Personality Cults and Why it’s Still a Problem Today

I recently had a terrific conversation with a fellow pastor. We talked about how much we appreciate the accessibility of so many great bible teachers today. There seems to be a larger number of helpful books, blogs, podcasts, and videos available than ever before.

For this we remain thankful.

Well, sort of.

One of the things that has disturbed me in the last few years is the way in which the public debate so galvanizes us against one another. For example: Pastor so and so (let’s just call him John) who is highly successful with a substantial following takes a public shot at another pastor (let’s just call him Mark), who also is highly successful with a substantial following. (whether the first or second pastor were right is not the point at this point)

What is the result?

Well, a fairly awkward climate for discussion among the less visible pastors and lay people.

This is real life for me. I like John MacArthur. I have ever since I first laid eyes on The Gospel According to Jesus. In so many ways I want to emulate his pastoral & preaching ministry. At the same time I like Mark Driscoll. I have ever since I read Radical Reformission. I am thankful to God for Driscoll’s personal devotion to Christ, love for his flock and desire to reach those outside of Christ. You may recall that last year there were a series of blog posts that lit up the blogosphere, twittersphere and any other reformed sphere out there. This resulted in a lot of defending and accusing by a lot of different people (again, who is ‘right’ is beyond my scope here, it is the result that I’m after). The tension got so thick that I remember getting the stink eye from folks because I would speak favorably about either Driscoll or MacArthur. It got old. It is frustrating.

The weight of the issue/problem really came to light sometime last year for me. On a few occassions (either verbally or in writing) I would note that one of these guys made a great point or preached a particularly helpful sermon. The responses were often, “You know that guy is dangerous.” Or, “You know that guy is a…whatever.”

I would often attempt to defend the individual point and then have to give several qualifications letting people know that I am in fact aware of all the prevailing issues, while apologizing for all of their life shortcomings except their iPod playlists.

It gets exhausting.

The reason I am pointing to them is because they are exalting Christ. However, all of the little clones are running around trying to blow up the other guy all the time. And if you are taking ‘his’ side then maybe you are to be implicated in his shortcomings. (Believe me, I got the unpublished blog comments & emails to prove it)

Here is the issue: I was just wanting to point to Christ. That’s it. That was the point. However, all of the ground forces for the respective militia parties were grabbing their shoulder-launched missiles to take you out for suggesting something of value coming from such a source. And this is when it hit me: they can’t see the value of what is being said about the Savior because their Savior is in front of him. If you cannot find value in what one guy is saying when it truly exalts Jesus then you probably have an idolatry problem.  I think this is what Paul was getting at with those wing-nuts in Corinth:

For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Cor. 1.11-13)

Paul goes on to remind them that their idenity is bound up not in men but in the God-man:

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1.30-31)

This would be really helpful for us to remember today. In an age where we can get instant updates from all of our respective ‘heros’ we should remember that they are men. And their value is in their giftedness in leading us to love and serve Christ. We as idol-craving people can quickly make the jump from leader-to hero-to savior.

The issue goes beyond and deeper than John MacArthur and Mark Driscoll, it really does. It is with us. It is with the followers. We have issues. This is why I am now committed more than ever to not being all about defending everybody. And with that, I am not all about qualifying everyone. After all, not everyone can be D.A. Carson, right? (just kidding).

But seriously, it does cause us to step back, take another swig of the 1 Corinthians reality and labor to be more dutiful in prayer for the leaders God has blessed and our own hearts as well. We don’t have to get a Johnny Mac tat or wear a tie with Driscoll’s grill on it. Let our lives be about the gospel; the promotion and defense of Jesus.

John Piper: The evidence of the new birth is believing

This is great. Very helpful and very clear.

My Heart is a Horror Movie…I have got to look away

I have heard faith described as “the blessed gift of self-forgetfulness”.

Indeed faith is the divine gift of the ability to look away from ourselves. Nowhere is this more needed or vivid than at near mid-point of the third chapter of The Epistle of Paul to the Romans.

In the first two and a half chapters the Apostle Paul has chronicled the divinely chaperoned tour and appraisal of the human heart.

