunday School we will watch the amazing video of Victor.

Bible Study, The Covenant, and Glitter

2011-11-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

We are currently doing an Old Testament Survey Bible study on Wednesday nights at SCBC. We look at a different book every week. Last night we looked at Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy means “second law”; not in the sense of an additional law, or better law, but in the sense of restating the first law. I love the book of Deuteronomy because it is basically Moses retelling the covenant/law with the background of 40 years of wondering in the wilderness. The nation of Israel is poised to take possession of the promised land, and Moses takes time to remind, encourage, rebuke, and challenge the people to keep the covenant that God so graciously gave to them 40 years prior. Last night at Bible study, after we had looked at the outline of the covenant in Deuteronomy, I read chapter 14 and asked if these food stipulations still apply to us today. What about the tithing stipulations too? Or, chapter 15 the Sabbath stipulation? How are we to think about these things? I then pushed the question even further, “what about chapter 5?” Moses restates the 10 commandments in chapter 5, and says in verse 2 “The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb”. I then asked “how many covenants are there in Deuteronomy?” The answer is one and it includes the 10 commandments, the greatest commandments (chapter 6), and the rest of the rules, statutes, commandments that the LORD commanded Moses to tell to the people of Israel. So, which rules, statutes, commandments of the LORD do we keep now? Do we sacrifice to cover sin? Do we avoid eating pigs, and rock badgers? Do we tithe 10% of everything we have? Do we take an entire year off every seventh year?

Here is the problem. If you ask three different people in the Church this question, more than likely you will get three different answers. Here are a few that I have heard or read:

1. The 10 Commandments are affirmed by the Apostolic witness, and therefore still apply for the Church
2. Christ and the Apostles declare that the food laws are no longer binding on the Church
3. The law is no longer binding, but is still useful for sanctification
4. The law is still for the Church
5. Christ fulfilled the Law, but still requires obedience to some of the laws

Usually the Covenant/law books (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) get abused by our pet, moralistic crusades. They become a cache of proof texts to justify what we feel is right or wrong in current debates. Take homosexuality for example. Most evangelical Christians, will, at some time appeal to the “homosexuality is wrong because it is against God’s Law” proof text. Then our unregenerate friends, family, and society says “So is eating pig and rock badgers”. Then we respond with “those food laws do not apply any more, but the homosexuality one does”. To which, they respond (and rightly so) “how do you decide which laws do and don’t apply”. This is when we should just throw some glitter in the air, and walk away, since most of us have no idea why some of the Law applies to us, and why other parts of the law does not apply to us. We end up looking like what we are, confused. (by the way, the glitter thing comes from Acuff’s book)

That is when we ran out of time. We’ll work on it next week.

Reformation Sunday

2011-10-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

This year for Reformation Sunday, I’ll be preaching about the blessing of having the Word of God in our own language. I’ve been reading Foxe’s book in preparation for this Sunday and came across this section:

“Half strangling, and recovering the persons again repeatedly. Rolling sharp wheels over the fingers and toes. Pinching the thumbs in a vice. Forcing the most filthy things down the throat, by which many were choked. Tying cords round the head so tightly that the blood gushed out of the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Fastening burning matches to the fingers, toes, ears, arms, legs, and even the tongue. Putting powder in the mouth and setting fire to it, by which the head was shattered to pieces. Tying bags of powder to all parts of the body, by which the person was blown up. Drawing cords backwards and forwards through the fleshy parts. Making incisions with bodkins and knives in the skin. Running wires through the nose, ears, lips, etc. Hanging Protestants up by the legs, with their heads over a fire, by which they were smoke dried. Hanging up by one arm until it was dislocated. Hanging upon hooks by the ribs. Forcing people to drink until they burst. Baking many in hot ovens. Fixing weights to the feet, and drawing up several with pulleys. Hanging, stifling, roasting, stabbing, frying, racking, ravishing, ripping open, breaking the bones, rasping off the flesh, tearing with wild horses, drowning, strangling, burning, broiling, crucifying, immuring, poisoning, cutting off tongues, noses, ears, etc., sawing off the limbs, hacking to pieces, and drawing by the heels through the streets.” ~Book of Martyrs

IDOP 2011

2011-10-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Come and join us for our IDOP 2011 service Sunday, November 13th at 7:30 pm. Here is a clip from the movie we will be watching.

Spiritual Gifts

2011-10-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

At Shell Creek, we are studying spiritual gifts during Sunday School. Here is a video with Doug Wilson and Mark Driscoll talking about whether the miraculous gifts have ceased.

Doug Wilson Interviews Mark Driscoll | Part II - Spiritual Gifts & Cessationism from Canon Wired on Vimeo.

The Absolute Statement of the Apostle Peter and the Absolute Pride of Rob Bell

2011-08-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

"To begin with, a bit about this book. First, I believe that Jesus’ story is first and foremost about the love of God for every single one of us. It is a stunning, beautiful, expansive love, and it is for everybody, everywhere. That’s the story. “For God so loved the world…” That’s why Jesus came. That’s his message. That’s where the life is found. There are a growing number of us who have become acutely aware that Jesus’ story has been hijacked by a number of other stories, stories Jesus isn’t interested in telling, because they have nothing to do with what he came to do. The plot has been lost, and it’s time to reclaim it. I’ve written this book for all those, everywhere, who have heard some version of the Jesus story that caused their pulse rate to rise, their stomach to church, and their heart to utter those resolute words, “I would never be a part of that.” You are not alone. There are millions of us. This love compels us to question some of the dominant stories that are being told as the Jesus story. A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better. It’s been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus’ message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear. And so this book." –

That is an excerpt of the introduction to Bell’s book “Love Wins”. I know the news of Bell and his book is long over, but tomorrow I am preaching from Acts 4, and I am using this quote as my introduction. Tomorrow I will say something along the lines of:

“My hope and prayer this morning is that there would be none here who say of Peter’s words “I would never be a part of that ( salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved)” Rather, I pray that you would leave this place saying “I want to be a part of that”. And why would you say that? Why would you leave this place rejoicing in the very thing that turns Bell’s stomach? Because it is true! It is absolutely true! It is wonderfully true!This truth will set you free!

VBS 2011

2011-07-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Hebrews 11 and 12

2011-06-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

This week we start our VBS. We are very thankful that a group from Faith Baptist, Rock Rapids IA, is here to help us serve our community for the Glory of God. One of the stories during our VBS, is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So, yesterday morning I preached from Daniel 3 in helping prepare our people for VBS, and our big BBQ next Sunday, when we invite neighbors, friends, and family. Here is the outline of the sermon.

What would faith like S, M, and A, look like today?

What was it, that gave them the guts, to respond to the king the way they did?

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
(Dan 3:16-18)

The best way to understand this OT story, and all the OT stories, is to turn to the NT. So, turn with me to Hebrews 11.

The author of Hebrews for 10 chapters is building a case that Jesus is better, more superior, more valuable, than anything in the OT, and universe. He is more superior, than any man, any Law, any sacrifice, any prophet, any king, and any priest. He is the best thing in the universe! Then here in chapter 11 he begins by saying that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. He then begins reminding the reader, that by faith, all these OT saints did crazy, wild things. He speaks of Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Rahab and many more who all lived by faith. They all lived, and did these crazy things by faith- or by “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. In verse 34, he mentions that they “quenched the power of fire”. Sounds like Daniel 3 to me. What was their conviction in unseen things? What was S, M, and A hoping for? What was their conviction in? S, M, and A, along with all the saints, had the hope, and conviction, and faith, that Christ was their reward! That whatever happened, good or bad, Christ was still their reward! Therefore, they could live lives that were radically risky for the glory of God!

Now back to my question. What would this kind of faith look like today for us?

Outside there is no fiery furnace. There is no government threatening your life because of your faith. How do you then live like S, M, and A. The same way they did. You life trusting, believing, that Christ is the greatest reward! This frees your life from the bondage of the “outcome”. You can say with S, M, and A, “no matter what happens, good or bad” we will live for the reward of Christ!

This week, we will work and strive for the Glory of God! If God chooses to send 1 kid, or 500 kids, we will work knowing that the reward is not how many kids come, but Christ is the reward!

The author of Hebrews then tells us in chapter 12, how this works.

1. Let us “throw off sin”
2. Let us “run the race”
3. Let us “be grateful” in the kingdom that cannot be shaken
4. Let us “offer worship, and awe for our God is a consuming fire”

S, M, and A were thrown into a fire, because they refused to worship the king’s idol. They knew, the truth, that the author of Hebrews reveals to us so wonderfully in chapters 11 and 12, the true God, He is a consuming fire!

Gospel

2011-06-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday Sermon Outline

2011-06-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Intro- The Spirit fills believers to spread the Gospel

3 Observations from Peter’s Sermon on Pentecost about the Gospel

I. The Problem

1. Peter knows the context of Joel (Joel declares the guilt of his hearers)
2. The land and people are cursed because of sin (Joel 1 & 2, Genesis 3)
3. Peter declares the guilt of his hearers too

II. The Promise

1. In the book of Joel, the Spirit points to judgment
2. In the book of Acts (through Joel), the Spirit points to judgment
3. Peter, filled with the Spirit, points to Christ as the promise

III. The Purpose

1. In the book of Joel, God is working salvation for his people, by his plan
2. In the book of Acts, God is working salvation for his people, by his plan
3. God purposed the death of Christ for the redemption of all who put their faith in him.

Lewis Quote

2011-05-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

"It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare." Lewis Weight of Glory

David Platt on Hell

2011-05-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

New Sermon Series Starts Tomorrow at SCBC

2011-05-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will start a 26 part sermon series going through the book of Acts. I'm calling it the "Second Greatest Story Ever Told". Here is the outline for my intro sermon tomorrow from the book of Luke

Luke 24:44-53
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (45) Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (46) and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49) And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (50) Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. (51) While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, (53) and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Intro- The Book of Acts, Family Devotions, and the Jesus Storybook Bible

The purpose of the Bible is to reveal Jesus Christ

From our text:

I. The whole Bible (OT & NT) reveals Jesus to us

Luke 24:44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

NT- “my words” “while I was still with you” –

The Gospels- Words of Jesus
Rest of the NT- Words of Jesus taught through the Apostles

OT- “everything written about me”

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,

Torah- Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 18:15
The Writings- Psalm 2:6-7; 118
The Prophets- Isaiah 53; 61:1

II. The Bible reveals “who” Jesus is.

He is the Christ

Luke 24:46-47 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

III. The Bible reveals “how” Jesus is the Christ

"suffer and on the third day rise from the dead"

IV. The Bible reveals “why” Jesus is the Christ

"repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his
name to all nations"

Application:

I. God must “open our minds” (verse 45) to see the Christ of the Bible

Must have repentance and forgiveness of sins (saved)
Must rely on the Spirit to lead us to faithful interpretations

(Interpretations must magnify Christ and minimize man)

The Good News of Sanctification part I

2011-05-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
(1Th 5:23-24)

Sanctification is a work of God. Period. To think of sanctification as anything else, is to cut at the heart of the gospel of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When Paul uses the word “salvation” he does not mean just justification. He means all of salvation! Election, calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance of the saints, and glorification are all aspects of salvation. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation to everyone who believes. The gospel is the power of God not only in our justification, but also in our sanctification! It is not as though God gives us a jump start by justification, and then tells us to go on in our Christian walk by our own power. No. Instead we must understand, that the power of God in the gospel not only saves us, but it is saving us every day. In our struggles to kill sin, and see Christ as more valuable than anything in our lives, in our struggles to grow in holiness, and pursue the things above, we must see that the power to do these things is from God. God is the author of sanctification. In the Godhead, it is the Holy Spirit who is the means of this work in us. He reminds us of the beauty of Christ. He reminds us of the futility of our sins. He is the one who sanctifies us. We do not sanctify ourselves.

The foundational thing to understand in sanctification is that it is a work of God. To define it as anything else is to rob God of the glory due him in not only beginning our salvation, but in finishing it as well.

Go ahead, let it blow your mind. I’ll give you a second.

Ok, your second is up, let me push it further. Just as you can not justify yourself apart from the power of God in the gospel, you can not sanctify yourself apart form the power of God in the gospel.

Here are some quotes to help shatter the understanding that sanctification includes any work of man:

“Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness”
1647 Westminster Shorter Catechism

“Sanctification is declared [from the Word of God] to be a work of God’s free grace.”
Hodge, Systematic Theology vol III page 213

"Sanctification may be defined as that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which He purifies the sinner, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works."
Berkhof, Summary of Christian Doctrine page 143

“The author of this sanctification is here [1st Thessalonians 5:23] asserted to be God. He is the eternal spring and fountain of all holiness; there is none in any creature but what comes immediately from him; and therefore it is so emphatically expressed ‘God himself’; if he does it not, no other can; it must be wrought by God himself. He does it of himself, from his grace; by himself, or his own power; for himself, or his own glory.”
Owen, Pneumatalogia book IV page 245

“We know, however, that under the term sanctification is included the entire renovation of the man. The Thessalonians, it is true, had been in part renewed, but Paul desires that God would perfect what is remaining. From this we infer, that we must, during our whole life, make progress in the pursuit of holiness. But if it is the part of God to renew the whole man, there is nothing left for free will. For if it had been our part to co-operate with God, Paul would have spoken thus — “May God aid or promote your sanctification.” But when he says, sanctify you wholly, he makes him the sole Author of the entire work.”
Calvin, Commentaries 1st Thessalonians 5:23

Do you live your christian life with the reality that sanctification is a work of God, and not a work of man?

