Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA): Recent Episodes
Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Ephesians 2:1-7
Because of God’s abundant love and rich mercy, God gave new life in Christ to the dead.
The post Walking Dead, Rising Life appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:23
The Father has given his Son the Church as his body and his fullness.
The post Christ’s Church: His Body & Fullness appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:20-22
The Father has highly exalted and seated his Son over all rule and for his Church.
The post The Seated Son appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:15-19
As we pray unceasingly to God, we are assured his Spirit of wisdom and glorious riches from Christ.
NOTE: The recording on Sunday failed, so Pastor Mock re-preached this to an audience of Three-in-One for the sake of continuity in the sermon series and the preservation of the essence of the sermon from Sunday.
The post Prayer for the Spirit of Wisdom appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:11-14
The Spirit blesses us with Himself as our eternally guaranteed seal.
The post Blessings from God the Spirit appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In these baptismal remarks, Pastor Mock highlights two episodes in the life of Christ that show the Son’s heart for the inclusion of children in his Kingdom: Mark 10; Matthew 23.
The post Baptism of Reid Thomas Hull appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:7-10
The Son blesses his people in himself with every Spiritual blessing.
The post Blessings from God the Son appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:3-6
The Father blesses his people in his Beloved Son with every Spiritual blessing.
The post Blessings from God the Father appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ephesians 1:1-2
To shower grace and peace upon his people, God gives them apostleship and sainthood.
The post Two Graces: Apostleship & Sainthood appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Acts 20:17-38
Main Point: United to the Good Shepherd, an undershepherd’s ministry is to be conducted with all humility, through tears and trials, and committed to the whole counsel of God
The post A Pastor’s Ministry appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Acts 19:21-41
When the idols clash against Christ, Christ is vindicated.
The post The Insanity of Idolatry appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Acts 19:11-20
As the powerful name of Christ is extolled, God heals, humiliates, and humbles.
The post Fear & Exaltation appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Pastor Mock begins his series in Ephesians through the Book of Acts.
Acts 18:24-19:10
God-glorifying ministry and church growth depend on the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
The post Boldness in Word & Spirit appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
On the occasion of installing Michael Mock as the new pastor of Grace Fresno, Rev. Brandon Edmonds preached the word from Haggai 2:1-9 of Zerubbabel, an unremarkable servant of the Lord whom He used to bless his people.
Also included in the recording is the installation of Pastor Mock and the charge to the Pastor, given by Rev. Dan Katches and the charge to the congregation given by Rev. Brandon Edmonds.
The post Installation of Pastor Mock appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Acts 2:42-47 we see the list of simple things that the early church was devoted to:
The Apostle’s TeachingThe FellowshipThe Breaking of BreadThe Prayers The early church grew in extraordinary ways through their faithful use of these ordinary means.
The post The Extraordinary, Ordinary Church appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Paul admonishes the Christians in Thessalonica to abstain from sexual immorality.
The post Acquiring a Spouse appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Acts 6:8 through 7:60 we see Stephen giving a lengthy summary of redemptive history, subtly turning the charges brought by his accusers back upon their own heads.
The post Stephen’s Speech appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Mark 7:31-37, we see Jesus heal a man who is deaf and dumb in the Decapolis, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah 35.
The post The One Who Has Made All Things Well appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Isaiah 55 is a passage of great hope and encouragement, held out to those who long for freedom from sin and the fullness of life found only in Jesus Christ.
The post Come, Everyone Who Thirsts appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Drawing from a selection of passages from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Scott Parrish exhorts fathers to Godly living and Biblical Masculinity, drawing from the examples of Joseph, the father of Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25Matthhew 2:13-23Luke 2:4-7Luke 2:21-241 Corinthians 16:13-17 The post Joseph, A Righteous Man appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Scott Parrish explores the theme of love in the gospel and epistles of John, starting in John 13:34-35.
The post Walking Together in Love appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 2 Timothy 3:14-17, we find a very familiar passage to many of us where Paul exhorts Timothy to remain faithful to the simple Gospel truth he was raised on, in contrast to the false teachers who invent new doctrines to tickle the ears of their followers.
The commandment to continue in the WordThree reasons whyThe Strength of ScriptureThe Source of ScriptureThe Sufficiency of Scripture The post Stick with the Scriptures appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Revelation 3:1-6, we read the letter from Jesus to the church at Sardis. It is a solemn reminder to us to remain vigilant and active in love and good works, lest we fall under a similar condemnation.
The post Sardis: The Dying Church appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michael MockText: Philippians 3:12-16Title: Pressed into PerfectionBecause Jesus Christ has made us his own, we exhaust our Spirit-given energy in hot pursuit of perfection.Outline:
Put Off Self-Righteousness (vv. 12-13)a. Not Sinless (vv. 12-13a) i. Application: Humility requires our acknowledgement that we are sinners.b. No Regrets (v. 13b) i. Don’t Forget the Past! ii. Forget the Past! iii. Focus on the Promise!Pursue Christ-Righteousness (vv. 12-16)a. Eyes on the Call (v. 14)b. Exhaust it All (vv. 12b-14) i. Press On (v. 12b; cf. also Matt. 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:12) ii. Strain Forward (v. 13b) iii. Application: Beloved, are you on a mission to know Jesus and to grow in Jesus?c. Motive (v. 12) i. Application: Press on because Christ pressed on for your perfection. The post Pressed Into Perfection appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In a selection of passages from John and 1 John, Scott Parrish explores the idea of walking in the Light.
The post Walking in the Light Together appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 2 Timothy 2:20-26, Paul uses a metaphor of vessels of gold, silver, clay and wood to describe people, but there is some disagreement amongst scholars about whom Paul is speaking and exactly what he means. Pastor Vitaliy attempts to shed some light on this difficult passage.
The post Useful Vessel in the House of God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Hebrews 4:14-16, the author speaks of Christ as our great high priest and the confidence we can have to approach God in supplication because of Christ’s intercession on our behalf.
The post Our Confidence in Christ appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In John 21:1-14, we see Jesus third appearance to his disciples following his resurrection. By this time, we might expect them to be excited and eager to spread the gospel, yet instead we find them returning to their former life as fishers of fish.
The post Jesus Revealed appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 2 Timothy 2:1-7, we see Paul’s charge to his child in the faith, Timothy, to re-commit himself to the preaching of the gospel in the face of persecution, especially in light of Paul’s own dire situation as his final imprisonment leading up to his death. Paul encourages Timothy to be strengthened by grace.
The post Grace-Empowered appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a parable of a vineyard owner and day laborers which serves to pit our sense of fairness against grace.
Grace is not fairGrace is soverignGrace is not envious The post Sola Gratia appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In John 20:1-9, we see Simon Peter and John race to the tomb upon hearing Mary’s news that Jesus’ body is missing. As we have come to expect, the disciples fail to understand what has happened… until the lights turn on for John, and he begins to grasp the truth in faith, without seeing the risen Lord.
The post Easter’s Footrace appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In John 12:12-19, we see the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. As we draw out the meaning of this event, it is clear that the people in the crowd misunderstood Jesus’ mission and purpose in coming to Jerusalem publicly,
The post The Meaning of Palm Sunday appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In John 3:1-15, we meet Nicodemus: a Pharisee who stands out from his peers in that he seems to be genuinely seeking answers and not looking to entrap Jesus, and yet fails to understand because he has not yet been born again.
The Necessity of the New BirthThe Difficulty of the GospelThe Simplicity of the Gospel The post Jesus and Nicodemus appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Luke 8:4-15, we read the parable of the Sower and the four types of soil which cause us to reflect on our own hearts and repent on the things that keep us from being fruitful.
The post The Parable of the Sower appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In the opening lines of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we read the words of a man who knows he is about to die for his faith, commending his protege to continue the work in the face of opposition.
Gospel Greeting (v. 1-2)Generational Gratitude (v. 3-5)Guidance Given (v. 6-7) The post Last Will & Testament appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Revelation 2, we read the letter from Jesus to the church in Thyatira, where it was difficult to make a living without belonging to a guild, and guild membership was intimately related to the worship of the patron god of the guild. This put many Christians in an awkward position, and some compromised.
The post Thyatira: The Tolerant Church appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Revelation 2:12-17, we read the letter sent to the church at Pergamum, where Satan’s throne is and where Satan dwells. We share much with the context of the church in Pergamum, and the words to them are equally relevant to us today.
The post Pergamum: The Church in the Shadow of Satan’s Throne appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Hebrews 12:12-17, the author admonishes his readers to live holy lives and calls out a number of specific sins to be watchful for in the church.
The post Run With Holiness appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Paul addresses the relationship of Christian employees to their employers.
The post Living Under a Yoke appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Genesis 3 we see the fall of Man, and Matt Balocca walks us through the errors of Eve and Adam, the triumph of the second Adam in his hour of temptation, and how we should respond to temptation.
The post The Fall appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Hebrews 12:1-11, Paul uses the metaphor of a race to encourage his readers to cast aside those things that hinder our pursuit of Christ.
The post Run With Endurance appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Zephaniah 3 gives us an unusual perspective: an Old Testament prophet speaking of the Day of the Lord. In this passage we consider three things:
Praise to GodProtection of GodPromise from God The post Back to the Future appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 1 Timothy 4:11-16, Paul exhorts Timothy to not let anyone despise him for his youth. Instead, he is to:
Be an exampleBe in the WordBe of serviceBe on alert Paul’s exhortation does not apply only to Timothy, nor only to pastors or young people, but rather to all of us! We all should take these exhortations to heart as we begin a new year and resolve, in humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit, to endeavor after new obedience.
The post New Year’s Resolutions for the Household of God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Psalm 46, the psalmist sees the chaos, turmoil, and strife in the world around and finds comfort in stillness and the knowledge of God Most High.
The post Be Still and Know that I Am God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Luke 2:10-11, the angels deliver God’s Good News to the shepherds.
The post God’s Good News appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-56, Mary praises God for:
His Word to HerHis Work in the WorldHis Work in the Church The post Reminders of Mercy appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Scott Parrish explores a series of texts that point to the purpose for the incarnation of Christ: his death and resurrection.
Luke 2:6-7, Hebrews 2:17-18, Psalm 139:13-17, Psalm 40:6-8
The post Keep the Death of Christ in the Birth of Christ appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Paul reflects on his purpose in the prior passages starting from 1 Timothy 2, saying that he writes these things that we may know how to behave as the church of God.
The Church’s ConductThe Church’s FunctionThe Church’s Message The post I’m Writing To You So You Might Know appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Luke 17:11-19, we see Jesus heal ten lepers, but only one returns to Jesus with thankful praise and worship.
The post Are You Thankful? appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Continuing from last week, in Matthew 19:5-6 Jesus corrects the pharisees’ understanding of marriage by going back to its creation in Genesis 2.
The post The Creation of Marriage appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Matthew 19:3-4, Jesus corrects the pharisees in their understanding of marriage by going back to creation. So also in this modern era must we correct our own and our culture’s misunderstandings about the sexuality and gender by returning to scripture.
The post The Creation of Male and Female appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Mark 9:33-41 we see the disciples of Jesus arguing over who among them is the greatest, and Jesus redefines what greatness is.
Greatness DisputedGreatness DefinedGreatness DisplayedGreatness Disconnected The post Greatness Redefined appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In the beatitudes, Jesus tells us: “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4), a counter-cultural message then and now. Brent England digs into this verse in the context of modern life and his ministry as a prison chaplain.
The post Happy are the Unhappy appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 1 Timothy 1:18-20, Paul admonishes Timothy to prepare for spiritual warfare and exercise discipline in the church.
The Charge Given to TimothyIts PurposeIts MotivationIts Manner The Casualties of Spiritual WarfareTheir RejectionTheir NamesTheir Discipline The post Fighting the Good Fight appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Psalm 73, the Psalmist is troubled by the world outside and confounded by looking within until he looks upward and discerns the eternal destiny of the wicked and finds comfort in our wonderful God.
The post Our Wandering Hearts and Our Wonderful God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Psalm 5 we see David’s commitment to prayer.
Turn to God firstGod hates wickedness and will judge itGod is merciful – give thanks forever! The post In Trouble, Turn to Prayer appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The story of Joseph shows us God’s hand in the events of history as he works out his plan of redemption.
The post A Story of God’s Sovereignty and Providence appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Mark 11:12-25
Tree (vv. 12-14)Temple (vv. 15-19)Trust (vv. 20-25) The post Bearing Fruit and Trusting God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Psalm 54 we see David’s response to the betrayal of the Ziphites: first in Prayer, then Preaching, then Praise. The post The Fugitive’s Reponse appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Scott Parish leads us through an investigation of what it means to worship God. The post How Do I Worship? appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Join Pastor Dieleman as he explores the words of Jesus to the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7 The post To the Church at Ephesus appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In Psalm 1 and Psalm 119, we see the psalmist’s love for the law of God. We can categorize the laws of God in three ways, and use them in three distinct ways. The post O How I Love Your Law! appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We join the Psalmist in Psalms 42 and 43 as he sings through external tragedy, internal despondency, and wrestling with God, and clinging to Christ. The post Spiritual Depression appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Join us in Titus 2:11-14 as Keith DeLong walks us from Grace to Gratitude to Glory. The post Living in Grace appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Join Jesus for dinner at the home of Simon the Leper in John 12. We will learn something of what it means to be a friend and child of Jesus, and what it means to be an enemy of Jesus. In Mary, Lazarus, and Martha: what it looks like to love and serve the Lord; in Judas, what it looks like to only love and serve self. The post Friends and Enemies of Jesus appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Brad relays to us Paul’s final charge to the Ephesian elders in his last sermon to the church. The post Acts 20 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Join Brad Mills as he examines Acts 2:42 and the early church’s devotion to prayer. The post Devoted to Prayer appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
When people are asked to describe the church they often use terms very different from Luke’s description here in Acts 2:42-47. The church is no longer known for its commitment to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, but whether it is aligned with cultural norms. The church is not generally considered to be a loving community, but an exclusive and bigoted community. The sacraments are rare and often practiced with apology. And many churches spend more time on their announcements than in prayer. The typical church no longer seems to devote itself to what is essential. One of those essential distinctives that we emphasize here is “fellowship”.
Acts opens with Jesus giving his followers a commission before ascending into heaven and sending the Holy Spirit. This is followed by Peter’s proclamation of the gospel and the response of the audience that resulted in 3,000 conversions. Last week, we saw that they were devoted to the apostles’ teaching. This morning we will see that they were devoted to the fellowship.
James Boice writes,
“If you find yourself out of fellowship with God you will begin to find yourself out of fellowship with other Christians. You will say, ‘I don’t really like to be with other Christians very much. They all seem to be hypocrites.’”
I’m sure many of you have family and friends who think such things about the church. Of course, they are right. Hypocrisy has always been found in the church. But a lack of fellowship reveals more about a person’s own distancing from God than the state of the church.
God has created us with a capacity for fellowship, but sin has distorted our ability to enjoy it without conflict.
Fellowship involves the regular interaction of repentant believers who share a concern to provide for the spiritual and material well-being of others.
Pray and Read Acts 2:42-47.
Motivation for FellowshipThere is a strong connection between these four distinctives of the New Testament community. The apostles’ teaching served as a motivation for fellowship which is partially expressed through participation in the Lord’s Supper and prayer. Fellowship is the fruit of receiving the apostles’ teaching. These two characteristics support one another. As biblical doctrine is rightly understood fellowship is rightly desired.
Fellowship (koinonia) and common (koina) share the same Greek root. Verse 44 is an example of the fellowship they were devoted to (2:42). Not only were the material possessions shared (2:44-45), but their time was shared. Fellowship speaks to the interactive character of healthy relationships in covenant together.
• They shared in a common identity in Christ (1 Cor. 1:9).
• They shared in a common relationship with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14).
• They shared in a common heavenly Father to whom they prayed.
• They shared in a common partnership in the gospel (Phil. 1:5).
• They also shared out of their abundance to meet the needs of others. They had common beliefs and common possessions.
Metaphors of the ChurchPaul provides several metaphors of the Church in Ephesians:
• Christians are “fellow citizens” who have the same King.
• Christians are “one family” who have the same Father.
• Christians are a Holy Temple of which the apostles and prophets serve as the foundation, Christ as the cornerstone, and the believers make up the building. Believers depend upon one another. Removing bricks from the wall drastically weakens it.
• Christians are a body in which each member plays a role. Everyone serves a specific function that is essential to the body’s health.
The message is consistent and clear with each one: The Church benefits from your presence. You bring a unique giftedness to this church that benefits everyone else.
Privileges and ResponsibilitiesChrist accepts us!
You belong here! Don’t we all need to hear that? But, a sense of belonging also comes with a sense of responsibility. It means that you have a role to fulfill when you come. Do you have a purpose here?
