Urban Legends Passed on By Preachers

You've heard about the guy who strapped a rocket to his car and it took him over the mountains haven't you?  Well, Trevin Wax posted a blog (here) of urban legends that preachers continue to spread.  What was the eye of the needle that the camel couldn't go through?  Did they have to tie a rope to the High Priest in case he was struck dead by God so they could pull him out?  I've repeated that last one many times.  Now you can see how many "truths" you've spread over the years.  I'm only at one and I feel lucky.  I thought I'd have repeated more.  Let's see who gets the highest number.  Ready, go!

God's Covenant People

Romans 2:28-29 (ESV) ²⁸ For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. ²⁹ But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

There is an ongoing conversation on the covenant people of God that I am having with some individuals in my congregation.  This conversation may happen only a couple of times a year, but it is evident through our talks that we disagree.  It is even more evident that some individuals who claim to hold God's Word above all things in reality do not hold it as high as they believe.  Yes, I know this is a very straight-forward statement.  But let me let you know why I believe this is true.

As a church we hold to Scripturealone as the truth above all things (sola scriptura).  This includes current cultural views and my own feelings on subjects.  One subject, though, where some have held on to dispensational thinking is on what I would call the two covenant people of God.  No one would disagree that those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord, Savior, and Treasure are part of the covenant people of God.  But some still hold to the idea that the Jewish people, simply because they are Jewish, are also the covenant people of God.  They believe that God holds a special plan for the Jewish people which to me sounds very much like salvation without Christ.

But in Romans Paul makes it very clear that a Jew is not merely an outward thing (circumcision or anscestry) but is an inward matter of the heart.  This is made more clear by the note on Romans 2:29 in my ESV Reformation Bible.

"The work of the Spirit, issuing in a God-centered life, not hte opossession of 'circumcision' and the 'written code,' makes one a member of God's covenant people."

If we believe in Scripture alone as the foundation of all truth then we must be willing to change our beliefs to match that truth.  Challenging our beliefs with Scripture as the foundation is important.  God's Word outshines every culture of this world because it is exactly that, God's Word.  Not man's.  That is why it has lasted for a couple of thousands years.

So, are you willing to have what you hold as true tested by Scripture?  Are you willing to truly hold to Scripture alone?  Are you willing to change what you hold true if it contradicts God's Word?  Or are you wanting to hold on tightly to you current beliefs because it's what you know and what you parents taught you?  Trust in Him and His Word.  They will not lead you astray.

I Am Second

I was turned on to a website called I Am Second by Andy Wright, a pastor and friend of mine in Dell Rapids, SD.  It is full of video testimonies from famous and not-so-famous people who have put themselves second to Christ.  All the videos are amazing.  Check it out.  You won't be disappointed.

God Honored

O GOD,

Praise waiteth for thee,
   and to render it is my noblest exercise;
This is thy due from all thy creatures,
   for all thy works display thy attributes
      and fulfill thy designs;
The sea, dry land, winter cold, summer heat,
   morning light, evening shade are full of thee,
   and thou givest me them richly to enjoy.
Thou art King of kings and Lord of lords;
At thy pleasure empires rise and fall;
All thy works praise thee and thy saints bless thee;
   Let me be numbered with thy holy ones,
   resemble them in character and condition,
   sit with them at Jesus' feet.
May my religion be always firmly rooted in thy Word,
   my understanding divinely informed,
   my affections holy and heavenly,
   my motives simple and pure,
   and my heart never wrong with thee.
Deliver me from the natural darkness of
      my own mind,
   from the corruptions of my heart,
   from the temptations to which I am exposed,
   from the daily snares that attend me.
I am in constant danger while I am in this life;
Let thy watchful eye ever be upon me for my defense,
Save me from the power of my worldly and
      spiritual enemies
   and from all painful evils to which I have
      exposed myself.
Until the day of life dawns above
   let there be unrestrained fellowship with Jesus;
Until fruition comes, may I enjoy the earnest
      of my inheritance
   and the firstfruits of the Spirit;
Until I finish my course with joy may I pursue
      it with diligence,
   in every part display the resources of the Christian,
   and adorn the doctrine of thee my God
      in all things.