Humility and my Six year old

2011-05-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today, while driving my 6 year old home from school, we drove through a really severe thunderstorm. My son hates storms. He is scared to death of them. Micah told me that he was going to pray to Jesus. I heard him praying in the back seat of the van. After he was done praying, I turned the radio back on to hear an update of the storm and the announcer said “all tornado, and severe thunderstorm warnings have expired for our county.” Micah shouted “Yippee!” “Dad, I prayed that Jesus would stop the storms and he did!” I told him “Praise God! That was great to pray to Jesus ” he then said “I am so awesome!”
I think he missed the point!

"Sanctification" at SCBC

2011-05-10T16:28:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday I started teaching on the doctrine of sanctification at SCBC during Sunday School. In my short experience as a pastor, I can say without hesitation, that this is the subject I deal with all the time in ministry. As I look at my own life, this subject also impacts me all the time too. Just as the Almighty began opening my eyes to the unspeakable glories of the doctrines of Grace; in the last couple of years He has began showing me things in the scriptures that for His great purposes have gone mostly under my Bible radar in regards to sanctification. Now the radar won’t stop beeping (praise God!). It seems, that almost every-time I pick up the scriptures, verses leap out that help me see the glories of this doctrine! I am getting ahead of myself though; let me start by throwing out some questions that seem to dominate my thoughts lately about sanctification.

1. Do we cooperate with God in sanctification? (Wayne Grudem argues “yes” in his Systematic Theology)
2. What are the means of sanctification?
3. What are the motives of sanctification?
4. Why are we sanctified?
5. Why are some sanctified more than others?
6. What does Christian maturity look like?
7. How do rewards work in the Christian life?
8. What does sanctification look like in every day life?

Here are some pastoral thoughts about sanctification too.

1. It seems, on the surface, that most Christians I talk to, have little, if any, passion about sanctification.

2. When I ask, most Christians can’t define sanctification.

3. Many can’t remember ever being taught systematically about sanctification. (myself included)
4. If after our conversion, our Christian life is defined by sanctification, why does it seem like there is such little emphasis on what sanctification is, how it works, why we need to be sanctified.
5. There is a lot of talk about “preaching the gospel to yourself”, and I am excited about these conversations, yet, I still feel like there is something missing in helping people grasp sanctification.

Let me start these posts by rocking the boat a little. I cringe, when I hear anyone define sanctification as cooperation with God. I don’t deny that believers labor, work, strive, pursue, make effort (all biblical words) to grow in holiness; I just wonder if that is sanctification? Instead, I believe that the Bible puts the emphasis on the fact that sanctification is done to, and for us, just like justification, and not with us.

The Hiding Place

2011-05-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

I first read "The Hiding Place" in 8th grade. Now I am listening to it on audio, since ChristianAudio.com gave it away last month for free. When I was in 8th grade I remember doing the assigned reading without thinking much about the book other then the fact I had to read it for homework. Now, 17 years later, I’ve only listened to the first two chapters, and been moved to tears several times. The brevity of my life seems to be in my thoughts more since 8th grade. This book is dripping with the reminders of the brevity of life.

“It was a day for memories. A day for calling up the past. How could we have guessed as we sat there-two middle-aged spinsters and an old man- that in place of memories were about to be given adventures such as we had never dreamed of? Adventure and anguish, horror and heaven were just around the corner, and we did not know. Oh Father! Betsie! If I had known would I have gone ahead? Could I have done the things I did?

But how could I know? How could I imagine this white-haired man, called Opa-Grandfather-by all the children of Haarlem, how could I imagine this man thrown by strangers into a grave without a name? And Betsie, with her high lace collar and gift for making beauty all around her, how could I picture this dearest person on earth to me standing naked before a roomful of men?

In that room on that day, such thoughts were not even thinkable.” page 22-23

Enjoy your day, kiss your wife, play with your children, and rejoice in the blessings of your life!

"O'Doyle Rules! "

2011-04-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Almighty has blessed us again! Khara Alane Veal showed up yesterday, weighing in at a whopping 10 pds 1 onz!

Except for the Grace of God...

2011-04-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” James 2:10

Sometimes I think I live under a rock. That is how I felt when I read the story of Comrade Duch. I came across the book “The Lost Executioner” a journey to the heart of the killing fields by Nic Dunlop about a month ago, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. The book is about the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, and specifically the author’s investigation to find one of the leaders of the regime. Comrade Duch was the infamous commandant of the S-21 camp. A school turned into a prison camp during the Khmer Rouge reign. According to the tribunal that sentenced Duch, he was personally responsible for the overseeing of 12,000 murders at S-21.
In the chapter called “Confession”, Dunlop informs Duch, that he knows that he is the lost executioner of S-21.

“Duch seemed happy to talk. He told us of his conversion to Christianity and showed us the two laminated certificates that he had received after attending the seminars held by Pastor Lapel. The certificates applauded his ‘personal leadership development, teambuilding and deepening commitment to Jesus Christ.’ ‘I am a son of God,’ he told Nate with a grin. “ p270

Wow! The book goes on to tell about how Duch was lead to faith in Jesus Christ. This man is personally responsible for the deaths of over 12,000 people and now he is a Christian!

I watched an interview on TV the other night with Christopher Hitchens. I don’t remember the exact quote but he basically said “this God would allow a child in India who never heard the news of a savior from 2000 years ago, die and go to hell, but will allow murderer’s who repent and say they believe, to spend eternity in Heaven? This is not a God that I would serve”.

Two things are happening in this statement. A low view of God, and a high view of man. Stories like Comrade Duch’s help us wrestle with the grace of God, and the depravity of man. The world looks at Comrade Duch and sees a man who killed 12,000 people. God looks at him and sees Christ. The world looks at mankind, and sees, for the most part, good people caught up in suffering. Sure they may do "bad" things here and there, but for the most part they are nothing like Comrade Duch. God looks at mankind and sees what the Apostle James says, “whoever breaks the law at one point, is accountable for all of it”. We are not better than Comrade Duch. We may have not killed 12,000 people, but we stand equally condemned before a holy, just God. The good news is, by grace, through faith, because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we too can say with Comrade Duch ‘I am a son of God’.

This summer, pick up the book “The Lost Executioner” and weep over the amazing depravity of man, and the amazing grace of God.

Here is a link to a "Time" magazine article about the pastor who led Duch to the Lord

Old Dead Guy Quote

2011-04-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

"Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God's enemies. God's creatures are good, and were made for men to serve God with, and do not willingly subserve to any other purpose, and groan when they are abused to purposes so directly contrary to their nature and end. And the world would spew you out, were it not for the sovereign hand of him who hath subjected it in hope. There are the black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, full of the dreadful storm, and big with thunder; and were it not for the restraining hand of God, it would immediately burst forth upon you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, stays his rough wind; otherwise it would come with fury, and your destruction would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff on the summer threshing floor." -Jonathan Edwards

Introduction to Holy Week at SCBC

2011-04-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

Easter, like Christmas, is full of secular distractions. Entire aisles are set aside at Wal-Mart and other stores, to sell us the latest, greatest, and tastiest in treats and trinkets “celebrating” the holiday. Ask any kindergartner about Easter and Christmas, and more than likely, they will respond with a twinkle in their eye, and glee in their voice about some large well-dressed bunny laying eggs, and a fat man in a red suit slipping down chimneys setting presents under the tree.

I know what some of you are thinking, “that’s a pretty strong opening paragraph”, and that might be fair, but seriously, is there not in your heart, a desire for something more during this week we call Holy Week? Do you not long for, and search for, something more? When you stand before a rainbow-colored shelf of Peeps, do you ever think “I am sure there is more to Easter, than sugar-glazed marshmallows in the shape of a bunny and what I think is a baby chicken.”

Friends, there is so much more! We do not need to escape to some fairy tale land to give us temporary relief and joy in the midst of the struggles of everyday life. We do not need short lived pleasures to distract us from the cold hard realities of life and death. We do not need imaginary creatures and men from the past, or other worlds to appease our children’s fears and tough questions. What we need instead, is to be reminded by the Spirit, through the Word, how wonderfully more valuable it is to celebrate, tell about, get excited about, give thanks for, and worship the King of the universe, Jesus Christ.

Friends, this God-man Jesus Christ, is what should drive your thoughts during Easter. Fathers, your hearts should be on the brink of bursting to tell the amazing stories of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter! Mothers, your words should lift up the worth and magnitude of the work of Jesus Christ during Holy Week. Grandparents, your recollections of Easters past, should be filled with tears over forgiven sins, and laughter of coming joys in Christ! Children, you should long to be told the story of Christ and his amazing life, death, burial, and resurrection more than the story of some bunny. Our affections for Christ during this week, should not be easily distracted by the world’s idea of the holiday. Instead, we should make every effort of our own, and plead with the Almighty that he would cause our affections to deepen for Christ. That praise, thanksgiving, and joyful singing would come from our hearts because of Christ and what he has done!

This is what I hope to do this week. As we begin today with Palm Sunday, as we meet again on Good Friday, and as we gather for Easter, I want us, by the Spirit of God, to leave these services with deeper affections for Christ. I plan on doing that by showing you from the Word of God, how that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. Today I will speak on the “Promise of a King” from Genesis 49 and John 12. Friday I will talk about the “The death of a king” from Isaiah 53 and John 18. And on Easter, I will speak about the “King of Kings” from Revelation 19.

Last Sermon in 1st John tomorrow

2011-04-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

We’ve been working our way through 1st John on Sunday mornings at SCBC. The Apostle John doesn’t mix words. He is very clear and to the point. He uses lots of “if, then” & “Whoever does, Whoever does not” phrases. He is also very clear on why he writes the letter. Tomorrow we will finish the sermon series with the exhortation that John wrote this letter so that “you may not sin…” (1st John 2:1) 1st John is written for our sanctification. Not to beat us up, not to scare us, but to encourage us not to sin. How does John help us in our pursuit of holiness? He reminds us how wonderful it is to be a child of God! He reminds us: the Father loves us (3:1), He forgives our sins (1:9), we have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1:3), the word of God abides in us (2:14), we are anointed by the Holy One (2:20), we have the promise of eternal life (2:25), the Son appeared to destroy the devil (3:8), we have passed from death to life (3:14), He has given his Spirit to us (3:24), God protects us (5:18) and we have the son and life (5:12)! John lifts our eyes, our hearts, our minds to behold the wonder of being a child of God! What a wonderful little book 1st John is! May you be encouraged to grow in holiness by the power of God, to the glory of God, and for your joy in Christ!

Monday is for Music (Late)

2011-04-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Found this video on Denny Burk's blog. Good cover of the Beatles

Sermon from 1st John 3:1-10

2011-03-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the audio of my sermon last Sunday from 1st John 3:1-10. For some reason it takes a moment to play, but it should work. 03.27.11 SCBC Audio You can find more audio at our website: http://www.shellcreekbaptistchurch.com/

Baxter Balm part II

2011-03-19T19:36:00.001-07:00

I’ve been preaching through 1st John on Sunday mornings here at SCBC. The Spirit has been sweet to me, and to the Body at SCBC during this time. He has encouraged and convicted our hearts. He has warned us about our worldly desires and approved our love for Christ. It has been good. Last week I preached on the antichrist. Tomorrow, I will continue working through what I believe John is driving at in chapters 2 & 3. I believe it is a warning and an encouragement to understand the hard truth that there will be many who are “from us” but not “of us”. That is to say, there are many who exist in the “church”, but are not really part of the “Church”. I was struggling with the application part of my sermon this week because its almost identical to what I preached last week. Last week, the first part of my application was the question “are you an antichrist?”. Tomorrow, like last week, the first part of my application will be the question “are you part of the Beloved?” I wasn’t sure I should ask basically the same question two weeks in a row, but over and over again, I just kept thinking to myself “the Almighty has us here in 1st John by His providence, so,,, I’ll trust him”. Then today I began reading Richard Baxter’s A Call to the Unconverted to Turn and Live. I love Baxter! Oh, that the Almighty would put words in my mouth like Baxter’s words. I know that the following quote is long, but it was so timely for my message tomorrow. I almost wept when I read the part about the Lord filling the ministers hearts with more compassion, casting themselves at the feet of the miserable souls, and following them to their house to speak again to them with bitter tears. Have you wept at the feet of your lost friends and family? Have you asked the Almighty to make your eyes a fountain of tears in lamenting their careless state? Oh, be sweet to us Spirit, and break our hearts for the unconverted! Here is some Baxter Balm:

