"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
2 Peter 3:18 ESV
As anyone who reads this blog knows, Jonathan Edwards is one of the greatest influences in my life. He lived from 1503-1558 in New England as a pastor in nothhampton for 23 years, a missionary in Stockridge for 7 years, and seminary president at Princeton for three months till his untimely and tragic death. He was the prime mover and shaker in the Great Awakening from 1734-1749. I love this man. His works are well worth reading for their inspiration, for his piety, his understanding of God, and his keen theological acumen.
When he was 19 he wrote 70 resolutions for his life. In his 28th resolution he wrote,
Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
Notice Edwards resolved three things. To study the scriptures: Steadily; Constantly; and Frequently. How did he want to do this? In such a way that as time goes by he could look upon himself as having grown in the understanding of scripture. Edwards would have been very dismayed if after a year of reading and studying the scripture he didn't have a years better grasp on the counsel of God in the Bible that he had the year before.
I wonder if today few of us think in terms like Edwards who really thought in terms of Peter who said in 2 Peter 3:18, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
It is not an option for us to think that we can know enough, have read enough, done enough, or have experienced enough of the Word that we no longer need to grow or that we have arrived.
Edwards wanted to study the scriptures in a way that he could perceive that he was growing.
Listen to his 30th resolution:
Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
What a challenge for us all. Edwards could say "I have an understanding of God this past month and I can say that I have a love and affection for Christ that corresponds with this new knowledge that I have gained that I didn't have a month ago." He was passionate to be sure to be growing and progressing every single day
Edwards 6th resolution was:
Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
His 5th resolution:
Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
How many of us coast in our lives. Where is the passion to redeem and buy up time and fill it with productive growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Paul says in
Ephesians 5:15-16, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time (literally:buy up the time), because the days are evil.'
Edwards would fight against coasting by resolving in his 61st resolution:
Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc
Edwards himself studied 13 hours a day. Now that would get him totally fired from any church today, and we would think that overtly extreme; but however you may think of that, we are all blessed with the fruit of his labor.
Can you and I say that we are growing? Are you thoughts deeper; your love more passionate, your faith stronger than it was last week? Are your affections for Christ proportionate to the knowledge that you have gained of Him? If you asked others, would they speak of your maturing and progressing in the faith?
May we live in obedience to Peter and may we follow the example of Jonathan Edwards who wrote in his 48th resolution:
Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of.
Longing to grow daily and to be able to perceive and enjoy it for the glory of my Savior,
Pastor Bill
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
THREE WAYS TO MAXIMIMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE ON SUNDAYS AT CHURCH
Charles Spurgeon used to call the church “the dearest place on earth”. I am convinced by scripture and by experience that he was right. Even in these postmodern times, most Christians still see Sunday morning as important. So I am passionate and concerned about what you experience on Sundays and that you are enjoying the fullness of what God has for you. I want to help us to lose some harmful attitudes, to throw out some bad habits, to leave behind some old assumptions, renew our vision, and take practical steps to change the way that you and I go to church so that together we might participate not casually, mechanically, but passionately and that Sunday morning would be the dearest time of the week in the dearest place on earth. There are three practical ways that we can enjoy Sunday mornings to the fullest.
1. Thoughtful preparation
Charles Spurgeon once said, “There should be some preparation in the heart in coming to the worship of God. Consider who He is in whose name we come to gather, and surely we cannot rush together without thought. Consider whom we profess to worship, and we shall not hurry into His presence as men rush into a fire. …There should be no stumbling into the place of worship half asleep, no more roaming here as if it were no more than going to a playhouse. We cannot expect to profit much if we bring with us a swarm of idle thoughts and a heart crammed with vanity. If we are full of folly, we may shut out the truth of God from our minds.”
If we are really going to come to worship wouldn’t that motivate us to prepare. What can I do on Saturday to maximize my participation on Sunday? How about going to bed at a decent hour. Waking up on Sunday morning to give yourself enough time to get ready for church, perhaps to get in the word beforehand, to pray, or to pray with your family. What about other intrusions? How about not bringing up issues before church? What is more important your issues or the worship of God? Just a thought! How about turning off the cell phone. Don’t let the urgent rob you of what is important! Are there distractions that you have made a habit or that you are vulnerable to on Sunday morning? Consider what you are doing on Sunday morning. Prepare your heart for maximizing your time on Sunday morning for encountering and communing and giving and hearing and serving God. Amos said it well, “Prepare to meet thy God!”