The Divine Cardiograph
We learn that the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against us as humanity because we, in rebellion, “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (1.18), “do not honor Him as God or give thanks” (1.21), “exchange the glory of the incorruptible God” (1.23), “exchange the truth of God for a lie” (1.25), “are storing up wrath for the day of wrath” (2.5), are unrighteous (3.10), lacking understanding (3.11), not seeking God (3.11), not doing good (3.12), are useless (3.12), do not fear God (3.19) and are, with the rest of humanity, “under sin” (3.10).

The ultimate horror show is a person who is habitually engaged in the overt rebellion towards the King by stealing that which is most precious to him and then mocking, dishonoring, discrediting, undermining, and ignoring his righteous rule. This rebellion is characterized by a persistent attitude of fearless indifference. In natural human terms the type of person is a psychopath who seeks to satisfy his own twisted cravings. In a spiritual sense this type of person is every natural descendant of Adam.

We Have Got to Look Away
So when we are introduced to reality through the revealed word of God we should be horrified. There is nothing that Hollywood can manufacture to equal the gruesome reality of the human heart. So in our true seeing of ourselves, based upon God’s clear presentation, we are, like the person freaked out by a horror movie, quick to avert our eyes, turning and looking away from ourselves.

This is precisely the point (when we are horrified by our sin) that God proceeds with the gospel. Notice how Romans continues:

Romans 3:19 19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

The biblical presentation of the depravity of the human heart is intended to render humanity without excuse and in a posture of horrific condemnation.

This is a good model for evangelism. As long as folks are raising flags of self-righteousness through the assertion of “good” works, merit, religion, or relative goodness, then they are not ready to hear of how righteousness is revealed (cf. Romans 3.21ff.). As long as we are looking to ourselves to find righteousness we do not realize that we are deficient of righteousness and so obviously Christ Jesus who is sufficient righteousness will never be esteemed or treasured.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul testified in Philippians three. He had all of his religious deeds divinely appraised and found that they amounted to rubbish. He quickly, upon the gracious realization that he was holding such a thing, dropped all manner of self-righteousness, and cried to God for a righteousness that comes not from himself but from God on the basis of faith (Phil 3.7-9).

The Blessing of Looking Away
If you are looking to yourself for righteousness than you are not a Christian. It is as simple as that. Christians glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3.3). As Christians we are people who are overcome by our murderous hearts and delighted to avert our eyes from the filthy horror of our sin to fix our gaze solely upon Jesus Christ who is, “the Lord our Righteousness” (Jer. 23.6). It is here that horror is turned to delight.

We turn our eyes, our dependence, our value, our hopes from the horror show of our unrighteousness to the beauty of Christ’s righteousness. He is the one who alone has and ever will hear the Father’s eternal song of delight upon him, “You are my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1.11). When we are united to Jesus Christ through faith in him we are credited with the perfect righteousness of Jesus (2 Cor. 5.21). And the Father then is forever pleased in and with us because we are in and with Jesus; ever united to him by faith.

Believers are ever horrified by their hearts and ever comforted by their Savior. This is Christianity. And to the extent that either of these two are muted or eclipsed so too will our delight in Jesus be.

New O’Brien Commentary on Hebrews is available! And on sale!

If you are like me you get pretty excited whenever a guy like Peter O’Brien completes a project. His commentaries (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians) have consistently been a great tool for preachers and teachers of the Scriptures.

Therefore, I am happy to find out that the long awaited commentary on The Epistle to the Hebrews in the Pillar NT Commentary Series is now in print and available.

What’s more, Westminster Books is now offering it for 45% off the list price!! Check it out.

This would be a great time to get a good gift for that Bible teacher that you want to encourage.

A Working Definition of Temptation

When diagnosing the heart there are few better than the Puritans. I have returned over and over again to John Owen for wisdom and help in this area. Today I was aided in his observations concerning temptation. This quote is found in a Puritan Paperback from Banner of Truth (You can also find it in Volume 6 of Owen’s Works). Notice Owen’s careful assimilation and articulation of the practical with what is biblical…

A temptation, then, in general is anything that, for any reason, exerts a force or influence to seduce and draw the mind and heart of man form the obedience which God requires of him to any kind of sin.

