Today i read a little bit in Acts 2. Ive been going through this book for a while now and even though im only in chapter 2 ive enjoyed it. the portion that i read today was encouraging and uplifting and made me grateful for my church family. I read Act 2: 42-47 the part about the fellowship of the believers and how they sell their possessions and give to one another and fellowship daily with one another and praise God.

when i read it i didn't get warm fuzzy feelings inside me...okay maybe a few warm fuzzies, but it made me think about my local body. am i helping when they have need, do i fellowship with them daily (its a little harder nowdays but theres ways to communicate effectively), am i being generous to them with not just my money but my time as well.

i know were going into the season of resolutions or things people would like to do differently that eventually lose their steam within the first few months of the new year. but if i could stick to any one resolution this year, i think it would be to be a better church member. now not in the sense of going any time the door is open, but being intentional about getting closer to the people in my local body. getting to know their past, hopes for the future, where God has taken them, learn their struggles and victories all of this for the glory of God and getting to know the work that he does in the lives of his children. What a year that would be, getting to know his people better.

anyways thats all for now. hope you have a safe and fun new years.

grace and peace
sarah b.

Resolved

New years eve is tomorrow. Soon 2010 will upon us and like every year people will make resolutions like their parents did and the generations before them. This may be an all to common practice for bloggers but I find it useful to look to Jonathan Edwards for resolutions. A man who had far more in mind than simply improving the following year. This was to glorify Christ with everything he did.
These resolutions were all before he reached the age of 20 (The works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume One Chapter 3). Here are a few select ones (there are at least 70, I had to revise the list 3 times due to length so if I took out a favorite of yours rest assured that I took out many that were tough. Please visit www.desiringgod.org for a complete list from the book).

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.


34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
Aug. 17, 1723


Wow.

Heaven Song

I would pretty much recommend Phil Wickham's music to anyone. I just recently got his album, "Heaven and Earth", and I have enjoyed it very much. It is a passionate and creative album that has been helpful to me in lifting my gaze to heaven, the gospel, and the beauty of God's plan. Here are some lyrics from the album...


"Heaven Song"

You wrote a letter and You signed Your name
I read every word, read it page by page
You said that You'd be coming
coming for me soon
Oh my God I'll be ready for You

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
in the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can't wait to join the angels
and sing my heaven song

I hear Your voice and I catch my breath
Well done my child enter in, in rest
As tears of joy roll down my cheek
Oh it's beautiful beyond my wildest dreams

Thoughts on the Holiday in the Rear View Mirror

The birth of Jesus is an important, historic event which we should never forget. But one thing that has always puzzled me is why only two of the four gospel accounts depict this beautiful scene and why the epistles don't explicitly focus their attention at all on the virgin birth, the shepherds, or the star.

We could spend time on why Matthew and Luke decided this was necessary for their gospels but Mark and John didn't but I don't know how helpful that would be for the limited space of this post. Instead I want to call of us to remember as the new year approaches and the tinsel disappears exactly why we celebrated a birth that occurred thousands of years ago. That is, what were all four gospels in agreement about as to why this birth was important. As we approach a new year leave another Christmas behind we must ask, why did Christ come into the world? Here are a few answers to this question that are very important to remember.

Jesus was born to be the true representation of God on Earth.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Jesus was born to save his people from their sins and the necessary judgment on their sin.

"...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)

Jesus was born to live a perfect, righteous life.

"Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15)

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify." (Romans 3:21)

Jesus was born to die a sacrificial death.

"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)

"About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'—which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matthew 27:46)

"God put forward [Christ] as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith." (Romans 3:25)

"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Cor. 15:1,3-4)

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

The Best Present of All

Luke 2:1-20 "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

Christmas is the most commercialized holiday of the year. We've all seen how they jump the gun on advertisements and sales, even when Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet. We hurry to get our presents for one another, watch our favorite Christmas programs, and decorate the tree, while listening to the classic Christmas tunes.

The mask has been put on heavy. Santa Claus is the hero of Christmas, delivering the things we most desire. The idea of it can actually seem quite freaky. A jolly, fat man, who "sees when you are sleeping and knows when you are awake", and decides whether or not you are worthy to receive presents. So on Christmas Eve, all his elves pack the sleigh full of packages for the good kids and coal for the bad (but when do you ever see a kid with coal?). Then he sneaks into your house while you are asleep, eats treats that you set out for him (why do we set them out? because of thankfulness or fear?), then sets everything up so you will wake up to the perfect Christmas.

While most people don't still believe in Santa Claus or other such tales, it is a very big commercial icon for Christmas. It's what most people think of, when they think of Christmas. Even Christians can be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the festive season. But the simple fact is that there would be no Christmas if not for the story above.

Christ is what Christmas is all about(hence the "Christ" at the beginning of "Christmas"). Christ's birth is the reason we celebrate. We celebrate because God came to earth in the form of a baby, so that He might live on this earth for 33 years and then die to save us from eternal hell.

We were condemned to hell, because we are not perfect(Romans 3:23). Hell is a place of fire and brimstone, where we would suffer, not only physical, but spiritual pain, which is eternal separation from God. Because we sinned, we were banished from God's sight on a one-way ticket to hell.

