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Book Review- Ancient Words, Modern World

Stephen Nichols has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary authors. Some of my favorites include his biography of Martin Luther, his book on the “American Jesus” (Jesus Made in America), the book on the Reformation- How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World, and his work on the early church entitled For Us and Our Salvation. Nichols now pipes in with a helpful book on the doctrine of Scripture with a specific emphasis upon our contemporary age.

Ancient Word, Changing Worlds focuses on the contemporary challenges to and defenses of the Bible.  Nichols observes that these challenges have providentially caused a “deeper reflection on and clearer expression of the doctrines of Scripture.” Furthermore the author writes,

These doctrines orbit around three words, words that have received a great deal of attention in the nineteenth, twentieth, and now into the twenty-first centuries.  These three words are inspiration, inerrancy, and interpretation. This book tells the story of these words, and particularly the story of how these words were developed in these last few centuries.  It is the story of how the ancient word of God speaks to and in our changing world.

The format for the book is as simple and informative.  After unpacking each of the three key words listed above in their own chapters the author then compiles a list of writings from folks in the midst of the respective debates over Scripture.  In the midst of these quotations Nichols provides helpful commentary, observation and conclusion.  So for instance, you have quite a bit of quotations from BB Warfield, A.A. Hodge and J. Gresham Machen.  But at the same time we have the other side of the debate from liberals like Harry Emerson Fosdick.  Nichols also takes you back to some of the most important developments of the past couple of hundred years in these battles.  His unpacking of the ‘new evangelicalism’ and the events that surrounding Fuller Seminary’s departure from historic biblical orthodoxy were both riveting and troubling. The reader is reminded afresh of the hot coals that still burn today in this battle and the need to continue to work hard on such important issues.  So in this sense it refreshes you with the doctrines, informs you of the issues, reminds you of the battles, and charges you to be faithful in both understanding and defending inspiration, inerrancy and interpretation.

Overall the book was a very enjoyable read.  It really combined three of Nichols’ strengths as a writer.  He is doctrinally precise, an astute historian, and a terrific writer.  Many people may not get too excited about a book on this subject but Nichols not only makes it informative but quite enjoyable.  In my opinion, at a minimum pastors need to refresh themselves on the doctrine of Scripture at least annually.  Here the author serves you by making it easy.

You can pick it up at Amazon or Westminster Books depending on your preference (both are on sale).

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We Got a Pulse…

I have not abandaned this blog but I have been quite busy these last few weeks.  My wife is set to give birth to our newest little girl any day now.  And as a result of a severe lack of room in the house, for all the kids, we undertook a fairly aggressive basement rennovation plan.  Thankfully many folks from the church who have skills in this area have been kind enough to help us get things ready; and we are now just about finished (physically, emotionally, and literally).  So between the new baby coming, basement work, my sons’ baseball seasons, pastoral ministry and other ad hoc items, the blog has gone into something of a summer hibernation.  There is a stack of book reviews here to my right that I need to get to and a good number of thoughts that need to be developed.  So in the mean time this is an update and an explanation for the folks who have expressed question as to whether or not I forgot the url of this site.

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We Cannot Because We Will Not

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1Co 2.14)

“Take notice that this is a moral ‘cannot,’ not a physical ‘cannot.’  When Paul says, ‘The natural person…is not able to understand them,’ he means that the heart is so resistant to receiving them that the mind justifies the rebellion of the heart by seeing them as foolish.  This rebellion is so complete that the heart really cannot receive the things of the Spirit.  This is real inability.  But it is not a coerced inability.  The unregenerate person cannot because he will not.  His preferences for sin are so strong that he cannot choose good.  It is a real and terrible bondage.  But it is not an innocent bondage.”  (John Piper, Finally Alive), p. 52

(I am really enjoying reading this new book by Piper.  He is so helpful in his careful, thoughtful, joyful and biblical articulation of the gospel and its implications.  It is thoroughly refreshing.)

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Pursuing the Glory of Christ at My Own Expense

We cannot too often remind our self of the priority to not take ourselves too seriously and to take Christ more seriously.  This priority gets the focus off of ourselves and our perceived rights to glory, fame, and idealistic happiness.  And as a result, the focus gets placed squarely upon Christ and his right to glory and fame.  This in turn brings true happiness to the Christian.