                                From The Valley of Vision

Remembering God's Grace

Genesis 21:1-2 (ESV)
¹ The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. ² And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.

I am currently preaching through the book of Genesis in our Sunday morning worship services.  I was tempted, as many pastors are, to step away from Genesis during this Easter season to preach on one of the Gospels and the story of the death and resurrection of Christ.  But the more I thought about doing this the more I felt I needed to stay in Genesis, though I wasn't sure how it would work out.  You know how that is.  Mother's Day comes up and inevitably the passage you are suppose to preach on is the death of Jezebel.  Doesn't really work.

But it is also amazing how God works through passages you never thought would be perfect for Easter.  This Sunday I will be preaching on Genesis 21:1-7; the birth of Isaac.  And my-o-my how amazed I was at how this tied into Easter.  God's grace is shown to Abraham and Sarah through giving them a son.  They did not deserve such a gift, but God gave them Isaac in order to put the covenant promise into action.  The birth of Isaac was only the beginning of the promise God made to Abraham years before, but how would the nations be blessed through Abraham?

Just as God's grace was given to Abraham and Sarah so that same grace would be extended to those who believe in His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, as their Savior, Redeemer, Treasure, and Lord.  We do not deserve His Son.  But the grace of God is given, anyway.  Isn't that the meaning of grace?  It is an undeserved gift that is given to those unworthy of it. 

It is given to me.  May I never forget to worship and praise the Great Giver of Grace.

Man's Great End

LORD OF ALL BEING,
There is one thing that deserves my greatest care
   that calls forth my ardent desires,
That is, that I may answer the great end for which I am made -
   to glorify thee who hast given me being,
   and to do all the good I can for my fellow men;
Verily, life is not worth having
   if it be not improved for this noble purpose.
Yet, Lord, how little is this the thought of mankind!
Most men seem to live for themselves,
   without much or any regard for thy glory,
   or for the good of others;
They earnestly desire and eagerly pursue
   the riches, honors, pleasures of this life,
   as if they supposed that wealth, greatness, merriment,
   could make their immortal souls happy;
But, alas, what false delusive dreams are these!
And how miserable ere long will those be that sleep in them,
   for all our happiness consists in loving thee,
   and being holy as thou art holy.

O may I never fall into the tempers and vanities,
   the sensuality and folly of the present world!
It is a place of inexpressible sorrow, a vast empty
   nothingness;
Time is a moment, a vapor,
   and all its enjoyments are empty bubbles,
   fleeting blasts of wind,
   from which nothing satisfactory can be derived;
Give me grace always to keep in covenant with thee,
   and to reject as delusion a great name here or hereafter,
   together with all sinful pleasures or profits.
Help me to know continually
   that there can be no true happiness,
   no fulfilling of thy purpose for me,
   apart from a life lived in and for
      the Son of thy love.

               (From The Valley of Vision)

"Love Wins" Video Parody

It's sad that Rob Bell has become a parody.  Bet he never thought that would happen.  I'm not all that surprised, though.

What is True Sacrifice?

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) ¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.    

Those of us who are called to full-time ministry to earn a paycheck live a different life than those not called.  I cannot say it is a better life or more spiritual of a life, but it is different none-the-less.  We are on call 24-7-365.  We could have meetings almost every night of the week if we aren't careful.  At times the church does come before our own family (especially after the death of a member of the church).  We are called to lead, teach, preach, care for others, be strong and yet meek, and know everything there is to know about God and His Word to name just a few.  From the outside it seems that we "sacrifice" everything for the cause of Jesus Christ.

