A whole new way of seeing God

I read this this morning by Tim Keller and it changed what I was going to write. So this is Tim Keller on A whole new way of seeing God.


"But Christians are those who have adopted a whole new system of approach to God.
They may have had both religious phases and irreligious phases in their lives. But
they have come to see that their entire reason for both their irreligion and their
religion was essentially the same and essentially wrong! Christians come to see that
both their sins and their best deeds have all really been ways of avoiding Jesus as
savior. They come to see that Christianity is not fundamentally an invitation to get
more religious. A Christian comes to say: "though I have often failed to obey the moral
law, the deeper problem was why I was trying to obey it! Even my efforts to obey it has
been just a way of seeking to be my own savior. In that mindset, even if I obey or ask
for forgiveness, I am really resisting the gospel and setting myself up as Savior." To
"get the gospel" is turn from self-justification and rely on Jesus' record for a
relationship with God. The irreligious don't repent at all, and the religious only repent
of sins. But Christians also repent of their righteousness. That is the distinction
between the three groups--Christian, moralists (religious), and pragmatists
(irreligious).
Summary. Without a knowledge of our extreme sin, the payment of the cross seems
trivial and does not electrify or transform. But without a knowledge of Christ's
completely satisfying life and death, the knowledge of sin would crush us or move us
to deny and repress it. Take away either the knowledge of sin or the knowledge of
grace and people's lives not changed. They will be crushed by the moral law or run
from it angrily. So the gospel is not that we go from being irreligious to being
religious, but that we realize that our reasons for both our religiosity and our
irreligiosity were essentially the same and essentially wrong. We were seeking to be
our own Saviors and thereby keep control of our own life. When we trust in Christ as
our Redeemer, we turn from trusting either self-determination or self-denial for our
salvation--from either moralism or hedonism."

High Five- Soli Deo Gloria

So far we have looked at the first four solas at the reformation. We have seen that Scripture alone is the source of equipping our minds for life in the faith. We have seen that our salvation is by grace alone, that we are justified by faith alone and that this happens because of the work of Christ alone. But now, as we address the fifth sola, it is as if we are asking the question that every 5 year old asks, “why?” Why does He save us? And, why does He save us in this way?



The answer is Soli Deo Gloria. For the glory of God alone. It would be impossible to attempt to go in depth on this topic. Volumes have been written on the fact that God does all things in order to bring glory to Himself. But in this post I want to keep our focus on Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and show how salvation is the chief means by which God glorifies Himself. Even this will be surface level but hopefully it gives us all a moment to glory in the cross of Christ.

1. We are saved by his glory.

There are two ways in which we are saved by His glory; his perfect life of righteousness and his death of atonement.

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:4)

This is part of Jesus’ prayer just before the passion section of John. As we will see in the next portion Jesus is about to display the glory of God in a way we never could have imagined. But it should not be lost on us that Jesus’ work throughout his life was also his glory. It is this righteous life that will be credited to the account of every Christian. It is this teaching that sustains us in our Christian walk.

But now it gets better…

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:23-24)

When I stop and think about this fact I am utterly amazed. The glory of God in Christ Jesus is the act that saved me. In the verse cited above we see it clearly. As D.A. Carson writes:

“It is not just that the shame of the cross is inevitably followed by the glory of the exaltation, but that the glory is already fully displayed in the shame. “(The Gospel According to John, 437)

He then goes on to connect this passage to Isaiah 53:12:
Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
2. We are saved to His glory.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)

It is easy for me to lose sight of this point. God has not only saved me from hell to heaven, He saved me to Himself and His glory. Let me say that again, He saved me to His glory. That assumes something huge, namely, that people find some sort of joy in the glory of God. Outside of the Bible no text has put this point more concisely than the Westminster Shorter Catechism which says that the chief end of man is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Dr. John Piper, however, has expounded this point by rephrasing man’s chief end as “[glorifying God] by enjoying Him forever.” Or as he most commonly summarizes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

It is always nice to hear from men like Piper and the Westminster Divines but it is better to focus our attention on the text of Scripture here. 2 Corinthians 4 pictures man, blinded by Satan to the truth of the gospel and the glory of God. Yet God, in His mercy, causes light in our hearts to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus. What does that create? Faith! Saving faith comes from beholding the glory of Christ and clinging to it for salvation. Thus, we are saved to the glory of God.