I see the deadly pagan inversion of this in my life far too often as I steal glory from Christ and prop myself up as the end for which God created the world.  And so I cry out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

But then I hear the Word of the Lord whisper:  “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7.24-25)

This brings true encouragement, motivation, calibration and joy.  God is so good to speak words of truth and power to his children as he reminds them of his infinitely glorious Son.

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The Providential Chauffeur of Guilt and Death

In some ways guilt and death function similarly.  We don’t like to think about it; we try to avoid it and recast it.  However, when it is rightly gazed upon and thought through in light of the person and work of Christ, it serves not as the uncomfortable, uncontrollable joy sapper, but rather a providential chauffeur that transports a weak man to a strong man, from the despair of self-dependency to the joy of Christ-dependency. Indeed it is only Christ who has conquered death. And it is only Christ who has poured himself out as a guilt offering for his people.  And it is only in Christ that you and I might rightly deal with both guilt and death.  You cannot get much more everyday practical than this.  Christ is glorious!

…Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, (2Ti 1.10)

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isa 53.10)

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Heb 9.14)

Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (Joh 8.51)

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. (Heb 2.1)

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Heralds of the King

I am excited about the publication of this work in honor of the late Edmond Clowney which just showed up here this morning thanks to the man with the brown pants and van.  The subject matter of proclaiming Christ from all of the Scripture is near and dear to my heart.  And in addition, Dr Clowney is someone whom I have come to really respect.  I’m looking forward to reading and being refreshed by this book.

From the publisher:

Eleven preachers with different gifts, backgrounds, and personal emphases show how they proclaim Christ from all the Scripture in a variety of contexts.

Edmund P. Clowney (1917-2005), the late president and professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, was a trailblazer of Christ-centered, redemptive-historical preaching. Through his classroom instruction, his publications, and his example as a preacher, he ignited in many seminary students and pastors a passion to preach Christ from all the Scriptures as the fulfillment and climax of God’s plan of redemption.

This collection of sermons is intended to illustrate how various preachers with different gifts, backgrounds, and personal emphases are working out in practice the homiletic principles they learned from Dr. Clowney. The volume, which includes sermons and introductory comments by editor Dennis Johnson, Tim Keller, Joseph “Skip” Ryan, and eight other contributors, enables readers to carry away both models and practical advice for preparing sermons that proclaim Christ across a broad spectrum of congregations and people groups.

And here are some of the endorsements:

“No effort is more dear to my heart than Christ-centered preaching-and no person has been more valiant in the cause than Edmund Clowney. This collection of sermons reflecting his principles includes messages I have my students read, and it will be a sure blessing to many more.” Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary (PCA)

“Our churches desperately need Christ-centered preaching today. But how do we preach in a way that exalts Christ? How can we preach Christ and still give sermons that speak to the hearts of those who hear us? What a wonderful gift, therefore, to read sermons from gifted and experienced pastors where Christ is proclaimed. Often we learn most effectively by watching experts at work. The passion of Edmund P. Clowney lives on in the sermons of his students, and what a joy it would bring him to see Christ glorified by a new generation of preachers.” Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Edmund Clowney was one of my most valued friends and mentors and perhaps my very favorite preacher. Ed advocated and exemplified what is called the redemptive-historical approach to preaching. Although I have had some reservations about the theory of redemptive-historical preaching, Ed’s sermons moved my heart more than most any others. For his preaching was not just the application of a theory; it was born out of his love for Christ and his passion to bring Christ to people and they to him. Others have advocated the same theory, but only a few have captured Ed’s passion, his heart and soul. And only a few have shared Ed’s great gifts of knowledge, clarity, persuasiveness, and understanding of human nature. Many of those are here, in this volume. May God use this book to raise up a new generation of preachers filled with his Spirit, to honor his Son, and may he use it to raise up Christians who passionately embrace God’s grace and share it with others.” John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

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The One who is Blessed (Psalm 119.1-8)

fountain.jpgAs you read the 119th Psalm you quickly realize this guy was incredibly passionate and transparent with God. One might rightly say he actually knew God and was known by him. Therefore as followers of the same God, believers living today do well to emulate his pattern of seeking divine pleasure in all things through the intimate study, meditation and proclamation of the word of God and the God of the word. I have found personally that the 119th Psalm is a great personal revival tool; for if I cannot pray as the Psalmist there must be something clogging my spiritual windpipe, I must therefore search for this impediment and remove it that I may think God’s thoughts after him.