In particular, it is a temptation if it causes a man to sin, gives him opportunity to do so, or causes him to neglect his duty. Temptation may suggest evil to the heart, or draw out the evil that is already there. It is also a temptation to a man if something is by any means able to distract him from his communion with God, or the consistent universal obedience that is required of him.

To clarify, I am considering temptation not just as the active force of seduction to sin, but also the thing itself by which we are tempted. Whatever it is, within us or without us, that hinders us from duty or provides an occasion for sin, this should be considered temptation. It could be business, employment, the course of one’s life, company affections, nature, corrupt, purposes, relations, delights, reputation, esteem, position, abilities, gifts, etc,, that provide the opportunity to sin or neglect duty. These are true temptations just as much as the most violent solicitations of Satan or allurements of the world. Whoever does not realize this is on the brink of ruin. –John Owen (Temptation, Banner of Truth), pp. 10-11

Book Review- Ashamed of the Gospel

In the mid 90’s pastor and author John MacArthur grabbed his pen and took the confident pragmatists out back behind the proverbial woodshed in his book entitled Ashamed of the Gospel. MacArthur dissected and dismantled the ever popular and unbiblical evangelical preoccupation with gimmicks, pragmatism, and man-centeredness that undermines the power of God in and through the gospel (Rom. 1.16).

The folks at Crossway have teamed up with MacArthur to update the popular work. In the preface MacArthur laments that a number of things compelled him to this second edition. Not the least of which is the speedy fulfillment of what he had outlined in the original work. The shallow gospel leaves shallow Christians. Furthermore, MacArthur notes that there are some further challenges that seek to undermine the clarity and power of the gospel in our age. He lists the rise of postmodernism as a major issue that needs to be confronted.

In the original edition MacArthur uses the battle setting that C.H. Spurgeon found himself in during the late 1800’s in Europe. Spurgeon fought amid those who were downgrading the importance and clarity of the gospel. MacArthur continues to use Spurgeon as both a faithful mouthpiece for articulating the issues as well as a stake in history showing the continuity of the problem and solution. In this addition there is an additional appendix with material related to this topic from Spurgeon’s sermons and writings. Further, MacArthur has added two new chapters in this addition, Carried by Every Wind and Spiritual Adultery.  These chapters essentially take another shot at contemporary church growth culture and then popular (though fragmenting) Emerging Church movement.

I was a little disappointed with a section in the final chapter. MacArthur, who never seems to shrink from the role of evangelical jeremiad (even though he is admittedly uncomfortable with it), brings up the resurgence of ‘The New Calvinists’. Even noting that in 2009 Time Magazine called the movement one of the top 10 big ideas changing the world right now. I thought this would have been a great time to acknowledge some refreshing gospel air among the smog filled evangelical skyline. However, instead of this MacArthur quickly noted that these Young, Restless, & Reformed guys (particularly the restless group) are very susceptible to the emergent influences (p. 231). This could have been a moment to keep the balloon floating instead of sticking a pin in it.

Overall, the message of the book needs to be repeated over and over again. So this book is welcomed. Faithful guys like Spurgeon & MacArthur need to have their passionate and biblical gospel-centeredness laid before the church’s feet that we might again be reminded to not be ashamed of the gospel.

Be Humble and Happy in Christ the Son

Man’s first sin has been his last,
Quest’ning God & we fell fast

But God’s own Son has come at last,
To honor God & bring us back

Hear the song, above Jordan’s waters
It’s the belov’d Son whom God does honor

The last Adam, who loves his Father
Brings back to God those who’ve wandered

What then is req’ed of such a one?
Be humble & happy in Christ the Son. (cf. Mark 1.9-11)

Book Review- Holy Subversion

I am thankful that there has been a renewed interest as of late to identify, denounce and replace the idols (or false gods) in our lives and culture. To make this a priority in conversation and printing is a great blessing to the church and to the world around us.

First with regard to Christians, it helps pool the collective ’sweat’ of personal mortification (gross image, I know, but sin is gross). Through one another we see something more of the panorama of idolatry that we are susceptible to.