But God sent his Son, Jesus, to save us (John 3:16). This little, fragile baby, who is also the Almighty God, is our Savior from that punishment. Doesn't that sound better than a couple of earthly gifts given by some fat jolly man in a red suit? God saved us! He sent His Son! That's why we celebrate; because that small child would grow up, to become the sacrifice that allowed us to have a relationship with God. The shepherds went away "glorifying and praising God", because He had provided a way of salvation, not because they got presents.

As we go through the rest of this holiday, don't get caught up in the meaningless festivities. Enjoy this time of year, but remember why we enjoy this time of year. We enjoy it, because if Christ's birth didn't happen, we would have no hope of escaping hell and having a relationship with God. Praise Him for His wonderful plan for saving undeserving, wrenched sinners like ourselves! Thank you, Jesus! Happy Birthday!

Feminine-ISM?

In preparing for this post tonight i figured it would be prudent for me to do a little research on feminism. So here is the definition in its simplest form given by webster.
Feminism:
1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests


As a woman i have to confess that i am partially torn on this issue because i do appreciate the right to vote and i do like making the same minimum wage that any average guy would. I know these kinds of things and others have been fought for, but the "equality of the sexes" is a bit silly. Biblically God DID create men and women equally, they just have different roles, and praise God for it. For example, I am very grateful that it is my job to have babies instead of jonathan (and im sure he shares the same sentiment).


What many people do not realize is that feminism is a biblical issue. I believe it goes back to to Genesis 3 (the fall of mankind)

¹⁶To the woman he said,

"I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.
Your desire shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you.

From this moment on the terms "nag" and "controlling" enter the male vocabulary to describe a woman. At this point in human history (right from the get go) women want to control things like politics, economics, and social issues...we can fold laundry and change diapers better so why not these issues too. Before i start being to harsh on my own sex it does need to be said that the fault doesn't just go on women for wanting to be over her husband (which i think ultimately leads to wanting authority/power over all men), there is some blame to put on men, well sin. Neither one is perfect and left to our own depravity we do live in a world where a womans opinion doesn't matter, and men think they are better and vice versa. When sin creeps in both feminism and chauvinism occur and neither one is right. Neither sex is over the other, yes we have roles that we are better equipped for, yes it great that a woman can go to work and make money for the family, but that doesn't take away the job of being a full time wife and mother, and it doesn't take away from a mans role of provide for and protecting his family.

To sum it up, there is such a thing as biblical womanhood and manhood. It is different than how the world views womanhood and manhood. Once again in this area we get to show that we are set apart and that we value and cherish the roles God set up for women and men.

Grace and Peace
Sarah b.

The Show

The scene is set with all people in place. The Author has been waiting for this moment since the beginning of the play. This moment, the time when the plot thickens. The moment where all the pieces start to make sense. Where things that have happened already are showing up again in a way that the audience never saw coming.

A nervous unlikely girl was cast and given a chance for this huge supporting role. Her first scene is coming and her palms are shaking. She was told everything that was going to happen. She knows the next act is the one that changes the whole show. “People will remember this next scene”. She is fearful, of course, but knows that the great director taught her well and knows is standing in view.

The scene ends with a new character on set. A baby, and now a very confused audience. The whole show leads up to a grand charactor that will do great things. What happened?

It is hard to stun a crowd these days, they know all the tricks. Every one there just “knows” that this young boy will grow up and make some choices that place him as a great warrior king. “He’s gonna get the girl in the end right?”

As the story comes to a close nobody knew how the story was going to finish, how the play will end. “I think they are going to kill Him” “He rose from the dead!” “He will come back again? “What a show!”

I can’t wait to hear the applause of stunned, appreciative people in the audience, just before they go out to tell everyone what they saw. I know I’m going to.

God Has Visited His People

I love this time of year when we reflect upon the glory, the majesty, the wonder, and the mystery of God visiting His people. What grace and mercy was shown as the Son of God took on flesh and tabernacled among us! Who can fathom the reality of the eternal, self-existant God coming in flesh to walk among us and taste the struggles that we encounter? These thoughts never get old, yet they can definately make you dizzy!

And yet this is the truth that the children of God are hoping so desperately in! If we don't have Christ, then hope does not exist. Yet Jesus Christ most assuredly is the Savior of the world!
He came that we might have true life. He came that we might have forgiveness of sins. He came to fulfill the plan of the Father. He came that glory might arise out of suffering. He came so that death would be defeated.

Jesus Christ split history and conquered sin. He has declared: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). If we deny Him as the only Deliverer, then sadly we have denied the only way of deliverance.

I pray that anyone who does not love Christ; come to Him! In Christ there is redemption! You can be forgiven. God "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). You can taste a joy and a hope that has been born out of Heaven.

I pray that anyone who does love Christ; rejoice in Him! Abide in Him. Though the life of a Christian has struggles, temptations, and failings; seek to kill sin in His name by His empowering Spirit...and preach His Good News to the entire world!

Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. The Gospel is something that never gets old! It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the lens through which we can view reality. May we worship our Savior with joy, hope, and love because of who He is and what He has done!

O Holy Night

If you're like me you need to ignore the voice of Josh Groban or Sandi Patty in order to truly appreciate the words of this song. It's one of my favorite Christmas songs now.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

-Placide Cappeau

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat

A week from yesterday, I went to the Rep, a theater in downtown Little Rock, and saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a retelling of the Bible story that includes contemporary figures and cultures. For example, Potipher was an Italian gang leader, Pharaoh was Elvis, and Joseph's brothers changed roles from cowboys to Frenchmen to Jamaicans.