"In compassion of your sinful miserable
souls, the Lord, that better knows your case than you can know it, hath
made it our duty to speak to you in his name, 2 Cor. v. 19. and to tell
you plainly of your sin and misery, and what will be your end, and how
sad a change you will shortly see, if yet you go on a little longer.
Having bought you at so dear a rate as the blood of his son Jesus
Christ, and made you so free and general promise of pardon, and grace,
and everlasting glory; he commandeth us to tender all this to you, as
the gift of God, and to intreat you to consider of the necessity and
worth of what he offereth.--He seeth and pitieth you, while you are
drowned in worldly cares and pleasures, and eagerly following childish
toys, and wasting that short and precious time for a thing of nought,
in which you should make ready for an everlasting life; and therefore
he high commanded us to call after you, and tell you how you lose your
labour, and are about to lose your souls, and to tell you what greater
and better things you might certainly have, if you would hearken to his
Call, Isa. lv. 1, 2, 3. We believe and obey the voice of God; and come
to you on his message, who hath charged us to preach, and be instant
with you in season and out of season, and to lift up our voice like a
trumpet, and shew your transgressions and your sins, Isa. lviii. 1. 2
Tim. iv. 1, 2. But alas! to the grief of our souls and your own
undoing, you stop your ears, you stiffen your necks, you harden your
hearts, and send us back to God with groans, to tell him that we have
done his message, but can do no good on you, nor scarcely get a sober
hearing.--Oh! that our eyes were a fountain of tears, that we might
lament our ignorant, careless people, that have Christ before them, and
pardon, and life, and heaven before them, and that have not hearts to
know or value them! that might have Christ, and grace, and glory, as
well as others, if it were not for their wilfill negligence and
contempt! O that the Lord would fill our hearts with more compassion to
these miserable souls, that we might cast ourselves even at their feet,
and follow them to their houses, and speak to them with our bitter
tears: For, long have we preached to many of them in vain: We study
plainness to make them understand, and many of them will not understand
us; we study serious, piercing words, to make them feel, but they will
not feel. If the greatest matters would work with them, we should awake
them; if the sweetest things would work, we should entice them and win
their hearts; if the most dreadful things would work, we should at
least affright them from their wickedness; if truth and certainty would
take with them, we should soon convince them; if the God that made
them, and the Christ that bought them, might be heard, the case would
soon be altered with them; if scripture might be heard, we should soon
prevail; if reason, even the best and strongest reason, might be heard,
we should not doubt but we should speedily convince them; if experience
might be heard, even their own experience, and the experience of all
the world, the matter would be mended; yea, if the conscience within
them might be heard, the case would be better with them than it is. But
if nothing can be heard, what then shall we do for them? If the
dreadful God of heaven be slighted, who then shall be regarded? If the
inestimable love and blood of a Redeemer be made light of, what then
shall be valued? If heaven have no desirable glory with them, and
everlasting joys be nothing worth, if they can jest at hell, and dance
about the bottomless pit, and play with the consuming fire, and that
when God and man do warn them of it; what shall we do for such souls as
these?" Richard Baxter, preface to A Call to the Unconverted

Must Buy Album

2011-03-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

I haven’t posted a “Monday is for Music” post lately. So I thought I’d share a couple of songs from one of the best albums I’ve ever bought. Since ITunes came out, I have not purchased any complete album. But I did buy Mumford and Sons’ Sigh No More because every single song is great! Here are a couple:

Shell Creek Outreach Team Meeting on St. Patty's Day

2011-03-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

About a year ago some brave souls at SCBC signed up to join the new "outreach team". And to honor their efforts to reach the community for the glory of Christ, their pastor created this video and posted to his blog. Seriously, I thank God for people willing to take time to pray, think, and plan how we might reach more with the gospel.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Great Movie Quote

2011-03-15T09:41:00.001-07:00

I watched this movie again last night. Every time I watch this movie, I like it more and more. Here is a line that caught my attention last night.

“You can’t stop what’s comin’. Ain’t all waitin’ on you…That’s vanity”. –Ellis from No Country for Old Men

Japan and Operation World

2011-03-11T09:56:00.001-08:00

I don’t watch the news. Any news that I get either comes from the web, or the car radio to and from UPS. This morning I heard about the earthquake/ tsunami in Japan on the way to UPS. I didn’t think much about it until I got to my office later this morning and watched some of the footage of the tsunami. Amazing! The power of the ocean is breathtaking! And Christ said “Peace, be still” and the waves obeyed!!!! (that last thought was for free, it's not what I was writing about)

What I was writing about was the book “Operation World”. If you do not have this book, stop what you are doing, go to Amazon, and buy the book for 14 bucks now. It will be the best book you buy this year. When ever I think about things going on in our world, I pull down this book from my bookshelf and read about the countries in the news. Today was no different and I began reading about Japan. When I got the “Answers to Prayer” part, this is what I read:

“Uncertainty about the future has prompted spiritual searching.This is partly in response to many economic and social changes that threaten the status quo in Japan. The constant threats of a major earthquake, or economic decline, the widening generation gap and the feeling of social isolation (hikikomori) that so many suffer provoke widespread soul-searching.” p- 489

Wow! This is in the “answers to prayer” section? That fear (or today, the reality) of an earthquake is an answer to prayer? I love this book! Only one with a correct Biblical worldview could have written this. I wonder how many churches in our country are going to praise God for the opportunity for the Japanese people in the midst of suffering to seek God and repent of their sins? Or will we pray only for their physical relief? Don’t get me wrong, I pray that God would physically save and heal the people who suffered in this tsunami. More than that, I pray that God would save their souls, and that this might be the means.

Lest you think, that my thinking is incorrect, hear the words of our savior in Luke 13:

“There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

May we here in the Midwest, not pray weak man-centered prayers. May the Spirit intercede for us, and awaken our affections for the glory of the risen Christ. May we pray for the Japanese people that their minds would no longer be blinded by Satan from seeing the light of the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Pray! And watch again, as God answers prayer!

Old Dead Guy Quote

2011-03-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

“All other ways of mortification are vain, all helps leave us helpless; it must be done by the Spirit. Men, as the apostle intimates, may attempt this work on other principles, by means and advantages administered on other accounts, as they always have done, and do: but, saith he, ‘This is the work of the Spirit; by him alone is it to be wrought, and by no other power is it to be brought about.’ Mortification from a self-strength, carried on by ways of self-invention, unto the end of a self-righteousness, is the soul and substance of all false religion in the world.” – John Owen, Of the Mortification of Sin, Chapter 1

MLK Jr.

2011-01-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Spirit

2010-12-17T16:15:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are super busy for me. My day at UPS starts at 2:00 am and goes until about 2:30 in the afternoon. During this time, it is easy for me to neglect the spiritual means of conforming my soul into the image of Christ. We are currently studying the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in our Sunday School class at Shell Creek. One of the passages that we have been working through in class is Romans 8. Today, Romans 8 hit me hard. Hard but good. Paul tells us that the “Spirit helps us in our weakness”. He helped me today by showing me a blog article by Tim Challies. The video that I posted is simply amazing. My wife and I watched together, both crying tears of joy and conviction. Oh I pray that you would read the article and watch the video.

Operation World Prayer Videos

2010-11-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

With IDOP coming up, I was looking at Operation World’s web page and found the following page:http://www.operationworld.org/prayer-videos. The Almighty was sweet to me as I began watching the videos by reminding me of how small I am and how wonderfully great He is, and how absolutely beautiful His Bride is! Take time to watch the videos, to pray, and to be humbled. I would also suggest buying the book from Operation World.
(By the way, I was simply blown away that these videos have been on youtube since September, and some of them have as little as 10 views. This is a resource that should not be neglected. Spread the word!)

More Baxter Balm

2010-11-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

I’m in the middle of preaching a short topical sermon series on sanctification at SCBC. This series came about after the last sermon from my series on the Gospel of Mark. My last sermon in Mark was about the benefits of belonging to the Kingdom of God, as well as our responsibilities of belonging to the Kingdom of God. The two responsibilities I mentioned were:

1. We are to grow in the knowledge of God
2. We are to share the knowledge of God

This morning I was reading the “Divine Life” by Richard Baxter, and was blessed by the clarity by which he taught! Once again, here is some “Baxter Balm” for your soul:

“The knowledge of the only true God, and of Jesus Christ the mediator, is the life of grace, and the necessary way to the life of glory. As James distinguishes between such a dead faith as devils and wicked men had, and such a living and working faith as was proper to the justified; so must we here of the knowledge of God. Many ‘profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate’. There is a ‘form of knowledge’ which the unbelievers had, and a ‘knowledge which puffeth up’, and is void of love, which hypocrites have. But no man, spiritually, knows the things of God, but by the Spirit; and they that rightly ‘know his name will put their trust in him.’ Thus he gives the regenerated a ‘heart to know him’, and the new creature ‘is renewed in knowledge.’ Vengeance shall be ‘poured out on them that know not God’. This saving knowledge of God, which is eternal life, contains and implies in it all theses acts:

1. The understanding’s apprehension of God according to the necessary articles of faith
2. A belief of the truth of these articles; that God is, and is such as he is therin described
3. A high estimation of God accordingly
4. A volition, complacency, or love to him as God, the chief good
5. A desiring after Him
6. A choosing him, with the rejection of all competitors
7. A consent that he be our God, and a giving up ourselves to him as his people
8. An intending him as our ultimate end in the use of means, in the course of our conversations
9. A seeking him in the choice and use of means
10. An obeying him as our sovereign governor
11. An honoring and praising him as God.
12. And an enjoying him and delighting in him, in some small foretaste her, as he is seen by faith; but perfectly hereafter, as beheld in glory

The effective practical knowing of God, which is life eternal, contains or implies all these parts. Every Christian that hath any of this knowledge, desires more; it is his great desire to know more of God, and to know him with a more affecting, powerful knowledge. He that grows in grace, accordingly grows in this knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. The vigor and alacrity of our souls live in it. The rectitude of our actions, and the holiness of them, flow form it. God is the excellency of our hearts and lives. Our advancement and our joy are here only to be found. All other knowledge is s fare desirable, as it conduces to the knowledge of God, or to the several duties which that knowledge requires. All knowledge of words or things, of causes and effects, of any creatures, actions, customs, laws, or whatsoever may be known, is so far valuable as it is useful, and so far useful as it is holy, subserving the knowledge of God in Christ…

He is the best Christian that hath the fullest impression made upon his soul, by the knowledge of God in all his attributes. Thus it is our life eternal to know God in Christ. It is to reveal the Father that the Son was sent; and it is to reveal the Father and the Son, that the Holy Spirit is sent; God is the light, the life, and the felicity of the soul. The work of its salvation is but the restoring it to him, and putting it in possession of him. The beginning of this is regeneration and reconciliation; the perfection of it is glorification, beatific vision, and fruition."

Let the Redeemed of the LORD say so

2010-10-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

Psalm 107 has been rocking my world the last couple of days. My last post was the song “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire. The first line of the song says:
“Something filled up my heart with nothing…”

The world is looking and longing to be filled. Every house, car, sport, media, relationship, and everything screams to be that thing to fill our soul. Yet, as Arcade Fire rightly observes, everything ends up being nothing. Well,,, not everything.

“For HE satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” Psalm 107:9

Are you telling the world of the amazing soul satisfying steadfast love of the LORD?

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so” Psalm 107:2

Monday is for Music (way late)

2010-09-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Saw this video on the Refomissionary’s blog couple of weeks back. Great song!

I like this line:
“We’re just a million little god’s causin rain storms turnin’ every good thing to rust."”

Jesus King of the Jews Part II

2010-09-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I am preaching from Mark 15:1-32 on Jesus as the true King. There are a lot of different ways to preach through the gospels, and as a young pastor, I find it better to try to take larger chunks of the text at a single time. This is not always the case (the last three Sundays were about communion from Mark 14), but it seems to be my pattern through the gospel of Mark.

What stood out to me in the text for tomorrow is the repeated phrase in Mark’s narrative of “βασιλευς των ιουδαιων” or king of the Jews. 5 times Mark uses this phrase, plus he uses king of Israel once.

I spent a lot of my sermon prep time trying to get my head and heart around the Bible’s use of the term king in reference to Christ.

First of all, those of us in the Disneyland of the USA, have no idea what a king is (this is my introduction tomorrow morning). The only understanding we have is from history. The only monarchs that we really seem to know anything about, is England’s, and even that is not even remotely close to what the Bible talks about when it speaks of a king. When the Bible speaks of a king it speaks of the “chief authority over a people” (definition of ‘king’ from dictionary.com) an absolute power or sovereign. The king has the right and power to do whatever he wills. This is what the Bible means when it uses the word king. So, to help me wrestle with this in regards to Christ, I’ll plug “The one who has authority and power to do whatever he wills” into the phrase “king of the Jews”. Pilate asked Jesus, “are you the ‘one who has authority and power to do whatever you will’ of the Jews.” Jesus responds to Pilate “I am” or “I am the one who has authority and power to do whatever I will”. Now the wheels are turning, but my heart still isn’t quite singing with an understanding of why the Spirit records through the gospel writers this phrase “king of the Jews” so many times. One of the reasons I struggle to see the significance of this, is up until this point (Pilate, and the crucifixion) the reference of Jesus as a king, is not common at all in the gospels. So, let’s start at the beginning, and work up to the Gospels.

Old Testament

For the purpose of this blog, and my sermon tomorrow, I’ll stick with just three examples from the OT. I was floored this week when I began to see how from the beginning (Genesis) all the way to the Minor Prophets, how the Bible sees Jesus as a king!

1. Melchizedek the ‘king’ of Salem

The author of Hebrews says this about Melchizedek

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. Hebrews 7:1-3

Now, there are about 45 sermons in Hebrews chapter 7 (just ask John Owen!) but for our purposes, notice how Melchizedek is referred to here and in Genesis 14 (which happens to be the first chapter in the Bible where the word ‘king’ is found) What type of king is the man who is a type of Christ? A king of peace! So, from the beginning, the Bible speaks of “one who has authority and power to do whatever he wills” in regards to peace!

2. The prophetic poems of Genesis 49, Numbers 23, & Deuteronomy 33

This observation comes directly from Sailhamer. He says in his new book “The Meaning of the Pentateuch” on page 468:

“A second observation about these three poems in the Pentateuch is their common reference point. Each one focuses the reader on a coming king who will bring peace and prosperity to the nations.”