There is an exciting connection that is established right away in the first few verses of Psalm 119 between joy and obedience. In v.1 the saints are “blessed whose way is blameless who walk in the law of the LORD” this same theme continues in v.2. There is great joy in faithful obedience to the divine agenda. And conversely there is great sorrow in the rejection of and rebellion from God’s will. So many people are searching for the secret of abiding joy and happiness, the answer is quite simple, it is to know God and to obey him, for in this there is joy that endures.

Why is there such joy in genuine obedience to God? I think there are several facets to the answer, however, one real basic understanding fuels everything else. Believers have abiding joy because the source of the joy is not in themselves but rather in the infinitely glorious and joyous God. The joy is rooted in the eternal character of God. We as his followers are privileged then to sit at the great buffet of God as prepared through his word and enjoy the delicious feast of divine revelation as it explains with unparrelled precision the glory and beauty of God.

There is an interesting dynamic that the Psalmist hits on right out of the box here for us concerning the role of the word in our obedience and joy. There are several words used in verses 1-8 to denote our actions:

  • v.1: walk in the law
  • v.2: observe his testimonies
  • v.2: seek him
  • v.3: do no unrighteousness
  • v.3: walk in his ways
  • v.4: keep them (precepts) diligently
  • v.5: keep your statutes
  • v.7: give thanks
  • v.8: keep your statutes

path1.jpgAs the Psalmist grows in his knowledge and understanding of God he grows in his love for God, the Scriptures, and obedience! It becomes a wonderfully designed conduit of praise. Think about it: God reveals himself in the Scriptures, which are then read by us his creation, he then causes there hearts to respond to this truth, even converting them and then he gives them food daily that nourishes and inflames appetites for divine glory….and the more you eat the more you want!! The more you stoop and taste at the fountain of God’s delights the more you realize that the taste is unparalleled and the well is inexhaustible (Jn. 4). Therefore, we as believers are to linger long at the spring of God and enjoy fresh water from his word as often as possible, knowing that it nourishes, satisfies, and is inexhaustible.

What a privilege it truly is to have God reveal himself in the Scriptures. We may know him and his tender lovingkindness, his wisdom, and his holiness. We may tremble at this sovereignty and inflexible justice, but take great comfort in his goodness.

While we endeavor to keep the statutes diligently (v.4) we remember the Lord Jesus who, in the place of sinners, kept the commandments of God perfectly and gloriously! As we long to obey and enjoy God through his word we remember that it is earned by one who was quite like us but quite unlike us also. Our Lord Jesus, the God-man, who has purchased salvation for his people; there is great joy in the Christian because there is great joy in Christ.

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10 People Every Pastor Should Fear

I enjoyed this post from Gospel Driven Church.  I laughed and agreed several times.  Good stuff.

1. The guy who “subtly” reminds you how much he gives to the church.
He thinks he is buying influence, and because some of his money pays your salary, he thinks he is buying more access to you and more pull with you than others have. Relieve him of this illusion if necessary.

2. The young guy who likes it when you rant against stuff or preach angry.
Beware of pleasing young men too much. Young men are notoriously stupid. (I know, ’cause I am one.)

3. The guy or gal who doesn’t like it when you rant against stuff or preach angry.
Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. If you’re sincerely and reliably preaching the Word, toes are going to be stepped on from time to time. If you’re not being self-indulgent about it and you are speaking the truth, beware those who think you should be more “positive” like those fellows on TV.

4. The lady with the unbelieving or spiritually unsophisticated husband who emails you a lot.
Danger, Will Robinson.

5. The person who finds you right after the message to point out something you got wrong, quibble over a minor point, or mention some other criticism.
You are tapped out right after your sermon, and this person will just crush your heart with one soft blow.

6. The person who likes every single one of your sermons.
You ain’t that great, and you know it. Don’t get puffed up.

7. The guy on the theological hobbyhorse.
His spiritual energy revolves around the rapture, paedocommunion, Calvinism or Arminianism, evolution, what-have-you and he thinks yours should too. These are distractions especially tempting for nerd pastors like me.

8. The podcast sermon connoisseur who thinks, “You really oughtta listen to what John Piper says about that.” Etc.
This person is a close relative of #5 and sometimes #2.

9. The worship leader who has CD’s of himself.
Always use a less talented guy with a submissive heart over a more talented guy who sees his role as a stepping stone to somewhere else.  This is closely related to the pastor who has written books.