It also means that we should be committed to one another so that no one is afraid to be vulnerable. We should be comfortable sharing our fears with each other on Sunday, without the fear of those details spreading to everyone else on Monday.
It means that we should love one another to such a degree that we hurt when others are hurting. And it means that we truly rejoice when others are blessed. I truly hope that is your experience here.
› That is our motivation for fellowship, but we also need to see there are…
Hindrances to FellowshipWhether you are a Christian or not, there is likely something we can all agree upon right now. I think all of us can admit that there are problems in the Church. There are problems in this church. There are problems at the church you attended previously. And there are problems in every church you haven’t attended. Problems pervade the church.
The first and primary hindrance to fellowship is our own personal sin, which is often rooted in pride and selfishness. Listen to how James addresses the problems in the church:
James 4:1–3 ESV
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Another hindrance is a faulty definition of fellowship. If our definition is trite, our practice will be weak. Derek Thomas notes,
“Few Bible words have suffered more distortion than the word ‘fellowship.’ We commonly reduce it to chatter and cookies in the church hall—thinking that this is what the New Testament had in mind.”
Common Responses to Church ProblemsIn Brian Habig and Les Newsome’s book The Enduring Community, they point out two common responses to problems in the Church.
First, the church begins to define its identity according to the problems. The primary focus of the church revolves around the best ways to avoid the problems – the frustrations and the gripes – that people notice. In this case, the church becomes all about you. Whether you are a part of the problem or the solution, you are central.
Whereas the first response is allowing the problems to define the church, the second response is to avoid problems altogether.We can only ignore problems for so long. The longer they are ignored, the bigger they become. At some point, they will destroy the church.
Personal Sins Have a Corporate ImpactAs we seek to glorify God in this ministry we realize that all of us must confront the sins that have gained a foothold in our lives. We need to realize that the sins we struggle with have a deep impact upon the Church. Our union with God is inseparably linked to our union with one another. When our union with God suffers, our union with one another suffers.
That means that even the sins that many of us view as “personal” have a “corporate” impact. Your personal, individual sins affect the Church. We must address our personal sins, because they have a corporate impact.
Luther was right when he suggested that no one has broken any of the other commandments unless he has already broken the first commandment – “you shall have no other gods before me.” Only idolators commit sin. Therefore, we must destroy the idol that motivates our sinfulness.
A friend of mine once told me, “We must not be content to pluck the fruit of sin from the tree. That is important and we must be diligent in doing so. But until we have chopped the tree down at its root, the fruit will grow back.”
We must lay the ax to the root of the tree if we want to see lasting transformation. If idolatry is at the root of all sin, then ultimately, in order to alter our behavior we must redirect our motivations.
Christ pardons us!
Consider the barriers that hinder you from enjoying deeper fellowship? What are the idols of your heart? What occupies your thoughts? What is on your mind when you first wake up? What are your last thoughts at night? Where do you put your trust? What do you fear?
› As we focus on removing the barriers to fellowship, we will begin to enjoy the…
Benefits of FellowshipWe have said that fellowship involves the regular interaction of repentant believers who share a concern to provide for the spiritual and material well-being of others.
In verses 44-45 we have an example of how needs were met by the generosity of those who had an abundance. We see this same thing again in chapter 4.
Acts 4:34–35 ESV
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Clearly the emphasis in fellowship is upon our relationship with one another, but vertical and horizontal fellowship go together. These were not folks who were naturally generous people. The Spirit that filled them on the day of Pentecost made them caring and generous. Because they worshiped a God who was generous to them, they were generous to others.
John describes providing for a “brother in need” as loving in “deed and in truth” (1 Jn 3:17). This kind of love and care can serve as a light that shines before others “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Darrell Bock writes,
“That a community is really functioning with appropriate love and compassion is evident when material needs are also a concern and are being generously provided.”
Meeting the Needs of OthersSome of you have met Scott McQuinn’s mother and stepfather, Mike and Rita, when they came to visit a few months ago. They are serving in a church that started a few years before us. In their most recent update they talk about how their Discipleship Community group hosted a Pancake Breakfast Fund Raiser for one of the women in their group who battles tinnitus, and was in desperate need of hearing aids. They used the event to invite neighbors, co-workers, old and new church friends, and people they had never met. They were ultimately able to raise $1,700 to pay for the down payment on the hearing aids. But even more significant was the way they were able to display the love of God to over 100 people in their community. They are praying for 5 neighbors who wanted to know more about the church and their Discipleship Community group because of this event.
This kind of care involves getting to know others at such a level that we know their needs. Then it involves pooling together our resources to meet those needs.
Christianity Not SocialismChrist blesses us!
Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
The community in Acts was so united that they willingly gave up their private property. However, they were not abolishing private property altogether. This was not communism or socialism. It was an ongoing activity. It also appears to have been spontaneous, rather than a coordinated effort. As needs arose, help was provided. Early Christians felt a sense of responsibility toward one another. Craig Keener, “Their commitment was radical, fitting Jesus’ demand for disciples in the Gospel (Luke 12:33; 14:33).”
Is the sell of our private property required? It was not forbidden to have private property. Possession sharing was voluntary. We know at least some of them had homes (2:46).
But it would be all too easy to escape the implications of these verses. We are called to be generous with our possessions. That should be our default posture. Rather than make excuses not to provide for those in need, we should be seeking ways to include others in the process. John Stott writes, “It is part of the responsibility of Spirit-filled believers to alleviate need and abolish destitution in the new community of Jesus.”
› We’ve considered the motivation for fellowship, the hindrances to fellowship, and the benefits of fellowship.
ConclusionScripture motivates us toward fellowship with one another by showing us that it coincides with our fellowship with God. With that in mind—we can better recognize and remove the hinderances of our selfishness and pride. Rather than those sins defining the church, or being avoided altogether, we address them through repentance. And the effects of a church that rightly prizes fellowship is a community that generously meets the needs of others.
Christ is the supreme example of generosity, who became poor so that the poor might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Fellowship that is motivated by a common faith and preserved by a common commitment to repentance, results in a common concern for those in need.
The post Devoted To The Fellowship (Acts 2:42-47) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Few things better illustrate anticipation than a child on his way to Disneyland. Yet, by the end of the day, there are fewer places where you will hear more whining and complaining than Disneyland. Life is full of examples when reality does not live up to our expectations. We build up our goals and spend so much energy trying to achieve them, only to be left disappointed that the reward was not worth the effort.
It is difficult to imagine the expectations Jews had for their Messiah. When the Jewish authorities became the recipients of Jesus’s harshest criticisms, it is easy to understand why they convinced themselves that he was someone else. The appearing of a suffering servant was like a child anticipating Disneyland, but being filled with disappointment by the end of the day. Jesus simply did not meet their expectations.
Hebrews is about the superiority of Jesus over everything that preceded him. After comparing Christ to Melchizedek earlier in this chapter, now the author shows how Christ surpasses the Levitical priesthood. We find in Jesus a better hope because he ushers us into a better covenant.
This audience had already made their profession of faith in Jesus Christ (Heb 2:1-4; 3:1-2; 4:14), but it is apparent from the argument and the numerous warnings, that they are beginning to veer off course. Maybe they were questioning the efficacy or sufficiency of Jesus’s death on the cross. Or they could have been uncertain about how they were supposed to participate in worship under the new covenant. Whatever it was, the author saw the need to address the matter of Christ’s priestly office for a large portion of this sermon/letter.
If we do not view Jesus Christ as the only Mediator of the covenant of grace, we will search in vain for any alternative.
We can rest completely in our salvation because our Savior perfectly represents us before God in heaven.
Pray and Read Hebrews 7:20-28.
Jesus Is Our Security (20-22)The author earlier acknowledged that all high priests are called by God (Heb 5:4), but they were called and appointed to take their office “without an oath” (20). The author is not suggesting anything improper about the Levitical priesthood in terms of the rules that governed its operation, but he is elaborating on the ways it was inferior to the priestly office of Jesus.
There is a superiority recognized for the one of whom God attached an oath to his calling (21). Jesus was not only promised to hold his priestly office, but the Lord promised that he would uniquely hold that office forever. Once again, the author quotes Psalm 110:4, but here, for the first time, he includes the phrase before that emphasizes the oath.
Those who take an oath are committing themselves to fulfill their promise or face whatever stipulations have been outlined ahead of time. This is covenant language that implies a significant shift away from the Levitical law that governed the priesthood (28).
How does this make Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant (22)?
This is the only time the term translated “guarantor” occurs in the New Testament. The KJV translates the word as “surety”, which is the language we also find in the Westminster Confession and Catechisms (WCF 8.3, LC 71). The word indicates the assurance of a promise or the acceptance of responsibility on behalf of someone else. It involves the pledging of one’s life and/or resources on behalf of another. Here, it refers to the security believers have in covenant with Jesus. “Before the throne my surety stands, my name is written on his hands” — Charles Wesley. Jesus paid the penalty for our debt of sin at the cost of his life.
This is the first time we have seen the word “covenant”, but it will occur another sixteen times in the rest of this letter. The author is making the point that believers find their greatest sense of covenantal security in the Messiah, whose priestly appointment was accompanied by an oath.
Resting in the RescuerIt might be helpful to think about the security we have in Christ as the lifeguard who rescues a drowning person.
Have you ever seen someone trying to save themselves from drowning when they don’t know how to swim? Even worse, there are many examples of people unintentionally drowning their rescuer. In their panic they flail about trying to grab onto anything that will keep them above the water. They will grab onto whoever is nearby and thrust them downward in order to lift their head.
The best thing a lifeguard can do is keep their distance until the drowning person calms down. They might throw a floating device their way so the individual can hold onto that before bringing them to safety.
Oftentimes we are spiritually like the person who is drowning. We know we cannot save ourselves, but we still find ourselves latching onto those people or things that cannot ultimately bring us the peace we’re seeking. What we need to hear most of all is the gospel. It teaches us to rest in the Rescuer. Rather than flailing about, spiritually endangering ourselves and everyone around us, we trust in the only One who has the power to carry us to safety.
Christ Alone Maintains Peace With GodEvery other priest is inferior to Christ because all of them relate to God through an expired covenant. Not only do the Levitical priests provide less security, their access has been eclipsed and overridden by a superior Mediator.
If Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant, then he provides something that every other priest lacks. We can only have an assurance of our faith through Christ. He is the one who established the peace that we enjoy with God. Therefore, Christ alone is able to maintain that peace.
We never go beyond Jesus. Rather, we learn to become all the more dependent upon him. This becomes most prevalent when our faith is being tested. When we feel like our soul’s are in jeopardy of hell or we’re overly concerned about earthly affairs. Whether we are paralyzed with fear or anxiously striving to earn our salvation — we need to be reminded of this — Jesus is our security.
Samuel Stone says it well in “The Church’s One Foundation”:
’Mid toil and tribulation,and tumult of her war,she waits the consummationof peace forevermore;till with the vision gloriousher longing eyes are blest,and the great church victoriousshall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath unionwith God the Three in One,and mystic sweet communionwith those whose rest is won:O happy ones and holy!Lord, give us grace that we,like them, the meek and lowly,on high may dwell with thee.
Whenever we commune with God we are also united to the church, universal and invisible, that has already entered into their rest. We are as secure as if we are dwelling with them in glory.
› Jesus is our security because he is also…
Jesus Is Our Savior (23-25)The number of Levitical priests were many because they couldn’t continue to perform their duties after their death (23). Now, this may seem obvious, but it would be good to pause here. Priests died because they were still subject to the power of sin. The sinlessness of Jesus is expressed in the next section, but the author begins by pointing out that these priests died. Their lives were not indestructible (16). This is an elaboration on the “weakness” of the “former commandment” (18).
Jesus, on the other hand, conquered death and is therefore able to remain in his priestly office forever (24). This is the only way the priest after the order of Melchizedek could remain in his office. Psalm 110:4 is fulfilled by Jesus’s resurrection.
Jesus is always ready to Mediate between God and man. He is able to completely save those who draw near to God through him (25). Jesus saves comprehensively and for eternity. This is the same point Paul makes to the Romans.
Romans 8:34 ESV
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Intercession was a role that Israel’s high priests practiced on the day of atonement when they wore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on the breastpiece that was over their heart (Exod 28:29). They were representing the people before God. Jesus not only saves comprehensively, but he also intercedes for us continually.
One of the reasons our Mediator had to take on human nature was in order suffer and intercede in our nature (WLC 39). Only then could we receive adoption as sons and gain access to the comfort of the throne of grace.
If Jesus provides complete salvation and becomes our permanent Mediator, then we need to avoid two grave errors:
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Using anyone else as our intercessor, whether it be a dead saint or Mary, is a serious slight against Jesus. He died to save us — granting us access to God through Him alone. It’s idolatrous and blasphemous to approach God through anyone else.
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We should not view Jesus as appeasing a reluctant Father. He doesn’t have to stand before his Father constantly pleading with him to show mercy. H.B. Swete said our Lord intercedes, “as a throned Priest-King, asking what he will from a Father who always hears and grants his request.” The Son perfectly reflects the will of the Father. Again, Paul said it well in Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
› Jesus provides us with the security we need as our Savior because he became…
Jesus Is Our Substitute (26-28)The author lists five ways that Jesus is better than the Levitical priests (26):
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Holy — While this term can refer to humans (Titus 1:8), Jesus is the embodiment of holiness, such that he is the fulfillment of David’s reference to “The Holy One” (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27; 13:35).
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Innocent — Jesus does not deceive others (Rom 16:18), but he is open and honest, without guile.
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Unstained — Jesus is pure and undefiled.
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Separated from sinners — While Jesus came and dwelt among us, he did not succumb to our temptations. He remained perfectly holy, innocent, and unstained by the flesh! This is precisely why he could become our substitute (2 Cor 5:21).
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Exalted above the heavens — Another reference to his resurrection and ascension that proved the Father’s acceptance of his Son.
Each of these descriptions set Jesus apart from the former priests who were sinful, thus they had to offer sacrifices for themselves first (27). Jesus, on the other hand, offered up himself once as a perfectly holy sacrifice.
He concludes this section the way he began, with a reference to the oath that God made when appointing his Son as high priest (28).
Intercession and PerseveranceOne of you asked a good question a few weeks ago. In what sense will Jesus remain our high priest after his return? His intercessory work will not be necessary in glory since believers will be made perfect in holiness. On the other hand, Jesus’s intercession is essential in our present life.
WSC 25: “Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.”
WCF 17.2: This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
We often think of intercessory prayer as a responsibility we fulfill on behalf of other believers. When we learn of a prayer request and lift that person up to God in prayer, we are interceding on their behalf. So, what is the confession saying when it argues that the “perseverance of the saints depends…upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ?” It means that we remain in the covenant with God because Jesus remains a perfect representative for us.
Because Jesus is our security, Savior, and substitute, we can rest assured that he will bring us all the way home!
The post A Better Covenant (Hebrews 7:20-28) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
When Marshall McLuhan argued that “the media is the message,” he was suggesting that you cannot separate the content of the message from the means by which it is received. He emphasized the fact that new technology can change the values and norms of society over time.
The means through which we approach God is critical to our understanding of the content of his revelation. The means by which the Old Testament saints approached God was different. While they belonged to the same covenant of grace, we recognize that the administration of that covenant has differed throughout history. The priestly administration radically changed everything!
To revert to an older administration is to depart from the fulfillment in Christ. We might also infer that developing a new administration, apart from special revelation, is to depart from the better hope that Christ has achieved.
The means by which we commune with God must be governed by the word of God. Unfortunately, humans are fickle creatures enamored by creative means of approaching God. However, when we acknowledge what Christ has accomplished, we won’t be so easily led astray from the biblical prescription for worship. Fundamentally, that means we: Draw near to God through a better hope empowered by the indestructible life of our Savior.
Read Hebrews 7:1-19.
The Superiority of Melchizedek (4-10)I titled this sermon series, “Jesus >”. It is a synonym for the word “better,” a word that occurs in Hebrews more than the rest of the New Testament combined. The author is not contrasting a bad thing with a good thing, but a good thing with something that is better. The point? Jesus brings us into a better hope (19), one that establishes a better covenant relationship with God.
Last week we began by reviewing all of the passages, up to this point, that referred to Jesus as our high priest. We considered what led up to his case for the character of Melchizedek. This week we will look at Melchizedek in comparison to Abraham, then Christ.
This first section highlights the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham. The author focuses on the tithe Abraham offered and the blessing Melchizedek gave, two things he already mentioned in Heb 7:1-2.