3. We are saved for His glory.

In [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

After seeing the first two points this one seems pretty straight-forward. But perhaps it is this point that we need more than the others. Did God save you because there was something in you that made you irresistible to Him? Was it because of your sincerity? Did Jesus die so that there would be a way to God just in case somebody decided to take the narrow road? Not according to Scripture. What we see here in Ephesians is God lovingly choosing to save some, by the work of Christ, in order that He would have a people who see and savor His glory.

In the end what we will see is a saved people from every nation singing the praises of their savior:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)

Mom

Photo by Vic Orenstein

(note: this post is not to shame moms into anything. Mothers day is coming and I wanted to post on the new found respect that I have for the role of parenting that came through this quote/thought process.)
Moms have a tough job. I have recently come to a greater respect for that seeing my wife carry out normal everyday tasks without motherhood responsibilities. Looking back I see in my childhood where I made it even more difficult for my mom. There have to be many joys that come with motherhood because I am fully aware of the emotional pains that my siblings and I have cause our mother over the years.

On a car ride this Sunday there was a quote by Charles Spurgeon that was brought to my attention. This has shaken me into a reality check of new proportions when pondering parenthood.
First the context for the mind blowing revelation is remembering this quote
"If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for. - C.H. Spurgeon

How important is the job of a parent? The responsibility of carrying the gospel and sharing it with your children. And even more so teaching them that god is sovereign and completely just.
With that being taught it must also be believed...
“seek God for yourself; or rather, God must seek you. You must have vital experience of godliness in you heart, or else you are lost, even though all your friends were in heaven. That was a dreadful dream which a pious mother once had, and told to her children. She thought the judgment day was come. The great books were opened. They all stood before God. And Jesus Christ said, "Separate the chaff from the wheat; put the goats on the left hand, and the sheep on the right. The mother dreamed that she and her children were standing just in the middle of the great assembly. And the angel came, and said, "I must take the mother, she is a sheep: she must go to the right hand. The children are goats: they must go on the left." She thought as she went, her children clutched her, and said, "Mother, can we part? Must we be separated?" She then put her arms around them, and seemed to say, "My children, I would, if possible, take you with me." But in a moment the angel touched her; her cheeks were dried, and now, overcoming natural affection, being rendered supernatural and sublime, resigned to God's will, she said, "My children, I taught you well, I trained you up, and you forsook the ways of God; and now all I have to say is, Amen to you condemnation." - C.H. Spurgeon

The gut wrenching thought, and yet how beautiful to know the perfect righteous God will always be just in His actions. And that no man will enter the without the cover of Christ's blood.
Ephesians 2:1-10

Glory to God

For a child one of the hardest realizations is that not everything is about them. The same is for believers when we find that we are not the cener of everything. God isn’t for our glory. Its not about us at all. in fact in Romans 1 Paul even says in his greeting “1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,”.

We are made for something greater that our minds could ever conger up or dream on its own. Its not like when we were kids realizing that the world doesn’t revolve around us. This message it amazing becaus its the realization that the world has a far better reason for exsisting than if it was all about us.
Here are some sobering beautiful passages.



made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory. (Jeremiah 13:11)
The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (John 7:l8)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16; cf. 1 Peter 2:12)
Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (l Corinthians 10:31
From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. (Ezekiel 20:l4)

Suffering Well

Before Sarah and I got married we had the opportunity to share the story of how we met with the Dallas News. When we had the interview a writer came over talked to us for a while and we attempted to share as much of our story crediting God for our entire relationship. We wanted the gospel of Jesus Christ to be the center of the story because He IS the center of our story.
Upon receiving the paper I was happy at what was there but still disappointed at the things that were left out and replaced with less important details.

This is what I thought of when reading Matt Chandlers story in the Associated Press article on Yahoo.com “Suffering Well”. Even more so because after doing our story we attended his church because its where Sarah was attending at the time. It made me realize that Matt’s story could not be told with out Gods glory being the central focus. Especially when the man has absolutely no control over anything thats going on. (To read the full article click here)

For background on this story (if you know the story you can skip down) Matt Chandler had a seizurze and woke up in the hospital on Thanksgiving day 2009 in Dallas Texas. He found out later that he had brain cancer and that the doctors had to remove part of his frontal lobe and he now receives heavy radiation treatment. He is now recovering well and preaching not wasting his time in ministry. (that’s the very short version).