10. God

(ht: Erik Kowalker)

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The Priority of Details and Order

In the midst of studying some of the many details in Leviticus this quote from Gordon Wenham’s commentary struck a chord with me. His focus is on the need for thoughtful order and intentionality when worshiping God.

Spontaneity and lack of preparation is [often] equated with spirituality. Lev. 6-7 denies this: care and attention to detail are indispensable to the conduct of divine worship. God is more important, more distinguished, worthy of more respect than any man; therefore we should follow his injunctions to the letter, if we respect him.

A glance at the performing arts dispels the illusion that a great and spirited performance can be achieved without practice and attention to detail. Indeed great actors and musicians spend hours studying and rehearsing the works they are to perform, so that they can recapture the spirit of the author and convey it in their performance. Audiences expect performers to aim at perfection in the concert hall. Worship is also a performance, a performance in honor of almighty God. As no orchestra can give of its best without a competent conductor and meticulous rehearsal, so no congregation is likely to worship our holy God in a worthy manner without careful direction by a well-instructed minister. (Wenham, The Book of Leviticus), p.128.

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If you don’t get questions about works and grace then are you preaching the gospel?

A couple of weeks ago I asked the question “what is the essence of the Christian message?” In that post I argued that although it is a result of the gospel that causes people to love God and love their neighbor this action itself is not the gospel.  Instead the gospel is what God has done as he defeated sin, Satan and death through the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ.  The gospel is not what we do or can do but what God has done in Jesus.

This led to a number of comments that I was somewhat surprised by.  Nevertheless it helped me to see afresh the need to post and discuss such things.  I remain biblically uncomfortable with the insistence by many to qualify statements as to what the gospel is with what we must do.  Are there requirements (imperatives, commands, etc.) for the Christian to live out? Absolutely.  Must Christ Jesus be the Christian’s Lord? Without a doubt.  Does the message of the gospel include what we need to do? No.  We must never confuse consequences of the gospel with the gospel.

Think of the Apostle Paul as he unpacked the gospel in Romans.  In chapters one through midway of chapter 3 he shows the universal condemnation of all humanity for smugly robbing and belittling the glory of God.  The case is clear: mankind has no ability to earn or keep God’s favor; we are completely deficient in righteousness…our works don’t work.  In fact, our works are offensive.  Then midway through chapter 3 and into chapters 4 and 5 we learn of one , Jesus, who has gloriously satisfied God’s righteous standard, earned our righteousness through his obedience and even fully satisfied the righteous anger that stood over us and was due us in our alienation.  Paul makes it clear that we are deficient in works of righteousness, we have no works to point to:

(Rom 3.10-12) 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.”

and

(Rom 3.19-20) Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

But after the glorious gospel (good news) of the work of God in Christ is clearly and powerfully unpacked through chapter 5, what does Paul immediately do in chapter 6?

(Rom 6.1-2) What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

He answers the question of how, if it is all of grace and apart from works, can anyone be obligated to do anything?  He answers it by stating the powerful results of Christ’s work.

But before you answer the question, please notice that Paul’s answer is an answer to an anticipated question (perhaps even a real question).

Paul has been so clear about the work of Christ and the glory of grace that people wonder what in the world people have to do…if anything!  When was the last time someone asked you a question like this: “If it is all by grace and Jesus paid for all my sin, then why can’t I just do whatever I want (ie sin)?”

My contention is that if you are not getting these types of questions (like Paul did) then you may not be clearly articulating the gospel.  You may be saddling all kinds of works on the gospel which are not the gospel. Are you being so clear with the gospel that unbelievers ask such questions?  Are legalists getting offended by your message? Are you upsetting traditionalists who cling to their own perceived merit?  Is there enough personal works in your gospel to appeal to the self-righteous cravings of a hungry Pharisee?  The gospel does not appeal to such people it crushes them.

You may say, “I am only trying to emphasize more fully the Christian message.” But I submit that you are confusing the liberating power of the gospel with the liberating fruit of the gospel.  And if you are doing this then you are confusing people.  Dare I say, you are adding to the gospel?

We love to bash Roman Catholics for their treasury of merit, or the Church of Christ for promoting baptismal regeneration.  However, many evangelicals incorporate not just one or two items but the whole entire law into their message of the gospel!  This is exactly what we do when we say that the message of the gospel includes that you and I must love God and love our neighbor.  As good and important as these works are in the life of the Christian we must remember that they are results of the gospel but not the gospel.  This is a big difference.