Second with regard to the world around us. This emphasis, in so far as it is answered with the gospel of Christ, helps to clarify who we are and what we are about. We are not a group of people who are trying to project our morality and rules upon you but rather our gracious and successful Savior who frees us from our sin and hell through the gospel.

In this vein I was thankful to dig into Trevin Wax’s book entitled Holy Subversion.

Trevin uses the term Caesar to apply to false gods. He bases this upon the prominent idolatry of the Roman Empire whereby the citizens were called to worship the ruler as their god. All of the requisite sacrifices and prayers were offered unto a man. With this backdrop the early Christians said, “No!” Many of which said no while burning on the stake. It is this historic denial of worship of things and people at the expense of God through Christ that Wax is after. He takes that historic idolatry and overlays it upon our many contemporary American idols. He does a terrific job at it. If it is hard to follow or perhaps seems like a reach that is my fault in the review not his in concept. He nails it throughout.

It is also helpful to ask Trevin what he means by ’subversion’. I for one was curious about this when I saw the Caesar talk and a title like this. I didn’t know if he might be writing an evangelical-tea party manifesto or something. Thankfully he was not. He recognizes the potential for confusion and states that he was not talking about overthrowing the government or anything but rather “‘undermining’ or ‘pushing something back down into its proper place.”‘ In this sense he means to put things into their proper place and perspective. In other words, how do we as Christians live in this world, in light of the gospel of Christ?

This is where he is very pastoral and practical. Therefore he is very helpful.

Wax goes after several ‘Caesars’ namely, self, success, money, leisure, sex, power, and evangelism.

Now it is important to ask a question of a book like this that is getting in your kitchen so to speak, namely, “Does it prescribe some sort of legalistic, withdrawing holiness code?” And the answer is no. One of the strengths of the book is a gospel balance. He continues to bring us back to the work of Jesus Christ in history for us to motivate our living. Where he is practical he is careful not to loose this balance. I may not have agreed with everything he said with regard to preferences, but I appreciated his caution. Even with regard to ‘grey’ matters I think he is careful and helpful. I plan to have my impressionable teenage son read the book because I think it is that helpful and clear.

Finally, a word about the writing style. Wax is a blogger (link to his site). This means that, among other things, he writes a lot. I think this type of book really shows that this much writing helps projects like this. The book is clear, full of analogies, helpful stories, research, and does not loose its gospel flavor and punch. I think most of you who read this site would enjoy his book.

Discounted copies are available many places online. However, if you desire to support this site please consider visiting Westminster Books or Amazon for your research and purchase.

The Beautiful Son

Eternal favor rests on you
-the Father smiles, yes this is right
The joy of heaven- without ceasing
-rests upon Jesus Christ

Even as a man, still he can
-stand below in heaven’s sights
Hearing again the eternal song,
-’My beloved Son with whom I delight’

(cf Mark 1.9-11)

Give ‘em Good Fish and Chips

It is a problem that all pastors doubtless face, “How can I make sure that I am feeding all of the people that God has given me?”

When I look out upon our congregation on Sunday morning I see a wide spectrum. I see faithful and mature folks who have been walking with the Lord for decades and then some who have been Christians for only a few months. I see people in their 60’s and then folks in their 20’s. In addition to that there are many little 5 year-olds staring up at me trying to understand. There are people from a completely biblically illiterate background and then there are those who have grown up in evangelical churches but never heard the gospel. Then there are many guys who are running hard theologically and wanting to be challenged and fed.

And so I push back from the table, exhale, put my hands behind my head, and wonder to myself about how to best deal with this good problem.

I was sharing this dilemma with a friend recently. He would be in the ‘running hard theologically’ category. He smiled and said, “Just make good fish and chips every week. If you make fish and chips well then we will all be happy and fed.”

His point was this, regardless of what you are used to, expecting, or really want, you always appreciate a well-made plate of fish and chips. It seems to have that unique ability to simply ‘hit the spot’ every time you have it. So, says my friend, “Give us well-made fish and chips.”