Genesis 49:8-12
"Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Sailhamer says “Judah’s ‘saying’ stresses the ideal kingship promised to his house. It is a vision of a victorious king whose reign encompasses all the nations. His coming will be accompanied by a restoration of the abundance of the garden of Eden.” (p 469)

Numbers 24:5-9
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you."

Again Sailhamer says “Its (the Number’s poem) content is similar to Genesis 49. The king in Numbers 24, for example, is identified with the king in Genesis 49 by means of an extended quotation form Genesis 49:9 “he lies down and stretches out like a lion, and like a lioness; who will awaken him?” (The Hebrew is very similar)

Deuteronomy 33:4-7
when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob. Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together. "Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few." And this he said of Judah: "Hear, O LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him in to his people. With your hands contend for him, and be a help against his adversaries."

Of this third poem Sailhamer says “in Deuteronomy 33:7 Moses envisions the king’s reuniting God’s people and pleads earnestly for his arrival: ‘O that you would bring him to his people’.” (p 469)

(Note to self- I am not sure how much I’ll go here tomorrow, but this is my blog, so I’m still hashing out the details.)

3. The kings of Israel and Judah

I was blown away by Samuel's words to the people of Israel in 1st Samuel 8

He said, "These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day."

How crazy is this?! The people can’t wait for the true king, and aren’t satisfied with God’s plan for his people, that they twist Samuel's arm into giving them a king that they want. How true is this of us today too? We want the peace and prosperity of a “king” or whatever, yet we are not satisfied with what God is giving us (which happens to be the best thing in the world-himself!) and we seek after other means and methods of finding that peace. Samuel rightly warns of the years to come. Almost all the kings of Israel and Judah jacked everything up even worse. Crazy stuff, yet these too, point to Christ. Not in the same way Melchizedek and David do, but they show us what we as humans do, when left to our own ways of salvation, or finding that peace.

Now the wheels and the heart are moving full speed!

Christ is the true King!

He is the one the magi looked for when they asked “where is born the King of the Jews?” He is the one in whom the crowd rightly shouts “Hosanna” “blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David”. He is the one in whom the “increase of his government and of his peace will know no end”. He is the one by which the “kings of this earth will shut their mouths because of him”

He IS THE ONE who has all authority and all power to do whatever he wills… He is the King! And what did he will in Mark 15? He willed to die! He willed to be rejected and despised. He willed to be marred beyond human semblance. He willed to be silent like a sheep before its shearers. He willed to be numbered with the transgressors. He willed to be bruised…O do not be fooled into thinking that Christ is not King. He is the true King!

Jesus King of the Jews

2010-09-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I’ll be preaching from Mark 15 talking about Jesus as the true King. Here is a great video form Andrew Peterson’s song “So long Moses”. The Jews longed for a good and just King, yet as Isaiah says "they hid their faces from him"..

Wednesday Night Bible Study (starting soon!)

2010-08-12T20:27:00.001-07:00

In a couple of weeks we’ll be starting our Wednesday Night Bible Study at Shell Creek again. I’m pumped! All summer long I tossed around what book we might study together, and the book of Romans kept coming to mind. I am preparing the handouts right now and thought I’d post my opening remarks from the handout:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:33-36

I once heard someone define grace as “getting something you don’t deserve”. I think that is an all right definition, but I also think that it can be a dangerous definition. It’s all right because it helps us understand that grace is unmerited. That is to say, grace can’t be earned. We can’t work to get grace. This is an important truth that all Christians must understand.

The reason this definition falls short, and as stated before, becomes dangerous is its use of the pronoun “something”. The word “something” allows for a very subjective understanding of grace. This is dangerous. For when we define grace as “getting something”, we tend to replace the “something” with only good things (salvation, heaven, peace, joy, etc.) We say things like, “because of God’s grace I am saved” or “by God’s grace I have peace in my life”. These are wonderfully true statements. However, no one says “because of God’s grace my child has cancer” or “by God’s grace the economy is horrible right now”.

As we mature in our Christian walk, we must learn and love the truth the Apostle Paul reveals to us through the book of Romans, that not just “some things” are God’s grace in our lives, but “all things” are God’s grace in our lives. This is not easy. Everything in our flesh resists seeing bad things as grace to help us become conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. As you read through, study, and meditate on the book of Romans, it might be helpful to define grace as “getting all things you don’t deserve” instead of “getting something you don’t deserve”. I believe it will help you wrestle with some of Roman’s hard biblical truths. While you work through this study, I pray that the eyes of your hearts would be open to see more clearly the truth that “from him, and through him and to him are all things”.

For the Sake of the Almighty,

Pastor Paul

The Doctrine of Sin

2010-08-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

This Sunday’s Sunday School lesson is on the Doctrine of Sin. While preparing for this lesson, I was reminded of how the London Baptist Confession of Faith dealt with the question of the origin of sin.

“The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that his determinate counsel extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.” -1689 LNBF sec 5, paragraph 4

A Mighty Fortress is our God and Single Ladies

2010-08-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

Monday is for Music

2010-07-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

I saw this video on Justin Taylor's blog. I liked the lyrics alot. It reminded me of my all time favorite book title "The Death of Death, in the Death of Christ" by John Owen.

Death In His Grave (Performance Video) from john mark mcmillan on Vimeo.

Here are the lyrics:

Though the Earth cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls on men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all

Be careful little ears what you hear...

2010-07-16T21:44:00.001-07:00

To quote Mr. Film , “every movie preaches”. This fact was burned into my mind today by my 5 year old. While we were eating lunch (my wife’s amazing chicken salad sandwiches and “Toy Story” macaroni) Micah out of nowhere said “Daddy, you and Woody (from Toy Story) are the same.” I asked him “How are we the same?”

“You are both pastors.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“How are we both pastors?”

“In Toy Story 3 (the boys and I went to it for Father’s Day) Woody talks about Andy just like you talk about God.”

For those of you who have seen the movie, you know what Micah is talking about. Woody argues with the other toys through the whole movie that they are there for Andy, and they will only be happy if they are with Andy.

I couldn’t believe that my 5 year old was picking up on this theme in the movie, and then drawing correlation from the movie to my sermons (he sits in the service). I am learning that my kids are always listening, even when I don’t think they are!

Free Download of "The Pursuit of God" by Tozer

2010-07-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

I should have provided this link sooner, but you still have plenty of time to download for free A.W. Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God” at ChristianAudio.com. They give a free audio book away every month. Here’ a great quote from the book:

“How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of `accepting' Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls. We have been snared in the coils of a spurious logic which insists that if we have found Him we need no more seek Him. This is set before us as the last word in orthodoxy, and it is taken for granted that no Bible-taught Christian ever believed otherwise. Thus the whole testimony of the worshipping, seeking, singing Church on that subject is crisply set aside. The experiential heart- theology of a grand army of fragrant saints is rejected in favor of a smug interpretation of Scripture which would certainly have sounded strange to an Augustine, a Rutherford or a Branierd.”

Wrestling with an Angel

2010-07-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

I love reading Greg Lucas’ blog. The goodness of God in the midst of suffering drips from every post. Check his blog out here and in my "Blogs I Dig".

Monday is for Music

2010-06-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Here is another great "Elbow" song performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Monday is for Music (Late)

2010-06-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

Check out Mumford and Sons and their "White Blank Page"

Sneak Peek #2

2010-05-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I will be preaching from Mark 12:12-40. Here is my introduction.

Believe it or not, I used to be a skinny punk. 9 years of marriage to a wonderful cook, 5 years of a desk job at a bank, and 3 kids later, I now wear “portly” suits and clothes with sizes categorized by roman numerals. However, one thing that I am still able to do surprisingly well from my skinny days, is to deliver a fairly good kill shot in racquetball. I love racquetball. You never have to chase the ball; it always comes back to you! I used to play 3-4 times a week for several years, now I am lucky to play 3-4 times a year. When I did play frequently, there were often no courts to play on because someone else had taken them. Sometimes though, if someone was playing in the court, I’d peek in and ask them if they’d like to play a game of “cut-throat”. Now for those, who don’t know what “cut-throat” is, it is not as violent as it sounds, but it is very fun. It is two against one. Two defend while one serves, and you rotate between serves. So, basically, your partner becomes your opponent the next serve. High-fives are short lived in “cut-throat”, since the guy you just worked great with in schooling the other guy, now becomes the “other guy”! The way to win is to play by the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”.

History is full of stories of enemies working together for a common benefit. One thinks of the Soviets and Americans fighting the Germans during WWII. I read an interesting quote this week about this very thing, people willing to work with someone they don’t like, or even an enemy, to fight a common enemy. Winston Churchill said “If Hitler invaded Hell, I would at least give a favorable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons”.

Today in our text, we see six (yes six) groups of people in Jerusalem who usually do not get along and who all have their own goals politically and spiritually, unite for one common interest. That common interest is to get rid of Jesus. Our text has scribes, chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Herodians, & Sadducees all working together to try to make a mockery out of Jesus in front of the crowds.

Jesus, as you would suspect, puts them all in their place, and then warns the crowd about them. That is what I want to draw our attention to this morning. Jesus says in verse 38 that we should “beware” of these six groups. So, this morning, I’d like to point out six characteristics of these groups, and Lord willing, test myself and you, to see if we are living any of these characteristics. They are:

1. Earthly Mindedness (verses 13-17)
2. Lack of knowledge with the Scriptures (verses 18-27)
3. Selfishness (verses 28-37)
4. Pride (verses 39)
5. Love of Money (verse 40)
6. Not authentic (Fake)(verse 40)

Sunday School at SCBC

2010-05-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a little tribute to Wayne Grudem (At SCBC we are currently going through his Systematic Theology book in Sunday School)

Will of Man, or Will of God?

2010-05-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

John Bunyan is clear that God's will rules over man's will, even in evil and suffering.

"It is not what enemies will, nor what they are resolved upon, but what God will, and what God appoints; that shall be done. . . . No enemy can bring suffering upon a man when the will of God is otherwise, so no man can save himself out of their hands when God will deliver him up for his glory. . . We shall or shall not suffer, even as it pleaseth him."

God has appointed who shall suffer [Rev. 6:11 - the full number of martyrs]. . . . God has appointed . . . when they shall suffer [Acts 18:9-10 Paul's time of suffering was not yet come; so with Jesus in John 7:30]. . . . God has appointed where this, that or the other good man shall suffer ["it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem" Luke 13:33; 9:30f]. . . . God has appointed . . . what kind of sufferings this or that saint shall undergo [Acts 9:16 "how great things he must suffer;" John 21:19 "by what death he would glorify God"]. . . . Our sufferings, as to the nature of them, are all writ down in God's book; and though the writing seem as unknown characters to us, yet God understands them very well [Mark 9:13; Acts 13:29]. . . . It is appointed who of them should die of hunger, who with the sword, who should go into captivity, and who should be eaten up of beasts. Jeremiah 15:2,3 -From John Piper's Suffering and Service in the Life of John Buyan

Fate or Providence?

2010-05-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Some say there is no difference between the the doctrine of the Providence of God and Fate. Spurgeon (old dead guy) says otherwise:

“What is fate? Fate is this- Whatever is, must be. But there is a difference between that and Providence. Providence says, Whatever God ordains, must be; but the wisdom of God never ordains anything without a purpose. Everything in this world is working for some great end. Fate does not say that. . . . There is all the difference between fate and Providence that there is between a man with good eyes and a blind man."

Monday is for Music (Late again)

2010-05-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

I don't listen to Andrew Bird often, but I do enjoy his "A Nervous Tick Motion of the Head to the Left"

God or Preachers?

2010-05-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Who cares what Pastor Paul says? Who cares what Wayne Grudem says? Who cares what anyone says about the doctrine of the Providence of God? We should care more about what the Word of God says! With that being said; care enough to read another great old dead guy, A.W. Pink ;)

"Concerning the nature and the power of fallen man's will, the greatest confusion prevails today, and the most erroneous views are held, even by many of God's children. The popular idea now prevailing, and which is taught from the great majority of pulpits, is that man has a "free will," and that salvation comes to the sinner through his will co-operating with the Holy Spirit. To deny the "free will" of man, i.e., his power to choose that which is good, his native ability to accept Christ, is to bring one into disfavour at once, even before most of those who profess to be orthodox. And yet Scripture emphatically says, "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (Rom. 9:16). Which shall we believe: God, or the preachers?"

Sunday School and the Providence of God

2010-05-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

At SCBC we are currently studying the “Providence” of God. One thing that I try to accomplish every time we study a certain doctrine of God, is to try to answer the question “Why does it matter if we know/believe this doctrine?” or “How does this affect my life now?”. I desire that people not only have right knowledge of God, but also worship God because of the right knowledge of Him. The doctrine of the Providence of God has become so sweet to me over the last several years. I love reading and hearing about how the doctrine of the Providence of God is sweet to others too. I plan on posting some quotes from some well known people on the Providence of God. I’ll start with Mr. Reformation himself:

“I observe further, not only how true these things are (concerning which I shall speak more at large hereafter out of the Scriptures) but also how religious, pious, and necessary it is to know them; for if these things be not known there can be neither faith, nor any worship of God: nay, not to know them, is to be in reality ignorant of God, with which ignorance salvation, it is well known, cannot consist. For if you doubt, or disdain to know that God foreknows and wills all things, not contingently, but necessarily and immutably, how can you believe confidently, trust to, and depend upon His promises? For when He promises, it is necessary that you should be certain that He knows, is able, and willing to perform what He promises; otherwise, you will neither hold Him true nor faithful; which is unbelief, the greatest of wickedness, and a denying of the Most High God!” Martin Luther (The Bondage of the Will)

Sneak Peek

2010-05-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the intro to this Sunday's sermon. I'd be interested to know how many preach/hear a sermon related to Mother's Day this Sunday.