My challenge is to be so cross saturated and grace boasting that people ask about how works fit into the gospel.  I think if we are fielding questions like this then we might be preaching the gospel.

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Consolidated Book Review Page

I am thankful for my friend Drew who has lifted up the Irish Calvinist site hood and done a little maintenance.  We now have a page that collects and displays all of the book reviews done on this site. I think we are at about 80 total to date.

I started reviewing books a couple of years ago because Tim Challies (the blog-father) told me to do it.  I have been encouraged by the way in which so many readers have been helped by various book promotions, critiques, announcements, etc.  So I am thankful that we now have this displayed in the header and in an easily accessible location.

On this note I must confess that I am not reading nearly as much as before.  Church planting, home remodeling, baseball season and preaching out of Leviticus are really crowding out any extra reading.  I do have several other books that are read and just simply need to be reviewed…in due time.

At any rate, I do hope this page is a helpful addition to the site.

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Hearing the Gospel at the Tabernacle: A Study in Leviticus

I have been convicted for some time over a lack of personal attention to the Old Testament Scriptures.  This conviction only intensifies in the light of pastoral ministry and the certainty of giving an account.

Leviticus is one book that has always intrigued me and called me to consider its relationship to the Lord Jesus.  The connections are just flat out glorious.  We looked at the Burnt Offering in Leviticus 1 last week.  I continue to be amazed at the way in which the Lord Jesus Christ is portrayed so vividly through this offering.  See yourself pressing upon his head, confessing sin, and then having him slain for your sin.  Then see yourself walking home from the tent of meeting with the gracious refreshment of having laid your hands on your substitute’s head.  You are accepted.

Here is the audio from the Burnt Offering:  Leviticus 1

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John Piper on Preaching

I really enjoy listening to John Piper talk about preaching.  He brings out the hammer of the Word that serves Christ’s glory and smashes the preacher’s pulpit mirrors that serve vain glory.

I just want to work, pray, and preach harder when I listen to stuff like this:

Preaching does not come after worship in the order of the service. Preaching is worship. The preacher worships-exults-over the word, trying his best to draw you into a worshipful response by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My job is not simply to see truth and show it to you. (The devil could do that for his own devious reasons.) My job is to see the glory of the truth and to savor it and exult over it as I explain it to you and apply it for you. That’s one of the differences between a sermon and a lecture.

More…

The aim of this exposition is to help you eat and digest biblical truth that will

* make your spiritual bones more like steel,
* double the capacity of your spiritual lungs,
* make the eyes of your heart dazzled with the brightness of the glory of God,
* and awaken the capacity of your soul for kinds of spiritual enjoyment you didn’t even know existed.

And then the video…

(ht: Unashamed Workman)

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The Crown of Thorns on the Last Adam

wondrous-crossThis past weekend I was struck by the words as we were singing the hymn The Wondrous Cross.  Specifically the verse that says:

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

I was struck by the irony of the scene that is painted with the crown of thorns.

Because it is so Wrong
It is ironic because Christ is a King and he was mocked so with this crown.  He is heir of creation, the Sovereign King of kings, the source and sustainer of all life.  Yet, he has the hateful derision personified in a sharp, merciless thorns upon his head.  It was thrust down and twisted upon that sacred head with hatred and scorn.  O’ the depths of the King’s condescension for such traitors to his rule and authority.

Do you see the horrific display that is occurring here as Jesus wears this crown?

Because it is so Right
Secondly I was struck by the appropriateness of the crown of thorns.  You might say, “It is entirely inappropriate, that is the point!”  And you are right.  But at the same time it is appropriate.  It is appropriate because of who Jesus is and what he came to do.

Jesus is the last Adam.  He comes as the One who would give rest to the seed of the woman by triumphing over the seed of the serpent (Gen. 3.15).  Where our representative Adam failed Jesus our representative is victorious.  He came to rescue his people from the curse of sin by becoming a curse for us.

We understand that one of the most visible forms of this curse in the Garden of Eden was the emergence of thorns and thistles (Gen. 3.17-18).  Our first parents now saw very clearly the agricultural illustration of their rebellion.  The ground would no longer be submissive servants to their rule but would, like they themselves with God, be opposed and contrary to them at every turn.