2. Purposeful participation
Don’t come in casually. Come ready to worship and come on time! Turn off the cell phone. Get focused and centered on the purpose for your being here. Don’t wander around the building while God is being honored. Something is happening of eternal consequences. This isn’t happy hour. Prepare to meet thy God! Don’t wander around or engage in conversations in the library of outside. Come around prowling like a lion for care, love, and encouragement. Come around with your antennas up who to seek out, care for, and grace! Remember that God is observing and receiving your worship. In the light of all that He is, give Him your all.
3. Diligent application
The puritans called Sunday “the market day for the soul”. By that, they meant that Sunday was a day of stocking up for the week ahead. Ask what you can do to stock up more successfully because Monday will come up sooner than you think. Don’t let Sunday morning fade away and go into your distant memory. Go though the notes. If God is addressing you then there is a response required. When you go have lunch discuss what God said and did. What effect does God have upon my life, work, marriage, and family?
Brothers and Sisters the One who sought us and saved us from sin extends His invitation to draw us near to Him together through the work of His Son. He invites us o capture the passion of Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
All over the world this Sunday millions of Christians will gather together in the open air, in mud huts, in rented theaters, in homes, in schools, and in multimillion dollar facilities. But beloved, the places we gather in are of little consequence. What matters is the One we have come to worship and enjoy TOGETHER. What matters is that we will be really together with Him on this day. I hope that you will be there to…with all of your heart and that Sunday would become the best time of the week in the dearest place on earth.
Pastor Bill
1. Thoughtful preparation
Charles Spurgeon once said, “There should be some preparation in the heart in coming to the worship of God. Consider who He is in whose name we come to gather, and surely we cannot rush together without thought. Consider whom we profess to worship, and we shall not hurry into His presence as men rush into a fire. …There should be no stumbling into the place of worship half asleep, no more roaming here as if it were no more than going to a playhouse. We cannot expect to profit much if we bring with us a swarm of idle thoughts and a heart crammed with vanity. If we are full of folly, we may shut out the truth of God from our minds.”
If we are really going to come to worship wouldn’t that motivate us to prepare. What can I do on Saturday to maximize my participation on Sunday? How about going to bed at a decent hour. Waking up on Sunday morning to give yourself enough time to get ready for church, perhaps to get in the word beforehand, to pray, or to pray with your family. What about other intrusions? How about not bringing up issues before church? What is more important your issues or the worship of God? Just a thought! How about turning off the cell phone. Don’t let the urgent rob you of what is important! Are there distractions that you have made a habit or that you are vulnerable to on Sunday morning? Consider what you are doing on Sunday morning. Prepare your heart for maximizing your time on Sunday morning for encountering and communing and giving and hearing and serving God. Amos said it well, “Prepare to meet thy God!”
2. Purposeful participation
Don’t come in casually. Come ready to worship and come on time! Turn off the cell phone. Get focused and centered on the purpose for your being here. Don’t wander around the building while God is being honored. Something is happening of eternal consequences. This isn’t happy hour. Prepare to meet thy God! Don’t wander around or engage in conversations in the library of outside. Come around prowling like a lion for care, love, and encouragement. Come around with your antennas up who to seek out, care for, and grace! Remember that God is observing and receiving your worship. In the light of all that He is, give Him your all.
3. Diligent application
The puritans called Sunday “the market day for the soul”. By that, they meant that Sunday was a day of stocking up for the week ahead. Ask what you can do to stock up more successfully because Monday will come up sooner than you think. Don’t let Sunday morning fade away and go into your distant memory. Go though the notes. If God is addressing you then there is a response required. When you go have lunch discuss what God said and did. What effect does God have upon my life, work, marriage, and family?
Brothers and Sisters the One who sought us and saved us from sin extends His invitation to draw us near to Him together through the work of His Son. He invites us o capture the passion of Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
All over the world this Sunday millions of Christians will gather together in the open air, in mud huts, in rented theaters, in homes, in schools, and in multimillion dollar facilities. But beloved, the places we gather in are of little consequence. What matters is the One we have come to worship and enjoy TOGETHER. What matters is that we will be really together with Him on this day. I hope that you will be there to…with all of your heart and that Sunday would become the best time of the week in the dearest place on earth.
Pastor Bill
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
GOD WILL HELP YOU!
"Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them -- those who are mistreated -- since you yourselves are in the body also. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:1-6
One of my great joys in reading scripture is how God gives us new and fresh understanding every time we come to the Word. I had this experience on Monday in Hebrews 13. In the opening verses of Chapter 13 we are exhorted to love each other (v. 1), to be hospitable (v. 2), to be compassionate to the oppressed and needy (v. 3), to pursue sexual purity both inside and outside of marriage (v. 4), and perhaps most difficult of all, not to love money but to be content (v. 5). I don't know about you but this is a very formidable task for me!
Have you ever thought about the things that God expects us to do? Some of us try to do it and utterly fail. Others try and fail but think they are doing it anyway. Others don't even try because they know that they can't. How is it can God possibly expect such behavior from people who cannot behave in these ways?
The answer, in verses 5b-6, is found in a promise that God Himself makes to every one of us: "'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" So we can confidently say,"The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?"' There is a deliberate double negative is present in the Greek text of our passage. The statement is quite emphatic and could be literally translated, 'not not will I leave you, neither not not will I forsake you,' or better still, 'I will never, by no means ever, leave you; neither will I ever, by no means ever, forsake you.'
When I read this text I discover that if if this promise is true, there is no valid reason why you should ever again experience fear or apprehension about your relationship with God or your life. That doesn't mean you won't experience such fear. It does mean there is no valid reason why you should.
What that means, practically speaking, is that you and I never, by no means ever again, have any excuse for being afraid of what others can do to us. We never, by no means ever again, have to try to do something alone that we know God wants us to do. Why? Because God, our omnipotent helper, is always and forever with us.
Think about it: since God is really and truly forever and always right here with you, other people cannot control or shape or determine your life. Some of you hear this statement in Hebrews I3:6—'What can man do to me?' and you say: 'Good grief, are you kidding? They can do a lot to me and they have throughout my life! They can criticize me, abandon me, reject me, lie to me,beat me up, rob me, slander me, sue me, even kill me!'
But God knows that. He said it explicitly in Hebrews I0:32-34, "But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven." and in 11:35-38, "Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. ".
Look right here in our passage at verse 3! Our writer isn't stupid. He knows that people can do a lot of really bad things to us. So what could he possibly mean in verse 6? Why does the promise `I will never leave you or forsake you' cause him to feel so confident in verse 6 that he an declare that no man can do him harm?
There are at least three answers:
1. No human can do anything to separate you from the love of God-
Romans 8:35-37, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ". Notwithstanding the worst imaginable physical torment or emotional distress or financial disaster, you and I are forever safe in the arms of God.
2. God is able to cause all things people do to us, even the bad things, to work together for our good-
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." This isn't to say that all things are good, but that God can orchestrate the evil into a symphony of glory.
3.God enables us to respond with everlasting joy to whatever we do, by reminding us that we have `a better possession and an abiding one'
Hebrews 10:34, "For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. "
The promise of Hebrews 13:5b-6 follows immediately after the five exhortations not to love money, I believe our author intends for us to understand that this is how we fulfill all five exhortations! We can love each other because God is always with us as our helper. We can be hospitable to strangers because God is always with us as our helper. We can find the energy and resources to help the oppressed and needy because God is always with us as our helper. We can live in sexual purity because God is always with us to help us. And we can break the power of money over our lives because God is always with us to help.
If these promises is true, the way to be free to live verses 1-5 and all of God's commandments is to know and believe and be satisfied by the promise of God summed up in `I will never leave you nor forsake you.'
If God really means that, then I am loved in such a way that I am overflowing with His helping love to love my brothers.
If God really means this than I am helped to do unto the least what He has done to a wretched sinner like me and be excited with the possibility and discernment that I may be serving even an angel in disguise!
If God really means this than I am helped to identify with the hurting, bound up, and the suffering and help them with the very comfort that Jesus has given to me.
If God really means this than I am helped to be the faithful, pure, serving, and devoted husband that God has called to be.
If God really means this than I am helped don't need to crave after money as the source of my security and identity and pleasure but instead to crave after Christ the source of true security, identity, and pleasure!
Where do you need help today? Remember the promise of Jesus in Hebrews 13:5: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Therefore you can say and pray Hebrews 13:6: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Wherever, whenever, and what ever you fear would you put this promise into your place of need and trust? Lord in this area_______I am asking for Your help. Amen!