I appreciated this. If the preaching is clear, biblical and simply explained then it will be helpful and profound wherever you are spiritually. The hard work then for the preacher is to take from their own level of interaction and bring it to a place where an 8 year old would understand the big picture, the new Christian would marvel at the Christological significance, and the hungry pastoral intern would be clenching his fist with a resolve to live for this glorious Christ. This is the work of thoughtful and dependent prayer and meditation. This is the work of pastoral ministry.

Meditations on Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my Soul,
my lips his worth I now extol
From within this feeble frame,
I rise to bless his holy name
Forgetting not his benefits,
the only one to whom my praise is fit

You’ve forgiven all my iniquities
You’ve given me new eyes to see
You’ve showered me in your mercy
You’ve crowned my life with love in thee

Bless the LORD, O my Soul,
my lips his worth I now extol
From within this feeble frame,
I rise to bless his holy name
Forgetting not his benefits,
the only one to whom my praise is fit

You know the weakness of my frame,
like the dust from whence I came
You know the evil of my games,
the belittling of your holy name
You know all this and still the same,
you gave your son, my soul to save
From the manger to the grave,
he blessed, he honored your holy name

Bless the LORD, O my Soul,
my lips his worth I now extol
From within this feeble frame,
I rise to bless his holy name
Forgetting not his benefits,
the only one to whom my praise is fit

Jesus Christ the blessed One,
gave his life, my pardon won
The perfect son, the perfect man,
in my place he took his stand
Obeyed your law at every turn,
so that for me righteousness he earned
To the cross, he’s lifted high,
heaven’s prince was crucified
Amid the horrors and the cries,
Jesus drank damnation dry

Bless the LORD, O my Soul,
my lips his worth I now extol
From within this feeble frame,
I rise to bless his holy name
Forgetting not his benefits,
the only one to whom my praise is fit

Now the King has been raised on high,
death’s been beaten, death has died
With Christ Jesus I’m forever accepted,
united to him, secure and protected
I’m tasting now the springs of heaven,
but long still for eternal blessings

Bless the LORD, O my Soul,
my lips his worth I now extol
From within this feeble frame,
I rise to bless his holy name
Forgetting not his benefits,
the only one to whom my praise is fit
For as high as the heavens are above the earth
so great is your steadfast love toward your church

Thou Didst Stumble to a Throne

I came across this poem while in preparation for a sermon on the significance of the gospel. I like how it highlights the uniqueness and beauty of Christ’s condescsion for sinners.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by thy scars we know thy grace.
The other gods were strong; but thou wast weak;
They rode, but thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but thou alone.
– Edward Shillito

Book Review- Counterfeit Gods

Tim Keller is one of those pastors/writers that has the unique ability to articulate central and crucial biblical themes in clear and practical terms. He has been a significant blessing in my life and ministry over the past several years. Until recently this impact was restricted to his online sermons and various journal articles. Now Keller is turning out books like Windows updates. And he is not loosing his ability to amplify substantial themes.

In his latest book Counterfeit Gods Keller endeavors to identify, expose and answer some of the more ‘famous’ idols in our culture.

What is an idol? Keller writes, “It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs you heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” (p.xvii)

Furthermore, Keller demonstrates that these idols are often misunderstood and unidentified in our lives:

We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life. (p.xvii)

Throughout the book Keller goes after the popular and pervasive idols in our lives (ie money, sex, power, success, etc). Many of these chapters hurt. They hurt in a good way. But that is not enough. Keller, ever the pastor, goes after the hidden idols in our lives. This is great. But still more, (thankfully), Keller provides the answer to the idols by showing the proper response to the only gift that truly satisfies the longings of the human soul. God provides Jesus Christ to be our chief joy and delight. It is Christ that is received with repentance and rejoicing.

One thing that I really appreciate about this book is the way in which Keller puts the various idols in a historical narrative. This is really where Keller is at his best. He takes a familiar ’story’ and shows how the individuals in the account where stealing glory from God by their idolatry. This shows not only the timeless nature of idolatry but also the timeless answer. Our transcendent longings are answered by a transcendent God.

I highly recommend this book for Christians of all stages. It is book that is truly helpful. In true Keller style, he leads you through the narrative and teaches you before you even realize that you are being taught. You come out knowing yourself better, your Bible better, and treasuring Christ more.