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Melchizedek Received a Tithe from Abraham (4-6a; 8-10): Throughout Israel’s history the Levites were commanded to receive tithes from the people. Although they were all descendants of Abraham, the Levites were given a tithe instead of an allotment of land for their inheritance (Deut 18:1-2). This tithe also served as payment for their priestly service (Num 18:21-29). Whereas the Levites are mortal men, Melchizedek is prophesied by the psalmist to live (Ps 110:4). No Levitical priest could ever be superior to Abraham, but Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
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Melchizedek Blessed Abraham (6b-7): If Melchizedek blessed Abraham, his superiority extends to Abraham’s descendants as well.
Herveus: “If Melchizedek, who was a sign and shadow, is preferred to Abraham and to all the levitical priests, how much more Christ, who is the truth and the substance!… If a type of Christ is greater than he who has the promises, how much more so is Christ himself!”
Tithes are offered by the inferior to the superior, while blessings are given by the superior to the inferior.
Simple Offerings, Superior BlessingsAll through my high school years I had a mentor named Dave Peterson who was a great encouragement to me. He was on staff at the church I attended and served as the director for YoungLife in Fresno. At one point, he went on a short-term mission trip to Japan. One of the men he met on that trip wanted to give him a gift as he was leaving, but he didn’t have anything with him. So the young man bent down and took the leather shoelace out of his shoe and wrapped it around Dave’s wrist. He was a bit embarrassed by the simplicity of his gift, but that bracelet was very meaningful for Dave. It became a symbol of their friendship and reminded him to pray for the young man often.
Dave bought some the same leather laces and gave them to a few of us high school students. I remember wearing that thing until it dissolved and replaced it with a new one until that dissolved too. What that young man in Japan had given as a token of his friendship, Dave gave to us as our mentor. Throughout high school that wristband reminded me of the blessing I had received from Dave’s mentoring.
Oftentimes, it is the simple gestures of blessing and friendship that speak the loudest over the years. The superior reward is found in the simplest of gestures.
The Most Expensive OfferingWhen we come into God’s presence, we bring a very simple offering in faith. It isn’t the amount of what we’re offering, but the recognition that we are offering it as a symbol of our loyal friendship to the most superior Mediator.
When we worship God through Jesus Christ we receive the greatest blessing of truly drawing near to the living God! God has now brought us near, as friends, who were once his enemies, through the sacrificial offering of his Son. Jesus offered up himself upon the cross — the most expensive offering in history — so that we might be reconciled to God through him.
We have simple emblems of bread and wine that remind us of the blessings we have received through our union with Christ. Whenever we’re distracted by another shiny object, or means of approaching God, let us remember the greatest sacrifice — through one of the simplest means of grace — that he instituted for us.
The Order of Melchizedek (11-14)The focus in this section is on the inadequacy of the priesthood after the order of Aaron. The Levitical priesthood promoted the law, but could not provide the ability to obey it (11). This is why another priesthood was necessary.
What does it mean that a change in the law was necessary (12)?
The laws regarding the priesthood and the Levitical sacrificial system necessarily came to an end when Christ fulfilled their purpose. This is the ceremonial law that is uniquely satisfied so that there is no more need for its operation. With the arrival of the substance, we do not need to revert to the shadows.
This is different than how Christ fulfills the moral law, because the purpose of the moral law is to do the will of our Father in heaven. By trusting in Christ we are being conformed into his image from one degree of glory to the next. The moral law is to be perpetually observed by everyone, while the ceremonial laws were abrogated (WCF 19.3) when Christ satisfied their righteous requirements.
“These things” all spoke of Jesus who did not descend from the tribe of Levi, but from the tribe of Judah—which never produced any priests (13-14).
Is Perfection Attainable? Matthew 5:48 ESV
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
No one could attain perfection through the Levitical priesthood, but can they attain it through Melchizedek? How does the order of Melchizedek supply what was lacking in the order of Aaron?
Calvin: “There being a change of the priesthood, there must of necessity be a change of the law. All the sacerdotal functions were transferred to Christ, and in him fulfilled and ended (Heb. 7:12). To him alone, therefore, all the rights and honors of the priesthood have been transferred.”
Under the Levitical system, Christ never offered a single sacrifice. It was the religious leaders — the Jewish scribes and priests — who handed Jesus over to be crucified by Roman authorities. The very substance, of which their offerings were a symbol, was ministering among them, but they rejected him and offered him up as a sacrifice. The irony is that it was through that very sacrifice, that perfection was finally attained for all who place their faith in the Lamb who was slain!
Hebrews 10:14 ESV
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Reverting To An Inferior Means of GraceWhy would the author seek to downplay the Levitical priesthood? Why wouldn’t he simply talk about the greatness of the order of Melchizedek? It seems apparent to me, that the author would only feel the need to do this if he thought there were people in his audience who were reverting back to an expired practice. His audience needed to see how they were attaching living significance to a dead system. They perceived they might find religious value by maintaining a worthless tradition. That’s not hyperbole — he’ll call it “useless” in v.18.
They were on the verge of denigrating the priesthood of Christ and his sacrifice by appealing to the temple and viewing it with ongoing validity. They were tempted to replace the superior means of approaching God with the older, inferior means.
How do we avoid similar errors today? We want to appreciate all that we can about the shadows and symbols of biblical imagery, then recognize how our Lord fulfills them by satisfying their ultimate purpose. Then we approach God corporately and individually through the ordinary means appropriate to the administration of the gospel.
WCF 7.6 — “Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance, was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper: which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles…”
The simplicity of the ordinary means of grace serve to magnify the superiority of the new covenant. We don’t need to get creative with our approach to God. We simply continue to draw near through a better hope.
The Likeness of Melchizedek (15-19)The Messiah would NOT arise from the order of Aaron (15). Judah never produced any priests, but Melchizedek was a legitimate priest of the Most High God who ministered before Aaron.
Whereas Melchizedek had no record of his birth and death, Jesus existed before his birth and he conquered death (16). That Jesus came in the likeness of Melchizedek implies that physical descent had nothing to do with his priestly order. What distinguished Christ from every other Old Testament priest was his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of the Father — which enables him to be a priest forever (17; Psalm 110:4).
Every previous high priest died so that his priestly office had to be filled by another. On the other hand, as our great high priest, Jesus rose again from the dead and never needs to be replaced. He ushered us into the holy of holies (Heb 6:20) so that all believers might share in his priesthood.
Verse 18 is a general reference to the commandments of the law that were incapable of perfecting anyone or anything. The law that governed the Levitical system was incapable of making anyone perfect (19). The priesthood could never permanently achieve the righteousness that it symbolized.
But, in Christ, we are introduced to a better hope! He becomes our Eternal Mediator, granting us permanent access to the throne of grace!
RPM: “The practical lesson, of course, is that it is foolish to return to the old hope, when the better hope has come.”
A Fading HopeThe goal of the church under the new covenant is to retain the hope that Christ introduced. Humans will continue to introduce new ideas as long as we remain in this present age. New philosophers can spark debate and build anticipation.
Bavinck: “Philosophy, whenever after a period of decay it enters upon a period of revival again, always begins with an extraordinary and exaggerated expectation. At such a time it lives in the hope that by means of continued serious investigation it will solve the riddle of the wold. But always after this young over-excitement the old disillusionment enters in. So far from decreasing, the problems increase as the study proceeds.”
The greatest philosophies of this world can ultimately offer a fading hope. It can never satisfy the demands of our hearts.
Draw Near Through A Better HopeThe original audience was tempted by an inferior hope. They were on the verge of departing from the prescription of redemptive history. Similarly, we are often led astray by outdated tradition or newly developing philosophies. Listen to the repeated exhortation of Hebrews:
Draw near to God through the better hope that is held out to you by the resurrected Savior who conquered sin and death and ever lives to make intercession for you (Heb 7:25).
The post A Better Hope (Hebrews 7:4-19) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
When a writer for a Christian magazine asked N.T. Wright which books were the most important in his thinking and work, he told them it was the reference works that he always keeps near his desk. He noted how the dictionaries and encyclopedias, especially those dealing with the original languages, help bring the darkness of another world to light.
I probably would not have answered that way, but I think he makes a great point. I might miss those reference works more than anything else when studying God’s Word because they take the whole counsel of God’s revelation about a particular person or topic and distill it into a few summary insights.
Wright: “Again and again I am rewarded for my efforts as the text springs to life. What started off as a small puzzle in the middle of my work has turned into a lighthouse sending rays of light flashing over the rest of the subject.”
As you turn to Hebrews 7, you might see how the author is drawing our attention to a proper understanding of Melchizedek. However, in this case, there are only two references to him in all of the Old Testament. The author takes what many considered an obscure reference to an insignificant figure, and shows us just how significant he is—and it magnifies our appreciation for Jesus Christ.
In other words, he’s following the example of Jesus who taught us to read all the Scriptures as pointing to himself (Lk 24:27). The author of Hebrews has already referred to Melchizedek in the previous two chapters (Heb 5:6, 10; 6:20). It’s apparent that his audience needed to gain a greater appreciation for the typology of this particular OT figure.
It’s been several weeks since we were last in Hebrews so let me begin with a brief summary of where we are in this letter/sermon.
• Jesus is superior to angels (chs 1-2). > Listen to him!
• Jesus is superior to Moses (chs 3-4). > Rest in him!
• Jesus is our great high priest (ch 5). > Go to him!
• Warning followed by hopeful encouragement (ch 6). > Learn from him!
Now, the author of Hebrews returns to the subject of Jesus as our great high priest (ch 7). The Greek word occurs 17 times throughout Hebrews, making this one of the central themes of the letter.
This author argues that the shadow of Melchizedek proves that Christ is from a superior order of priesthood. Over the next several chapters we will see that Christ’s sacrifice is of a superior sufficiency—able to actually take away our sin (Heb 10:4). So Christ’s priestly office as well as his sacrifice is superior to that of the Levitical system.
There’s another warning implied by this text: We can become so intrigued by the Old Testament shadows that we never take refuge in the substance. Jesus taught us a better way to understand Scripture (Lk 24). Every Old Testament shadow is meant to enrich the communion we have with our Redeemer.
Pray & Read Hebrews 7:1-10.
The Preface to Melchizedek (Hebrews 1-6)We have already learned that Jesus was made like us in order to become our faithful high priest (Heb 2:14-18). Jesus is an apostle and high priest of our confession who is worthy of more glory than Moses (Heb 3:1-3). Jesus is a high priest who came from the true holy of holies — having “passed through the heavens” — and entered into humanity that he might “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Heb 4:14-16).
In Hebrews 5:1-4, the author noted four aspects of high priestly ministry:
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Mediates — “act on behalf of men in relation to God”
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Sacrifices — “offer gifts and sacrifices for sins”
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Counsels — “deal gently with the wayward”
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Appointed — “called by God”
In the previous section, Jesus is the one who serves as an anchor of the soul, enters into the inner place behind the curtain, and becomes our high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 6:19-20).
Here in chapter seven, the author will show that Melchizedek is superior to Abraham. If that is true, then he’s also superior to the Levites who descended from Abraham. And yet, Melchizedek is merely a shadow of Christ — who is supreme over all typical OT figures.
The point the author just made regarding Melchizedek (Heb 6:20) had to do with providing believers with the assurance of their hope that Christ has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven in his glorified humanity. So that now, we have One — clothed in flesh — who is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf, as our great high priest.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: “To make it quite practical I have a very simple test. After I have explained the way of Christ to somebody I say “Now, are you ready to say that you are a Christian?” And they hesitate. And then I say, “What’s the matter? Why are you hesitating?” And so often people say, “I don’t feel like I’m good enough yet. I don’t think I’m ready to say I’m a Christian now.” And at once I know that I have been wasting my breath. They are still thinking in terms of themselves…The very essence of the Christian faith is to say that He is good enough and I am in Him…How can I put it plainly? It doesn’t matter if you have almost entered into the depths of hell. It does not matter if you are guilty of murder as well as every other vile sin. It does not matter from the standpoint of being justified before God at all. You are no more hopeless than the most moral and respectable person in the world.”
When the assurance of your faith is fleeting — is the priestly ministry of Christ enough to sustain you?
The problem with the Levitical priesthood was that they had their own sinful weaknesses. They had to offer sacrifices for themselves before they could mediate for others. But the blood of animals could never satisfy the demands of God’s justice.
Christ became the necessary and final sacrifice for sins. The sacrifice of his own life upon the cross for our sins was what every Old Testament sacrifice pointed to. The shadow of the Levitical priesthood, with all of it’s outward significance, was never meant to be perpetual.
Have you looked to Christ as your great high priest? Are you resting in his sacrificial death on your behalf? There is no better weapon against spiritual depression, what the Puritans called “the dark night of the soul,” than the recognition that—God has placed the treasure of the gospel in jars of clay…why? “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:7). Paul reflects further,
2 Corinthians 4:8–10 ESV
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
When Satan reminds us of our weakness, God says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). You need a great high priest who is continually interceding for you because without it, you would find despair to be a constant companion.
› Now that we see our need for a high priest, let’s consider…
The Character of Melchizedek (1-3)The previous chapter closed with a reference to Jesus as our forerunner “having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 6:20). Now he elaborates upon that connection. Everything we know about Melchizedek is found in a few brief texts (Gen 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4 — already quoted in three times in Heb 5:6, 10; 6:20). From these two passages the author draws six connections to Christ:
- Melchizedek is a King-Priest (1a): He was the king of Salem and Moses referred to him as the priest of the Most High God (Gen 14:18). It is in the context of those offices that Melchizedek brought bread and wine, elements that would be instituted by Christ for the Lord’s Supper, and offered to Abraham the blessings of the covenant of grace!
Jonathan Edwards: “Melchizedek’s coming to meet him with such a seal of the covenant of grace, on the occasion of this victory, evinces, that it was a pledge of God’s fulfillment of the same covenant.”
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Melchizedek Blessed Abraham (1b): This new character assumes the superior role by offering a blessing upon Abraham. Now, what was God’s covenant promise to Abraham? Gen 12:2 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” God uses Melchizedek to represent the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise.
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Melchizedek Received a Tithe from Abraham (2a): Abraham acknowledges Melchizedek’s superiority by giving him a tithe (Gen 14:20). We’ll return to this in the next section.
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Melchizedek is the King of Righteousness (2b): His name is formed by the combination of the Hebrew words for ‘King’ (melek) + ‘Righteousness’ (tsedek).
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Melchizedek is the King of Peace (2c): Salem, which means peace, is another name for ancient Jerusalem — the city of Shalom (Ps 76:2).
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Melchizedek is a Priest Forever (3): While some see Melchizedek as a preincarnate Christ, the language implies that he typifies Christ, similar to any other prophet, priest, and king. The fact that the bible never mentions his father or mother, nor records his birth or death, does not mean he was from heaven (as the Qumran sect believed). We simply do not have his genealogy. These are features that make him comparable to Jesus, but not identical. Melchizedek’s character resembles the Son of God who has no beginning or ending. “Resembling” would not be the appropriate word choice if the author was suggesting that Melchizedek was actually the second person of the Trinity.
Typology makes some bible scholars uncomfortable. They will oftentimes find the most ridiculous examples from the past in order to discredit the legitimacy of reading Scripture this way. However, finding connections to Christ from Old Testament characters is part of how Jesus taught us to read the bible (Lk 24:27). It is meant to provide not only a greater perspective on the text we’re reading, but it motivates us to keep searching for him in an appropriate manner.
One of the better resources on this subject is Preaching Christ from the Old Testament by Sidney Greidanus. He notes how critical bible scholars consider typology to be “sheer nonsense.” Then he comments,
“Once the providence of God is rejected, typology must necessarily follow, for it cannot exist without the foundation of God working out his redemptive plan in history.”
The author of Hebrews is driving home the point that Christ is superior to everything we see in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfills the prophets. He is the substance of which the Old Testament characters were mere shadows. If any of his readers were intrigued by temple worship or worldly ambition, this message might give them reason to pause.
The author is providing the rationale for their assurance. It is meant to compliment and solidify the exhortation he gave them in the previous chapter. He expects them to wake up from their sluggish approach to God and persevere in their faith. But they will only do that if they hold fast to an assurance of hope in Christ.
For that to happen, they must recognize how the character of Christ is better than anything else. It is reflected in the Messianic figure Melchizedek.
We cannot go beyond this approach in our own pursuit of God. When we have grown lazy in worship, or when creative modes of worship become a temptation, let us remember that we already possess everything we need in Christ — as he has revealed himself to us through his word. We can meditate upon the fact that the character of Melchizedek reflects a shadow of Christ, so that the study of this biblical figure draws us closer to our Savior.