It was fitting then for the last Adam to be crowned with such.  As he bore the crown of thorns upon the cross he bore the curse of God upon man.  He became our curse (Gal. 3.13).

So yes, behold the crown of thorns with the horror that is due it; it is unimaginably displaced.  Your sin, my sin precipitated it being thrust upon him.  However, also behold the crown with humble joy.  See Jesus there upon the cross bearing the shame, the insults, the spit, the beatings, and the horrors of Calvary.  But see him also guzzle the eternal vat of condemnation that is due to a sinner like me and you.  See him do this successfully, completely, powerfully, and gloriously!  See him do it with the crown of the curse thrust upon his brow.

For we understand that without Christ bearing the crown of thorns we would never be able to walk where there is no curse in that sacred city, the New Jerusalem; where we will enjoy the river of life, the fruit from the tree of life, and the healing leaves that are promised.

Indeed that crown was rich.  It was rich because of who’s head it was upon and what he was doing.

Gather round that cross and marvel at such love and sorrow as it is punctuated with its glorious victory!

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Preachers: Please Sweat out the Text

This is a repost from last year that I keep coming back to in my mind as I think about preaching.  My aim is for it to encourage preachers and teachers as they move towards this weekend’s ministry of the Word.

If you are a preacher then you know that you are never really ‘ready’ to preach. Preachers could always use more time in prayer, further meditation upon the text and to reconsider appropriate application. However, the time eventually comes when we must take that walk from our seat among God’s people to stand behind a pulpit and proclaim the everlasting word of God. It is at this point that you must be as ready to do what God has called you to do.

Why do some guys walk to the pulpit and from first word to last seems to be clicking, dripping with passion, demonstrating some brokenness, and a visible burden for their people to ‘get it’? While others are able to deliver a biblically faithful message but seem to lack that extra ‘something’ that makes a good sermon different?

I think it comes down to what one is doing in the pulpit. There is a difference between being a lecturer and a preacher. A lecturer may get all of the points correct, be elegant, engage you with humor, and even give you something to think about as you leave. The preacher, on the other hand, has been powerfully affected by the truth that he is proclaiming. He himself has spent a considerable time canvassing his own heart for agreement with the text’s proposition. Where there is a deviation from the divine will the preacher has bent his own will through prayer and meditation that he might be aligned with heaven in truth. Furthermore, the preacher is one who has worn out a path to the throne of grace petitioning for the hearts of his people to ‘get it’. The preacher is convinced of the urgency and power of the message; he really believes that what he is about to say is exactly what God wants these people to hear, therefore, it is the most important thing in the world for them to attend to at that very moment.

To put it simply: the preacher is the one who has personally bought the importance of the text, prayerfully applied it to himself and then, convinced of its importance, wants to deliver it to the congregation.

In my own preparation I think of this whole process through the image of sweat. We are all familiar with sweat, it is a fact of life. In my preparation I want to apply the passage deep into my soul, prayerfully dispatching it to the far ends of my heart. Once the text is ‘in me’ and I have seen the importance of it for myself and for the glory of God, then I am closer to being ready to preach. When I do preach what comes out? Eloquent quotes? A running commentary on the text? Funny jokes? No! Instead I am sweating out the proposition of the text, the power and greatness of God in it, personal brokenness for my own sin and those of the people, and a genuine, bible-dripping zeal for us all to get it and live it.

My encouragement to preachers is to not preach until you are ready to sweat the text out. Anyone can put in the requisite hours in the chair, do the research, craft a sermon and deliver the message. However, it takes a man called by God to wrestle with God in the text and who will not refuse to let go of the text until God promises to bless him and his people. If you are a preacher, be that guy. Spend your week marinating in the text and then on Sunday morning sweat out the glory, greatness and obedience provoking beauty of God in the passage.

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The Essence of the Christian Message is…

True or False: The essence of the Christian message is that you are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.

The answer is…

FALSE!

This is not the message of the gospel but the message of the Law!  When Jesus was asked about the sum of the Law, what did he say?

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Mat 22.37-40)

The gospel message is not a call for us to get busy doing the best we can to please God but rather a call to realize our sinfulness and to trust upon one who truly did please God.  In other words, the essential message of Christianity is never about what you and I can do but about what God has done in Christ!