>Discounted copies are available at Westminster Bookstore (bulk orders available).
>You’ll find discounts at Amazon as well if that is your preference.

Tim Keller talking about Counterfeit Gods

Pray like you can’t save your kids and Parent like you can

My kids are growing up. This is filled with all sorts of emotions. Life presents new challenges and circumstances. This is true for any parent. But things are a little different for Christian parents. We actually believe that our kids are not Christians just because we are. Heaven is not an unalienable right like voting at 18. Our children have to actually come to terms with the God of the gospel themselves.

This presents an interesting set of circumstances for parents. We have a responsibility, a mandate even, to raise our kids in the ‘discipline and instruction of the Lord.’ (Eph. 6.4) We understand that in this same book the same Apostle says that prior to conversion we all are dead in sin, and apart from a supernatural work of God’s grace and mercy we would not follow Christ (Eph. 2.1-8).

So what do you do?

The Dangerous Trap
I think there is potentially a trap to step into here if we are not careful and thinking. If you believe that your children cannot be converted apart from God’s sovereign work of grace in their lives, you may become complacent in praying for them and actively ‘gospelizing’ them. We may begin to think that since they are unbelievers then what you do with the Scriptures and what you do on your knees is not helpful. This type of thinking is as dangerous as it is unbiblical.

The command to train your children is not contingent upon their receptivity. Parents (specifically Dads) do not have to ask to be the leader, they already are. And so therefore they are accountable.

“But wait…,” some might say, “how is God going to hold me accountable for something that I have no ability to accomplish myself?”

This is important to think through.

The Motivating Truth
You are right, you cannot save your children. But, God never called you to save them, he has called you to care for them. You are to shepherd their hearts with the word of God (Eph. 6.4; cf also Deut. 4.9; 6.7; 11.19). And you are to carry your cares of their salvation to the throne of grace for mercy and help (Heb. 4.16; 1 Pet. 5.7). It is this that you will be accountable for.

Please think through the horrible logic of being lazy in light of your children being unconverted and disinterested in biblical things. Your excuse then is that you are lazy because God is sovereign and they are sinners? The first thing I would ask any of my Reformed leaning friends is, “What are you doing about it Dad?”

So what do you do about it?

I can some it up in a sentence: Pray like you can’t save your children and parent like you can.

Be relentless on your knees for your children. Carry them to the throne of grace daily as you petition the sovereign and good God of the gospel for mercy. And also, be faithful to bring the Scriptures to bear in regular study, instruction and application in their lives. Have regular times of family devotions. But also, be sure to integrate the glory of God in all manner of life and thinking. Bring the matchless beauty of Christ to bear on everything that you can.

This is hard work. It is however, the work of faith, the work of dependence and the work of love. It is gospel work. It is Christian parenting. You are believing that God is merciful, that his word is powerful, and that he is infinitely valuable. We cannot afford to cling to lame and ill-conceived excuses when we are talking about such weighty things as the glory of God, our accountability before him, and the souls of our children.

So get to work, in the prayer closet and at the kitchen table; plead Christ to them and them to Christ!

—You may find these articles helpful:
Praying for Our Children
Some Help for Leading Family Devotions

How the Super Bowl makes me pray: “Your Kingdom Come!”

Each time I watch a Super Bowl it seems like the hype, the intensity, the excitement just grows from previous years. So in terms of an event, it is great.

For the Christian who is praying for the Kingdom of God to come and the Son of God to receive his due worship, the Super Bowl is a bit of a providential peep into a prophetic keyhole. When I see tens of thousands of men and woman at the stadium joined by another fifty million homes, chanting, shouting, and completed engaged with the action on the field I begin to see a bit of an admittedly rudimentary picture of what we will see when Christ comes again as the reigning King.

Consider with me the reality of countless worshipers gathering together to see the preeminent One exalted and to join in his exaltation. There will be no competition or rivalry to Jesus, for he alone will be distinguished as worthy, adored as perfect, honored as King, cherished as Savior, revered as King, and loved as a friend.

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.