This modernized version started out well, I thought. But things started to fall and fast. They mentioned God maybe once in the entire play. Joseph was given credit for all of the amazing things that happened. When in prison and ask by the cup bearer and the baker, the scantily clad Joseph replied, "I don't if I can, but I'll give it a try." The same thing happened when he was brought before Pharaoh and asked to interpret more dreams.

Genesis 41:16 - "Joseph answered Pharaoh, 'It is not in me[interpreting dreams];God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.'"

After the dream was interpreted, Joseph told Pharaoh to appoint someone trustworthy to be in charge over the food. As he asked who this person might be, he turned to the crowd and pointed at himself behind Pharaoh's back.

Joseph was represented as prideful and selfish. In the world's eye's, he was a good guy that bad things happened to, but who could make a different if "given a chance." They took a great story filled with God's power and glory, and polluted it with false credit, self-proclaimed honor, and inappropriate dress in order to "modernize it."

Christians, beware. Beware of the world. This is what the world thinks of the stories that build our faith. Be careful of misrepresentation. We should have screened the play before we saw it, but I think God used this play to show me that I can never let my Christian morals take place only in my church life. Carry them with you everywhere. Keep your guard up. The world is dangerous to Christians. I only named a few of the problems with the play, and they were still enough to cause serious damage. The world will try to take glory away from God.

Here is the scary part: People were laughing. They thought it was funny. They thought that the mockery of our God, the God of the universe, who could obliterate everyone with a single word, was a great, humorous way to enjoy the evening. That is the danger. It's a lie. It is a lie used by Satan to draw people away from God.

I would strongly advise and caution all Christians against seeing this play. Even if it's free. Even if you have already bought your tickets, don't go see it. Like me you might say, "But I don't want to waste the money," or you might make up another excuse. But what's more important: excepting that it's bad and that you blew some money because of ignorance or going to see it anyway and damaging your soul?

Matthew 7:15 - "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

Homecoming

I know i would said that i would post about feminism, but im going to put that on hold for a week.

I have a friend who has been in South Korea for a little over a year. we have been best friends since high school and still stayed close over college. It is such a wonderful friendship that God has blessed me tremendously with, and not getting to see her this year has been really hard. All of this to say that she is back. My friend is here in Texas and i get to see her TODAY. I love homecomings because it makes me think that its just a small sliver of what going home to heaven will be like. Today i will see Lindsay, and i will give a her a really big hug and most definitely be crying, and even though im going to have to go home in a few days were just 5 hours away as opposed to an ocean between us. But were still here on earth, i will still be growing in sanctification and i will still be confronted with sin, and im sure that ill even have a few arguements with my friend and other people too.

But in heaven we will be together with our brothers and sisters, there will be no more sin, and no more judgement. yes we will get to be with the redeemed in christ and hopefully family and friends, but they wont be the main thing. We will finally get to be with Christ and all the fullness of him.

I encourage you today to remember that this is not your home. That God is preparing our hearts for the fullness of Him. And even though there are great things on this earth like husbands and babies and food and ginger ale, God is still better.

Grace and Peace.
sarah B.

Come See The King

Sarah and I wrote this song on the way back from St. Louis. The scripture that this came from is mostly 1 Timothy 1:15-17 and Colossians 1:15-23. My hope was to have the video that we made up today but it didn’t make it.

The Chorus says “the only King who has made” which is simply in reference to Colossians 1: 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
He not only is THE King but He is the only king that can and does make things. Other Kings simply organize Christ’s already created things and then they call it “making something. When in fact they are also living because he made them. Others try "Make" things to makes themselves unforgettable. He Creates to bring more glory (Rightly so) to Himself.

Lying there before you, you see the Son
The glory fills around the Uncreated One
Image of the mighty King, Intertwined within the trinity
Angels boast in victory at this fully man, divinity

Come see the King, the baby King
Come see the King of the world
Come see the King,
the only King who has made

Adams loosened from the chains of sin
Rejoice in worship with freedoms hymn
He is worthy, our crimson debt paid
the word, the truth, the only way

Come see the King, the baby King
Come see the King of the world
Come see the King,
the only King who has made

Israels savior, my love. You are the King
Chain breaker, holy one. You are the King
Mountain shaker, the stable one. You are the King

Come see the King, the baby King
Come see the King of the world
Come see the King,
the only King who has made

The Sunrise shall visit us from on High

After John the Baptist was born, Zechariah (his father) "was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied". The words recorded in this passage in the gospel of Luke are filled with hope, faith, and eager expectation for the revelation of the Savior. While Zechariah speaks of John the Baptist as preparing the way for the Lord, he also shows the beauty of our Savior in that we can have the forgiveness of sins because of the tender mercy of our God! What a wonderful thought, that we who were sitting in darkness have been washed in the light of Jesus Christ! Truly the sunrise has visited us from on High!

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;


to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father
Abraham, to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.


And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,


to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,


because of the tender mercy of our God,


whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,


to guide our feet into the way of peace"


-Luke 1:68-79

The Glory of Christ in Christmas

I've never been a big fan of most Christmas music. I get tired of the familiar tune of "Jingle Bells" or the mid-1900's style rock versions of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" and even "Silent Night." But as I get older (though I'm only 22) and see more and more of the beauty of the gospel I find that there are songs that I could sing any time of the year and find great joy.

