Sunday Post for Shepherds:The Word Works

There is an amazing ignorance of Scripture among many, and a consequent want of established, solid religion. In no other way can I account for the ease with which people are, like children, "tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Eph 4:14). There is an Athenian love of novelty abroad, and a morbid distaste for anything old and regular, and in the beaten path of our forefathers. Thousands will crowd to hear a new voice and a new doctrine, without considering for a moment whether what they hear is true. There is an incessant craving after any teaching which is sensational, and exciting, and rousing to the feelings. There is an unhealthy appetite for a sort of spasmodic and hysterical Christianity. The religious life of many is little better than spiritual dram-drinking, and the "meek and quiet spirit" which St. Peter commends is clean forgotten (1 Pet 3:4). . .Inability to distinguish differences in doctrine is spreading far and wide, and so long as the preacher is "clever" and "earnest," hundreds seem to think it must be all right, and call you dreadfully "narrow and uncharitable" if you hint that he is unsound!. . .All this is sad, very sad. -- From J.C. Ryles' Holiness, the Introduction pages 28f, 1877. What would he say about the church today?(See above pic for one example of what is sad, very sad.)

The Value of Violence

David's Violent Faithfulness

 

While preaching several weeks back I commented that I have a bit of a rebellious streak in me, and then proceeded to follow that with the confession that there is also a violent streak as well. While this is not what some folks want to hear from their pastor about their pastor, it is nevertheless true and I believe good. Here's just a few reasons why:

1. God has a violent streak also. It's called wrath. It is a subcategory of His justice. Before there was sin there was no wrath. There was nothing to be wrathful against. But there was justice. When angels and men sinned, God's justice demanded His wrath.

2. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force, or so says Jesus the Lord (Mt 11:12).While some would interpret this text to mean that the kingdom of Christ is undergoing attack and that these attacks are from violent men (like Herod Antipas who had John arrested and beheaded), I, with some others, take the text to mean that without the reality in the heart of a holy and diligent violence, one does not enter this kingdom. I say this because of other Bible texts like Luke 16:16, The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. That is, everyone who has entered the kingdom, has come in violently, by the sovereign overthrow of their unbelief and self-worship. Or, hear the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian Christians; I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified (9:26f). Here, Paul writes of a means of perseverance in following Jesus. He says it requires a kind of ruthless violence in regard to the conquering of sin. Now, hear Jesus again; Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small (compressed) and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Mt 7:13f). Why so few? Because so few are spiritually ruthless.

To wage the good warfare (2 Cor 10) and fight the good fight (1 Ti 1 & 6; 2 Ti 4) requires an undivided allegiance, diligent focus, and relentless violence against all that would damn us. John the Baptist came preaching repentance for entry into the kingdom. He confronted people, even the king, with their sins. He knew unless they dealt violently with their wickedness by killing it (cf Ro 8) they would perish. The kingdom progresses forcefully (as under John's ministry), and the forceful press their way into it (like through that narrow gate Jesus mentioned). It is interesting that Jesus makes these particular comments on violence during his commendation of John. Jesus isn't down on violence. He's for it. Christianity is not for cruisers and bench-warmers; it's for warriors and players. The kingdom of King Jesus moves over the earth like an army over a city or like water over Niagara Falls. I want to be a part of that. By the way, this violent takeover is not rooted in a works righteousness where you can discipline yourself into salvation. The warriors weapons are the weapons of faith (Ep 6; 2 Cor 10), and fueled by faith. Perseverance is the perseverance in trusting Jesus. That's the fight! And our King, in His death, has purchased victory for all of His elect (Jn 6, 10, etc).

3. Jesus was not a pacifist. He was a peacemaker in some sense, but not a pacifist. In the Old Testament God did sometimes judge people for their violence. But it wasn't because of the violence itself but where the violence was aimed. Sometimes He commanded violence (Jos 6, for example). Jesus came to make peace between God and men. That spills over into peace between men and men (Like in Ga 3:28). We get a role in this peacemaking by gospel proclamation. But to label Jesus a pacifist is to misunderstand Him. Spiritually speaking, no one who has ever lived fought temptation with more violence than Jesus (See Lk 22:39-46, for example). And knowing the weakness of His followers, Jesus, in this same exchange, tells them to get up (they were sleeping) and pray (a weapon of faith) so that they would not fall into temptation. For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (cf Mt 26:41). Now, watch the movie Fight Club and read Hebrews 12. The goal is to watch the movie for help in knowing what it takes to win in general (focus, determination, organization, decision making, ruthlessness, passion etc); and to read God's Word to learn how to win God's way in God's spiritual (not Fight Club worldly) kingdom.

    

A Monday Post for the Flock

The work of pastoral ministry is one of disciple-making. Our work is not to grow the church, build the church, advertise the church, expand the church, make popular the church, etc. Read the pastoral letters (1 Tim, 2 Tim, Tit). Pay attention to the commands to Christian pastors. Pay attention to what should absorb and preoccupy us. We are called to be educators, teachers, theologians, thinkers, proclaimers, debaters, etc. This is our work, so says God. We are not nurses, coaches, or psychiatrists. We are shepherds, for Jesus. Shepherds lead and protect by feeding. Faithful teaching of Scripture both leads God's people in the paths of His righteousness and protects them from false teaching and false thinking.