Sadly many professing Christians have unwittingly wandered to Sinai and tried to package it as good news.  Do you not still see the bright lightening and the dreadful mountain wrapped in smoke? Do you not hear its trumpet blast, peals of thunder, and knocking of Moses’ knees?  As God descends upon this Mountain to proclaim his inflexibly rigid standard of righteousness he is to be seen as holy, unapproachable, and worthy of awe.

This is devastating.  If you ask Christians what we are all about many will give this summary of the Law.  This should not be.  After all, if it was all about what you do why would you need Jesus?  A sinless substitute sounds kind of unnecessary if you have the ability to earn God’s favor.  This is exactly what Paul wrote in Galatians:

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Gal 2.21)

It is frighteningly alarming that we can so easily and quickly forget about our need for Christ’s righteousness.  How in the world can a humbled sinner stand for one second clinging to self-righteousness before God almighty?

Romans 3 shows that the proper working of the Law brings about a posture of silent humiliation before God’s Law (Rom. 3.19).  This is our disposition.  We are lacking righteousness, turning away from ourselves, and looking for help.  And there stands the beloved Son of God.  He is not lacking righteousness.  He has ‘fulfilled all righteousness’ for the sinner.  In his life he perfectly obeyed the law of God, always doing what is pleasing to his Father (Jn. 8.29).  Then he gave up his life to pay the due penalty for sinners (Rom. 6.23; 2 Cor. 5.21).

Please understand that if you answered this ‘true’ I am not trying to embarrass, insult or berate you.   Instead I am trying to show you that such subtle carelessness with regard to the gospel leads you to wander far from Golgotha, all the way to Sinai.

The essence of the Christian message is that you can’t but Jesus Christ did.  You can’t earn God’s favor, but Christ did perfectly through his life of obedience culminating with his sin atoning, guilt removing, wrath satisfying, death defeating sacrifice on the cross.  It is with this reality fixed that the Christian then lives their life to love and honor God supremely while loving their neighbor as themselves.  Christians obey God not to earn God’s favor but because Christ has earned the favor and we are now living lives controlled by the Spirit, in obedience to the Word.

Never get careless and sloppy with the gospel.  It is far too precious and the consequences are far too perilous.  We dangerously turn the gospel into law.  This is unacceptable.

(note: Michael Horton beats this drum pretty hard in his book Christless Christianity. In particular he lights up the legalism of Joel Olsteen)

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Why Omaha Bible Church is Switching to the ESV

The elders’ of Omaha Bible Church have decided to make the switch from the New American Standard Version to the English Standard Version as the primary preaching, teaching, reading, memorizing, and ministry Bible of the church.  What follows below is an excerpt of the announcement including some of our rationale for the switch.

The pastors have been reading through the ESV for more than a couple of years in our own personal devotions. We have been carefully and prayerfully considering this change. We recognize that there are other good translations (including the NASB!) so this is by no means a shift to becoming an ‘ESV-only’ church. We just simply think that the ESV is the best translation for Omaha Bible Church to put in the hands of our people.

There are three big reasons for the change to the ESV.

1) The ESV is an excellent translation

By excellent translation I mean that it is a word-for-word translation as opposed to a thought-for-thought translation. This becomes critically important for us because God did inspire thoughts but rather words (2 Tim. 3.16).

Furthermore, the ESV also emphasizes and demonstrates a high literary quality. In other words, the translators have worked hard to ensure that the ESV maintains the high literary quality of the Bible. The translation reads better than many others and it has a greater sense of literary beauty. We have used the NASB for a number of years and really enjoyed the attention given to the word-for-word translation from the original. However, the same care was not given to preserving the Bible as a literary treasure.

The ESV helps us to have a word-for-word translation with a high literary value.

2) The ESV appears ‘here to stay’

As I mentioned above we did not make this switch casually. We have been carefully evaluating the translation, the publisher, and its growing support for some time now. We recognize that while the ESV is popular it is not merely trendy or faddish. It seems as though that many of the churches who are serious about studying the Bible, exposition, the primacy of the gospel, and the Sola’s of the Reformation are using the English Standard Version.

The ESV appears positioned to be the translation of choice for serious minded Christians in this era.

3) The ESV has strong support

Crossway is the publisher of the ESV and they have done a fantastic job thus far. Specifically I am thinking about how they seem to be so ardently resolved to make the Bible accessible in a variety of mediums. This may have something to do with the fact that Crossway, unlike so many Christian publishers, is actually owned by believers!