Keep reading and comparing and highlighting how it fits the redemptive historical narrative. The end result is a practice that continually builds upon the foundations of our faith (Heb 6:1). This is how we mature to solid food (Heb 5:12)! Reading God’s word in this manner requires preparation, patience, and practice. We open the bible with hearts that are ready to receive the truth, depending upon the Lord for his help.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 9:05 PM April 24, 2023.
The King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:1-3)Brad Mills / General
When a writer for a Christian magazine asked N.T. Wright which books were the most important in his thinking and work, he told them it was the reference works that he always keeps near his desk. He noted how the dictionaries and encyclopedias, especially those dealing with the original languages, help bring the darkness of another world to light.
I probably would not have answered that way, but I think he makes a great point. I might miss those reference works more than anything else when studying God’s Word because they take the whole counsel of God’s revelation about a particular person or topic and distill it into a few summary insights.
Wright: “Again and again I am rewarded for my efforts as the text springs to life. What started off as a small puzzle in the middle of my work has turned into a lighthouse sending rays of light flashing over the rest of the subject.”
As you turn to Hebrews 7, you might see how the author is drawing our attention to a proper understanding of Melchizedek. However, in this case, there are only two references to him in all of the Old Testament. The author takes what many considered an obscure reference to an insignificant figure, and shows us just how significant he is—and it magnifies our appreciation for Jesus Christ.
In other words, he’s following the example of Jesus who taught us to read all the Scriptures as pointing to himself (Lk 24:27). The author of Hebrews has already referred to Melchizedek in the previous two chapters (Heb 5:6, 10; 6:20). It’s apparent that his audience needed to gain a greater appreciation for the typology of this particular OT figure.
It’s been several weeks since we were last in Hebrews so let me begin with a brief summary of where we are in this letter/sermon.
• Jesus is superior to angels (chs 1-2). > Listen to him!
• Jesus is superior to Moses (chs 3-4). > Rest in him!
• Jesus is our great high priest (ch 5). > Go to him!
• Warning followed by hopeful encouragement (ch 6). > Learn from him!
Now, the author of Hebrews returns to the subject of Jesus as our great high priest (ch 7). The Greek word occurs 17 times throughout Hebrews, making this one of the central themes of the letter.
This author argues that the shadow of Melchizedek proves that Christ is from a superior order of priesthood. Over the next several chapters we will see that Christ’s sacrifice is of a superior sufficiency—able to actually take away our sin (Heb 10:4). So Christ’s priestly office as well as his sacrifice is superior to that of the Levitical system.
There’s another warning implied by this text: We can become so intrigued by the Old Testament shadows that we never take refuge in the substance. Jesus taught us a better way to understand Scripture (Lk 24). Every Old Testament shadow is meant to enrich the communion we have with our Redeemer.
Pray & Read Hebrews 7:1-10.
The Preface to Melchizedek (Hebrews 1-6)We have already learned that Jesus was made like us in order to become our faithful high priest (Heb 2:14-18). Jesus is an apostle and high priest of our confession who is worthy of more glory than Moses (Heb 3:1-3). Jesus is a high priest who came from the true holy of holies — having “passed through the heavens” — and entered into humanity that he might “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Heb 4:14-16).
In Hebrews 5:1-4, the author noted four aspects of high priestly ministry:
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Mediates — “act on behalf of men in relation to God”
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Sacrifices — “offer gifts and sacrifices for sins”
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Counsels — “deal gently with the wayward”
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Appointed — “called by God”
In the previous section, Jesus is the one who serves as an anchor of the soul, enters into the inner place behind the curtain, and becomes our high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 6:19-20).
Here in chapter seven, the author will show that Melchizedek is superior to Abraham. If that is true, then he’s also superior to the Levites who descended from Abraham. And yet, Melchizedek is merely a shadow of Christ — who is supreme over all typical OT figures.
The point the author just made regarding Melchizedek (Heb 6:20) had to do with providing believers with the assurance of their hope that Christ has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven in his glorified humanity. So that now, we have One — clothed in flesh — who is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf, as our great high priest.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: “To make it quite practical I have a very simple test. After I have explained the way of Christ to somebody I say “Now, are you ready to say that you are a Christian?” And they hesitate. And then I say, “What’s the matter? Why are you hesitating?” And so often people say, “I don’t feel like I’m good enough yet. I don’t think I’m ready to say I’m a Christian now.” And at once I know that I have been wasting my breath. They are still thinking in terms of themselves…The very essence of the Christian faith is to say that He is good enough and I am in Him…How can I put it plainly? It doesn’t matter if you have almost entered into the depths of hell. It does not matter if you are guilty of murder as well as every other vile sin. It does not matter from the standpoint of being justified before God at all. You are no more hopeless than the most moral and respectable person in the world.”
When the assurance of your faith is fleeting — is the priestly ministry of Christ enough to sustain you?
The problem with the Levitical priesthood was that they had their own sinful weaknesses. They had to offer sacrifices for themselves before they could mediate for others. But the blood of animals could never satisfy the demands of God’s justice.
Christ became the necessary and final sacrifice for sins. The sacrifice of his own life upon the cross for our sins was what every Old Testament sacrifice pointed to. The shadow of the Levitical priesthood, with all of it’s outward significance, was never meant to be perpetual.
Have you looked to Christ as your great high priest? Are you resting in his sacrificial death on your behalf? There is no better weapon against spiritual depression, what the Puritans called “the dark night of the soul,” than the recognition that—God has placed the treasure of the gospel in jars of clay…why? “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:7). Paul reflects further,
2 Corinthians 4:8–10 ESV
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
When Satan reminds us of our weakness, God says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). You need a great high priest who is continually interceding for you because without it, you would find despair to be a constant companion.
› Now that we see our need for a high priest, let’s consider…
The Character of Melchizedek (1-3)The previous chapter closed with a reference to Jesus as our forerunner “having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 6:20). Now he elaborates upon that connection. Everything we know about Melchizedek is found in a few brief texts (Gen 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4 — already quoted in three times in Heb 5:6, 10; 6:20). From these two passages the author draws six connections to Christ:
- Melchizedek is a King-Priest (1a): He was the king of Salem and Moses referred to him as the priest of the Most High God (Gen 14:18). It is in the context of those offices that Melchizedek brought bread and wine, elements that would be instituted by Christ for the Lord’s Supper, and offered to Abraham the blessings of the covenant of grace!
Jonathan Edwards: “Melchizedek’s coming to meet him with such a seal of the covenant of grace, on the occasion of this victory, evinces, that it was a pledge of God’s fulfillment of the same covenant.”
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Melchizedek Blessed Abraham (1b): This new character assumes the superior role by offering a blessing upon Abraham. Now, what was God’s covenant promise to Abraham? Gen 12:2 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” God uses Melchizedek to represent the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise.
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Melchizedek Received a Tithe from Abraham (2a): Abraham acknowledges Melchizedek’s superiority by giving him a tithe (Gen 14:20). We’ll return to this in the next section.
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Melchizedek is the King of Righteousness (2b): His name is formed by the combination of the Hebrew words for ‘King’ (melek) + ‘Righteousness’ (tsedek).
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Melchizedek is the King of Peace (2c): Salem, which means peace, is another name for ancient Jerusalem — the city of Shalom (Ps 76:2).
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Melchizedek is a Priest Forever (3): While some see Melchizedek as a preincarnate Christ, the language implies that he typifies Christ, similar to any other prophet, priest, and king. The fact that the bible never mentions his father or mother, nor records his birth or death, does not mean he was from heaven (as the Qumran sect believed). We simply do not have his genealogy. These are features that make him comparable to Jesus, but not identical. Melchizedek’s character resembles the Son of God who has no beginning or ending. “Resembling” would not be the appropriate word choice if the author was suggesting that Melchizedek was actually the second person of the Trinity.
Typology makes some bible scholars uncomfortable. They will oftentimes find the most ridiculous examples from the past in order to discredit the legitimacy of reading Scripture this way. However, finding connections to Christ from Old Testament characters is part of how Jesus taught us to read the bible (Lk 24:27). It is meant to provide not only a greater perspective on the text we’re reading, but it motivates us to keep searching for him in an appropriate manner.
One of the better resources on this subject is Preaching Christ from the Old Testament by Sidney Greidanus. He notes how critical bible scholars consider typology to be “sheer nonsense.” Then he comments,
“Once the providence of God is rejected, typology must necessarily follow, for it cannot exist without the foundation of God working out his redemptive plan in history.”
The author of Hebrews is driving home the point that Christ is superior to everything we see in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfills the prophets. He is the substance of which the Old Testament characters were mere shadows. If any of his readers were intrigued by temple worship or worldly ambition, this message might give them reason to pause.
The author is providing the rationale for their assurance. It is meant to compliment and solidify the exhortation he gave them in the previous chapter. He expects them to wake up from their sluggish approach to God and persevere in their faith. But they will only do that if they hold fast to an assurance of hope in Christ.
For that to happen, they must recognize how the character of Christ is better than anything else. It is reflected in the Messianic figure Melchizedek.
We cannot go beyond this approach in our own pursuit of God. When we have grown lazy in worship, or when creative modes of worship become a temptation, let us remember that we already possess everything we need in Christ — as he has revealed himself to us through his word. We can meditate upon the fact that the character of Melchizedek reflects a shadow of Christ, so that the study of this biblical figure draws us closer to our Savior.
Keep reading and comparing and highlighting how it fits the redemptive historical narrative. The end result is a practice that continually builds upon the foundations of our faith (Heb 6:1). This is how we mature to solid food (Heb 5:12)! Reading God’s word in this manner requires preparation, patience, and practice. We open the bible with hearts that are ready to receive the truth, depending upon the Lord for his help.
The post The King Of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:1-3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
How is your daily bible reading going? Do you follow a plan? Have you been able to stick to it? When you read, is your heart warmed by your communion with the Lord? Are you filled with anticipation, excitement, and joy?
What does any of this have to do with the resurrection of Jesus? It happens to be the central point of one of the most significant resurrection accounts recorded for us in Luke 24. It reminds us that reading the bible is about intellectually understandingand being emotionally moved by the bible’s central figure — Jesus Christ. This passage teaches us the importance of a Christianity that impacts both our heads and our hearts.
Last week we considered the triumphal entry of Jesus as he rode upon a donkey into Jerusalem with a large crowd shouting “Hosanna in the highest!” They were ready to crown him as their king. They viewed him as the Messiah, the promised Savior. But they limited his reign to a physical throne, and his salvation to political freedom.
Jesus came to accomplish so much more. The entrance of the King was merely set up for a swift departure. Jesus did indeed triumph, but it was through his death upon a cross. As our King, Jesus defeats all his and our enemies, the greatest of which is our own sin and misery. In order to be forgiven, satisfaction for the penalty of sin had to be made. Jesus was the perfect Lamb whose sacrifice was satisfactory once and for all. There would be no more bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins. The temple curtain that separated the Most Holy place from the inner court was torn from top to bottom. Now, anyone could have free access to God through faith in Jesus.
But that was not all. In order to prove his redemptive power and to show that indeed sin and death had been defeated, the King had to return. And that’s what he did. Jesus rose again from the dead. This morning we will read about the event of the resurrection, but I want to focus most of our time upon a particular encounter that a couple of disciples had with the Risen King.
The last chapter of the gospel of Luke is one of the most important passages of the New Testament. It is here that Jesus confirms the ultimate purpose of the Old Testament (v.27). If the Old Testament does not in some way point to Christ, then we have read it wrong.
These disciples had read their bibles wrong. They, like most of Jesus’ disciples, were confused about the Savior who was to come and rescue them. It wasn’t until Jesus accurately taught them the Scriptures that their eyes were opened and they were able to rightly see Him.
All of us begin with that same problem. We need eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe. Without them we cannot know Christ. Apart from a right understanding of Christ, we cannot know God. And if we do not know God, then we have no hope beyond this brief life. But the risen King taught everyone with eyes to see, where He could always be found.
Pray and Read Luke 24:1-35.
› Before we can hear the solution, we must begin with…
The Problem of Unbelief (13-24)These two disciples had a distorted view of the person, purpose, and power of Jesus Christ.
A distorted view of the person of Christ (16) – They didn’t recognize Jesus. In fact, they were kept from recognizing him. Of all people, these two disciples would not have been apprehensive to believe. The reason they don’t is because God had not given them this ability. This wasn’t because Jesus looked different. The text specifically tells us that they were kept from recognizing him. God had not given them eyes to see Him for who He was.
A distorted view of the purpose of Christ (21) – They anticipated a temporal, physical redemption rather than the eternal, spiritual redemption Christ brought. They fully expected the Messiah to overthrow the Roman authorities, to take over Caesar’s throne, and to establish an earthly reign right then and there. They didn’t realize that Christ’s purpose was much greater. He hadn’t come to merely rescue a small nation in a particular part of the world. He had come to rescue people from every nation–no tribe, people, or language would be overlooked.
A distorted view of the power of Christ (22-24) – They didn’t believe the reports of the resurrection. If they had, instead of leaving Jerusalem, they would have been waiting for his return.
Since the fall, when Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, our vision has been distorted. What we see is no longer accurate or true. Everywhere we look it’s as if we are peering through fog. We are blinded by the fog. All of us are born spiritually blind.
In all likelihood, these disciples had heard a lot of bible stories. They grew up hearing them every Sabbath. It isn’t enough to simply read the bible. You must read it with eyes that have been opened by God to see its truth.
All of us begin with a distorted view of God. Unless the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to see the truth, we will not understand the Bible. We will be just like the disciples here, unable to recognize Christ and appreciate the significance of his life and death.
› The problem of unbelief is that it distorts our view of Christ. Our only hope is to rightly understand…
The Solution of Christ (25-27)Involves Criticism (25) – Jesus calls these two disciples “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe”. Jesus didn’t angrily shout “YOU FOOLS!!!” But neither was he speaking to them in a light and frivolous tone. This was a serious mistake that Jesus criticized.
Involves Correction (26) – Jesus corrects his disciples with a question. They thought Jesus was going to overthrow the political system and sit upon an earthly throne. They expected Jesus to confront the Roman authorities, not the Jewish authorities.
Involves Christ (27) – How marvelous it would have been to hear that sermon! Considering the journey was just over seven miles, he was probably preaching for a couple hours. What did he tell them? What passages did he refer to? How did he point them to himself? The fact that the words of this sermon were not recorded compels us to search for Christ every time we open our bible.
JC Ryle “Christ was the substance of every Old Testament sacrifice, ordained in the law of Moses. Christ was the true Deliverer and King, of whom all the judges and deliverers in Jewish history were types. Christ was the coming Prophet greater than Moses, whose glorious advent filled the pages of the prophets. Christ was the true seed of the woman who was to bruise the serpent’s head,–the true seed in whom all nations were to be blessed,–the true Shiloh to whom the people were to be gathered,–the true Lamb to which every daily offering pointed,–the true High Priest of whom every descendant of Aaron was a figure.”
Christ’s preaching in this passage stands in stark contrast to some of the most prominent preachers today. They intentionally avoid talking about sin, or the wrath of God, or judgement. They avoid anything negative.
Where there is no criticism, where there is no correction, there can be no CHRIST!
Scripture, on the other hand, changes our faulty view of ourselves. Your biggest problem isn’t your circumstances. Your biggest problem isn’t someone else. Your biggest problem is – YOU! Your desires, thoughts, and actions are filled with impurities.
Scripture is not full of uplifting sayings that you repeat to yourself like Stuart Smalley. Scripture doesn’t teach you how to have “your best life now”! If your bible doesn’t give you a critical assessment of human nature, you aren’t reading it correctly. If you read your bible to be cheered on, you will be frequently disappointed.
Scripture reshapes our view of reality. Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus had to view their world in a new light, we too must undergo a paradigm shift in our worldview. When we read the Bible we should anticipate correction.
All Scripture points us to Christ. Scripture is not rightly interpreted if it does not teach us something about Christ. Each time you read the Bible — in Spirit and truth — you are drawing near to a person. You are learning more about your Savior. Sometimes you will learn about who He is. Other times you will learn about what He did. But you should always come away with a better understanding of Christ. He’s the solution, and he’s always found in His Word!
› That leads us to our final point…
The Response of Faith (28-35)After hearing Scripture rightly taught their eyes were opened (31). Salvation is the work of a sovereign God. You do not choose God unless He opens your eyes. He must give you the ability to believe the truth of His Word, or you will go on rejecting it every time you hear it.
Faith is Experiential – Their hearts burned within them (32).
Faith is Communal – They returned to the disciples and shared their testimony (33-35). This becomes even more significant when we recognize that they returned “that same hour” which would have been after it was already dark. They would have met back up with the disciples in Jerusalem very late into the night. You can sense the excitement and urgency to rejoice with the other disciples.