Here are some excerpts from the article:

By ERIC GORSKI, AP National Writer Eric Gorski, Ap National Writer – Sun Jan 31, 12:01 am ET

Chandler’s lanky 6-foot-5-inch frame rests on a table at Baylor University Medical Center. He wears the same kind of jeans he wears preaching to 6,000 people at The Village Church in suburban Flower Mound, where the 35-year-old pastor is a rising star of evangelical Christianity.
(that one wasn’t too surprising)


Another cancer patient Chandler has gotten to know spends his time in radiation imagining that he’s playing a round of golf at his favorite course. Chandler on this first Monday in January is reflecting on Colossians 1:15-23, about the pre-eminence of Christ and making peace through the blood of his cross.
(That one was)


Whatever happens, he says, is God’s will, and God has his reasons. For Chandler, that does not mean waiting for his fate. It means fighting for his life.


One of Chandler’s sayings is, “It’s OK to not be OK — just don’t stay there.” In other words, your doubts and questions are welcome at The Village Church, but eventually you need to pull it together.


Chandler’s long, meaty messages untangle large chunks of Scripture, a stark contrast to the “Eight Ways to Overcome Fear” sermons common to evangelical megachurches that took off in the 1980s. His approach appeals, he believes, to a generation looking for transcendence and power.


His theology teaches that all men are wicked, that human beings have offended a loving and sovereign God, and that God saves through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection — not because people do good deeds. In short, Chandler is a Calvinist, holding to a belief system growing more popular with young evangelicals.


“Matt goes right at Bible Belt Christianity and exposes the problems with it,” says Collin Hansen, author of “Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists.” “He says, ‘Enough of this playing around and trying to be relevant and using cultural touch points. Let’s talk God’s words.’”

Chandler was taught that Christianity meant not listening to secular music or seeing R-rated movies. He developed what he calls a small and “man-centered” view of God — that God will bless people who are good. That began to change when a high school football teammate started talking about the Gospel.


Before the meeting ends, Matt prays that his children and others do not grow resentful.

“Lord, you gave this to me for a reason. Let me run with it and do the best I can with it.”


Barnett says later that he’s witnessed many tragedies and miracles. He has seen how people handle life-changing moments. He called Chandler’s attitude one of the most amazing he’s seen.



“Knowing that if God is outside time and I am inside time, that puts some severe limitations on my ability to crack all the codes,” he says. “The more I’ve studied, the more I go, ‘Yes, God is sovereign, and he does ask us to pray ... and he does change his mind.’ How all that will work is in some aspects a mystery.”


“The human experience commonly shared is suffering,” said Mark Driscoll, pastor of Seattle’s Mars Hill Church and a friend of Chandler’s. “If he suffers well, that might be the most important sermon he’s ever preached.”


With all that said and even more it just makes me wonder what kind of an impact this article could have on the readers that visit this. Please pray that more articles like this leak into the press and that God is not edited out.

See the full article here http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100131/ap_on_re/us_rel_the_pastor_s_cancer_1

Romans 8:18-25

Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott

This week I wanted to share a song that I have grown to love over the last year or two written by Martin Luther. It has been stuck in my head for the last two days since I heard this song at Passion with same title even though its a totally different song.

A mighty fortress is our God (Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott)

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

I'm happy that such a passionate man for God had such a love for music. He expressed his love for music in a book forward once.

“Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits... A person who... does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God... Does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and dying hogs” - Martin Luther

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.

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 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

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.

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

Glory of Christ in Words

Just to settle the thoughts of all of our readers, the fanny pack from last week is not from my personal collection. Personally it might have been a little controversial to put anything up with the of the princesses. I probably should have simply picked 1.
The subject at hand however is words and their global purpose for the believer.

What should our words be focussed at? Christ's glory. Its amazing how what is being felt comes from inside and works its way out. When your happy, your words are more cheery. When your mad, anger tends to flow. When your thankful to God you praise Colossians 3:17, Psalm 63:5.
Obviously there are times you will be upset, there just isn't a case that I know of that should keep a follower of Jesus Christ fighting for the right to use vulgar terms as a freedom. “Lighter” cussing may not be offensive to pop culture anymore or even terms in texting that abbreviate the same four letter words. But to the believer we shouldn't be as anxious to try converting these words to everyday speech. Instead we should weigh the cost and make sure that the positive glorify aspects of speech far out weigh the negatives. We should be way more focused about correcting our hearts than if its ok to cuss or not. Once both sides hearts are right then we won't even have to worry about whats worse, not cursing or not feeding the hungry. Hopefully at that point we will have both down a little better.