So I thought it would be fun to write out some of the great less-remembered lines from Christmas songs/hymns. Like last week I would love additions to this short list.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. (Hark the Herald Angel Sing)

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend! (O Holy Night)

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne. (Come Thou Long Expected Jesus)

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. (Angels We have Heard on High)

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found. (Joy to the World)

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Aaron Hefner

“All authority heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:18-20

Last Wednesday, the youth group at BCLR(Bible Church of Little Rock) had the opportunity to hear from Aaron Hefner, a missionary from our church to Senegal. He told us about his life among the Jalunga people and his ministry there.

I have wanted to go into some form of ministry for awhile now, so his words were very exciting and interesting to me. As he was going through the slide show, he was constantly mentioning the blessings that God had shown and how little he was. He told us how foolish he looked from the point of view of the Jalunga people and how he had so much to learn.

I do not know Mr. Hefner very well, but while I am sure he would deny it, because he knows his own heart, he struck me as a very humble man. He was one trying to do his best to spread God’s wonderful gift with others in the best way he could. He also was just awed by God. I could tell from listening to him, that his view of God was extremely high and his view of himself was exceptionally low.

I got to see a little bit of God through Mr. Hefner’s testimony of his ministry. I have always wanted to go into ministry as a youth pastor, but after Wednesday I have realized that I do not know where God wants me yet, but I do want to follow the example of Mr. Hefner, because he is following the example, to spread God’s perfect gift to us.

I would like to commend Mr. Hefner for his ministry to the Julunga people. It moves me to see to love of God impact someone so much for them to, not only change their entire life, but to leave their country to live in conditions less comfortable than our own. Again I know that he would say that it is a joy to do so, and that is why I admire him.

Please keep the Hefner’s as well as the Jalunga people in your prayers. Pray for their physical health, but especially the spiritual health of the people there. It has been hard for them to trust the Hefner’s on a religious and spiritual level. They are set on their own religious practices, so pray that God would open their hearts.

Last week i talked about roles and how males and females have different roles but they complement each other perfectly. this week i want to focus some more on that, but also male headship, and possibly get into feminism a bit.

So male headship exists in marriage...why? because thats how God has arranged it. ( 1 Corinthians 11:3). A good way to look at this is: God the Father has authority over the Son, even both are equal in deity. Its similar in marriage the husband has authority over the wife, even though both are equal in personhood. And just in case anyone has the idea that roles and male authority came after the fall, they are wrong. Yes Genesis 3:16 (post-fall) says "Yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you", but there are a few things to point out. Adam was created first and then eve, eve was created as a helper for adam not the other way around, adam named eve, God named the human race "man" not "woman", the serpent came to eve first, God spoke to Adam first after the fall, and adam represented the human race. The curse wasn't the invention of roles, but it did bring about a distortion of them that to this day is being fought. All of these prove, in different ways, that headship belonged to the man. Personally im gratefull, how nice to have that burden lifted off my shoulders, i think i can lead in some ways, but this is one where i will gladly pass it along to jonathan and support him as he leads our family.

So why is it important for men to lead? and women, why don't we let them? We should let men lead because its their role that God has created them for. Ladies, we are great at getting things done and being supportive and empathetic and helping and nurturing and making decisions and hopefully your husband or future husband lets you in on decisions and seeks your wisdom and advice, but ultimately we do not have the final say and we need to be ok with that. The truth is that most women aren't, heck even i think i could do a better job sometimes, and the fact that im admitting that and your thinking that proves we are totally depraved human beings and we need christ. Before the fall adam ruled over eve harmoniously, after the fall we are born to want to usurp the mans leadership position. "He shall rule over us", but now we get pouty and moody and headaches and puffed up with the notion that we could do it better. when we can't because we aren't made to.

So ladies use the brain that God gave you and wait (don't find because you are to be pursued) for a good Godly man that you would want to lead you and have little to no problems submitting to. And everyone else sorry we didn't get around to feminism, we'll save it for next week.

Grace and Peace
sarah B.

Dirty start, white as snow

My intent was not to start December with Christmas themes but it just so difficult to ignore when Starbucks peppermint mocha has already bloomed in full force. John MacAthur wrote an article entitled “The Truth of the Nativity” which is basically about the reality of the nativity scene and the way we currently tend to see it. This post is based from the article and personal experience.

When I was growing up christmas decorations with my grandmother was a highlight of the year for me.
I'm not really sure why that was. Regardless, the nativity scene was one thing that I loved putting up. It was a hand painted ceramic set that my grandmother had made. It had 3 camels, an angel, shepherds, a mule, Mary, Joseph, the 3 wise men, and baby Jesus. It was so clean and I loved organizing it into the perfect position to make it look as real as possible.

How realistic is our view of this clean cut image of a baby in a manger? The mighty King was born in a foul smelling stable! The thought of my wife being pregnant, us being in a strange town and even more so being told that there is no place to stay would be a very big deal to me. So the manger was a relief, I'm sure, to even have that. But the very fact that this was not a household room even. Giving birth to a baby without any mention of someone to aid in Luke 2: 6-8 had to have been a humbling miserable experience. And yet the glory still came to God.

My mind is so set on the happiness of the angels that I over look the fact that Christ came into the world with nothing. Yet thats easy to do with the angels rejoicing at His coming. The savior to the world was born in circumstances that by todays standards would be horrific, in those days it was still a barn. Nativity scenes have forever been changed for me as I now see a clean figurine that is but a taste of the hay on the ground, barn yard animals surrounding, and shepherds being the first visitors the night of the appearance of our Savior. What a glorious, messy, humbling, life giving night when the Word became flesh.