One of my favorite expressions of faith is found in the book of Ruth. The passage arrives in the midst of the widow, Naomi, mourning the loss of her husband and two sons as she returns to Bethlehem. Her two daughters-in-law set out to return with her, but she urges them to go back to Moab. Orpah did, but Ruth clung to Naomi.
Ruth 1:16–17 ESV
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
When Naomi wanted to detach herself from everyone, Ruth clung to her in loving defiance. Webb writes, “Her decision to return with Naomi is a choice to commit herself irrevocably, not just to Naomi, but to the God and the people to whom Naomi herself is returning (1:16).”
In effect, Ruth was saying, “I will give up everything to continue to follow you. I will forsake the likelihood of finding a husband. I will forsake my immediate family. I will follow you no matter what.” The result of Naomi’s warning and pessimistic portrayal of life in the land of Judah is met by a faithfully stubborn Ruth.
The fact that Naomi’s bitterness never turned into apostasy showed Ruth a sincere faith. In all of her complaining and resentment, Naomi never stopped trusting in Yahweh. She was upset. She was losing hope. But she never abandoned her faith. And that must have spoken volumes to Ruth.
Ruth witnessed Naomi’s raw faith, and it was inspiring. She was willing to give everything up in order to follow that God. The lowest ebb of Naomi’s faith in God was the greatest witness to Ruth.
Once you have really seen Christ, there is an earnest desire for more of Him. Show me Christ whatever the cost!
Have you experienced faith? When the Holy Spirit grabs your attention, everything else fades away. These disciples wanted nothing else. Their hearts burned for more of Christ. They begged Him to remain with them (v.29). Have you ever felt that way? Or maybe I should ask it this way: Do you still feel that way? Can you remember the last time the Word of God was a delight to your soul? Jesus is ready to receive you. The Holy Spirit can lead you to him when you open his word in faith.
The post The Risen King (Luke 24:13-35) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Charismatic leaders have deceived entire nations into following them. They have stirred up support to enter into unjust wars. They have tortured and slaughtered innocent people (oftentimes their own citizens) in order to extend their wealth and power. History is full of leaders of that sort.
The King of Kings was radically different. Rather than earning wealth and power, the second person of the Trinity was willing to empty himself of his heavenly prerogatives. He humbled himself taking on flesh, and coming in the likeness of man. And he did it at a time when his family had to flee for safety from one of the most notorious examples of evil, namely King Herod the Great. Rather than forcing his way into the limelight, clamoring for attention, Jesus remained in relative obscurity for most of his life and ministry.
But the knowledge of his identity took a drastic turn in our passage this morning. Many will declare him to be the Messiah, but their expectations of what he would do were significantly misinformed. They will acknowledge Jesus to be the Son of David, the Messiah of Israel — which is true — but a week later, he will be rejected and condemned.
Instead of the cruel exercise of power, Jesus submitted himself to the excruciating torture and death of the Roman cross. Between today and next Sunday, I encourage you to read the accounts of the death of Jesus. That will prepare us all for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday next week!
Matthew was a Jew writing to fellow Jews with the purpose of convincing them that Jesus was the Messiah. He makes it clear throughout the gospel that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah. One of the ways this impacts Matthew’s gospel is his frequent quotes and allusions from the Old Testament to show that Jesus not acting arbitrarily. He has a redemptive purpose behind his actions. Another feature of Matthew’s gospel is its highlighting of Christ’s royal or kingly role. The title “Christ” in Greek is the translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah” which means “Anointed One”.
Jesus is now entering his final week, and he knows it. In terms of redemptive history, everything leads up to or points back to this week. There was absolutely no more significant time in history. Those who declare Jesus as Messiah must know the implications of making that declaration.
We can sing easily enough. We can take a few hours out of our morning to attend a parade. For some, Church has become little more than an annual pilgrimage made around this time every year… Those who declare Jesus as Messiah must be willing to follow him as their King. That implies that have been subdued by him and have submitted themselves to his sovereign rule.
Pray and Read Matthew 21:1-11.
- The King’s Preparation (1-7)Instruction (1-3) As they near Jerusalem, while passing over the Mount of Olives at Bethphage, Jesus can see the temple a few miles in than distance. He instructs two of his disciples to get the donkey and colt. He tells them where to find them and what to say if someone asks them anything.
This seems to be related to the right of requisitioning that was practiced by kings and sometimes by Jewish rabbi. Jesus probably made arrangements during the few days he had already been in Bethany (according to John). This “password” (“The Lord needs them”) was given for the exchange when Jesus was ready to enter Jerusalem.
Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey reveals his identity and purpose (4-5)
Matthew breaks up Jesus’ instruction to the disciples and their obedience with an explicit reference to the Old Testament. Matthew, again, makes Jesus’ Messianic identity explicit by quoting how this instruction was given in order to fulfill Zech. 9:9, a section of prophecy that promises Israel’s liberation.
Why a donkey? Donkeys were associated with royalty and wealth (Jdgs 10:4; 12:14 see sermon notes). Social elites traveled on donkeys. However, they were also considered “beasts of burden” used for transporting luggage or those who had difficulty walking.
After walking everywhere for three years, Jesus didn’t suddenly need a donkey to make the last two miles of his journey. This was all intended to fulfill the Messianic promise.
The crowd of pilgrims may have recalled the triumphant return of King David after he fled Absalom, ascending the Mount of Olives, weeping (2 Sam 15:30; Lk 19:41). He also entered riding upon a donkey (2 Sam 16:1-2). Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met David saying, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on.”
The primary reference here seems to be the distinction between donkeys which are ridden by kings in times of peace, as opposed to the war horse. Jesus was indeed the King, but he did not represent the warrior-king that so many were anticipating. The humble king mounted on a donkey is contrasted in the next verse.
Zechariah 9:10 ESV
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Obedience (6-7) The disciples obeyed, which means that the donkey and colt’s owner also obeyed the Lord’s command. They placed their cloaks upon the backs of the donkey and colt. Although it is clear from the other gospel’s that Jesus only rode upon the colt (“them” refers to the garments), the colt’s mother was likely present to keep the unweaned colt calm.
The highlight of this passage is the recognition that Christ had come to fulfill the redemptive purposes of the Old Testament that none of the previous prophets, priests, and kings could accomplish. Jesus came in humility, but this is not necessarily implied by the donkey. It’s not as if Jesus chose to drive a Yugo when he could have pulled up in a Mercedes. His choice of a donkey was prophetic fulfillment. It symbolized his kingly authority as well as his peaceful mission.
Jesus is the one who was meek (5:5) and gentle (11:29) and lowly, not the colt. But the pinnacle of Jesus’ humility is found in his death on the cross (Php 2:7-8). The triumphal entry of this king quickly lead to the humiliating death of a criminal.
Jesus knew that his entrance into Jerusalem was effectively the beginning of the end of his ministry. There was nothing uncertain or hesitant about his decision. He was in complete control.
The King we serve is all-knowing and all-powerful. The decisions he made could not have been more thoughtfully calculated. He took the necessary steps which led to the ultimate sacrifice. There was nothing reckless about his decision, but it did setup an irreversible chain of events that led to his death on a cross.
Have you humbled yourself before this King? Have you yielded your life to the King of kings? This is the kind of King we should be grateful to follow. When we submit to him we are protected by a leader who ultimately triumphed through sacrifice. Unfortunately, that was not on the minds of those who were about to receive him with joyous praise.
› Having considered the King’s Preparation, let us now consider…
- The King’s Reception (8-11)Crowds gathered to properly usher Jesus into the city. Most of them laid their cloaks on the ground as they did when the people reacted to the news that Elisha had anointed Jehu to be king over Israel (2 Kgs 9:13). Others cut palm branches, which symbolized victory (Rev. 7:9), and spread them along the road. There were people before him and after him shouting out praises belonging to their Messiah.
During Passover season Jerusalem’s population increase drastically, likely 2-4 times its average population! The city was incapable of accommodating so many visitors. Many of them setup camp outside the temple walls. As Jesus and his entourage traveled toward the temple, they would have meandered through these makeshift campsites. Surely, their own group grew as onlookers joined in to make sense of the commotion.
The crowds before him may have come from Jerusalem (Jn 12:13). In typical fashion, they were there to usher into the city a visiting dignitary. Thousands of Galileans would be on the same route making their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. These probably represent the bulk of those following him now.
This is supported by information we gain from John that Jesus had stayed in Bethany. As news spread, there was anticipation for his entrance into Jerusalem. They were eager to declare one of their own as Messiah. With the increasing excitement of the crowd, it was all the more important for Jesus to show he had come in peace. He was not about to lead a revolt against Rome.
As the Son of David they were acknowledging Jesus as their true King, but their view of Christ was wholly inadequate. The crowds shouted a statement of praise “Hosanna”, which means “Save us!” (Ps 118:25-26), but they were not aware of precisely how that must take place.
Psalm 118 is the final Hallel (Praise). Psalms 113-118 were chanted at all of their annual festivals. Psalm 118 was typically sung while the pilgrims ascended the steps of the Temple Mount. They were naturally prepared to sing the psalm at this time. It includes the familiar line about the stone that the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone. Now the crowd anticipates its fulfillment, but they did not realize it was the Messiah himself who was about to be rejected.
As people in the city were stirred up by all the commotion they asked about Jesus. There is an interesting parallel here with all Jerusalem being troubled by the arrival of the Magi (Mt 2:3). The arrival of Jesus has the whole city “stirred”, literally “shaken” (‘seismic’).
Their questions probably hint at a bit of skepticism. “Who is this prophet from the northern precincts? What is he doing here?” The crowd responded that he was the prophet Jesus from Nazareth (of Galilee). Those who considered Jesus to be a prophet (Mt 21:46) will be at odds with those who want to crucify him (Mt 27:20f).
Jesus is both prophet and king. The people mostly had a political Messiah in mind, but Matthew emphasizes the spiritual reality. Jesus will suffer and die — which is the beginning of the fulfillment of redemptive history. Triumph through suffering. Later on the Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples (Lk 19:39-40) and the chief priests and scribes became indignant at the crowds praise of him (Mt 21:15).
The crowd that escorted Jesus into the city is not necessarily the same crowd that shouted for his crucifixion. But neither group appears to have had a proper view of Jesus’s purpose. This crowd wanted to overthrow Caesar. The crowd depicted later in the week wanted to squelch the uprising of an imposter. Jesus came to bring eternal life by suffering the penalty of our sin, but the people were seeking temporal relief.
Jesus is no longer keeping his identity quiet. He’s fully aware that the excitement of this crowd today will contrast sharply with the outrage of another crowd five days later. But Jesus was ready to face his humiliation.
The fact that the people did not grasp all that Jesus came to accomplish is evident from his reaction. After all the praise that had been lavished upon him, Jesus looked upon the city and wept over it (Lk. 19:41-44).
Are we not like these shallow and fickle followers of Christ? It’s not difficult to follow Jesus when everyone is excited about his reign. Even though they acknowledged Jesus to be their Messiah, it would seem they had abandoned him when he didn’t meet their expectations.
We can all be like that sometimes. We don’t get what we want from God, so we hold that against him. Instead of ease we reap hardship because of our faith, so we give it up altogether.
How can we rightly respond? They weren’t wrong to give him praise as their King, but it’s what they did from there that determines if their praise was genuine. Did their praise really matter — did it make any difference — after the parade was over?
If we do not possess a personal faith in Jesus, then we are exactly like the crowd – simply gathering a group to inquire what the commotion is about.
If you truly believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah — not only for the world, but for you personally — then you will not be content to leave him in the background. You will not return to life as normal. When you submit to Jesus as your King, you give him free reign over your life.
Those who declare Jesus as Messiah must be willing to follow him as their King.
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There is a growing body of research on the concept of hope. There is even scientific research suggesting that those who have hope are better off physically, psychologically, and socially. Researchers acknowledge that trauma can have a negative impact upon the capacity for some to experience hope. For instance, a fatal diagnosis from your doctor can deplete every ounce of will power to pursue every other goal in life.
Chan Hellman, a professor at Oklahoma State University, studied the power and science of hope. He says, “Hope is the belief that your future will be better than today and that you have the power to make it so.” Now, other than seeing hope as more than wishful thinking, this definition falls far short of the goal of biblical hope. It offers nothing in regard to our eternal hope. Of course, optimistic people are generally more successful than pessimistic people, but the goal of this passage in Hebrews sets our goals much higher.
The author of Hebrews has been making the case that Jesus is better/greater/superior than everything! If you turn away from him there is nothing better for you to turn to. Yet, due to the fact that at least some of his audience had grown “dull of hearing” (Heb 5:11), he is concerned that they will fall away if they do not repent (Heb 6:4-6). We have spent the last several weeks covering that warning, but we come to a shift in his argument this morning. He follows that stern warning with a lengthy reflection upon true hope.
Pray and Read Hebrews 6:9-20.
Our first vow of membership in the PCA states: Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hopesave in His sovereign mercy?
The first step to obtaining the hope of salvation is recognizing that we enter this life without it.
On the other hand,
The infallible assurance of our faith is founded upon the certainty of the promises of our salvation.
Do You Desire the Assurance of Hope? (9-12)Sure of better things — things that belong to salvation (9). The description of experiences in the previous section are things that may not belong to salvation. They (the author and companions) are confident that this community will produce the fruit of repentance and that the threatened curse would not fall upon them (8). The warning given in the previous section does not negate their charitable esteem for their Christian brothers and sisters. They desire and hope for the best outcome.
The author acknowledges the loving service this community has shown to the saints (10), which is consistent with the fruit expected from the field that has been blessed by God (7). These saints have a reputation of exemplary service toward one another, even in the midst of their own tribulation and persecution. This, in effect, is the recognition that God’s Spirit is at work among them. It is not to suggest that their love and works are perfect, but that they are done in sincerity through Jesus Christ (Heb 13:21).
However, not everyone was united in their service. They desire to see them enjoying the same earnestness and full assurance of hope (11). They want to see this whole community persevere to the end. The author desires that their assurance not waver, but that it be full. He doesn’t merely want them to base their hope on a dream or a wish, but he wants them to have “an infallible assurance of faith” (WCF 18.2).
A renewed interest in spiritual maturity would provide the hope of their perseverance. To the contrary, their sluggishness (same word translated “dull of hearing” in Heb 5:11) is not characteristic of those inheriting the promises of God through faith and patience (12). The antidote to a sluggish faith is one that is full of the assurance of hope.
Which, as long as they are looking to Christ, will be victorious — though oftentimes it will be weakened and assailed through tribulation (WCF 14.3). This encouragement from the author is what all of us need from time to time. It stirs up the grace of God within us and wakes us up from our slumber. It reminds us that we have been adopted into a family with the promises of an incredibly rich inheritance — purchased for us and secured by Christ Jesus!
Opening Pandora’s Box You’ve probably heard of Pandora’s Box, but do you know the ancient Greek mythology behind it? Hesiod wrote the poem in 700 BC, Pandora had a box that was filled with all kinds of evil and miseries. Zeus ordered Pandora to open the box because Prometheus had stolen fire from heaven. When Pandora’s Box was opened, it released those evils into the world causing human suffering.
Death and sickness are named as falling upon mankind among a host of other unspecified miseries. However, what makes the story so interesting — and applicable to us today — is the fact that Pandora slammed the box closed before the last “evil” was able to escape. That evil was personified by the goddess, Elpis, the Greek word for hope. She remained trapped inside Pandora’s Box.
There are various theories about why hope remained in the box. Some suggest that hope is evil because it keeps people desiring. This is essentially how Nietzsche interprets it. He wrote that the poem shows hope “is in truth the worst of all evils, because it protracts the torment of men.” Hope only prolongs our torture.
Others have suggested that what was trapped was not genuine hope, but a deceptive kind of false expectation. This interpretation implies that men are capable of pursuing truth. But another optimistic interpretation suggests that trapping hope inside the box actually preserved it. This the question: Is Pandora preserving hope for us or withholding hope from us?
Was Hesiod suggesting that hope should be desired or avoided? Regardless of how you answer that question — at a minimum — we can see that hope is an important topic that has an elusive quality.
Clearly, the Bible does not view hope as an evil, but it does emphasize the object of your hope. If your hope is placed in earthly things it will lead to disappointment. However, hope that is founded in the promises of God, will never disappoint.
True Hope Is Modeled in Christian ServiceBased upon the three-thousand year old discrepancy regarding hope, the question of this section seems prudent. Do you desire the assurance of hope? Among the community receiving this letter, it would seem that some of them had lost hope — or they are losing hope. And they are showing no real earnestness to gain it back!
Like the writer, my desire is that would not be the case for you! May the Lord grant in each one of us an earnest pursuit of “the full assurance of hope until the end.”