Glory of Christ through words is fixing your heart and mind on things above and putting behind the old self. This will work itself into speech Colossians 5

Thoughts or comments?

What are words?

Part 1 of the series I am attempting to do was Just a little Babel and at the end I posed a question.
I hope at the end of this one we can get some dialogue because I would like the discussion to help shape part 3.

There are many questions that run through my curious mind about different things, but one in-particular thing lately has nagged at me a bit longer than usual. Where do words get their meaning? How does a culture go from have one very vulgar term one day to 20 years later it is a term flippantly used by children. At what point does the Christ follower have to shut down certain speech even though its widely accepted or un accepted?

Recently I listened to a sermon by Matt Chandler (warning if you are from Australia this next story could be considered offensive) where he spoke about his trip to Australia where he was doing some preaching. He was in the middle of talking at a conference and needed to use the word fanny pack to explain a nerdy type of guy. The crowd immediately gasped and he then was faced with trying to figure out what the problem was. In the process though he continued to say the word that was offending the crowd. So at what point does culture define a word, and yet we are to have Colossians 3:8 in mind.

This question came from a few years of hearing the argument “You can say what ever words you want. Words only have the meaning that you give to them”. This mixed with a Derek Webb song titled “what matters more”, where he cusses. Comments were made about the song such as “I thought with all the controversy that he would have said something a lot worse than that” and “he's trying to make a point and needs the shock value. These blended together with the Tower of Babel and James 3:3-12 in my study.

In James 3 we see that the tongue is a desirable thing to tame and control (I'm not there yet and according to James it itsn't looking great for the future either). This means that the words you speak come with meaning. Jesus unpacks this even further. In Mark 15:17-18 Jesus says that the words that come from our mouth are generated by our hearts. So regardless of the actual words you speak it might not be a bad idea to search the source first and hen the dictionary.

So where does the Christian draw the line? Is it with Derek Webb like soft cussing? Or is it ok to use cussing or foul speech if you don't mean it in anger? Is it ok to use it to get attention? Is it ok to use any words to express anger?

I ask these questions with Colossians 3:17 in mind. Not to hold fast to tradition or relevance. But simply to ask why do we hold so tightly to a “freedom” to use “any” words that we desire if the impact could be someone stumbling. I have seen even pastors fight for their right to use light cussing to be relevant rather than to use another term which has the same meaning (which brings up another point for some. Why is it ok to use one word and not another if they mean the same), and not to be bogged down by legalism. But for what cause do we do this.

I have a few rules for discussion: 1. No cursing, if you feel the need to use inappropriate words then hold off on comments or email me. 2. If you don't want to comment on the blog you can facebook me or twitter. 3. look through the lens of Colossians 3:17.

I pray discussion is productive and glorifying to Christ. Part 3 will be the unpacking of this topic and words for the Glory of Christ.

Just a little Babel

What power do words really hold. I have figured out recently that words have more impact than I ever thought when growing up in a home of 3 boys. In my family words bounced off as though meaningless. But now I'm married for less than a year and realizing that words have impact... sometimes even when I don't mean to put anything behind them.
Recently through some conversations I've had and through blogs that I have read it is very clear that the dialogue of words and their meaning are constantly being challenged. I do not mean the words themselves and definition is being challenged as much as the impact.
The next couple blogs I post will be on words and the impact. I hope to learn through this. Please post opinions if you have any.

In the old testament we see many instances where God does some pretty human life altering things. I wont place this as #1 but very high on the list is the separation of language at the tower of babel. Its very tough to imagine a world where people all had one single dialect and people group. When I first read this it made me think about how cool that would be, mostly because I naturally think positively about it. However then I began to think about the story and what human nature did with it. Sure it might be cool if everyone agreed on wholesome things but I look at the tower and the acts that went on surrounding Genesis 11:1-9 and I realize that once it starts going in a direction it doesn't stop. There are no barriers.

God dispersed these people all over the world into different people groups which actually made the humans do what we were told to do in Genesis 1:28 and fill the earth. He made it so they could not work together for evil. If we look all over the nations today it seems that the closer we get to being unified in dialect the further we seem to be going from the morals of God (not that I think we were ever collectively very close). Even more than that, we seem to have a task on our hands when it comes to the gospel... or do we. The task at hand may seem like a bad thing, but God has a plan. I don't believe there are accidents with God. God will be glorified when all tongues praise God in unison Revelation 5:9-10 and Revelation 7:9-10.