Therefore, we are to be readers. Pastors that don't read don't learn. The truth of Scripture is given in words. It's propositional. The way to understand it is to study it, to learn what the words mean and how they fit into the larger story of redemption. Because this is the case your pastor needs books; books that help him understand "the Book". He needs book money because books are not cheap. If you want to help your church flourish, encourage your pastor(s) in his study. Establish a "pastor's resources" fund within your church budget. My people have been kind to me in this regard. From that fund I get to buy books, magazines, sermon audios, etc that help me learn what the Bible means by what the Bible says. Also, establish a fund that will allow him to participate in helpful and encouraging pastor's conferences. These conferences have been greatly used by the Lord in my own life. They are a time away, and a time to think, and to learn, and to be corrected by Scripture.

Also, encourage your pastor(s) to be a diligent Bible student. Don't nag him about every minute drama in your life. When he delegates responsibility, handle the delegated task, yourself. It's not that your pastor(s) doesn't want to help you. It's that he needs to read and think and pray if he wants to obey God and serve you faithfully. He is the one charged with preaching and teaching. Many tasks pastors are expected to fulfill (because of their title, not their gifting or the biblical requirements) should be filled by the membership. There are folks in your congregation more gifted than your pastor in various areas of ministry (See 1 Cor 12, Ep 4). So help him by doing your part and  by being scrupulous about what you take to him for counsel. Pastors should counsel their people, from the Bible. This is a form of disciple-making.

One more thing, speak to him about his sermons. Paul tells Timothy that he must so give himself to biblical pastoral ministry (disciple-making), that his progress in his work can be seen by his people (1 Ti 4:15f). So as his teaching improves and his sermons become more helpful, let him know that. And ask questions about what he says that you don't agree with or understand. Talk about the implications of what is preached. Verbalize your interest. One of the most encouraging experiences I have is when one of my flock shares with me what they have been learning from God's Word. Sometimes this learning is a result of their own study and reading. But sometimes it comes through my preaching. When I hear them say that they're learning the truths and implications of Scripture, I am greatly motivated to press on in my work, because I preach for their spiritual progress. 

This past weekend a man in our church shared with me what he had been learning from Galatians during his devotional time while on vacation. So I asked him if he would share this with the congregation on Sunday, which he did. It was a good time of edification for our church. Another brother bought books for all of our current elder candidates (The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal - a classic. By the way, this is one book that is cheap, less than $6 new). He purchased extra copies for our book table. He also left an encouraging note in my office on Saturday morning for me to find later (I normally study on Saturdays). I could make a long list at this point of the kindnesses I'm regularly shown by my people (not all of them of course). But I digress. So I will only say here that your pastor is human. He will benefit much from your labors of love, which in turn works to your spiritual benefit. Everyone wins.

A Sunday Post for the Shepherds -- Blessing

I'm preaching through Genesis on Sunday mornings. We're in chapter 12 - God's call of Abram. God promises him His blessing so that he will become a blessing to the nations. The Hebrew word translated blessing is sometimes translated kneel. To bless then has the connotation of the blesser kneeling, stooping down, to be near and with the one blessed. It it the promise of help for mission. God's promise to Abram in Ge 12 is not unlike Jesus' promise to the church in Mt 28 where He gives the Great Commission and then says I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Christ's word to His church, Go, make disciples, for I am with you always, is the promise of God to Abram thousands of years earlier, Leave, go to a land I will show you, I have stooped down to be with you. My brothers, today, may we proclaim this Lord who is with us to help us and our people with our particular roles within His mission on the stage of church history. His promise is His presence. We get God! Good Father, make us faithful. Amen.

The LORD is with me like a dread champion - Jeremiah the Prophet (20:11).

Should Christians Engage in Sarcasm, He Asked.

A friend suggested I address this question as a blog post. I told him I would work on it; which means I'll think about it sporadically as it occurs to me over the next day. So, for whatever it's worth, here's my on-the-fly answer: yes, and no. First, let's define "sarcasm". According to Merriam-Webster, sarcasm is a cutting or contemptuous remark or ironic criticism or reproach; and there are examples of Bible saints using this verbal device. One of the most famous is recorded in 1 Kings 18 - the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. During the competition Elijah says to the prophets about their unresponsive deity, Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened (v27). The text calls this Elijah's mocking of the false prophets. His use of sarcasm is neither approved or condemned in the text. It's simply given. Personally, I like it a lot.

The Apostle Paul repeatedly used sarcasm in his letters to the churches, especially the sick churches. For examples see 1 Corinthians 4, 6, & 9.


John the Baptizer used sarcasm. See Matthew 3 & Luke 3.


Jesus used sarcasm. When speaking to the Pharisees, for example, the Lord would often ask them the biting question, Have you not read . . . ? It was His ironic criticism of the "most learned" of Israel not knowing basic Old Testament truth (Mt 12 & 19; Mk 12). He spoke the same way to Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself (Jn 3). I imagine there was sarcasm in Jesus' voice when he asked, Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, "Show us the Father"? And the examples could continue. But let me summarize.


Sarcasm, like many devices, is good when used to make much of God and the Word of God. It is not good when used to make much of ourselves and our opinions. By sarcastic comments, people are insulted and shown to be less than they think. When the aim of this is to show someone, with love and sobriety, his ignorance of God, it may be useful. It's a form of correction. But when it is used to exalt self in the presence of others by showing their weaknesses next to our own strengths, it is unloving and selfish and sinful. Blessed is the person with the wisdom to discern the moments when sarcasm is helpful.
  

A Monday Post for the Flock

Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should lie from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:13f

Remember those who lead you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:7f

Let the elders (pastors) who rule well be counted worthy of double honor (income), especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. for the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." 1 Timothy 5:17f

Sunday Post for Shepherds

If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest expression every portion of the truth of God except that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.

Martin Luther

It is not humble to be hesitant where God has been clear and plain.
Mark Dever, 9marks.org