John 1:1-5, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God has given us a Savior

This is a wonderful passage from the "Valley of Vision" to meditate upon as we celebrate Christmas this month...

"Thou God of all grace, Thou hast given me a savior,
produce in me a faith to live by him,
to make him all my desire,
all my hope,
all my glory.

May I enter him as my refuge,
build on him as my foundation,
walk in him as my way,
follow him as my guide,
conform to him as my example,
receive his instructions as my prophet,
rely on his intercession as my high priest,
obey him as my king.

May I never be ashamed of him or his words,
but joyfully bear his reproach,
never displease him by unholy or imprudent conduct,
never count it a glory if I take it patiently when buffeted for a fault,
never make the multitude my model,
never delay when thy Word invites me to advance.

May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,
so that its smiles never allure,
nor its frowns terrify,
nor its vices defile,
nor its errors delude me.

May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,
declaring plainly that I seek a country,
my title to it becoming daily more clear,
my meetness for it more perfect,
my foretastes of it more abundant;
and whatsoever I do may it be done in the Savior's name."

- "The Valley of Vision: The Saviour"

Why a Physical Death?

As my pastor taught a Sunday evening lesson on Christ as mediator I was confronted once again with the amazing truth that Christ's physical suffering and death was not nearly as significant as the fact that the wrath of God was being poured out on him. That is not to take away from what is presented in the gospel accounts. It is, however, to say that Christ did not ask His Father to keep him from suffering in the hands of the Romans. He asked that if it was the will of the Father that He would not empty out the cup of His wrath on him.

So why do we read of such horrendous physical suffering? The list of reasons is much bigger than my library can explain. But as I thought through some of the things that happened at the cross and why they happened the way they happened I thought it would be helpful to post it for you folks and allow you the opportunity to marvel at just a small list of things you were meant to see at the cross.


He was mocked and despised to display the shame of my sin. (Isaiah 53:3-4)

He carried his cross to Golgotha (outside the city of Jerusalem) because my sin defiles the camp of God. (Leviticus 16:21-22)

Nails were driven through his hands to give me a picture of the record of my sins being put away by God, through Christ. (Colossians 2:14)

He was killed show me the severe penalty for sin. (Romans 6:23)

He willingly died to demonstrate the love of God for His people. (Romans 5:8)

He died for me that I might know how to love my brothers and my wife. (1 John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25)

So that's my list. What did I miss?

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Salvation's Present Trials

Last Wednesday night, Tim Senn taught a lesson on having joy through trials and suffering from 1 Peter.

1 Peter 1:6-9 - In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Tim gave three reasons for joy despite suffering. Today I would like to look at one:

1. We Have Joy Because Our Sufferings Have a Purpose

Under this point he had four sub points:

a. Suffering is necessary
b. Suffering is limited
c. Suffering is assorted
d. Suffering produces a faith that receives rewards

Peter gives a great illustration for the necessity of trials in verse 7. "...so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though tested by fire - may be found..."

When gold is found it is filled with dirt and rocks. In order to purify this gold the rocks and dirt have to be removed. The only way to do this is to first burn the gold down to liquid form then remove the impurities. The same is true for our faith; we have to be burned to remove the sins in our lives.

Tim added this illustration which ties to the fourth sub point. Faith in trials is like muscle building. When someone works out, they are breaking their muscles down. When the muscles are breaking down the body tells itself what is happening and tries to fix the problem by building more muscle cells in the area that is broken.

The same is true for our faith. In order for our faith to get stronger it has to be tested. Under great weight is where are faith is truly shown. And when we are tested God says He will give us "praise and glory and honor."

The third point, Suffering is assorted, simply means that trials vary. You won't always be faced with the same trial. Trials will be different; suffering comes in different ways.

The second is one that provides much hope and joy. While we will have trials here on earth, because of Christ's sacrifice, will will be reunited with him in a place where there are no trials nor suffering. It will not last forever. And when it ends we will be blessed.

Yesterday, on my way to Comp 1 class, I blew a tire. I spent an hour changing the tire, which made me miss class. When I was finished, I jumped back in the car to find that the car was dead due to my hazard lights. I know that this is a very minuscule trial, but through it I kept thinking about the lesson the night before.

God really wanted me to think more about how to respond in trials. It was really cool for me because I got to hear it preached one day and then experience it then next (a very small experience, but enough to get me thinking). I was thinking about how a non-believer might respond to the situation. Would they get mad? Upset that the tire was ruined or that they missed their class? How should I respond as a believer in Christ?

It is a wonderful thing to lean on the joy of Christ. Trials are not easy, but when you experience the joy through those trials, that is a joy that only Christ can bring. We will look at the other reasons to have joy in suffering in weeks to come, but this week just look at your life. How do you respond when something bad happens? What is your response when you get hurt in some way? Have you ever experienced the true joy in suffering?

If you are going through a trial right now, ask God for that joy. It does not just come to you. We have to fight for it. Fight to hand your trials to God. When you do, Christ will become your ultimate joy in suffering.

Roles, for realsies

Last week i talked about the importance of personal relationships and how one in particular (the marriage relationship) mirrors God's image with the Trinity. I had said last week that the post would be about roles, and i went off topic...my apologies, i think this week will be more on topic. This week ill be focusing on the equality in personhood and importance between males and females.