Dialogue is very important, it can destroy a nation when its lost. Think of what it will be like when it is restored. I know I feel a certain distance from people who don't speak english but the second I find a english speaker in a foreign country that I visit then that person is my new best friend. How beautiful is it to hear others praising God in their native tongue. Its the sound of the gospel being bigger than all words.

Has the spreading of the gospel been hindered or spurred on by the dispersing of language?

No more work?

Oh the weight that was on me when my sins were revealed. What a weight that was lifted when Christ bore the weight of sin and shame. Christ not only took the weight and the shame from us while on the cross but He put the shame to shame Hebrews 12:2.
We cannot take that on ourselves. The simple thought that we in ourselves could cure sin is as easy as telling a terminal patient that it is their job to fix themselves. Even if the patient were to some how turn around the doctor would be the one who receives all of the praise for good work. Christ didn't cunningly swoop in under the radar and cheat death. Christ beat death in the open for the glory and praise to fall on Him as He restored life and brought Justification for those who believe.

Why do we praise? Because He Bore our sin, our shame and our guilt and made us not guilty 1 Peter 2:24. We praise because He knew no sin until He bore our sin 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
We praise because we had no chance to Justify ourself in front of a righteous holy judge Ephesians 2:5, Galatians 2:20.

For most who see this it is nothing new, if thats the case here is a wonderful song to worship through song with. If it is new, I pray you have heard the good news, that Christ came, died, and rose again. The is no reason to work for justification any more.

Made Us Alive by Seth Jones & Michael Bleecker
V1
The weight of all of my shame Released when you came And gave up your life
The freedom you give in your grace Chains broken replaced With your own life

Pre-Chorus
We sing to the One who has made us a l i v e
We sing to the One who has made us a l i v e

V2
Crucified with Christ, No longer we live, But Christ lives within
You’re crowned with many crowns Our praises resound To Jesus our King

Chorus
There on the cross He bore our sins
And then imparted righteousness
And now we stand here justified
Now we live because He died

listen to it at http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/music/weekend

Your love has met Your law's demand

Last sunday we sang the hymn "We Come, O Christ, to You" in church. I was struck deeply by the richness of this text written by Margaret Clarkson. This hymn draws our attention to the glory of Christ in many ways. It speaks of Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the life. It speaks of Christ as Savior, Lord, and King.

This hymn was so helpful in drawing my soul to meditate upon our glorious King Jesus!




"We come, O Christ, to You, True Son of God and man,
By whom all things consist, In whom all life began:
In You alone we live and move, and have our being in Your love.

You are the Way to God, Your blood our ransom paid;
In You we face our Judge and Maker unafraid.
Before the throne absolved we stand,
Your love has met Your law's demands.

You are the living Truth! All wisdom dwells in You,
The Source of every skill, The One eternal True!
O great I Am! In You we rest, Sure answer to our every quest.

You only are true Life, to know You is to live.
The more abundant life that earth can never give: O Risen Lord!
We live in You, in us each day Your life renew!

We worship You, Lord Christ, our Savior and our King,
To You our youth and strength adoringly we bring:
So fill our hearts, that all may view Your life in us,
and turn to You!"

Diamonds and Pearls

At our wednesday night bible study last night an interesting story came up. This woman in my church was telling us about a conversation she had with a girl at her work. It was about this diamond...a really BIG diamond. 500 karats in fact found in South Africa. Well the day went on, but God put this thought in her head. Simply put, what girl in their right mind if presented with a 500 karat diamond would say, "no thanks ill stick with what ive got." i know i would be very excited if presented with such a treasure. The point she goes on to make is this, so many are presented with the opportunity to know Christ but instead say, "no thanks im fine with this."

Instead of turning away from God and being satisfied with a mediocre life that may have some good times, were offered salvation-life with the Almighty Savior-and grace to walk by faith and live to the glory of God in this life until we were called home. In the book of matthew jesus is giving parables as to what the kingdom of heaven is like. In these parables the kingdom of heaven is the equivalent of the prescence of God. In matthew 13:45 Jesus says, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." Our God is worthy for us give ALL that we have for him, to him. He deserves our faithfullness and devotion and joy and worship and witness...not that he can't get it all some other way, but he allows us to know him and worship him.