We can overcome our sluggishness by imitating the faith and patience of the saints who have persevered. While we ought to prioritize the biblical models, as the author will commend in Heb 11, we can also look to those older and wiser and persevering saints in our own midst.
Routine service of the saints is modeled every week as we gather together. Finding saints to imitate is one way to build a present confidence in hope, which will motivate perseverance. Ask the Lord to guide you in that way, even this morning.
› Desiring the right kind of hope is exemplified by Abraham, which leads us to our second question…
Have You Obtained the Assurance of Hope? (13-15)Here the author provides an example of someone his audience should imitate, namely Abraham. And they would have been eager to receive this encouragement.
God swore by himself in order to provide Abraham with the greatest possible confidence in the covenant promises (13). He promised Abraham blessing and multiplication (14; Gen 22:17). God promised he would make Abraham into a great nation (Gen 12:2), but would he have to wait another twenty-five years before he even received the heir of that promise. Isaac’s arrival was not the fulfillment of that promise — it was just the beginning of his obtaining the promise.
Even then, God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his Son as a burnt offering (Gen 22:2). There was probably no greater example the author could have pointed to than the father of our faith, Abraham. He is a premier model of patient faith.
Abraham obtained the promise after waiting patiently (15). He heard the covenant promise when he was seventy-five years old (Gen 12). He participated in the ceremonial renewal of the covenant promise at some point over the next decade (Gen 15), but he did not see the blessing of Isaac’s arrival until he was one-hundred years old (Gen 22)! He waited twenty-five years to behold the first member of a promised nation!
But, we also know his patience wasn’t perfect. Remember Hagar and Ishmael (Gen 16)? Abraham was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born to his Egyptian maidservant Hagar. That’s all part of Abraham’s story too.
If Abraham’s hope was placed in his own efforts, he would have never continued on for another fourteen years to see the birth of Isaac. His hope would always disappoint him if he sought to manufacture a solution outside of God’s will.
We should study the biblical models and seek the grace of God to imitate their faith, and to learn from their failures too. Note their weaknesses and dependence upon God for wisdom and guidance. Appreciate God’s sovereign will to utilize the foolish and the weak to shame the wise and the strong (1 Cor 1:27). He places his treasured message in fragile jars of clay in order to emphasize the power is in God and not the vessel of his message (2 Cor 4:7).
Abraham obtained the promise of God through faith. He placed his hope in a future fulfillment that could not be obtained through obedience to the law (Rom 4:13). Why? Because the law only brings wrath — it perfectly points out our transgressions before a holy God (Rom 4:15).
› The point of observing Abraham is to the see the faithfulness of God, which leads to our last question…
Are You Grasping the Assurance of Hope? (16-20)Oaths are certain confirmation and God guaranteed his promise with an oath to himself (16-17). Oaths are to be made with sober judgment. We only take them when we are participating in something significant. They are used to confirm that a person is testifying to something they know to be true.
Therefore, the nature of God’s promise supports the certainty of its fulfillment. God ordains whatsoever comes to pass. And when he sought to confirm that decree, in his covenant with Abraham — he attached an oath to it. He swore that he would take the curse of covenant breaking upon himself if either party were unfaithful.
This is the picture we find in the covenant ceremony in Genesis 15. God passes through the bloody aisle of animal carcasses in order to suggest that the curse of death would fall upon him if the covenant was broken. But, instead of Abraham taking the same oath, God put Abraham to sleep while he performed the ceremony alone. In other words, no one else can take this oath and no one else will receive this curse. All of it rests upon the faithfulness of God. God would secure his promise based upon “the unchangeable character of his purpose!”
And since, God cannot be unfaithful, this promise was the seal of the gospel. Jesus would receive the curse of our unfaithfulness as he hung upon the cross — and we would receive the blessing of eternal life through faith.
The quality of his promise and oath encourage us to hold fast (18). He closes this section with three images that reflect upon the work of Christ as our Redeemer:
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Christ Our Refuge (18) When the author refers to “we who have fled for refuge” he’s including all of them, along with himself, in the covenant community. Everyone within the church has fled for refuge from the wrath to come.
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Christ Our Anchor (19) Our hope is a steadfast anchor of the soul enabling communion with our great high priest. Connecting back to “the full assurance of hope” (11), he illustrates the immoveable quality of the hope they have in Christ. Anchors imply the possibility of storms ahead, but they also provide the stability and safety to endure.
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Christ Our Forerunner (20) Jesus is the forerunner of our entrance into the holy of holies — and now he serves as our perpetual high priest!
What gives our hope its stability is the person in Whom it is placed. It’s not the firmness of our grip, but the object of our faith, that keeps us secure.
R.C. Sproul: “We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because he holds tightly to us.”
The oath of God was meant to convince the heirs of the covenant — that includes all who become children of Abraham by faith (Gal 3:7). Our assurance is based upon the immutability of God. He does not change, so we know his promises will not fail.
If we have “fled for refuge” in the church we will need encouragement to persevere in hope. And because we have a High Priest who is seated at the right hand of the Father, who is perpetually available for us, we can enter into the holy of holies anywhere and anytime.
The refuge from the storm, the anchor of our soul, and the forerunner of our communion with God is the person of Jesus Christ! We can be sure of better things because we know who holds us fast!
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Jesus is greater than the angels and Moses. He is a superior high priest. But before he can elaborate upon Christ’s superiority, he warns his readers to grab their attention. The audience had yet to mature beyond milk to solid food (Heb 5:11-14). They were stuck still learning the elementary doctrine of Christ (Heb 6:1-3).
Pray & Read Hebrews 6:4-8.
In 1981, Rev. Mansfield Kaseman, of National Capital Presbytery, was charged with apostasy because he denied Christ’s sinlessness, bodily resurrection, vicarious atonement, and deity. The Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly acquitted Mr. Kaseman allowing him to remain a member in good standing in the PCUSA. The decision allowed him to continue to teach his heretical views. The result proved the wisdom of the many churches that had formed the PCA less than a decade prior.
Apostasy is an ongoing concern in every generation. We cannot let down our guard. We must hold one another accountable, especially ministers, when they fall outside the boundaries of orthodoxy.
I want to begin with an overview of the three primary interpretations of this passage:
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Genuine Christians who lose their salvation. Simply put: if you accept this interpretation you will need to consider how you understand many more passages that speak to the perseverance of the saints (Jn 6:37-40; 10:27-29; Rom 5:1-11; 8:1, 28-39; Phil 1:6; 2 Tim 2:18-19; 1 Pt 1:3-5; 1 Jn 2:19; etc.).
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This is only a hypothetical description, since it is impossible for true believers to fall away. However, nothing in the text indicates this is only hypothetical. The threat of apostasy is treated as a real possibility.
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These apostates were never genuinely converted. They experienced the blessing of belonging to the covenant community for a time, but fell away in unbelief. Their lack of perseverance proves the superficial quality of their faith (1 Jn 2:19). They never truly possessed what they professed.
Although we won’t get to v.9 this week, we need to keep it in mind, because it certainly reveals what our author thinks of his audience. It suggests that he is confident they will heed the warning. He expects them to begin to mature.
The climax of the author’s warning is that they might fall away from the pinnacle of external blessings. Previously, he has referred to the possibility that they might “fall away from the living God” (Heb 3:12). The possibility of apostasy is real, but the question is what are they apostatizing or falling away from?
There is a genuine danger of falling away from the covenant community if our faith is only superficial.
I don’t mean that only those with great faith are accepted by God. Your faith might be as small as a mustard seed—but if it is genuine—it will lead to growth.
Those who experience true repentance will persevere in their pursuit of God’s blessing.
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The Pretension of Apostasy (4-5)
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The Realization of Apostasy (6)
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An Illustration of Apostasy (7-8)
The Pretension of Apostasy (4-5)Pretension comes from the root “pretend”. So how does apostasy pretend? I don’t mean the experiences described in these verses are fake, but I mean that they could leave us with a false impression. Someone could experience each of these privileges and still fall away.
The general consensus among Reformed writers is to understand these five things as privileges a member of the covenant community may enjoy without ever being born again. Apostasy is possible. You can fall away from the covenant community—but that implies that you can belong to the covenant community in a superficial way. In other words, someone can make a profession that appears credible from all outward appearances, but fails to be genuine in reality.
Enlightened — Some have argued that this is a sign of salvation. It speaks to the genuine quality of their faith, based upon a spiritual enlightenment. Moreover, they would suggest that the use of “once” refers to this punctiliar conversion event that every Christian enjoys.
But, I think a better interpretation relates this word to the Israelites in the wilderness (as we’ve seen the author do in Heb 3-4). This seems to be a reference to the pillar of fire that God used to “enlighten” their way (Neh 9:12, 19). The writer’s point is that his readers learned something about the truth of the gospel. At some time in the recent past, they professed to following the light of the gospel. Their “enlightenment” may be just as shallow as it was for the wilderness wanderers.
Tasted the heavenly gift — Again, some would suggest the full experience of heaven is in view. When Jesus tasted death for everyone (Heb 2:9), he actually died. Therefore, if someone tastes heaven, they actually receive the gift.
But, just because “taste” can imply a full experience, doesn’t mean it always implies that. I think the author is making an illusion to manna (Neh 9:15). They genuinely experienced a taste of a gift that came from heaven, but clearly, this was only a partial enjoyment of the full privileges of glory. That doesn’t mean their taste was fake, but that it was short-lived, like Bazooka bubblegum.
Shared in the Holy Spirit — Some would emphasize the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation, but others would point out that the Spirit has always empowered people apart from saving grace. What is implied is some level of instruction by the Spirit (Neh 9:20). Ultimately, it’s possible to reject that instruction.
Tasted the goodness of the word of God — Sat under its proclamation and teaching (Neh 9:13-14). In this case, it is implied that the readers of Hebrews had heard the good news about Jesus Christ. They heard the words of eternal life.
Powers of the age to come — They had witnessed miracles just like the wilderness generation (Neh 9:9-12), or even performed miracles as Jesus warned his followers…
Matthew 7:22–23 ESV
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
This miraculous experience was very typical of conversion in the apostolic age. Read the book of Acts for plenty of examples. People witnessed many of the miracles of Jesus without ever becoming a disciple. Some were truly converted through their experience while others were merely affected because they were adjacent to the work. They were in the proximity of believers and therefore experienced some level of blessing.
The allusions to the wilderness generation is an illustration of the same danger that present members of the covenant community experience. They could exhibit all the same outward factors, but still perish in their sin. He’s not suggesting that they definitely are apostate. In fact, v.9 suggests the opposite. But the threat is no less real.
Jude 5 ESV
Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
On the one hand, these experiences are common for all believers. Everyone in the church can relate to them. On the other hand, these experiences could be nothing more than external realities—lacking any internal component. Someone can belong to the visible church — and experience all of this — but not belong to the invisible church.
Is it possible for an unbeliever to receive the benefits of belonging to the covenant community? In a partial sense, the answer — according this passage — must be “yes”. Can they learn something from the songs, prayers, and teaching? Of course. Can they receive encouragement from the word of God? Definitely. Can they walk away with an appreciation for God’s word? No doubt. But none of that means they have enjoyed the saving grace of repentance unto life.
John Calvin sees all of the experiences mentioned in verses 4-5 as parallel to the seed that is sown upon rocky ground. These people immediately receive the word with joy, but they have no root and their faith is quickly choked out by tribulation or persecution (Mk 4:16-17). In other words, the reprobate can gain a certain amount of knowledge, but they never mature past it because they have no root.
We can point to the example of Judas Iscariot (Mt 26:47-49). There is very little indication that his experience was radically different from the other eleven disciples. He witnessed the same miracles and sat under the same teaching and probably had the same emotional reactions to much of it, but in the end, he betrayed Jesus. He is the quintessential apostate who will say, “Lord, Lord, did I not do many mighty works in your name?” (Mt 7:21-23).
The author of Hebrews understands that past outward reactions are no guarantee of perseverance. A credible profession of faith must be accompanied by perseverance. You can profess to believe, but fail to possess saving faith. I can declare that I believe this chair will be able to hold my weight if I sit in it, all the while never actually sitting and resting in the chair.
In the same way, one can profess to believe the gospel — even suggest that they know Jesus is their Lord and Savior — all the while never resting in him. Declaring to understand salvation is not the same as actually receiving salvation. And the one indication that all of these experiences represent genuine salvation is to persevere in them.
Ingratitude and indifference are the attributes of false converts. They profess a faith that they do not truly possess. Some among the writer’s audience have grown lazy (Heb 5:11) because their investment is minimal. So the author reminds them of the parallel experiences of the wilderness generation, challenging them to respond differently. He’s written something similar to this already (Heb 3:16-4:2). Their reaction to this warning will reveal the genuineness of their faith — which the author is confident will prove true (Heb 6:9).
Once again, the author’s point is to push them beyond what could be nothing more than outward and superficial experiences. Repentance and perseverance are his goals. He is not trying to strike fear and doubt into the hearts of sensitive believers, but to wake up the sleepers. Warning sirens are meant to get everyone’s attention.
Maybe you have benefitted from belonging to the church for a long time. You enjoy the worship service, the fellowship of the saints, and the morality that is promoted. All of that may be absolutely true of someone who is not in a saving relationship with Jesus. You can enjoy the company of Jesus without resting in him.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as trusting in his finished work on the cross. Many disciples followed him up until it became inconvenient for them. They enjoyed the privileges of being in his company without receiving and resting in him alone for their salvation.
If that describes you, I would urge you to heed this warning right now. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t delay placing your trust in Jesus a moment longer.
WCF 17.1 & 18.1
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Native Americans have a practice of planning for their future with the seventh generation in mind. In other words, tribal leaders expect their actions to impact their people for the next 150 years. Not only do they keep future generations in mind, but they also reflect upon past generations with gratitude.
Considering the fact that God “has put eternity into man’s heart” (Eccl. 3:10), it is natural to desire to have an enduring impact. The reformed catechisms have passed on a robust articulation of our faith for more than twenty generations. We should look back with gratitude at the contribution these catechisms made upon our reformed faith.
Unfortunately, our catechisms are becoming increasingly foreign in the same denominations that produced and maintained their use for so long. Sales of the Westminster Shorter Catechism have been in sharp decline for more than a century. Needless to say, this has been accompanied by a sharp decline in doctrinal knowledge. Mainline Presbyterians no longer believe what their Standards teach.
In the midst of arguing that Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, the author of Hebrews pauses to warn his audience against apostasy. He charged his audience with lazy listening. Instead of being able to teach others, they were still in need of learning the basic principles of the Christian faith. They had not made any progress in their faith.
Instead of reteaching them the elementary doctrine of Christ, he reminds them of the categories that they should already be familiar with. He challenges them to leave these and go on to maturity (Heb 6:1a). The foundation of these basic principles have already been laid out for them in the past. It is time for them to mature beyond them.
The very nature of a foundation is that it remains in place. You do not have to keep laying the foundation over and over again. That doesn’t mean you ignore the foundation, or assume it’s already there in every case. However, it does mean that you must go beyond it and begin building upon the foundation some additional structural components (1 Cor 3:10). Or, as he said in the previous section, there is a time to shift from milk to solid food (Heb 5:12-13).
The author lists six “elementary” doctrines that essentially provide an outline of Christian beliefs. John Calvin speculated that these doctrines constituted an early church catechism. At the very least, this list represents elements found in the preaching and practice of the early church throughout the book of Acts. And the subjects were meant to spur someone toward perseverance.
The average believer is stuck at an elementary level of understanding with little motivation to advance.
Once the foundation of our faith is established, we must build upon that knowledge.
Read Hebrews 6:1-3.
Basic Soteriology (1)Soteriology is the doctrine of salvation. Every true believer begins by receiving the gift of repentance and faith. This is the most crucial part of their pastjustification.
Repentance from dead works — His audience already knew that God had called them to turn away from their sins. “Dead works” refers to any sinful approach to God (Heb 9:14). Doing anything contrary to his will. Every sinner deserves death and unbelievers are dead in their sins, incapable of pleasing God (Eph 2:1). They needed to repent of all the ways in which they had fallen short, even where they relied upon their outward obedience for salvation.
Repentance involves a transformation. We experience a change of mine. We turn away from our sinful independence acknowledging our need for a Savior. This requires that we have a true sense of our sin, as well as an apprehension of the mercy of God that is held out to us in Christ (WSC 87).
Faith toward God — Faith is best defined as receiving and resting in the promise and power of God to save us through the gospel of his Son. We cannot rightly approach God the Father apart from God the Son. Faith goes hand-in-hand with repentance. In repentance we turn away from sin, and in faith we turn toward God who offers us salvation in Christ.