Taking it back to the Trinity...The Father, Son, and Spirit have roles. Each one is just as important and special as the next, that's kind of how it is with males and females and the roles that each play. It would be really awkward if the Holy Spirit was the one to die on the Cross, and for Jesus to still be around in the flesh 2000 years later, right? It would be out of place and most definitely out of character, because the Spirit wasn't meant to die on the cross just like christ wasn't meant to still be here on earth. In the same way it is wrong and unbiblical for me (as a woman) to be the leader of the Bean household. Can i lead other things, sure, but not our household. Now does that mean that I don't have to pursue Christ with everything that i have because Jonathan is the spiritual leader...no way! In fact i have a responsibility first and most importantly to grow my individual relationship with christ, but also to grow with jonathan IN Christ as a married couple. Does that mean that jonathan rules over me with an iron fist and "puts me in my place" if i ever step foot out of the kitchen. Most certainly not, there is beauty and honor that come with both leadership and submission when lived out according to God's plan. Jonathan shouldn't lead harshly or completely by himself (because then he would be more like a daddy), just like i shouldn't submit out of fear or begrudgingly (because then i would be more like a slave).

Another thing, God created male AND female in his image equally. So were equally valuable and equally important which means, for example, that God cares just as much when men struggle with finding their identity and worth in respect where a woman struggles with finding her identity and worth in attention and being wanted. God's solution is the same for both...find your identity and worth in ME. When God created both men and women he uses both to reflect HIS character in both sexes in different ways that dont' need to be challenged because now we get to see a more full picture of the character of God.

So by having roles we get to see a bigger picture of the creator, who made us equal but with complementary differences.

Spurgeon Christmas

I've been trying to prepare my mindset for the coming month when stores will be crowded, traffic will be tough and money will be tighter for everyone. The last few years it seems tougher and tougher to be thrilled will the holiday activities due to my realizing that Christ is ever increasingly being taken out of the focus.
I began reading some Charles Spurgeon sermons on Christmas. It has started to shift my attention from the holiday, to the mindset of remembering Christ's birth as fully man/fully God, at the same time that all other christians are doing the same. Here is a taste of Spurgeon on Christmas.

“Observe, this morning, the sacred joy of Mary that you may imitate it. This is a season when all men expect us to be joyous. We compliment each other with the desire that we may have a "Merry Christmas." Some Christians who are a little squeamish, do not like the word "merry." It is a right good old Saxon word, having the joy of childhood and the mirth of manhood in it, it brings before one's mind the old song of the waits, and the midnight peal of bells, the holly and the blazing log. I love it for its place in that most tender of all parables, where it is written, that, when the long-lost prodigal returned to his father safe and sound, "They began to be merry." This is the season when we are expected to be happy; and my heart's desire is, that in the highest and best sense, you who are believers may be "merry." Mary's heart was merry within her; but here was the mark of her joy, it was all holy merriment, it was every drop of it sacred mirth. It was not such merriment as worldlings will revel in to-day and to-morrow, but such merriment as the angels have around the throne, where they sing, "Glory to God in the highest," while we sing "On earth peace, goodwill towards men." Such merry hearts have a continual feast. I want you, ye children of the bride-chamber, to possess to-day and to-morrow, yea, all your days, the high and consecrated bliss of Mary, that you may not only read her words, but use them for yourselves, ever experiencing their meaning: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior."” - Charles Spurgeon

God's Will: Your Sanctification

For this is the will of God: your sanctification…

-Thessalonians 4:3a

One of the more comforting and assuring truths that I have been shown is that it is God’s will that we be sanctified. The believer is commanded to put to death that which does not please the Lord (Col. 3:5) and to work out his salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12); but how much more courage, determination, and bravery should we have for this task knowing that our heavenly Father “predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom 8:29)?

To put it in simple terms: God wants us to win in the battle against sin in our daily lives! It is part of His will for us that we grow in Christ-likeness. Should these thoughts not stir up our confidence in God, believing that he will complete this good work that He has begun in us? (Phil 1:6)

Many days the children of God are weary in the battle against sin and temptation. The verses from Romans 7 can be so true to our lives, where the evil that we don’t want to do, we keep on doing (Rom 7:19). This is a difficult truth knowing that the battles against indwelling sin will last till His return or our death. Yet we are told that our great high priest Jesus is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, as he has been tempted in every respect as we have been, yet without sin. Therefore, we are told to run to our Father’s throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). With humble, dependent confidence we fall before our Father for help! The God who redeemed us from the curse is now eager to conform us to the image of Jesus. He is now working in us for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

Our God is a God that saves; but He is also a God who is in the business of transforming sinners into the image of His glorious Son!

Christ himself intercedes for us that we might be sanctified in truth: God’s Word (John 17:17).

So then, let all of us who are weary, discouraged, or fearful in the battle take heart! For if God is for us who can be against us? (Rom 8:3) May our souls be encouraged to take strength and joy in the Lord as we seek to pursue God’s beautiful plan for His children. We are not a hopeless people, but rather our hope has been ignited by the light of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ that has shone in our hearts.

May our hearts be filled with hope as we see that God’s will for us is sanctification.