Trusting in His kind promises to help me,
Pastor Bill
Hebrews 13:1-6
One of my great joys in reading scripture is how God gives us new and fresh understanding every time we come to the Word. I had this experience on Monday in Hebrews 13. In the opening verses of Chapter 13 we are exhorted to love each other (v. 1), to be hospitable (v. 2), to be compassionate to the oppressed and needy (v. 3), to pursue sexual purity both inside and outside of marriage (v. 4), and perhaps most difficult of all, not to love money but to be content (v. 5). I don't know about you but this is a very formidable task for me!
Have you ever thought about the things that God expects us to do? Some of us try to do it and utterly fail. Others try and fail but think they are doing it anyway. Others don't even try because they know that they can't. How is it can God possibly expect such behavior from people who cannot behave in these ways?
The answer, in verses 5b-6, is found in a promise that God Himself makes to every one of us: "'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" So we can confidently say,"The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?"' There is a deliberate double negative is present in the Greek text of our passage. The statement is quite emphatic and could be literally translated, 'not not will I leave you, neither not not will I forsake you,' or better still, 'I will never, by no means ever, leave you; neither will I ever, by no means ever, forsake you.'
When I read this text I discover that if if this promise is true, there is no valid reason why you should ever again experience fear or apprehension about your relationship with God or your life. That doesn't mean you won't experience such fear. It does mean there is no valid reason why you should.
What that means, practically speaking, is that you and I never, by no means ever again, have any excuse for being afraid of what others can do to us. We never, by no means ever again, have to try to do something alone that we know God wants us to do. Why? Because God, our omnipotent helper, is always and forever with us.
Think about it: since God is really and truly forever and always right here with you, other people cannot control or shape or determine your life. Some of you hear this statement in Hebrews I3:6—'What can man do to me?' and you say: 'Good grief, are you kidding? They can do a lot to me and they have throughout my life! They can criticize me, abandon me, reject me, lie to me,beat me up, rob me, slander me, sue me, even kill me!'
But God knows that. He said it explicitly in Hebrews I0:32-34, "But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven." and in 11:35-38, "Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. ".
Look right here in our passage at verse 3! Our writer isn't stupid. He knows that people can do a lot of really bad things to us. So what could he possibly mean in verse 6? Why does the promise `I will never leave you or forsake you' cause him to feel so confident in verse 6 that he an declare that no man can do him harm?
There are at least three answers:
1. No human can do anything to separate you from the love of God-
Romans 8:35-37, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ". Notwithstanding the worst imaginable physical torment or emotional distress or financial disaster, you and I are forever safe in the arms of God.
2. God is able to cause all things people do to us, even the bad things, to work together for our good-
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." This isn't to say that all things are good, but that God can orchestrate the evil into a symphony of glory.
3.God enables us to respond with everlasting joy to whatever we do, by reminding us that we have `a better possession and an abiding one'
Hebrews 10:34, "For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. "
The promise of Hebrews 13:5b-6 follows immediately after the five exhortations not to love money, I believe our author intends for us to understand that this is how we fulfill all five exhortations! We can love each other because God is always with us as our helper. We can be hospitable to strangers because God is always with us as our helper. We can find the energy and resources to help the oppressed and needy because God is always with us as our helper. We can live in sexual purity because God is always with us to help us. And we can break the power of money over our lives because God is always with us to help.
If these promises is true, the way to be free to live verses 1-5 and all of God's commandments is to know and believe and be satisfied by the promise of God summed up in `I will never leave you nor forsake you.'
If God really means that, then I am loved in such a way that I am overflowing with His helping love to love my brothers.
If God really means this than I am helped to do unto the least what He has done to a wretched sinner like me and be excited with the possibility and discernment that I may be serving even an angel in disguise!
If God really means this than I am helped to identify with the hurting, bound up, and the suffering and help them with the very comfort that Jesus has given to me.
If God really means this than I am helped to be the faithful, pure, serving, and devoted husband that God has called to be.
If God really means this than I am helped don't need to crave after money as the source of my security and identity and pleasure but instead to crave after Christ the source of true security, identity, and pleasure!
Where do you need help today? Remember the promise of Jesus in Hebrews 13:5: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Therefore you can say and pray Hebrews 13:6: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Wherever, whenever, and what ever you fear would you put this promise into your place of need and trust? Lord in this area_______I am asking for Your help. Amen!
Trusting in His kind promises to help me,
Pastor Bill
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