Since today is Mother’s Day, I thought I’d take a break from our series in the Gospel of Mark and preach a sermon about man’s “better half”. Before I start though, I wanted to share my thoughts about Mother’s Day and by sharing those thoughts with you, hopefully I will be able to give you a sense of where I am headed with this morning’s sermon.

Mother’s Day is not a happy holiday for many people. Instead of the intended feelings of joy, appreciation, and gratitude, Mother’s Day for some people often evokes feelings of sadness, regret, and even anger. Many people have broken relationships with their mothers or their children. Others have never had the privilege to celebrate Mother’s Day as a mother. Still some have lost children near Mother’s Day. So, yes, Mother’s Day is a day for celebrating Mother’s, but it is also a day that excludes many women. The question then comes to my mind; knowing that some want to hear a sermon on Mother’s Day about mothers, and others hope that I may stick to the gospel of Mark and not conjure up feelings of regret or sadness about mothering, what shall I do?

Here is how I answer that question.

I do think there is a place to honor mothers. I also think there is a place to honor fathers, veterans, civil servants, etc. I don’t think it is wrong to even honor them from this pulpit on Sunday morning. However, every Sunday, my task is to, above all, honor Christ! My task is to make Christ appear as glorious above mothers, wives, fathers, husbands, veterans, and civil servants. That is what I plan on doing (Lord willing) this morning. I want to use this opportunity of honoring mothers, to point to Jesus Christ and His gospel. The way that I plan on doing that is by talking about 5 reasons God created women and mothers from Genesis 1-4.

Here are the 5 reasons

1. God created woman to bare the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)
2. God created woman to be a helper for man (Genesis 2:23)
3. God created woman to be a picture (as a bride) of the Church (Genesis 2:24)
4. God created woman to bring Jesus Christ into the World (Genesis 3:14-19)
5. God created woman to be a snapshot of joy and suffering in this life pointing to the fullfilment of joy, and the relief of suffering in Jesus Christ(Genesis 4:1 & 25)

Monday is for Music (or Monday is for Reading)

2010-05-03T21:03:00.001-07:00

Turn off your Ipod and pick up Sailhamer’s “The Meaning of the Pentateuch”! The following post by John Piper peeked my interest in the book last Fall.

“To all pastors and serious readers of the Old Testament—geek, uber geek, under geek, no geek—if you graduated from high school and know the word “m e a n i n g,” sell your latest Piper or Driscoll book and buy Sailhamer. There is nothing like it. It will rock your world. You will never read the “Pentateuch” the same again. It is totally readable. You can skip all the footnotes and not miss a beat.”

I purchased the book back in February, and finally started reading it last week. Wow! What a great book! It’s about the size of a “Harry Potter” book, but about 500 times a better read!

Monday is for Music (Late but worth it)

2010-04-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Page CXVI just released their new album today. Here is there website. My wife and I listen to Page CXVI more than any other Christian band. We love the old hymns redone for our generation.

Here is one from their first album:

Grace and Paul Knight

2010-04-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

One thing that I’ve learned fairly quickly as a young pastor; you never know who will be in Church on Sunday morning listening to your message. When I find myself worrying if a certain someone might or might not come, the Holy Spirit often reminds me that “God’s in control”. My highest aim in preaching is to always be faithful to Christ. Honoring him and his gospel should consume my thoughts. It should cause me to forget myself, what I am wearing, what is for dinner, and what someone might think about my sermon. I long for my thoughts and heart to be completely forgetful of myself.

Until two years ago, I had never thought much about these things. Then I met John Knight. He was visiting family in the area (Sioux Falls)and came to CVCC one Sunday morning. I happened to be the one preaching that morning, and after every sermon, I would go to the front doors to greet people as they left. John came up to me and encouraged me about the sermon, and then apologized about the noise his son was making during the sermon. I told him that I didn’t notice him at all. John then told me that his pastor often prays for a spirit of “self-forgetfulness” when he preaches. Good advice I thought. We then spent a few minutes talking about ministry. John was deeply encouraging. It was about half way through the conversation that he told me he was the Director for Development for Desiring God Ministries. I know of no other ministry that has helped me more than Desiring God. I think one of the reasons (among many) that Desiring God is so good at what they do, is the people who work for them. Here is a video about their son, Paul, who I had the privilege of meeting that Sunday morning.

Worship at SCBC

2010-04-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

I get to pick the songs for worship every Sunday morning at SCBC. This week we will be singing a favorite of mine, “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled my Soul” here are the lyrics:

O what a wonderful, wonderful day - day I will never forget;
After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Saviour I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend - He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Born of the Spirit with life from above into God's fam'ly divine,
Justified fully thru Calvary's love, O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made when as a sinner I came,
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer - He saved me, O praise His dear name!

Now I've a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time;
I have a future in heaven for sure, there in those mansions sublime.
And it's because of that wonderful day when at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal from His precious hand I received.

Chorus:
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,
When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;
My sins were washed away -
And my night was turned to day -
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!

I really like the line “Born of the Spirit with life from above”. What a great song.

When I picked this song, I noticed the next song in our Hymnal. I am not familiar with it but I like the lyrics. It’s called “Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, Alone” by Henrietta Blair. Here are the lyrics:

Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, alone,
Can turn our hearts from sin;
His power alone can sanctify
And keep us pure within.
Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, alone
Can deeper love inspire;
His power alone within our souls
Can light the sacred fire.
Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, can bring
The gifts we seek in prayer;
His voice can words of comfort speak,
And still each wave of care.
Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, can give
The grace we need this hour;
And while we wait, O Spirit, come
In sanctifying power.

Encouraging Last Words

2010-04-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

While preparing for tomorrow’s sermon from Mark chapter 10:17-31, I was reading the last couple chapters of Deuteronomy. I was blown away by the following passage:

“And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods among them in the land that they are entering, and they will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them. Then my anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them, and they will be devoured. And many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say in that day, 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?' And I will surely hide my face in that day because of all the evil that they have done, because they have turned to other gods. "Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant.”

Wow! Talk about a way to end your life. It’s almost like God said, “Everything that you have worked for, and strived for, and fought for doesn’t mean jack.” I know, he didn’t say that but I just wonder how Moses felt. I think we get an idea about his feelings when a few verses later he says “even right now you are rebellious, how much more when I leave?” I can just see Moses with his arms flailing “HOW MUCH MORE!” What an amazing chapter.

Spread the News!

2010-04-08T09:43:00.001-07:00

Shell Creek Baptist Church has a new website:

www.shellcreekbaptistchurch.com

March 28th's Sermon at SCBC

2010-03-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

I decided last week to hold off on my sermon from Mark 10 and how Christians should view finances with a Kingdom perspective. Instead, I preached on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The verses surrounding Psalm 118:25 were very interesting to me in light of the crowd’s reaction to Jesus. The following is the beginning of the sermon I preached yesterday from Psalm 118:

Today is Palm Sunday, and our text this morning will be from Psalms 118:19-26:

“Open to me the gates of righteousness that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.”

By way of introduction, let me tell you the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Jesus had been preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God for almost three years. He had bore witness that he is the messiah by the miracles that he preformed. He had demonstrated that he has authority to forgive sins. He had lived a perfect life of obedience to the Father. He preached the good news. (Mark 1:15) Now he turns his heart and mind towards completing the task His Father set out for him. It is an amazing scene. A great crowd gathers to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem.

Matthew records for us that Jesus first tells the disciples to go and find a donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem. If anyone questions what they are doing, they were told by Jesus to simply say “The Lord needs it”. They then throw their cloaks onto the back of the donkey and Jesus sits and rides into Jerusalem. Matthew tells us that this is to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Zechariah hundreds of years before Christ.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:9-10)

Mark records for us the reaction of the crowd. They sing and shout. They rip branches off of trees and waive them around like banners. They throw their cloaks down on the path for the donkey to walk on. They shout. Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! It’s crazier than Bourbon St. was after the Saints won the Super Bowl.

Luke records for us the reaction of Jesus’ enemies to the wild scene. The Pharisees know the significance of the crowd shouting Hosanna as Jesus comes into Jerusalem. They knew that Psalm 118 speaks of the salvation of God’s people. They also knew that the King would come to Zion riding a donkey. They are smoking-hot angry and indignant. They come to Jesus and command that he should stop the people from celebrating his coming to Jerusalem. Jesus responds by saying “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out”. I can just imagine the intensity of Jesus coming to Jerusalem. What an amazing story; the fulfillment of prophecy and the crowd’s reaction.

I wonder how we would have reacted to Jesus’ coming to Jerusalem on that Sunday. I wonder how you react to Jesus today. More than likely there are not too many of us in this room who are indignant about Jesus’ triumphal entry like the Pharisees. Most of us, I imagine, would place ourselves in with the crowds. We’d like to think we would be singing and shouting “Hosanna” too. Before you place yourself in the crowd, let me ask you a question though. What was the crowd asking the Lord to save them from? For that is what they were shouting. “Hosanna” literally means “Save us, we pray, O LORD”. It’s taken from our text this morning. So, what were they asking to be saved from? Let me ask you the same question. What are you asking God to save you from? I think the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry speaks great truth into our lives here in the 21st century, especially in light of Psalm 118.

Here is the problem with imagining yourself with the crowd: they are asking God to save them from their physical problems verses asking God to save them from their own sin. This is the great tension of the Gospels that we have been studying together in the book of Mark. Over and over again, the disciples, the crowds, the Pharisees, and even Jesus’ family thinks that he has come to throw off the chains of oppression on the Jewish people. They think he has come to restore the Kingdom to Israel. That is not the case. He has come to do so much more! Oh, so much more! He has come to save his people from their sins! (Matthew 1:21) Even in the exciting and prophetic moment of the Jesus coming into Jerusalem, the crowd testifies to the great biblical truth as Paul rightly says in Romans 3:10-18:

“As it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

The crowd that morning was seeking to be saved by God from the wrong thing. They wanted physical relief. They wanted the Roman Empire to get what they deserved. They wanted to be saved from all their problems. They wanted success not salvation. They were looking for a great earthly king to conquer the evil empire that enslaved them. They were not looking to be saved by God through a King whose kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36) That is why they rejected him only a few days later.

I believe this is what is wrong with so much of American evangelicalism. This is what is wrong with my own heart so often too. We seek to be saved from physical things above seeking the Lord to save us from our sins. The Bible over and over tells us that our greatest problem is not the oppression of someone or something, the lack of money, lack of food, or lack of pleasure but our own sinful heart.

All the way back in Genesis we see this truth revealed to us. God created the world perfect. God made Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden and said:

“Look at this stuff man (Adam)! I mean Wow. This is good. You can eat and enjoy all this food. You can be amazed at how I created all this for my glory and your enjoyment. You can worship me freely because you are simply blown away by the detail and design of all creation. You can look to the mountains, and rivers, streams, fish, birds, animals, plants, and even your own body and be wonderfully perplexed and amazed at my greatness. But there is only one thing you cannot do. Don’t eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When you eat of it, you will die.” (Paul’s paraphrase)

We know what happened next. Adam and Eve, being tempted by Satan, saw that the fruit was good for food, delightful to the eyes, and was to be desired to make one wise. They threw humanity into darkness by exchanging the glory that belongs to God for their own Glory. They wanted to be wise; they wanted to be the ones who decided what is right and wrong. They wanted to be like God.

God comes, and curses the woman, and then the serpent. Now listen to what happens when he curses Adam.

And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-18)

What is amazing about this passage is the fact that God starts his curse and punishment of Adam by not whacking Adam, but by cursing the ground! Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth.
What is happening here?

Well, this is the beginning of the revelation that mankind struggles, fights, claws, works, sweats, kills, and even prays to attain physical relief from the consequence of sin. It looks different at varying times in history, but at its core, mankind is seeking to be saved from the physical oppression of the curse instead of seeking to be saved from his own sin. Over against the fact of man seeking physical relief, the Bible reveals to us that above our need to be saved from physical hardships (curse of the land) we need to be saved spiritually from our sins. That is what Psalm 118, in light of the triumphal entry, reveals to us. We need to be saved from our sins.

Monday is for Music

2010-03-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

A couple years back my bald-brother Mr. Wright over at http://www.allthingschurchplanting.blogspot.com/ introduced me to 16 Horsepower, and ever since they have sat at the top of my Ipod playlist. Here is their live version of “For Heaven’s Sake”. Enjoy.

Kingdom Perspectives –Money

2010-03-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

“Poverty is from the Devil and God wants all Christians prosperous.”-Benny Hinn

The last couple of sermons at Shell Creek have been from Mark chapter 10. I’ve been talking about what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God, and how it changes our perspectives on issues. We have covered Divorce and Children. This Sunday we will be covering money. I’ll blog more later, but for now watch one of my favorite videos on Youtube.

Monday is for Music

2010-03-22T12:07:00.001-07:00

I've been rocking to The Gaslight Anthem's "The '59 Sound" lately. Check them out.