There is no doubt that humanity was made as passionate and worshiping beings. The great perversion of the fall births all sorts of idolatrous mutations of this. But rejoice with anxious anticipation when you see men and woman display their inward affections outwardly through face painting, silly costumes, and all of the team gear, for one day men and women will stand regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit of God with undivided attentions or affections before the One who alone is worthy to receive the title supreme and to be the object of worship.

And it is this reason that we pray as our Lord instructed us:

Matthew 6:9-10 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Personally, I cannot wait!!

Imagine the music. It will all be theologically correct and all Christ-exalting.

Consider your affections, completely riveted on Jesus without earthly distractions or prideful tugs of your fallen heart to worship yourself.

Consider the duration, constant worship and enjoyment of the Savior.

Consider the Savior, enthroned and exalted, nodding his head in hearty acceptance of the worship that he purchased with his own blood. How sweet and how heavenly is this worship?!

O’ for this day to hasten here that we might shed these earthly tents which are plagued by sin to stand before Jesus with hearts, voices, and affections united in unmitigated and unhindered worship of him, for he is indeed, “the only one”.

The Cure for Cold Religion

So encouraging to know the neither the problem nor the solution has changed in the last 350 years:

The reason our affections are so chilled and cold in religion—is that we do not warm them with thoughts of God. Hold a magnifying glass to the sun, and the glass burns that which is near to it. So when our thoughts are lifted up to Christ, the Sun of righteousness, our affections are set on fire. No sooner had the spouse been thinking upon her Savior’s beauty—but she fell into love-sickness. (Song of Sol. 5:8). O saints, do but let your thoughts dwell upon the love of Christ, who passed by angels and thought of you; who was wounded that, out of his wounds, the balm of Gilead might come to heal you; who leaped into the sea of his Father’s wrath, to save you from drowning in the lake of fire! Think of this unparalleled love, which sets the angels wondering—and see if it will not affect your hearts and cause tears to flow forth! — Thomas Watson (The Great Gain of Godliness), p. 87

Cut Again by the Blades of Mercy

“Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6.9a

You cannot say ‘Our Father’ without being cut deep and quick with the blades of mercy.

Apart from the successful work of God’s Son, we would address God as “my enemy” and he would likewise address us as “my enemy.” (Rom. 5.10)  But through the perfect doing and dying of Jesus we may say, “Our Father.” And he says, “My beloved sons and daughters.” You must begin to see something of the value of Christ your mediator to so affect your standing before God as to transform you from a sworn enemy to a beloved and welcomed child.

Motivation to Run to God in Prayer

Three things may give boldness in prayer. We have a Father to pray to, and the Spirit to help us to pray, and an Advocate to present our prayers.

God’s children should in all their troubles run to their heavenly Father, as the sick child in 2 Kings 4: 19: ‘He said unto his father, My head, my head.’ So pour out thy complaint to God in prayer. ‘Father, my heart, my heart; my dead heart, quicken it; my hard heart, soften it in Christ’s blood. Father, my heart, my heart.’ Surely God, who hears the cry of ravens, will hear the cry of his children! –Thomas Watson (The Lord’s Prayer), p.21

Some Much Needed Down Time

The crickets will be chirping here on Irish Calvinist as I will be on vacation…be back in about a week.

The Preacher Must Impersonate the Gospel

The preacher must impersonate the gospel. Its divine, most distinctive features must be embodied in him. The constraining power of love must be in the preacher as a projecting, eccentric, an all-commanding, self-oblivious force. The energy of self-denial must be his being, his heart and blood and bones. He must go forth as a man among men, clothed with humility, abiding in meekness, wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove; the bonds of a servant with the spirit of a king, a king in high, royal, in dependent bearing, with the simplicity and sweetness of a child.

The preacher must throw himself, with all the abandon of a perfect, self-emptying faith and a self-consuming zeal, into his work for the salvation of men. Hearty, heroic, compassionate, fearless martyrs must the men be who take hold of and shape a generation for God. If they be timid time servers, place seekers, if they be men pleasers or men fearers, if their faith has a weak hold on God or his Word, if their denial be broken by any phase of self or the world, they cannot take hold of the Church nor the world for God. –E.M. Bounds Power through Prayer

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