Too Late to Apologize?

apol•o•get•ic \ə-pä-lə-ˈje-tik\ adj: offered in defense or vindication〈the apologetic writings of the early Christians〉

"...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..." (1 Peter 3:15)

I am not an apologist nor do I want to pretend to be. However, I have had a few opportunities to answer questions and give a defense for the gospel in my evangelistic efforts. Because I have had some experience and have learned a lot from that (as well as from studying the subject) I want to offer you some tips in a new series of posts. I will probably interrupt the series some weeks for other kinds of posts but in an attempt to offer as much help as I can I think it will be good not to limit myself by trying to fit everything into a single post.

Presuppositions exist, don't ignore them.

This is one of the foundational truths of the brand of apologetics known as Presuppositionalism. It isn't important at this level to go into a textbook style summary of what that means. What you should remember is that you cannot prove the existence of the God of the Bible without acknowledging that you are assuming the truth of His Scripture.

This is one of the great problems I have with many respectable men in the field of apologetics. They make great arguments based on real evidence for the existence of God but in order to avoid the charge of assuming the truth of the Bible they have to say things like "the great preponderance of the evidence points to the likelihood of the existence of a god." Which may be convincing enough to bring some people to faith in "a god" but the assumption behind that kind of argument is that we just need to convince people to become theists and hopefully they will throw themselves into the Christian camp as well.

Instead, I suggest that you simply acknowledge that you are entering the debate with a heart and mind that has been changed by God and, therefore, you assume His existence from the beginning.

You also must remember that because all of mankind has been radically affected by the Fall they are doing the same thing. In Romans Paul says, "no one seeks after God" (Romans 3:11) and in Ephesians 2 man is further described as "following the Prince of the power of the air" and described as "the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).

So biblically speaking you are entering the "debate" with a bias for the God of the Bible and they enter it with a bias against Him. Ignoring that doesn't make the debate go smoother, but it can lead to arguments that are meant to be for God's existence but end up blasphemous.

More to come...

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Judging (Part 2)

Dave Swavely writes in Who Are You to Judge? : "In his case of judging in 1 Corinthians 4:3-5, the apostle Paul has called two witnesses so far- The incompleteness of man's judgment (it is seriously limited) and the insubordination of man's judgment (it is a sin of disobedience to God). In verse 5 he call another witness- the inappropriateness of judging."

1 Corinthians 4:5 - "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God."

Here we see that the Lord is the only qualified Judge. Romans 14:4 - "Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

He is also the only capable Judge. Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

How can one judge another if they do not know the motives behind a persons actions? It is wrong to assume that you know their motives and that is exactly what sinful judging is. Too often we as humans jump to conclusions about everything, before we know anything that happened. We assume that we know everything that goes on in someone's head, but in reality all we see is the action.

Paul writes that God will "bring to light the things now hidden in darkness." That is our heart motives for every action we have ever done. He knows why we do what we do. And He says that on the Judgment Day, God will bring them to light. He will make them known and "each one will receive commendation from God." God alone will judge our hearts.

Dave Swavely gives an example of what could happen to someone who judges falsely and then stands before the Lord:

"I don't want to stand under the fiery glare of our holy God, and hear Him say to me, 'Did you think that this child of mine was wrong in what he did, and criticize him to other?'

'Y-y-yes, Lord,' I will have to answer, with a gulp.

'Well, I did not think he was wrong at all! Nothing in My Bible said what he did was wrong, and I happen to know that his heart was right, which makes Me quite pleased with him. So the only person who was wrong in that situation was you!'"

Do you want to be known as a judgmental person? Someone who tries to blame others of false motives? God will judge those who judge. Do you think He will be please that we think that we can accurately do His job? I don't want to be known as someone who thinks that He can take God's place as the true Judge. You may not think you are when you judge, but in your heart you think that you know what only God knows.

Lord, humble us. Put us in our place as servants willingly submitting, and not constantly trying to ineffectively overthrow You. Give us strength to fight against this sin of Judging. Thank you for Christ and His work that has abolished sin for Your glory!

Rolls? wait roles.

I ended last week with Genesis 1:27 " So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" and so questions. The first question that i believe is essential to this whole topic of biblical womanhood and feminism goes back to...(gasp) roles. So why are roles so important, what are roles anyways? Is it simply chores that a man and woman can do best like mowing the grass or doing dishes, or does it go a little further? So 1, 2, 3, go

It doesn't take much to realize that God created two genders...male and female, thus two different roles. With the creation of roles God is able to show his image in three ways 1) the beauty and importance of interpersonal relationships 2) equality in both person hood and importance 3) difference in role and authority. This week Ill discuss the first way God is able to show his image with the importance of interpersonal relationships as it relates to roles.

God didn't create us to be alone. As humans we are best when we are around other humans that we can connect with and grow with. There is something special about interpersonal relationships and we see them everywhere... in families, friends, but this relationship is best expressed in marriage. In marriage you have two coming together as one, it is a unity of body, mind, and soul. It is cool to see how God uses marriage in all its beauty and mystery to show unity between a man and a woman. There is another relationship that somewhat mirrors this unity...the Trinity. Father, Son, and Spirit. This "Trinity" was shown to us in Genesis 1:26 when God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Within the trinity there is love, communication, fellowship, a sharing of glory, and mutual giving of honor. These things, hopefully, also show up in marriage.