Week in the Hills

2010-03-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

The fam and I took the week off and headed for the Black Hills. I spent three days snowmobiling while the wife and kids visited the In-laws and some friends. Then we spent a day with our best friends Bryce and Meghan. We had a picnic at the bottom and Boulder Hill, and then Bryce took the boys and I up to the top. Needless to say, we didn’t take the minivan! We visited with my family on Sunday. We had a wonderful time of rest and relaxation. Enjoy the pics and video.

Look close. That's the gals waiting for us to come down.

Micah

Getting to the top with Bryce's Toyota

View from the Top

Monday is for Music

2010-03-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

Itunes keeps track of which songs you listen to the most. My most listened to song is Nantes by Beirut.

Pluggn' Pronouns part III (Wednesday Night Biblical Theology Study)

2010-03-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

Last night at Bible study we worked through the last part of the second chapter of Hebrews. It was a great study. If you live around Columbus we’d love to have to join us. If you missed us last night, here are some highlights. The author of Hebrews says:

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (16) For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. (17) Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

We looked at Genesis 3 and how mankind was thrown into bondage to the fear of death. We noticed that when Satan comes to Eve in verse 1 in chapter 3, he lies and says "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" Eve responded correctly! How often have I over looked this? That is not what God said. God said what Eve said that He had said.

“And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

Satan’s first ploy failed. So, he changes his approach and says,

“You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Then we read that Eve saw that the tree “was to be desired to make one wise”. There it is. The root of all sin. As D. A. Carson says “The de-goding of God”. We went on to talk about how at the bottom of every sin is the desire to be our own judge of what is right or wrong for us. We make ourselves out to be little gods. Shaking our fists in the face of God and saying “I don’t care what you think is good or evil, this is a fair desire I have, and therefore I have every right to act upon it.”

So, now even though God has subjected the world to come to mankind, we jacked it up. But, as the author of Hebrews says,

“at present we do not see everything subjected to him (mankind) But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

It is almost as if God has had this thing planned out from the beginning.

We then tried to answer these questions:

Who are children of God?
Who are the offspring of Abraham?
Are they the same thing?

I believe the author of Hebrews is saying the same thing. He uses “brothers”, “children”, and “offspring of Abraham” to describe those who have faith in Christ, or to use his words “those who share in the heavenly calling” (3:1) so, the answers to the questions are:

First, not everyone is a child of God. This carries heavy implications with it. Often cute “evangelicalism” clichés are formed to encourage everyone that they are children of God. (I know that all of mankind is made in the image of God, however that is not what Hebrews is addressing) The Bible doesn’t speak that way though, it clearly says that only those who have faith in Christ are the children of God.

Second, the offspring of Abraham is not the Jews. Nor is it Gentiles. It is Jews and Gentiles that have faith in Jesus Christ! We must stop thinking that children born of God have anything to do with natural descent. (John 1:12-13) It does not matter if you are Jewish or not. It matters if you have faith in Christ! Paul could not be any clearer:

"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." Galatians 3

Or Jesus himself in John 8

“They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" (34) Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (35) The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (37) I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. (38) I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." (39) They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, (40) but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. (41) You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God." (42) Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. (43) Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. (44) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (45) But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. (46) Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? (47) Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." (48) The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" (49) Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. (50) Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. (51) Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." (52) The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' (53) Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?" (54) Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' (55) But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. (56) Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." (57) So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" (58) Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

We ended the night by talking about what it might look like then to have a “biblical theology” of the salvation of the children of God. We talked about how we let the NT interpret the OT passages. Therefore, when we read Genesis 18:18 (“seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall blessed”) we understand that the blessing talked about here is not some land blessing, or some political blessing in relationship to the country Israel, but it is a blessing that is far better than any physical blessing. It is the blessing of God, through Jesus’ death on the cross, of delivering people from every tribe, language, nation and people from lifelong slavery to death!

Yeah, you missed a great study.

Monday is for Music

2010-03-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

Just got this song off of Itunes yesterday. Love it.

Same Kind of Different as Me

2010-02-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

I picked up the book Same Kind of Different as Me the other day from the library. I read a short description from John Piper on his blog about the book, and it seemed interesting. I read the book in about 4 sittings. For what it is worth, here are some of my thoughts on the book:

1. The story is very compelling. I once watched a clip on Youtube with Ira Glass (PRI’s This American Life) telling what makes a good story. Glass said that the power of an anecdote (sequence of events, his definition) is essential in telling a good story. Same Kind of Different as Me does this very well. Two men tell the same story in alternating chapters, leading the reader anticipating the next chapter every time.

2. It is a very unique story. The story is so unique; it feels like you are reading a novel verses a nonfiction book. Here is the back of the book:

“A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.”

3. It is very honest. The authors do not apologize about their feelings in the midst of tragedy. However, the book did leave me wondering how the authors might have told the story through the lenses of a solid Biblical theology. That being said, the authors are not preaching a certain agenda, they are just telling their story, so I was able to quickly overlook some of the typical evangelical clichés.

Overall I would rate this book a 7.5. It’s not very long and it is cheap, so pick it up.

What in the world?

2010-02-27T23:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I am preaching from Mark chapter 9. I honestly confess that verse 49 has me puzzled:

"For everyone will be salted with fire"

Nice. Talk about a late night.

Thoughts?

Fireproof

2010-02-23T09:18:00.001-08:00

I finally did something last night that I had been avoiding for well over a year. You know that feeling you get when you think of the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you, that wincing feeling.

Well, ever since the movie “Fireproof” came out, I have avoided the movie due to the fact I got that same wincing feeling every time I thought about watching the movie. However, last night, I overcame those feelings and finally watched the movie (I won’t go into details, but let’s just say the reason I watched the movie was because of some shady back-room deal I apparently made with my wife awhile back over some movie I wanted to watch. Yes, marriage works like that!)

I know in writing my thoughts about this movie, I will have many people disagree them. That is why I must preface my thoughts with a few tangents about opinions when it comes to movies, music, literature and art.

First, I am not a critic. Nor am I a son of a critic, but I am very critical. I know I am. While watching movies with my wife, I am often told to “just enjoy the movie” or “you think too hard about these things”. So, I confess I often hold too high of a standard for movies. That being said, I want movies, books, music, and art to move me! That doesn’t mean entertainment has to move me the same way every time, I just want to be moved! I don’t think it is asking too much for a comedy to be funny, or rock music to be rebellious, or a drama to be dramatic, or a suspense book or movie to be suspenseful, and on and on I could go.

Second, everyone has differing taste. I love the T-shirt The Onion sells; it simply says “Your favorite band sucks!” That is how we often think about other peoples’ reaction to entertainment we liked or didn’t like. Some people can overlook bad writing (books or movies) for the bigger picture of what the piece is trying to convey. I am simply not that person.

So, before you get all defensive about my review of “Fireproof”, remember, your favorite band sucks.

I rate everything on a scale of 1-10. It’s a nervous tick I have. I am always rating everything, and I mean everything, based upon my subjective scale of 1-10. I often ask my wife “scale of 1-10, how fat does this shirt make me look?” Well, you get the point, movies are no exception.

Here are some recent movies I watched, and their rating:

“District 9” got a 8.5 (really good movie)
“Law abiding citizen” fell flat so it got a 6
“Zombie land” surprised me with a 7.5
“The invention of lying” disappointed me with only a 5
“Fireproof” landed about where I was expecting, it got a 2.5

Here are some reasons I rated it so low, and I’ll also mention why it has some (or a ) redeemable element(s).

1. The dialogue stunk. This is a big one for me. I can often overlook bad shooting, special effects, and sometimes a flat storyline. But, it is very hard for me to overlook bad dialogue. Every single conversation felt like a setup/ 5 step response. No one talks like that. We don’t have 5 step responses in our mind while the other person is talking! We just talk. Even moments I was looking forward to, like the gospel presentation between the dad and the son, was the same way. It felt like the father was reading out of a “way of the master” handbook on evangelism (which he probably was).

2. The acting stunk. Now to be fair, I know it was a low budget film. But, that doesn’t change the fact the acting was really bad. Some were better than others, and there were moments I could easily forget the low-end acting of some characters, then, a really bad actor (Doctor Kelly was just painful) would come on, and I would be reminded of how bad the acting really was.

3. The forced intensity of the movie. I know it is hard to convey in just a few minutes the intensity of bad relationships, or good ones. However, a lot of movies accomplish setting the intensity of the movie in just one or two scenes. Then they don’t have to force it in every single scene.

Finally, the message falls flat. It really does. It reminds me so much of American Evangelicalism. “Come to Jesus, and your life (in this movie ‘your marriage’) will get better. So often, if we are not careful, we can present the gospel in a “Jesus, and” mentality. We must be careful to present the gospel as we are told to. “Repent and believe”. Around this world there are people who when they repent and believe, their marriages get worse, they lose their jobs, and even their lives (read about Rev Dubaj). Yes there are benefits to faith in Christ, but they are promised as spiritual in this life, and completed in the next life. Paul Washer often says “Christ only promises eternal life and a cross to die on”. I think he is right. When we present the gospel as “Jesus and an external benefit” we are not presenting the gospel at all. Does God in his great mercy and grace often restore broken marriages and finances, and lost jobs? Yes, but the scripture is very clear, that repentance and faith in Christ does not promise those things, and often causes the loss of those things for the sake of Christ.

In closing, there was one thing I think Fireproof did well. They did a good job showing the pain and struggle of fighting lust. The degrading feelings felt by the wife because of the “innocent” addiction to porn conveyed the dangers of porn very well. I’d give Fireproof a 7 in conveying that message.

Let me sum up my thoughts with this:

We picked up the movie at the library along with a book I read about on Piper’s blog “Same kind of different as me”. When we got home, I read aloud the book to my wife while she prepared dinner and did some other chores. Soon, we had migrated to the living room and we were taking turns reading aloud a very well written, compelling true story. During the movie, I could not stop thinking about the book. I was looking forward to the movie ending, and getting back to the book. That is what we did. We stayed up late after the movie and read the book together.

So, was Fireproof bad? Yes.
Do I despise the film? No.
Did I want to do something else with my time? Yes.
Would unregenerate people by and large want to do something else with their time than watch a low-budget, poorly written movie about the gospel? Yes.

Invite them over for dinner, and watch something else.

By the way I do have a couple good Christian films I would recommend, one being “The End of the Spear”

Pluggn' Pronouns part II

2010-02-21T20:46:00.000-08:00

Here is what I think is happening in chapter 2:

The message given by the angels in the OT was reliable. How do we now the message was reliable? Verse 2 tells us “and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution”. The way we know the message was reliable, is because when Israel disobeyed the message they got smoked. Now, the message is inaugurated by Christ, attested by his miracles, and shown by the Church through gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit. That is why the author of Hebrews says “how much more” will we get smoked if we neglect this message.

The OT message was but a shadow of the good things to come (Hebrews 10). Israel was looking forward to the Promised Land. They were looking forward to a land subjected to them. They were looking forward to plowed fields and thorn free land. However, they couldn’t keep their end of the covenant. Shoot, Adam couldn’t keep his end of the covenant. Neither can you and I. No one can. That is the point.

God, in his amazingly-wonderful mercy, has crowned mankind with glory and honor (Psalm 8). He put everything under his feet (mankind). But, we jacked it up. Now we don’t see everything in subjection to us; we see mankind subjected to creation. The ground brings forth thorns, and by the sweat of our brow we work the ground. Storms, earthquakes, cancer, wars, famines, tsunamis, AIDs, and on and on we could list the realities of the fall. It is hard for us to see God in control over this messed up world. In the midst of a messed up world, it is not very easy for us to find hope in a world to come where the ground does not bring forth thorns. Yet, I believe, that is what the author of Hebrews is writing about. God is in control. He did not mess up by subjecting the creation to Adam. Even though we do not see everything in subjection to mankind, we see Jesus! That is our hope. One day that hope will be consummated and the creation again will be rightly subjected to us because of the second Adam Jesus Christ (Romans 5-8). So, I think the proper understanding of Hebrews 2:8 and 9 with the pronouns plugged looks like this:

Now in putting everything in subjection to mankind, God left nothing outside God’s control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to mankind ( the “him” of Psalm 8).
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Pluggn' Pronouns for the Glory of God

2010-02-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

During Advent this last year, I preached through the first four chapters of Hebrews. Now I am leading a Wednesday night bible study on Biblical Theology through the book of Hebrews. Hebrews has long been one of my favorite books in the Bible. (I know we are not suppose to have a favorite book, but I find myself constantly coming back to this letter.)

The last 4 or 5 weeks we have dealt with the “big theme” of Biblical Theology, namely “God’s ultimate purpose in redemptive history is to create a people to dwell in his presence, glorifying him through numerous varied activities and enjoying him forever. The story begins with God in eternal glory, and it ends with God and his people in eternal glory. At the center stands the cross, where God revealed his glory through his Son.” –ESV Study Bible

We unpacked the first 3 verses of Hebrews 1 to help us wrestle with how the entire bible tells the story of God revealing himself through Jesus Christ for his own glory and for our joy. We looked at specific stories in the OT, and wrestled with NT verses that show Christ as the fulfillment of those stories. (Matthew 11 is a great example, along with Galatians 3, 1st Corinthians 5, etc.)

Last week we finally got past the introduction and began digging into the text of Hebrews. We found that in the first chapter of Hebrews, the author cites at least 9 different texts from the OT! So we wrestled with how to interpret the bible. I think this is so crucial for evangelicals. Everyone must take time to learn how to read the bible! We cannot simply assume that we will divinely receive the right interpretation from heaven via an angel. We must work hard at being faithful to the text. Here are some of the simple rules that I reiterate over and over again to my hearers:

1. Read, read, and read.
(This is taken from Wayne Grudem) We must live in the word. We must memorize it and meditate on it. As John Piper says “it is a well that never runs dry”. How do we expect to interpret the word rightly when we don’t spend much time in it?