Some examples include ESV.org where the Bible is easily searchable. You may also listen to the Bible as Max Mclean reads it to you. In addition the ESV Study Bible is a wonderful gift to the church. The Study Bible includes detailed commentary by various scholars as well as very helpful articles on such things as ethics, history of salvation, hermeneutics, Bibliology and Archeology. All of this to say, Crossway is forward thinking and working hard to come alongside the church and put the Bible in peoples’ hands.

Conclusion:

As a church we aim to make the glory of God central by unfolding and applying the Word of God. Therefore we want to help believers to read, understand and apply the Scriptures. The English Standard Version seems like the best translation for us to use for the pulpit ministry as well as daily reading, memorizing and meditation.

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How do I make Christ appealing?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10.27)

Have you ever been overcome with frustrated despair as you wonder how to get through to your professing Christian friend?  Have you looked into the eyes of an unbeliever and asked yourself how you might bring them to Christ?  Have you wondered how you might appeal to them and somehow have them follow the Savior?  If you are a pastor, have you sat in your study and wondered how you might help people to get it?

To one degree or another all believers have struggled through such thoughts.  Often times though  in our noble ambitions we find ourselves retreating to unbiblical means.

We aim to make Christ more appealing to the one who seems to not think that he is so.  This usually means giving Jesus something of an extreme makeover so that the eligible unbeliever might be one over.  We might be tempted to change his message, his tone, his requirements, his work, his kingdom, and his demands.  Suddenly our ostensibly noble goal has placed in our hands the tools of idolatry as we craft a Jesus that looks like the rebel.

But this is not the way it works.

Instead Jesus is the suitor, the rebel must change, and Christ will be found to be glorious!

Notice the everlasting rebuke upon our shameful creativity: “My sheep hear my voice…”

Ah, this is what I need to hear.  I need to hear the Savior’s voice.  Listen, if they are truly ‘his sheep’ then they will truly hear his voice.  It is as simple as that.  And this is a result of the glorious reality that the Good Shepherd knows them.

So find yourself refreshed by the wet ink of John 10.  The Master’s words and actions remain true.  In this context he is scrapping with the religious reprobates who do not hear his voice.

But what does Jesus do? He just keeps on preaching the glorious truth of who he is and what he is doing.  He speaks of his glorious relationship with his Father.  He speaks of the power of his word and work.  He speaks of the hardness of their hearts.  Jesus just keeps on preaching.

This is a good model and motivation for us today.  Are you stressing out over how to make Christ appealing?  Hear and believe the words of the Savior, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Whether in the coffee shop, the dinner table, or the pulpit, you just keep unpacking the glorious beauty of Christ’s person and work to their hearts.  And if they are his sheep they will, with blood-stained regal certainty, follow Christ.

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Encouraged by my Wife’s Torn Up Bible

sideviewesv

Recently I experienced somewhat of an emotional and spiritual combustion.  My wife showed me how her Bible was falling apart.  She had been reading this particular Bible since 2004 and now the binding was falling apart and threatening to come completely undone. esvbinding

I remembered that Crossway guarantees their leather and tru-tone ESV Bibles so I dropped them a note and confirmed this.  In a few days she had a brand new Bible free of charge. (major props to Crossway)

I was thankful and thrilled as I started thinking about all the days of reading, chewing, and thinking on the Scriptures that have led to this destruction.  My wife’s steady Bible work was, at that moment, very attractive.  Think about the accumulative effect of the daily intake of the Word.  God steadily and continually reforms and conforms the minds of his saints by his powerful Word so that we might think his thoughts after him.  What a privilege it is to be confronted and consoled with the divine Word.

We are so fortunate to live in a time where we have such ready access to the Scriptures.  God is so kind and good to give us such blessed resources.

And God is so kind to work so powerfully in my wife’s life as she feasts at the table of God.

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Preachers: Be Predictably Christocentric!

It would not appear that Paul’s determination to know nothing among his hearers but Christ and him crucified led him into the trap of predictability.  Of course, if by predictability we mean that people will come to expect every sermon to expound something of the glories of Christ, then let us by all means be predictable!  Since there are inexhaustible riches in Christ, and the implication of this for our Christian existence are endless, I doubt very much that there is any need for a preacher to be boring and repetitive.  (Graeme Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture), p. 115

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