By calling repentance and faith foundational principles, the writer is highlighting their crucial importance. He is suggesting the essential quality of these doctrines. They aren’t debatable. We don’t discuss them and explore them as if we can choose between several different biblical options. If they’re foundational, then we can’t minimize them or view them as optional in discipleship.
I like the illustration Matt Marino uses when describing another foundational doctrine:
I don’t mean like a foundation to a house, necessary to be sure, but remaining flat and stationary; but instead think of something more like what DNA is to the whole of a living organism.
Thomas Watson states the importance of the doctrine of justification:
“Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christianity. An error about justification is dangerous, like a defect in a foundation. Justification by Christ is a spring of the water of life. To have the poison of corrupt doctrine cast into this spring is damnable.”
Do you treat conversion — which contains the paired doctrine of repentance and faith — as foundational? What is the evidence for that? Are you interested in going beyond the subject of conversion?
These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves when we sense that we have grown complacent and indifferent about our doctrinal knowledge. When we understand justification and enjoy the peace with God that results, are we not motivated to pursue deeper knowledge?
› The first elementary doctrine the author mentions is soteriology. His second category is…
Basic Pneumatology (2a)Pneumatology is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Although the next two elements do not mention the Holy Spirit they refer to aspects of our faith that reflect our dependency upon the Spirit’s work. They are to be perpetually practiced in our present sanctification until Christ returns.
There are two different approaches to these phrases:
- These elements refer to OT rituals that these Jewish Christians are tempted to return to. This view would emphasize the encouragement to “leave” them and “go on to maturity”—essentially viewing maturity as settling into a more robust appreciation for the newness of the new covenant. These OT rituals had been fulfilled and replaced by NT elements of worship.
a. Baptisms refer to the OT ceremonial washings with which this audience would have been familiar (Heb 9:10).
b. “Laying on of hands” throughout OT in reference to ceremonial law, including the sacrificial system of the old covenant.
- All of these elements are found in Acts. They are the basic beliefs of the Christian faith (“doctrine of Christ”). The danger is that the original audience would be content to remain at this elementary level of understanding. This would be consistent with the author’s concern that they had become sluggish (Heb 5:11).
a. Baptisms in the NT refer to various water baptisms (ceremonial washings/John/disciples), the Holy Spirit, and suffering. Christian baptism needed to be distinguished from every other baptism with which the audience was familiar.
b. Laying on hands is also associated with receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17), ordination (Acts 6:6), commissioning (Acts 13:3), and healing (Mk 6:5).
The author presents these six doctrines in pairs, and the one thing that links these two in particular is the work of the Holy Spirit. In Trinitarian baptism we identity with Christ, and the laying on of hands represents the guidance and power of the indwelling Spirit.
Jonathan Edwards writes about the importance of the Spirit’s work:
“The Spirit of God, in those who have sound and solid religion, is a Spirit of powerful holy affection; and therefore, God is said “to have given them the Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” (2 Tim. i. 7.) And such, when they receive the Spirit of God in his sanctifying and saving influences, are said to be “baptized with the Holy Ghost, and with fire;’’ by reason of the power and fervor of those exercises which the Spirit of God excites in them, and whereby their hearts, when grace is in exercise, may be said to burn within them (Lk 24:32).”
We have to be careful that our understanding of the Holy Spirit does not fall into one of two extremes. Some want to see the Spirit’s activity proven by signs and wonders that have ceased since the apostolic age, while others have so little to say about the Spirit that He’s an afterthought.
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit after his ascension in a unique way. His indwelling presence is the guarantee of our faith.
We are encouraged to improve our baptism. But what does that even mean? It means exactly what this passage is teaching us. It means that we would not only mature to a point where we can testify to our own personal faith, but that we would continue to grow in godliness by the empowerment and enablement of the Spirit.
We hear this language in the WLC 167. And the answer provides us with some practical applications. This lifelong duty should be practiced whenever we are tempted or witnessing the baptism of others. We should seriously consider it with gratitude and reflection. We should be humbled by our ongoing struggle with sin and encouraged by the reminder of all the blessings that have been sealed to us in the sacrament.
Maybe one word that could summarize how we improve our baptism is “Gratitude”. Do we seek to respond to the grace of God with gratitude for what he has done and dependence upon his Spirit to walk in obedience? That is the language I typically use when we conclude our service with the Ten Commandments.
› Soteriology > Pneumatology…
Basic Eschatology (2b)Eschatology is the doctrine of last things. After addressing our past justification and present sanctification, the author rounds out a brief outline of basic doctrine with a reference to our future glorification.
The resurrection of the dead — This phrase includes both the resurrection of Jesus as the firstfruits of our final resurrection, as well as the resurrection that all humans will receive upon his return. Everyone who is raised will also face their…
Eternal judgment — This will be where the sheep are separated from the goats and sent to their respective destinations for eternity.
Both events apply to everyone. Upon Christ’s return we will all be resurrected and face the final judgment which determines our eternal destination. For many, this is a jolting thought that motivates us to pay closer attention to the previous doctrines.
A friend of mine illustrated the importance of teaching doctrine with a baseball analogy. Imagine taking your son to a baseball game for the first time. You anticipate leaning over to explain the rules to him throughout the game. And, even then, he won’t understand most of it. However, once he begins to grasp the basic rules he can follow along. As he continues to watch and listen to your explanations, he will gain a greater appreciation for the game.
The alternative would be to convince the umpires, coaches, and players to dumb down the rules of the game so that your son could follow along much easier from the beginning. Do we really need a rule book that is hundreds of pages long? Maybe we could shrink the size of the field, reduce the number of bases, and restrict pitching to fastballs. And wouldn’t it be a lot easier if we eliminated balks, bunts, and steals? While these changes would simplify the game for your son, it would limit the depth of enjoyment for everyone else. The game of baseball would become so unrecognizable that we would have to call it something else entirely.
The evangelical church has chosen to gradually and methodically change the rules over the last century, and we are suffering from the lack of doctrinal knowledge as a result. Rather than catechizing the church, and teaching fathers to catechize their children at home, we have eschewed the practice altogether. Instead of equipping the saints with theologically rich catechism answers, that enhance their participation in worship, we have tried to win their loyalty by lowering the bar. Shorter services, livelier music, and entertaining speakers will never compete with Hollywood.
By compromising our discipleship in the church and home, we have opened wide the door for a secular agenda to challenge the minds and capture the hearts of our children. It’s not that their arguments are more convincing, it’s that their system is consistently applied. Make no mistake, catechizing has continued, we’ve merely shifted its regulation from the sacred to the secular. The result is that the vast majority of professing believers have only been catechized by secular media and institutions. Eventually, we might need to call “church” something else entirely.
Even a basic understanding of eschatology is enough to motivate our desire to study the doctrines of our faith and to pass them on to our children. I would implore you to utilize the catechism in your homes during the week and continue to lay that foundation of faith for your household!
ConclusionThe author recognizes that God must sovereignly preserve us (Heb 6:3). If we desire to grow and go deeper in the faith—we can praise God for giving us that desire.
Invitation to the Lord’s TableOne of the means by which we improve our baptism is regularly availing ourselves to the ordinary means of grace. The Holy Spirit works through the Word, sacrament, and prayer to strengthen our faith and enrich our experience. A deeper understanding of that work is important to appreciate and participate in a worthy manner.
So let us celebrate the Father’s love for us through his Son, who is spiritually present at the Table. Let us enjoy the benefits of his work. We enjoy communion or fellowship in His body and blood (1 Cor 10:16), as we feed upon Him by faith, in our hearts. Here we partake of “spiritual food” and “spiritual drink” (1 Cor 10:3-4).
Since Christ is spiritually present at His table, and since we enjoy spiritual “communion” with Him there, through the Lord’s Supper we receive His sustaining grace. Here our souls are fed. Here we find refreshment. Though we come with an awareness of weakness and failure, bruised and battered by the world, discouraged and compromised by sin, still Jesus extends His invitation and restores our honored place at His Table. Here we are renewed and strengthened. Here we “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood” (Jn 6:53). By this sacrament “Christ and all His benefits, are applied and sealed up unto us.” Here we find “medicine for poor sick souls.”
It is required of those who participate in this meal that they be sincere, instructed, and accountable members of the church of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul warns us in the strongest terms not to participate in an “unworthy manner.” It is necessary, he says, to “judge the body rightly.”
Therefore, if you are an unbeliever, if you are an unrepentant believer, living in defiance of Christ’s commands: if you do not understand the meaning of the bread and cup, or if you are not a baptized member of Christ’s church, do not participate in this meal. We invite you instead to remain among us and use this time to ask God to speak to your heart through His word and sacrament, and give you more light and understanding.
But if you are a sincere believer, walking in obedience to Christ, understanding the meaning of the Supper, and are accountable, being a communicant in good standing in an evangelical church, I invite you to come to partake of His body and blood.
Prayer of Blessing and ConsecrationHeavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege of celebrating this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper together with your saints this morning. We thank you, once again, for this visible reminder of what Christ has done for us. He has graciously invited us to this table, and so we come in humble reliance upon Him. We ask that you would bless these common elements before us. Take this common load of bread and this common cup of wine and cause us to be edified by the work of the Spirit in and through this sacrament as we partake in faith.
Words of InstitutionIn a moment you will be invited to come forward by row. The purple cups on the outside are filled with wine and the clear cups on the inside are filled with juice. Take the elements back to your seats and when everyone has been served we will partake of the elements together.
• The Lord Jesus Christ on the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, gave it to his disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
• In the same manner, he also took the cup, and having given thanks as has been done in his name, he gave it to the disciples, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Drink from it all of you.”
BenedictionHebrews 13:20–21 ESV
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The post The Elementary Doctrine Of Christ appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
T. David Gordon, under a fatal diagnosis of cancer (25% chance of survival and two months to live), wrote some choice words for preachers in his book, Why Johnny Can’t Preach. Here’s a brief sampling of what I read as an aspiring preacher in seminary…
“[T]he entering seminarian today has the faculties of a sixth- to eighth-grader sixty years ago, and the seminary curriculum cannot make this seminarian an adult by the time he graduates.”
“What I care about is the average Christian family in the average pew in the average church on the average Sunday. And the problem there is not that we don’t have “great” preachers; in many circumstances we don’t even have mediocre preachers.”
“Sermon length is not measured in minutes; it is measured in minutes-beyond-interest, in the amount of time the minister continues to preach after he has lost the interest of his hearers (assuming he ever kindled it in the first place).”
The thought of preaching scared me to death after reading that book! However, it did serve to spark a greater interest in a mature understanding of literature and close reading of ancient texts.
While the average Christian in the pew has a legitimate claim to sitting under poor preaching, that could not be said of this group of Jewish Christians who were reading the book of Hebrews for the first time. They had learned from one of the best Christian teachers in the first century. Although we do not know exactly who he was, we can tell from the quality of his Greek grammar, that he was a skilled writer and rhetorician.
They did not suffer from poor preaching, but they suffered from sluggish learning. And the author delivers that harsh truth to them in our passage this morning. But, like T. David Gordon, the author of Hebrews is not merely yelling at his readers, he’s challenging them. Yes, this passage begins another warning section. Their temptation to depart from Christ is proof that they have yet to grasp the most basic and fundamental truths of the gospel.
Lazy believers are content to do the bare minimum. They show up, when they have to, but they don’t wanna grow up. They are the Toys-R-Us kids of the Christian faith.
Unfortunately, many churches establish their ministries with this target audience in mind. Everything in the worship service caters to the lowest common denominator. This is the perfect match for Johnny who can’t preach. He doesn’t really have to preach. He can simply entertain his audience for awhile.
Mature believers go beyond the basic principles of the Christian faith by consistently challenging themselves. They never assume they have arrived. They are continually striving for greater maturity.
Pray & Read Hebrews 5:11-14.
Are You Lazy With the Word? (11)Having elaborated upon Christ’s role as “a high priest after the order of Melchizedek,” the author of Hebrews confesses that he has much more to say about it, but “it is hard to explain.” The difficulty is not due to the depth of the doctrine, or his ability to articulate it well. He’s sure they are not ready to receive it. The problem is not with the light of God’s revelation, but with the darkened ability of his hearers.
The same Greek word that is translated as “dull” is found in Heb 6:12 and translated “sluggish”. They have become lazy listeners, which was not always the case. This is audience understood at one point, as we will see that in verse 12. But they have apparently grown indifferent to the gospel and unaffected by its preaching.
After graduating from seminary I had a desire to read books that were less technical. I wanted to read classic novels and enjoy good prose that was not so taxing on my cognitive abilities. I felt stretched to the point of tension. I think that is probably a common reaction to years of deep study. It is natural to need a break from rigorous thinking.
Our brains are like rubberbands, they have a limit to the amount of stretching they can handle. We need to ease the tension every once in awhile. But, how easy is it to get stuck in that phase? We enjoy the break so much that we decide spiritually maturing is “just not our thing.”
We need to recognize that growth will not happen without the stress. And as long as we are content to stay in a comfort zone, we will not grow beyond that point. Or, even worse, like these Hebrew believers—we might begin moving backwards.
Have you become “dull of hearing”? I’m not assuming you have, but how would you respond if that were someone’s critique? Could you answer the accusation with examples of your maturity? Would someone be able to observe your life and see an interest in understanding deeper doctrine and enjoying an enriching doxology?
How can we sharpen our hearing? How can we pull out of a sluggish approach toward the things of God? It begins with a genuine attempt to receive the rebuke.Don’t excuse your laziness or explain all of the reasons why you could not mature sooner. You need to get to the place where you can admit your immaturity. You will never pursue growth until you acknowledge your need.
Repent of the fact that you have not taken advantage of the means God has provided for you to learn. God has given you the church to equip you, but you have not made it a priority. God has given you a day to rest and worship him, but you have not honored it. If you have become dull of hearing, the author of Hebrews is waving his arms in the air at this point—doing everything he can to snap you out of your lethargy.
Accept where you are, then repent. This is not some harsh truth that is tacked onto the gospel—repentance is an essential aspect of receiving the gospel! Conversion is both repentance and faith working together from the milk phase to the solid food phase.
› And that progress in the faith is what is expected of every believer…
Are You Unskilled in the Word? (12-13)They still need to be instructed in the basic principles (ABCs), but they should have been ready to teach others by now. The author is not suggesting that they should be preachers, but that they should be participating in the great commission. We fulfill the great commission by making disciples who make disciples. It involves the ability to receive instruction and then pass that content on to others.
All of us can learn something in order to share it with others who are younger in the faith. That is how all of us will reach maturity. It’s how Paul encouraged Timothy to multiply disciples in his ministry.
2 Timothy 2:2 ESV
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
However, instead of making disciples, these saints were still breastfeeding! That’s the expected starting point for everyone (1 Pt 2:2), but something is seriously wrong if a toddler is only drinking milk. They typically begin having solid foods at six months.
While almost all babies are born with the ability to digest milk, two-thirds of them will grow out of that as they mature. For a child to remain dependent upon milk would indicate that they are not maturing.
In an article for Smithsonian Magazine, Brian Handwerk writes, “Almost all babies around the world are born with the ability to digest lactose—after all, it’s found in breast milk. But about two-thirds of adults can no longer digest the natural milk sugar because the production of a milk-digesting enzyme called lactase switches off after they’ve finished weaning. That’s why the majority of the world’s adult population is lactase non-persistent, otherwise known as lactose intolerant.”
Giving a child solid food before they are capable of chewing and breaking it down can cause them to choke. Force feeding solid food to an infant is child abuse. Torturing them does not help them in any way.
Paul ran into a similar problem in Corinth indicating this was a common problem beginning in the first century.
1 Corinthians 3:1–2 ESV
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
Living on milk is an analogy for being unskilled in the word. It implies that one is inexperienced and unfamiliar with God’s word. The word for “unskilled” is translated “foolish” in the LXX. Growing believers will become increasingly familiar with the meaning and application of Scripture. Not only will they become more proficient readers of God’s word, but they will become wise in applying the word to their lives.
We can react to this accusation in a couple of ways. We might say, “That’s mean! You have to be nice. You catch more bees with honey…” Those who respond this way aren’t denying the truth of the accusation, but they are critiquing the manner in which it is delivered. Had the author of Hebrews written it in a nicer fashion, they might be more inclined to listen.
Obviously, the author is writing to them because he cares deeply about them. He wants them to heed his warning, so he delivers it in a way that is sure to catch their attention. They have already proven their ability to ignore deep truths. It is his hope that they will seek to learn the skill of hearing, reading, marking, learning, and inwardly digesting all of God’s word.
Peter encouraged believers to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pt 3:15). Can you do that? Do you delight in God’s word (Ps 1:2)? Consider George Herbert’s prayer:
“O, make your word a swift word, passing from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip and conversation, that, as the rain returns not empty, so neither may your word, but accomplish that for which it is given. Amen.”