2. Scripture interprets Scripture
Often in my own studying, I find that the bible answers its own questions. I am all for outside sources in helping us interpret scripture, but I do feel that we are often too quick to read the bottom half of the study bible before we even check a cross reference. I am a big “the NT interprets the OT” guy.

3. Context
D. A. Carson (also known in my house as the “Mack-Daddy Carson”) says “a text without a context becomes a pretext for a proof text.” Enough said. (I told you he was the Mack-Daddy)

4. The 4 P’s. (Pastor Paul says Plug the Pronouns)
I owe this little saying to James White. I have heard him over and over again say “follow the pronouns”. I have found this very helpful in showing people how to read the bible. A lot of wrong interpretations come from subject/compound or object/direct object problems associated with pronouns. When struggling with a text, I recommend plugging the pronouns with the proper nouns. For example:

Not plugged:

I went to the store yesterday. While I was there, I met my friend Dave. He told me that he saw my other friend George. He just lost his job.

Plugged:

Paul went to the store yesterday. While Paul was at the store, Paul met Paul’s friend Dave. Dave told Paul that Dave saw Paul’s other friend George.

George just lost George’s job. (you get the point)

5. Follow the conjunction
John Piper has been very helpful with his teaching of the Arcing Method of exegesis. When I teach, I often circle the conjunctions and highlight the different propositions.

At this point, I am often told that this is too much, or too complicated and so forth. But the truth is, we do this all the time! We just don’t break it down in our head when we listen to someone on the phone.

Back to Hebrews (that other stuff was just extra, you’re welcome). When I preached on Hebrews 2 back in December, I wrestled long and hard with verses 5-8, specifically the citation of Psalm 8 and who the “putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.”

I know, follow my own advice and plug the pronouns. Here are the two views I wrestled with:

1. Now in putting everything in subjection to Jesus, God left nothing outside God’s control. At present we do not yet see everything in subjection to Jesus.

2. Now in putting everything in subjection to Mankind, God left nothing outside God’s control. At present we do not yet see everything in subjection to Mankind.

I am inclined to think that the second option is the correct one. I’ll try to explain with my next post, but for now, let’s see what you think; is it option 1, option 2, or something else.

Monday is for Music

2010-02-15T19:25:00.001-08:00

Love these guys

Quick Update from Shell Creek

2010-02-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Worship:

We finally got back to our Kingdom of God series from the gospel of Mark. Church was canceled yesterday because of the weather. I was going to preach on Mark chapter 9:2-13. It is very interesting to see the connection between the Father's command “This is my beloved Son; listen to him”, and Peter’s sermon in Acts 3. Peter quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers--it is to him you shall listen” I have a feeling Peter took to heart his experience on the mount!

Sunday School:

We are wrapping up the attributes of God from Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology. It has been a great class. Next, we will move on to the Trinity. (I predict my nights of studying will get longer.)

Wednesday Night Bible Study:

I look forward to this night every week. We have been studying Biblical Theology. Our textbook is the book of Hebrews. We spent the last 4 weeks talking about Hebrews 1:1. Don’t worry we’ll speed up! (I think.) It is crazy to see how amazing our God is through studying the Bible! If you live around the Shell Creek area, come and check out our study. We meet every Wednesday Night at 7.

Outreach Committee:

At our last annual meeting we put in place an outreach committee. This committee will be tasked with the great opportunity of praying and brainstorming about getting Shell Creek Baptist Church involved in the community. We have all ready heard some good ideas about reaching out. So, Lord willing, we will look forward to rolling up our sleeves and lovin’ on some local people who need the Lord!

Daddy's Little Girl

2010-01-30T19:43:00.001-08:00

Prevenient grace? What?

Sup?!

Mmmmmmmm,,,,fingers!

Snow Part II

2009-12-27T14:42:00.000-08:00

I took this video while standing on a snowdrift. The drift on the other side of the church was even bigger!

Snow, Fire, and Early Mornings

2009-12-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are still alive. Here is a quick update:

1. I have been preaching through Hebrews for Advent. Thanks to Mr. Film for suggesting it over 2 years ago! The aim of the series has been to hopefully cause Shell Creek’s affections for Christ to deepen through God’s Word during Advent, and because of our affections deepening, our lives would spill over with worship and praise to God.

Week 1 ~ The Supreme Infant (Hebrews 1 & Luke 1:31-33)
Week 2 ~ The Suffering Infant (Hebrews 2 & Matthew 2:16-18)
Week 3 ~ The Glorious Infant (Hebrews 3 & Luke 1:12-20)
Week 4 ~ The Sufficient and Satisfying Infant (Hebrews 4 & Luke 2:25-35)

2. I’ve been doing a lot of reading, praying, and thinking about sanctification (no surprise). I have found Paul Tripp’s book “Instruments in the Hands of the Redeemer” very helpful. I have also been slogging my way through Owen’s book on the Holy Spirit.

3. We had a little snow last week.

4. December is very busy time at UPS. My alarm goes off at 2:15 a.m., so I find my eyes closed with any extra time I have!

5. We did manage to take a quick trip to Omaha with some friends, and we had a wonderful time. Here are some pics of the restaurant we ate at (the boys were not huge fans of the fire).

So, we have been busy, but things are going well.

Paul

Monday is for Music

2009-11-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas music. I think Christmas songs have great Biblical Theology. One of my favorites is “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. I love the lyrics. Any song that includes the “proto-evangel” has to be great!

Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King,peace on earth, and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled!"Joyful, all ye nations rise,join the triumph of the skies;with th' angelic host proclaim,"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored;Christ, the everlasting Lord;late in time behold him come,offspring of a virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;hail th' incarnate Deity,pleased as man with man to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel.Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all he brings,risen with healing in his wings.Mild he lays his glory by,born that man no more may die,born to raise the sons of earth,born to give us second birth.Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Come, Desire of nations, come,fix in us thy humble home;rise, the woman's conquering Seed,bruise in us the serpent's head.Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;stamp thine image in its place.Second Adam from above,Reinstate us in thy love.Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,Stamp Thine image in its place:Second Adam from above,Reinstate us in Thy love.Let us Thee, though lost, regain,Thee, the Life, the inner man:O, to all Thyself impart,Formed in each believing heart.Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!”

Enjoy Weezer’s version.

More on Sanctification

2009-11-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

Awhile back I started wrestling hard with the role of man and the role of the Spirit in sanctification. I have spent a lot of time the last year reading on this subject. I have even tried to articulate some thoughts on the subject here and here and I plan on writing some more. I would love to hear some questions from folks about sanctification. Put them in the comments, or email me at psveal@msn.com. For now, here is a video that may peek some interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gub5uaiT3fo

Harvest Mission Sunday at SCBC

2009-11-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

Next Sunday Pastor Ryan Franchuk will speak at Shell Creek for Harvest Mission Sunday. If you are in the area I’d encourage you to come. Starts at 9:45 a.m. sharp.

Pastor Franchuk recently spoke at the NAB South Dakota Association meeting. And here is the website for the church-plant he is part of.

Peter's Ups and Downs

2009-11-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning I will be preaching on the following text from Mark chapter 8:

"And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man'."

One of the hardest things about preaching is trying to fit all of your studying into a 30-40 minute sermon. In the end, I try by the mercy and grace of the Almighty, to render a faithful understanding of the text to my hearers for the glory of God. There is always stuff left out, and this week is no exception. I am not sure I will get to the “back-story” of Peter, so I wanted to blog a little about it.

I called Peter a “back-story” because I do not believe he is the focus of this narrative. I feel that too often teachers of the Word can focus on “back-stories” verses the main point of the text. While other details of the text are often interesting, and provocative, I firmly believe the inspired writers of the Bible wrote with a purpose. All the “details” of scripture point to a big picture purpose. That is what I am always trying to accomplish with my preaching. I want to convey and expound the big picture, and I believe big picture is Jesus Christ. So, Lord willing, when I preach tomorrow, I will spend my energy and focus on lifting high Jesus Christ.

Now back to Peter. One can’t help but wonder the emotions that Peter felt after eliciting such a response from Jesus. Just a few verses before, Peter rides the spiritual rollercoaster to the top with the confession that Jesus is not John the Baptist, or Elijah, or even one of the prophets, but that Jesus is the “Christ”. Now his stomach falls as he plummets down to the bottom with the rebuke of Jesus that he is like Satan. This is not the only time the gospels record Peter’s rollercoaster ride of sanctification for us. He is the one who calls out to Jesus from the boat wanting to walk on the water with Christ. Then he sinks in unbelief. He is the one who asks Jesus to wash his whole body, and then he is reminded that only his feet need to be washed. He defiantly strikes with the sword to defend Jesus in the garden, then denies the Son of Man three times before the cock crows. Wow. I thought my spiritual life was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows!

This begs a question in my mind. How did Peter deal with such wild, sometimes violent highs and lows in his sanctification?

In my own life, and in the lives of those I have the privilege of ministering to, this is the most frequent question I deal with. Why do we struggle with sin, when we have seemed to see Jesus as the Christ the son of the most High God (i.e. Peter confessing Jesus as Christ, then being likened to Satan)? Another way of putting the question: If Jesus is Lord of my life, why do I still struggle with sin so much?

This is the old age question of most Christians. There are many things that could be said here, but I’d like to focus on Peter. I think that it is wise for us to look at the end of his life for an answer. Read the first chapter of his second epistle:

“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: (2) May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (3) His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (4) by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (5) For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, (7) and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. (10) Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (11) For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (12) Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (13) I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, (14) since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. (15) And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (16) For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (17) For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," (18) we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (19) And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, (20) knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. (21) For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

I’d like to make a couple of observations that may help us wrestle with the issue of sanctification.

1. Peter is very, very clear that our standing before God is based off of faith by the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. (verse 1) His divine power is what gives us “all things” in regards to sanctification. (verse 3)

2. Because our righteousness is in Christ and not in our works, we have been made “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (verse 5) Are you ready? Here comes the big one! THEREFORE since we are partakers of the “divine nature” (Paul calls it a new creation) we can NOW “make every effort to supplement our faith”!

3. Look at verse 8 “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These “qualities” that “supplement our faith” DO NOT add anything to our righteousness. They help us be fruitful in the “knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. What is this knowledge? It is the understanding of the gospel of Christ! Hosea 6, Isaiah 40, John 17, and the whole Bible screams at us to know Jesus Christ. Know that he is our righteousness! As John Piper says, when Jesus is the blazing center of our universe (everything we are and know) all the other little planets (the sins we are wrestling with) fall right into orbit.

4. Verse 10 says we are to practice these qualities. Practice them. Are you wrestling with sin? Let me ask you this question? Do you practice virtue? Do you even know what virtue is? Practice, practice, practice.

5. Peter then reminds his readers that he will soon die. He wants to make every effort to remind his readers of these qualities. How does he do that? Yep, you guessed it, the Bible. How amazing is this book we have! Peter essentially says, “in your battle with sin, read the Bible, which will cause your knowledge of Christ to increase, which will cause you to make effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and so on.

I could go on and on and on, but I won’t. I will recommend that you read II Peter this week. Read it for you weary, sin-battled soul. I’ll leave you with the last words of Peter to us.

“grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity”

One proud daddy!

2009-10-15T17:58:00.001-07:00

Eschatology Forums

2009-10-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

There are many different views of Eschatology. However, the big three that most evangelicals fall into are: Amillennial, Postmillennial, and Premillennial. Here are some great recent debates/forums over the three big views. Enjoy.

Boyce College’s panel discussion on the Millennial reign of Christ:

http://www.boycecollege.com/2009/09/23/panel-tribulation-and-millennium-a-theology-forum-on-eschatology/

An evening of Eschatology hosted by John Piper and Desiring God ministries:

https://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByDate/2009/4262_An_Evening_On_Eschatology/

Howard Fisher blogging about his interaction with some big names in the field of Eschatology:

http://www.how2fish.blogspot.com/

Psalm 51 & Mark 7

2009-10-09T21:10:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I will be preaching on Mark 7:1-23. I have been struggling with the text all week. So today, after struggling to focus, I simply began reading the Psalms. If you don’t have any Psalms memorized, begin with Psalm 1. “…and on His Law he meditates day and night…” He meditates day and night. That led me to begin reciting the few Psalms that I have memorized, Psalms 1, 23, 46, 51, 96, and 103. When I began to recite Psalm 51, the Spirit sweetly refreshed my thoughts on Mark 7.

By this point in Mark’s gospel, the Pharisees are looking for any way to discredit Jesus and his disciples. Even to the point of trying to make him look bad by not honoring the tradition of the elders. Since Jesus knows what is in the heart of every man, (John 2:25) He cuts to the chase and says that Isaiah spoke of these men when he said

“These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. In vain do the worship me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.”

Wow. Jesus lays it on pretty thick over a tradition! We do many things in our culture that are “traditions”. That doesn’t mean we are worshiping in vain, right? Then Mark continues to record Jesus’ words.

“…whatever goes into a person cannot defile him…What comes out of person defiles him…For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts” etc.

Now back to Psalm 51. Listen to verses 10-13:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, O God,
And take not you Holy Spirit from me.
Return unto me the joy of your salvation,
And uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
And sinners will return to you.