It reminds me of another passage in Luke. Its the Triumphal Entry and the disciples are praising Christ for the things that he's done. the pharisees don't like this and they tell jesus to rebuke his disciples. i love christ's reply, " I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." We have the greatest thing, Jesus, our savior, worthy of our praise and our lives lived out to the glory of his name. So...lets live our lives to the glory of his name.

The Raptor

Matthew 24

36"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

If you are anything like me then you probably have the same reaction when someone that you enjoy talking to says those lovely words “what do you believe about end time events” or something of the like. For the most part everybody seems to feel the same way, which I have found that to be either that they are alone in their belief (or at least that there are few that totally agree with them). Or they think everyone is on the same page with them which seems to come from people who haven't looked into it very much. The age old argument of the timing (pre, mid, post), is relevant (in the proper times) because often times it is shaped by or from your view of other scriptures. However, it doesn't seem to be wise to use all your energy on these points missing the end result entirely.

I am no scholar in this area (or most areas). There is little for me to offer except the wonderful words that Christ will return. So many of us dive into end times hoping to find a great ending or more to the story than we knew was there, when yes, we do have the end of the story! Christ returns Triumphantly (1 Tim. 6:14-16). He comes to bring a glorious end for His glory (not for ours, which is a way better party to attend). He does not create earth, manage it for a bit and then leave it as it is. Christ returns, and when He does it will be a day of celebration when our blessed hope comes to redeem His people and we can worship Him in His presence.

Our belief on the end times might be irrelevant for this post (Since I'm not going to tell you my belief's), but I am in no way attempting to direct your attention away from the passages that speak on end times. In fact quite the opposite, if it is in the bible it needs to be studied. I will say that I find it beneficial while looking into the end times to keep the rest of the passage from Matthew 24 in mind which is where I personally was attempting to direct attention to.

45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' 49and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This is the encouragement that I get... The Master will return. Glory will be given to Christ, Justice and Mercy have met at cross and will be reflected upon on that day when it is in the final state.

Lets work hard for Christ. I find time moves faster when I'm doing productive things.

The Glue

This above image is not designed to poke fun at anyone (except maybe the occasional poorly crafted "as seen on tv ad")

Colossians 1:15-20
It’s amazing to sit and dwell on Colossians covering a multitude of subjects regarding the Christian Church. My most commonly visited section is typically Chapter 3 (Colossians 3:12-17) in study through putting off the old self and placing on the new and then continuing into an out pouring of worship (16-17) in everything you do.


While reading through John Pipers book Spectacular Sins I came upon something that really intrigued me and was not a new thought but simply something I’ve heard many times that just astounds me. Piper was going through Colossians 1:15-20 and began going through verses 16-17. “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 is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”


What a thought to dwell on during the day as the clock slowly ticks away (or speedily zooms as mine tends too), Christ created everything for Himself. Nothing was created as a stand alone. I was thinking back to when Sarah (my wife) and I went to the aquarium in Dallas we went to see the Jellyfish. Those creatures that are unseen in the wild most of the hours in a day are not stand alone creations to glory in themselves or to gain glory. These were made for Christ and for His Glory alone.

This was even further enhanced when I looked at the new Hubble space photo’s after they gave it some new technology (its like the difference you see when you get your first pair of glasses). The earth isn’t big enough to tell the story of God’s greatness.

The rulers and authorities are simply created beings... all created for one purpose, to glorify the King whether they acknowledge it or not.
And not only is it created through Him and for Him, but there is nothing to fear because He holds it all together. Nothing goes uncreated, unnoticed, unknown to the triune God of the universe.

In Christ

Set Apart

The image in this post is a graphic for a youth group called set apart ministries. The intent behind it is to show that these students are in the world but not of the world. A transformed people in a radical world Romans 12:1-2.
They are to be radically set apart including their minds and continually thinking about what they are being set apart for Colossians 3:1-3.

There are many examples of men and women set apart for Jesus Christ. One of them is Paul.
In Romans 1:1-5 he describes his “set apartness”.
Romans 1:1-5
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

Paul is a great example of a man who was radical, and it seems that it is not just for the sake of being radical but simply because he saw no other action that would follow Christ’s teaching. I know that I didn’t have a radical blinding experience on the way to murder Christians. But through the sudden life change in Paul, I do see the radical life that Christ has called us to live throughout his ministry. So why bring this graphic on to the blog? It was created a couple years ago but through reading 1 Timothy 1:8-17 several times these last few weeks. This passage and message spurs me to worship and to live set apart for Christ, to the Glory of Christ.
Enjoy