But does anyone truly sacrifice anything for Christ?  I mean, how do the above things compare to the sacrifice of my Savior?  Have I truly sacrificed anything in comparison to His sacrifice of humbling Himself and dying on a cross a horrible death for the will of His Father and for the love of His creation?

"I never made a sacrifice. We ought not to talk of sacrifice when we remember the great sacrifice that he made who left his Father’s throne on high to give himself for us."

                       David Livingstone

David Livingstone was no stranger to sacrifice.  He spend much of his life and in the end gave his life for the cause of Christ.  But compared to the sacrifice of Christ Livingston's sacrifice was small and frivolous.  Puts a new spin on our view of sacrifice, doesn't it? 

Will I live today remembering the sacrifice of my Savior?  When, as a pastor, I feel I have given enough today for the cause of Christ (note: not the cause of church members) will I be reminded of His sacrifice?

Humility or Arrogance?

We live in a world where the definition of these two words (humility and arrogance) are flipped.  When a pastor stands in front of a group of people and speaks about himself, his own thoughts, and his own experiences he is said to be a humble man.  When a pastor stands in front of a group of people and speaks about God, God's thought, God's truths, God's commands and doesn't mention himself he is said to be arrogant.  The preacher speaks the truth of God plainly and has no business messing with the message.  He is but a messenger.  He speaks the words of his Master.  He should not place himself in his Master's place.  Doug Wilson provides us with a short, but very true explanation here.

Reformed Rap! Who Would Have Thought?

I was tuned into this rapper by Andrew, our Associate Pastor.  It's a strong, Biblical message that will surprise you.  The words are on the screen but twenty bucks says you can't read as fast as he raps.

Would You Take a Vow of Silence?

Could you do what this teen is doing?  He is taking a vow of silence for lent.  Oh, if only others (pastors, politicians, children) would do the same.  Check it out here.

Be Still

Last week I began a routine of going for a walk at 6:00am not only for exercise but also to spend time in communication with God.  The cool air wakes me up and I start my day focused on God and His work in my life for the coming day.  The walk takes me just over thirty minutes and I usually spend the entirety of it speaking to God.  But last Sunday was different.  Halfway through my walk God spoke to me.  It wasn't an audible voice but it might as well have been.  God said, "Shut up!"  I was a bit startled to say the least.  But as I looked up to the horizon ahead of me I say the sun rising.  It wasn't spectacular.  Honestly, I've seen better.  But it was as if God was telling me that I talk too much to Him and don't spend nearly enough time listening to Him.  And in that moment I was enthralled at the thought that I was alive one more day.  I was breathing in and out.  I had another day to live for Him.  What a privilege and honor to live one more day for God.

Later, during the morning service, some sang the song "Be Still" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I've always loved that song but that morning it held more meaning.  I had heard God tell me to slow down, stop talking, and know that He is God of me and all the world around me.

Psalm 46:8-11 (ESV) ⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. ⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. ¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God is above all things.  In this world we spend too much time being busy.  I get worried about the day to come or how my schedule will work out to spend enough time doing ministry with the church and my family.  When will I take time to dig into God's Word for personal spiritual growth?  Do I have time to visit that family in the hospital?  When do I get a break?

God is in control.  He makes wars to cease.  He breaks down armies.  He is sovereign over all things on this earth.  So be still and know that He is God.  He is our refuge.  He is out fortress.  He is our all.

Bell Says He's Been Slandered

A few days ago Denny Burk, Associate Professor of New Testament and Dean of Boyce College, wrote a blog on Rob Bell's reaction to the criticism of his book Love Wins.  Bell gives an emotional interview with the Washington Post where he states he has been misrepresented and slandered by his critics.  I feel for the guy, but he had to have known the push-back he was going to get with his heretical ideas on Hell.  I mean, come on.  I'm looking forward to the day he sits down with John Piper and has a panel discussion on the book.  Hey, I can dream can't I?  You can see only a part of the interview here and read the posted comments.