Do you see the connection? We are so often concerned about the outward actions of ourselves and others. So much that we often become legalistic. We begin holding these traditions higher than the commandments of God!

So then how do we keep from becoming legalistic? Answer, we start with ourselves. We plead, as David did, for the Holy Spirit to work on our hearts! Do you see the pattern? Line 2, 4, and 6 all deal with the spirit. Once the Spirit works on our hearts, then we can teach transgressors God’s ways (not ours). Then sinners will return to him.

I never cease to be amazed with the Word of God. From the beginning to the end it is sufficient, satisfying, and life-giving!

IDOP 2009

2009-10-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

It’s still not too late for you pastors to order your free International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church resource kit. This year IDOP will be on November 8th. Please consider taking time in your service to pray for the suffering universal church. If you are not a pastor and you read this blog, please mention IDOP to the leadership of your Church.

The Lord's Prayer

2009-09-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

At Shell Creek we have been going through the Lord’s Prayer for Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. This week we are looking at the phrase,

“Give us this day our daily bread”

Here are some of the questions I’ve come up with to ask the group:

1. 24,000 people starve to death every single day. What are your thoughts of that number in light of Matthew 6:11?

2. Is Jesus speaking of physical bread, spiritual bread, or both? Why or Why not?

3. What are some other daily needs that Christians have, besides bread for the stomach?

4. Is there a spiritual connection to physical needs?

Thoughts? Is Jesus speaking of physical or spiritual bread? Does it matter and why or why not?

Augustine and Sunday School at Shell Creek

2009-09-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

I’ve taken a short break from Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology to teach a short series on hermeneutics. I know that hermeneutics is a big word, and it is a somewhat technical study, however I am convinced that almost all bad theology starts with a skewed, or bad hermeneutical methodology.

I love St. Augustine. His book “On Christian Doctrine” had a very big influence on me while I was preparing for ministry. If you have never read it, I highly recommend it. In his preface lays out three types of people who might object to him writing a book on “the mode of ascertaining the proper meaning of scripture, and the mode of making known that meaning.”

Here are the three objections:

1. Those who fail to understand the rules laid down.

2. Those who fail to ascertain the meaning after understanding the rules laid down.

3. Those who have ascertained the meaning of scripture without aid from the rules laid down.

What I love about St. Augustine is that even though his book was written almost 1600 years ago, it has such real application to the 21st century! For I have heard these very objections to learning good rules to help us mine the endless depths of God’s Word.

Just like the first objection, many Christians put no effort to properly find the meaning of a text. In the post-modern air that we breathe, this is not uncommon. I fear many Christians don’t really believe there is objective meaning form a text, and therefore do not apply themselves to find the objective meaning. They go through their Christian life, bouncing from one devotional to another, finding joy in the devotionals that take either the least amount of time and effort, or the devotionals that spoon-feed their anemic soul.

I have also known Christians who live like the second objection. If I am not careful, I can often land here too. These are the Christians who like everything in scripture to be logical. They know the rules of interpretation very well. Yet, so often can miss the very meaning they are trying to get to. They can parse sentences very well, but forget that the very sentence they are parsing is the Word of God.

Finally, some Christians, by the power of the Holy Spirit, have seen the meaning of scripture, and feel that there is no logic involved. They often quote that there is no need for working hard to find the meaning of text, just pray and God will reveal it to you. Scripture can often become a “wax nose” with this understanding of interpreting scripture. For how do you know if it is the Spirit, or your own selfish evil heart that is giving the meaning to the text?

St. Augustine answers these objections beautifully.

“To reply briefly to all these. To those who do not understand what is here set down, my answer is, that I am not to be blamed for their want of understanding. It is just as if they were anxious to see the new or the old moon, or some very obscure star, and I should point it out with my finger: if they had not sight enough to see even my finger, they would surely have no right to fly into a passion with me on that account. As for those who, even though they know and understand mydirections, fail to penetrate the meaning of obscure passages in Scripture, they may stand for those who, in the case I have imagined, are just able to see my finger, but cannot see the stars at which it is pointed. And so both these classes had better give up blaming me, and pray instead that God would grant them the sight of their eyes. For though I can move my finger to point out an object, it is out of my power to open men's eyes that they may see either the fact that I am pointing, or the object at which I point.

But now as to those who talk vauntingly of divine Grace, and boast that they understand and can explain Scripture without the aid of such directions as those I now propose to lay down, and who think, therefore, that what I have undertaken to write is entirely superfluous. I would such persons could calm themselves so far as to remember that, however justly they may rejoice in God's great gift, yet it was from human teachers they themselves learnt to read..."

God has blessed us with the ability to communicate. He has also blessed us with the means to grow in understanding communication. This includes learning how to read, how to find the meaning in a text, and how to apply that meaning to our lives so that we would see Christ more clearly, causing our affections to deepen for him and his glory! Every Christian should dig deep into God's Word to learn more and more about Christ.

Mark 6:1-29 & Rev. Dibaj

2009-09-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I will be preaching at my church, and filling the pulpit at 1st Baptist Church in Columbus too. Our service starts at 9:45 and theirs at 10:30, I am told that Pastor Glen usually starts preaching at 11:00, so I should have just enough time to sneak into 1st Baptist’s worship service right before the sermon should start.

I am currently preaching through the Gospel of Mark at Shell Creek. Since I am not talented enough to prepare two sermons for two different churches, I will be preaching the same sermon. We happen to be in chapter 6 of Mark’s account of the life of Christ.

Let me confess. Preaching through one of the gospels is hard work. I firmly believe that that Holy Spirit led each of the four men to write their gospels differently. It has been interesting to wrestle with how Mark links different stories into the narrative.

In verses 1-29 we see three different reactions to Christ and the message He brings. (Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”)

1. The reaction of the people in Jesus’ home town
2. The reaction of people to the Apostles as their sent out 2 by 2
3. The reaction of Herod and his lover to John the Baptist

Over and over again, the Bible tells us that there will be people who will not believe the good news of Jesus Christ. The Bible also tells us that not only will some people not believe the gospel, but that they will hate the gospel, and those that are proclaiming the gospel. There will be many who will be offended with Christ. There will be many who will reject Christ. There will be many who are offended and reject those who proclaim Christ. This should not surprise us. We should not be caught off guard when people reject Christ and his message of repentance and faith.

I will be sharing the story of Rev. Dibaj. He was arrested in Iran for preaching the gospel. Since time will not allow me to share his full defense before the judges, I wanted to post his written defense.

“With all humility I express my gratitude to the Judge of all heaven and earth for this precious opportunity, and with brokenness I wait upon the Lord to deliver me from this court trial according to His promises. I also beg the honored members of the court who are present to listen with patience to my defense and with respect for the Name of the Lord.

I am a Christian. As a sinner I believe Jesus has died for my sins on the cross and by His resurrection and victory over death, has made me righteous in the presence of the Holy God. The true God speaks about this fact in His Holy Word, the Gospel (Injil). Jesus means Savior "because He will save His people from their sins." Jesus paid the penalty of our sins by His own blood and gave us a new life so that we can live for the glory of God by the help of the Holy Spirit and be like a dam against corruption, be a channel of blessing and healing, and be protected by the love of God.

In response to this kindness, He has asked me to deny myself and be His fully surrendered follower, and not to fear people even if they kill my body, but rather rely on the creator of life who has crowned me with the crown of mercy and compassion. He is the great protector of His beloved ones as well as their great reward.

I have been charged with "apostasy!" The invisible God who knows our hearts has given assurance to us, as Christians, that we are not among the apostates who will perish but among the believers who will have eternal life. In Islamic Law (Sharia'), an apostate is one who does not believe in God, the prophets or the resurrection of the dead, We Christians believe in all three!

They say "You were a Muslim and you have become a Christian." This is not so. For many years I had no religion. After searching and studying I accepted God's call and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal life. People choose their religion but a Christian is chosen by Christ. He says, "You have not chosen me but I have chosen you." Since when did He choose me? He chose me before the foundation of the world. People say, "You were a Muslim from your birth." God says, "You were a Christian from the beginning." He states that He chose us thousands of years ago, even before the creation of the universe, so that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we may be His. A Christian means one who belongs to Jesus Christ.

The eternal God who sees the end from the beginning and who has chosen me to belong to Him, knew from the beginning those whose heart would be drawn to Him and also those who would be willing to sell their faith and eternity for a pot of porridge. I would rather have the whole world against me, but know that the Almighty God is with me. I would rather be called an apostate, but know that I have the approval of the God of glory, because man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. For Him who is God for all eternity nothing is impossible. All power in heaven and on earth is in His hands.

The Almighty God will raise up anyone He chooses and bring down others, accept some and reject others, send some to heaven and other to hell. Now because God does whatever He desires, who can separate us from the love of God? Or who can destroy the relationship between the creator and the creature or defeat a life that is faithful to his Lord? The faithful will be safe and secure under the shadow of the Almighty! Our refuge is the mercy seat of God who is exalted from the beginning. I know in whom I have believed, and He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him to the end until I reach the Kingdom of God, the place where the righteous shine like the sun, but where the evil doers will receive their punishment in the fire of hell.

They tell me, "Return!" But to whom can I return from the arms of my God? Is it right to accept what people are saying instead of obeying the Word of God? It is now 45 years that I am walking with the God of miracles, and His kindness upon me is like a shadow and I owe Him much for His fatherly love and concern.
The love of Jesus has filled all my being and I feel the warmth of His love in every part of my body. God, who is my glory and honor and protector, has put his seal of approval upon me through His unsparing blessings and miracles.

This test of faith is a clear example. The good and kind God reproves and punishes all those whom He loves. He tests them in preparation for heaven. The God of Daniel, who protected his friends in the fiery furnace, has protected me for nine years in prison. And all the bad happenings have turned out for our good and gain, so much so that I am filled to overflowing with joy and thankfulness.

The God of Job has tested my faith and commitment in order to increase my patience and faithfulness. During these nine years he has freed me from all my responsibilities so that under the protection of His blessed Name, I would spend my time in prayer and study of His Word, with a searching heart and with brokenness, and grow in the knowledge of my Lord. I praise the lord for this unique opportunity. God gave me space in my confinement, brought healing in my difficult hardships and His kindness revived me. Oh what great blessings God has in store for those who fear Him!

They object to my evangelizing. But if one finds a blind person who is about to fall in a well and keeps silent then one has sinned. It is our religious duty, as long as the door of God's mercy is open, to convince evil doers to turn from their sinful ways and find refuge in Him in order to be saved from the wrath of the Righteous God and from the coming dreadful punishment.

Jesus Christ says "I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved." "I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the father except through me." "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Among the prophets of God, only Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and He is our living intercessor for ever.
He is our Savior and He is the (spiritual) Son of God. To know Him means to know eternal life. I, a useless sinner, have believed in this beloved person and all His words and miracles recorded in the Gospel, and I have committed my life into His hands. Life for me is an opportunity to serve Him, and death is a better opportunity to be with Christ. Therefore I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honor of His Holy Name, but am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus, my Lord, and enter His kingdom sooner, the place where the elect of God enter everlasting life. But the wicked enter into eternal damnation.

May the shadow of God's kindness and His hand of blessing and healing be and remain upon you for ever. Amen. With Respect,

Your Christian prisoner,
Mehdi Dibaj”

Rev. Dibaj was sentenced to be killed for his “apostasy”. His story leaked out, and the Iranian government under pressure released Rev. Dibaj. Six months after his release he disappeared. Several days later police found his body. He had been stabbed to death.

I praise God for men like Dibaj. As the author of Hebrews says “…of whom the world was not worthy of them…”

Mark 6 and all of the Bible testifies that the gospel will be loved & hated. As Christians, it is not our job to make men love the gospel. It is our job to proclaim the message. “the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT and BELIEVE in the gospel.”

Country Living = Pet Frog

2009-09-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

Baby Grace is Here!!!!

2009-09-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Monday is for Music

2009-08-31T09:13:00.001-07:00

I've really started to dig the band Elbow. Here they are preforming with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Enjoy

The Kingdom of God

2009-08-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

I have been preaching through the Gospel of Mark on Sunday Mornings. The title of the series is "The Kingdom of God". I think that it is important for Christians in the United States to remember every time they gather, that the Kingdom of God is sooooooo, much more than life in the great USA.

One way that we are remembering our brothers and sisters around the world here at Shell Creek Baptist Church, is by praying for a different country in the bulletin every week, where persecution is happening right now.

Here is another way you can.

With the Director from Frontline Missions on Vimeo.

Dispatches From the Front Trailer from Frontline Missions on Vimeo.

Monday is for Music (late)

2009-08-27T18:37:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday for Sunday School we studied the incommunicable attribute of God’s omnipresence. We read the following quote from Henry Bavinck's The Doctrine of God:

“When you wish to do something evil, you retire from the public into your house where no enemy may see you; from those places of your house which are open and visible to the eyes of men you remove yourself into your room; even in your room you fear some witness from another quarter; you retire into your heart, there you meditate: he is more inward than your heart. Wherever, therefore, you shall have fled, there he is. From yourself, whither will you flee: Will you not follow yourself wherever you flee? But since there is One more inward even than yourself, there is no place where you may flee from God angry but to God reconciled. There is no place at all whither you may flee. Will you flee from him? Flee unto him.”

I said it reminded me of the old song "Sinnerman", which no one knew. So, from one of my favorite bands, here is "Sinnerman".