Now i have a good group of Godly women friends that i am so extremely thankful for. I can relate to these women, express myself in a way that they understand (which basically means i can ramble and think out loud and they know that im not looking for an answer or trying to make a point), they are tender, and can relate to hardships that i go through. I love my girl friends, but i didn't leave my parents to form a new family with them, nor can i be united body soul and mind to them...but i can to my sweet husband. With Jonathan there is this unique relationship where he is my protector and i am his helper, he has the ultimate decision making power, but he wants to know my thoughts and wisdom. We each bring something different to the table that wouldn't be much fun at all if it was two me's or two Jonathan's. With the creation of male and female, you get these two completely different puzzle pieces that fit together beautifully and work best together, just like the trinity.

To sum up roles are important because they show us that we need each other and are interdependent on each other (its best seen in marriage), just like the Father, Son, and Spirit need each other and are interdependent on each other.

I have a feeling that this is going to be a long topic, but its a good one.
Grace and peace.
sarah b.

Ministry Spot Light

Over the weekend my wife sarah and I got to go to a “Weekend to Remember” conference put on by Family Life(www.familylife.com). Conference was great and very encouraging but it was a very different experience. I have lived in Little Rock Arkansas my whole life and for a good portion of my friends have been children of Family Life Missionaries. Because I've always been around the ministry it has been very easy to over look what God is doing.
At the conference couples of all ages and backgrounds, christians and non christians, all for the sake of strengthening, preparing, or even saving their marriages. Seeing how these couples all had a weekend to simply focus on each other while being saturated by the gospel was a very encouraging thing for me to see since I've known people who run these conferences for years. We happened to know the guy who was the coordinator for the conference, so we heard many great stories from past weekends and how God uses these weekends to save marriages and bring people to Himself. I hope that you don't do what I tend to do and let the work of local missionaries go without being notice, and especially prayed for. Check out your local ministries that you might typically forget to join me in praying for them today.

JB

A Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving

I give you thanks, O LORD with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.


On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.


All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.


For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.


Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.


The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
-Psalm 138

The Purpose and Centrality of the Local Church Part 6

This is the final part of a series on the centrality of the local church in God's redemptive purposes in the world. It has not been attempt to bring us back to a Rome-like view of the church or salvation but, rather, an attempt to do away with our Western individualism and help you to get a vision of and passion for the local assembly that God has given you. I hope it has been helpful.

The centrality of the church can be seen in that the responsibility for missions is given to the church.

This point is very relevant for me because I have seen first-hand both the lack of passion for missions in the local church and the lack of passion for the church in missions organizations. That is all besides the fact that most churches misapply their mission, turning church services into productions that are meant to draw in lost people with everything but the biblical gospel.

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

This is the probably the main text that comes to most Christian minds when thinking about missions. Often called "the great commission" this text makes it clear that the gospel was meant to be effectively preached in all nations.

There is, however, much debate over what Jesus intended to be the eternal result of his words. Was this only a commission for the original disciples to fulfill? Does this obligate every person to serve a term of some length as a missionary?

Without going into a long exegetical study of the passage I will tell you my own conclusions. Just by knowing the rest of the New Testament we can know that this commission is meant to drive Christians during the entire church-age; that is, until Jesus comes back. The grammar of the commission tells us that the emphasis is not on "go" but on "make disciples." Therefore, every Christian is called to be a part of the fulfillment of this commission, but not every Christian is called to go on a "missions term." However, this commission clearly has global aspirations. Therefore, global missions is necessary to obey Jesus' commission.

So what we should really be asking is how Jesus intended this commission to be fulfilled and how the early church obeyed him. So let's see what we can learn from the book of Acts about these two things.

1. How did Jesus intend for this to be done?

In Acts 1 Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them and then gives a statement similar to the great commission cited above (Acts 1:8). He wasn't urgent for the disciples to start on a missionary journey as soon as he ascended. Instead, it seems that Jesus wanted the church to officially be started. He wanted things to go in their proper order and the Holy Spirit to empower their evangelism, which would happen in an incredible way in Acts 2.

2. How did the apostles work to fulfill the great commission?

The reason I use the "apostles" rather than "the church" in the title for this point is simply to avoid circular reasoning. The fact is 1st century Christian missions was church-centered to the core. The best example I can give for this is Acts 13-14 where we see how Paul and Barnabas went about their missionary journey.

In Acts 13:1-3 we see Paul (Saul) and Barnabas being set apart as missionaries in the context of the local church at Antioch. The congregation fasted and prayed about it and then layed hands on them and sent them.

The rest of Acts 13 and into 14 describes the missionary journey. To summarize, the fruit of the journey was church plants (Acts 14:21-25). They made many disciples of Christ and encouraged them, appointing elders for the new local churches.

After all this what did they do? Return to Antioch to let their sending church share in the joy of their labors (Acts 14:26-27). They then did something that we don't see much nowadays with missionaries, "And they stayed there a long time with the disciples." (Acts 14:28).

So we see three things: (1) the local church sent the missionaries, (2) the missionaries planted local churches, and (3) the missionaries returned to the local church to report and commit themselves to their own congregation once again.

We could look at a lot more but I think this gets the point across. Love your church, love the gospel, and love the lost enough to preach the gospel to them. I don't think para-church organizations are the God-ordained means for this task, they are only helpful inasmuch as they seek to work alongside God's church. Sending a para-church orginization to fulfill the great commission without the church is like sending the Boy Scouts to war...they may be entheusiastic about it but they lack the power and authority to win.

Grace, Peace, and much love,
Stephen