The skilled reading of God’s word will impact our worship, work, and relationships. It will begin to direct our lives to such a degree that indifference and apathy are no concern for us at all.
› The last question is…
Are You Maturing Under the Word? (14)Those who are mature possess the powers of discernment, but this does not come easily. We cannot simply “let go and let God”. If we expect to grow, we must listen and obey. We must become doers of the word, and not hearers only (Jam 1:22-25).
The way to maturity is through “constant practice.” This is the language of an athlete in training. He takes every opportunity to hone his craft. One important difference—there isn’t an “off season” for the believer. We don’t take extended breaks from reading and sitting under God’s word.
Engage your mind with the text as you’re reading it. Examine it closely by asking questions and exploring possible answers. I oftentimes ask the Lord to help us remove the distractions when we enter into corporate worship. Sitting under the word of God requires a determination and focus. It requires our minds to follow, reflect, and conform to the message of the gospel.
Mark Noll writes, “The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind…”
The reason these believers had become stagnant in their faith was because they had become lazy hearers and lazy trainers. They did not want to grow up.
How have you matured in the past year? Are you learning from your sinful tendencies? Are you growing in Christlikeness—distinguishing good from evil? Maturity doesn’t happen apart from devotion to the word of God.
The author is not merely chastising his audience. He is setting them up with a statement that will compel them to be all the more attentive (Heb 2:1) to what he goes onto teach for the next four chapters (Heb 6:1).
The post Got Milk? appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
More than 60M abortions since 1973. That is equivalent to the populations of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Nevada combined! Imagine every human being in those states disappearing. That is roughly 19% of the population of the United States today.
I don’t typically preach topical sermons, but today is the 50th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and the first year since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned it. It seemed like an appropriate year to join with many churches around the nation who are recognizing our need to continue to battle in this most crucial ethical war of the last several centuries.
Moral issues that are culturally controversial don’t disappear, but they do tend to swing in the direction of those who are the most vocal. Now is not the time to go silent. At the same time, there is really nothing to gloat about. Despite the fact that Roe vs. Wade has been overturned, more than 90% of planned abortions are still taking place in America. Those who want an abortion can find the means to get one.
While we should celebrate the overturning of any unjust laws in our nation, we ultimately want to see our nation repent. We pray that advocates of abortion would begin to promote the sanctity of human life. While I do think a scientific and philosophical case can be made for the pro-life position, it is the biblical case that I want to discuss today. The unfortunate reality is that seven out of ten women who receive an abortion identify themselves as Christian.
The Christian Church has not adequately equipped our children to value life more than their reputation. They would rather end the life of their unborn child than suffer the humiliation of an unplanned pregnancy.
When we rightly understand the valueof life we will truly praise the Giverof life.
Read Psalm 139:13-16.
God Made Us In the Womb (Ps. 139:13-16)God formed us… קנה typically means to buy or acquire. Because God formed us, we belong to him. Only God can give life, and only he has the right to take life.
Job speaks of the value of his servants based upon the fact that the same God made them both in the womb (Job 31:15). They have equal value before the God, to whom they owe their existence.
In these verses, David specifically credits God with creating three things:
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“unformed substance” = embryo
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“frame” = skeletal system
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“inward parts” = internal organs
3,000 years ago, David knew—through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—what science has now confirmed through medical technology.
Dr. Steve Jacobs recently surveyed 5,577 professors in biology departments from over 1,000 institutions around the world…96% of them affirmed the view that human life begins at fertilization. That is when a distinct human being begins to form.
Let us take a moment to marvel at the miracle of life:
Within 24hrs — The zygote divides and multiplies, and continues to do so every 12 to 15 hours.
By week 2 — Three layers can be differentiated: 1.) Inner — breathing and digestive organs 2.) Middle — bones, muscles, organs 3.) Outside — skin and nerves.
22 Days — Heart starts beating, before most women know they’re pregnant. Individual cells begin to contract > synchronize contractions > heart develops at 1M cells/sec w/ blood totally separate from mother’s.
32 Days — Begins developing arms and hands.
40 Days — Brain waves are measurable.
42 Days — Vertebrae begins forming.
By week 8 — All major organs are working. Babies can feel.
By week 11 — Smiles and frowns.
By week 13 — Sensitive to light and sound. Responds to music, loud noises, and mother’s voice.
By week 17 — Rapid Eye Movement, dreaming.
Full-term — 60,000 miles of vessels working to bring nutrients in and dispose of waste.
David models the only appropriate response to the miracle of life…namely, to give God praise. When we wonder at the intricate design of humanity we ought to acknowledge the Designer. Despite all of the scientific advancements that have given us a peak into the process of human development, there remain mysteries. All we can do is praise God that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
It’s easy to praise God in church, but will you praise him when you are with family, friends, and neighbors who prioritize choice over life? When the lives of unborn children are devalued, will you stand up for biblical truth? When these issues are on the ballot will you be sure to vote? Will you volunteer at the Pregnancy Care Center? Will you pray on the sidewalk at Planned Parenthood just down the street?
Your prayers, your voices, your gifts are needed and they do make a difference. Even when the broader culture won’t listen, you can impact one woman’s decision to give one more child an opportunity to live.
› Not only did God form us with intricate beauty, but he gave humans an inherent value that is unique among his creatures.
God Made Us In His Image (Gen. 1:26-28)The inherent value of all human life is based upon their unique privilege of being made in the the image of God. From a Christian worldview, this is an essential feature of humanity. The image of God gives us an innate recognition of the preference given to man over the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth.
The value of humans is not in what they are capable of doing, but who they are and what they represent under God. They have equal worth and intrinsic dignity. From a biblical perspective, a human who is able to physically accomplish more does not have greater value under God.
This intrinsic dignity—based upon their bearing the image of God—is why murder is forbidden. The life of every human being is far more precious than the life of any animal. However, when someone unjustly takes the life of another, they reveal their own disregard for this fundamental value. Thus, due to their egregious trespass of God’s moral law, they forfeit their own right to life.
Genesis 9:6 ESV
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
This is restated in the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Ex 20:13). Multiple passages speak to the evil of shedding innocent blood (Ex 23:7; Prov 6:16-19; Mt 5:21). An attack upon someone who is made in the image of God is an attack upon God.
Princeton professor, Peter Singer, makes the secular utilitarian argument that “the life of an adult pig deserves protection more than that of a new born human baby, and…the parents should be free to kill their young children already born if they deem them unacceptably disabled.” Singer readily admits that life begins at conception or, at the latest, within fourteen days of conception. But he says that he does not think “the fact that an embryo is a living human being is sufficient to show that it is wrong to kill it.”
While Singer’s argument has not successfully won over the hearts of most Americans, there is a growing sense that abortion—for any reason—should be celebrated. When a woman chooses her education or career over the life of her child, she is praised as a role model for all young women.
Secular academics and Hollywood celebrities have flipped the Christian worldview on its head. They value animals more than they value humans. And, increasingly, they aren’t ashamed to admit that abortion destroys human life. They have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for every kind of sinful alternative imaginable (Rom 1:28-32). And as they teach others to do the same, they are desensitizing us to a culture of death.
But there is hope that a pro-life sentiment can be restored. In 1999, 21-week-old fetus, Samuel Armas, was operated on for spina bifida. Chuck Colson described it this way, As the surgeon was closing the womb, the miracle happened. Baby Samuel pushed his hand out of the womb and grabbed the surgeon’s finger. Photographer Michael Clancy caught this astonishing act on film. And in that instant, Clancy went from being pro-choice to being pro-life. As he put it, “I was totally in shock for two hours after the surgery. . . . I know abortion is wrong now – it’s absolutely wrong.”
We ought to pray and expect hearts to be softened to this truth. It is a reality that everyone intuitively knows (Rom 2:14-15), but constantly suppresses by their unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). We ought to recognize that changing minds on this issue will result in saving lives. Turning abortion-minded women away from Planned Parenthood fulfills…
Proverbs 24:11–12 ESV
Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
Those of us who still adhere to a Christian value for human life must have the dignity to challenge those who seek to destroy that dignity. John Ensor gives the following example:
“In Siboney, Cuba, five women, one of whom is a doctor, banded together to end abortion in their small town. They call themselves, Soplo de Vida (Breath of Life). They rush to every home where there is a pregnancy-related crisis. Using a hand-held ultrasound and an iPad, they provide her whole family a window to the womb, and promise help. In 2017, the local hospital recorded 28 abortions. [The following] year, they recorded three.”
› God made us in the womb. God made us in his image. Finally…
God Made Us For His Glory (Lk. 1:26-44)We don’t have time to read this whole passage, but I want to point out a few important details.
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Jesus was a human son from his conception (vv.31). Admittedly, Mary experienced a one-of-a-kind miraculous conception from the Holy Spirit (v.35), but Elizabeth also conceived a son in her old age (v.36). No human in Scripture ever conceives anything other than a human child. They don’t conceive blobs of tissue, or clumps of cells. They conceive sons and daughters.
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Mary “went with haste” to visit Elizabeth (v.39-40). It was probably less than two weeks from her conception (the roughly 100mi journey could be done in 5-6 days). John the Baptist, 6-months in the womb, leaps in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrives (v.41a). So a 6-month-old fetus is worshiping a 2-week-old fetus (smaller than a period).
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And this results in the older woman, Elizabeth, blessings her younger cousin, Mary (vv.41b-45). Not only is John a human child within the womb, but he is actually accomplishing what every human is created for—giving glory to God. And his mother says that he “leaped for joy”. His chief end was to glorify God and enjoy him forever—and we know that he was accomplishing that at least three months before he was born!
The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that his son, John, would “make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (v.17). His role was to lead people to repent and prepare them to follow Jesus. We are all called to give glory to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Romans 11:36 ESV
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
When we rightly understand the valueof life we will truly praise the Giverof life.
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Let us unashamedly celebrate the beauty of life at all stages of development, from conception to death!
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Let us proclaim the unique value inherent to all humans who are made in the image of God!
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Let us seek to glorify the giver of life by doing whatever we can to promote life among our family, friends, and neighbors!
The post The Sanctity Of Human Life appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Cornell University social psychologist David Dunning, studied the tendency for people to overestimate themselves. He found that those who were the least competent performers have the most inflated view of themselves. The study also revealed that their over-inflation wasn’t due to arrogance, but ignorance.
Obviously, this can be true for Christians as well. We routinely flatter ourselves with false assessments of our own competence. We aren’t even aware of our pride, because we think we’re simply being honest.
Jeremiah 17:9 ESV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
God is the only one truly capable of knowing his creatures inside and out. That is why his word is so effective at bringing conviction—because it corrects our over-inflated self-assessments.
We concluded last week with the exhortation to strive for rest (v.11). One of the ways we do that is by observing the Sabbath. Another way is by submitting ourselves under the authority of God’s word.
Having just warned his audience about failing to enter into God’s rest, the author of Hebrews points to the exposing power of God’s Word. He’s calling them to recognize how the Word of God strips us of any sense of self-confidence.
We tend to underestimate what God’s word can do while overestimating what we can do.
God preserves us by using his piercing word to convict us and strip us of all self-assurance.
Read Hebrews 4:11-13.
Pierced by God’s Word (12)The word of God is…
• Living — Often used with reference to God (cf. 3:12). The word of God is just as alive as God is. The word is divine revelation. That doesn’t mean we worship the Bible, but we worship the God who savingly reveals himself only through the Bible. We cannot know the Living God by any means that is contrary to his word. This word also implies that God’s word is not dead/static. It is animated by the Holy Spirit. It is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16).
• Effective — This adjective, translated “active” is only found 3x in the NT and its other occurences mean effective. Even here, that seems to be the sense of the word. Some translations go with “powerful”—which also conveys the idea that the Bible is capable of doing something in the heart of everyone who reads it. Scripture has an impact, it always accomplishes whatever God purposes (Isa 55:10-11). God’s word brings judgment or salvation depending upon the absence or presence of faith.
• Sharp — Only occurence, but related to blades of a double-edged sword. It is a weapon for offense. While a sword can certainly be used defensively, its sharpness is only valuable when it is used to pierce and slice.
God’s word is meant to penetrate the whole person (soul, body, mind, and heart). Notice, the weapon of God’s word doesn’t comfort and protect. It’s not called a shield or helmet. It’s not body armor. The sword of God’s word pierces, cuts, and divides. In other words, it brings about genuine conviction that leads to true repentance.
RPM: “The writer here is not dealing in anthropology, but in admonition. He speaks of ‘an innermost penetration of the innermost man,’ of dividing the indivisible; and his point is that nothing is so deeply hidden in man but that God’s word can uncover it and bring it to judgment.”
Along with “rest”, “heart” is a key word in this section (5x between Hebrews 3:8-4:12). The author explicitly connects the mind to the heart (“thoughts and intentions of the heart”). Both words have to do with the mind, which implies that our thinking determines our passions.
Spiritually speaking, left to itself, the human heart will harden. It’s like an unused muscle that atrophies. Reading God’s word, on the other hand, is like a cardio workout. Meditating upon Scripture activates the spiritual flow of blood throughout your body.
Murray Capill (Diagram 8)—God’s word enlightens the mind, renews the conscience, transforms the will, and gives us godly passions. Exclusively focusing on the mind leads to a cold, hard heart. Only addressing the conscience can become manipulative and leave people in their guilt. Compelling the will, apart from the rest of the heart, will turn preaching into legalism and decisionism. Purely focusing on passion will be nothing more than empty emotionalism.
The author of Hebrews is well aware of our tendency to underestimate God’s word. Instead of assuming that we are arrogant, he challenges us to think rightly about Scripture. Maybe we have never really thought about the impact that God’s word should have in our everyday lives.
After forty days of fasting, Satan’s tempted Jesus to turn a stone into bread. How did Jesus respond? “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Mt 4:4; Deut 8:3).
As we open this book we also want to open ourselves to it. It has a work to do in our hearts. It might confront us in our sin, comfort us in the gospel, help us out of our despair, or encourage us to press on. Every time we read God’s word, it might do one of those things, or all of them.
Our passions follow what we give our thinking over to. If we devote ourselves to entertainment, that will become our hearts desire. If we give into evil thoughts, we will more and more desire to act out that idea (covet > steal).
Conversely, when we devote ourselves to God’s living word, our hearts align with his will. Heeding the warning not to harden our hearts requires an intentional use of God’s word. If God’s word is actively penetrating our hearts, it will not harden against the preserving work of God’s Spirit.
How are you planning on reading the Bible this year? Do you have a plan? If not, Satan will surely find a way to tempt with you plenty of alternatives. He will seek to keep you distracted from the kingdom of heaven, or try to undermine your faith, but at the very least he will ensure that you have an over-inflated view of yourself.
The Spirit of God makes the word effectual for salvation (WSC 89), so we are encouraged to read it and hear it with “diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives” (WSC 90). In other words, allow it to do its work upon your whole person.
› In addition to being pierced by God’s Word, so that we might recognize our vulnerability, we also learn that we are…
Exposed to God’s Eyes (13)Disobedient creatures have been attempting to hide from God since the Fall. They feel vulnerable and ashamed as their sin is laid bare. There is an appropriate sense of shame caused by our sinfulness.
Psalm 38:3–6 ESV
There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.
The language of v.13 (hiding, naked, judgment) takes us back to the garden after Adam & Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Gen 3:7f). They knew they were naked so they immediately hid themselves. This is the natural response to a sense of conviction. If the word has successfully worked on our heart this will be our initial reaction. We desire to cover our shame somehow, regardless of how inadequate it is.
No creature remains hidden, but all are naked—laid bare before God. This word for “exposed” is actually much more graphic in the Greek. But, what precisely it means is debatable:
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Lying on ones back (naked), exposing what we respectfully keep covered.
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Or, what I think most likely, it may have to do with a sacrificial animal lying helpless on the altar. The word literally refers to the “neck” (τραχηλος):
• It may reference the breaking of the animals neck, leaving it paralyzed on the altar.
• It may reference a priest inspecting a sacrificial animal for blemishes. Not only is the exterior observed, but also the inward parts are exposed as the priest cuts the animal open, exposing its parts from the neck down.
In either case, the interpretation gives the impression of vulnerability. There is an inability to hide. The word of God leaves everyone stripped and exposed to the scrutiny of the eyes of our Judge—Him to whom we must reckon, give an account.
A lot of research has been done on the concept of shame. Psychologists realize just how powerful an emotion it is. Shame often lies at the root of much of our anger, jealousy, and fear. Our flesh craves to dismiss the shame, so it attempts to covers it up with more sin.
However, shame also serves to conform us to a proper conduct. Since we despise the feeling so much, we seek to avoid whatever causes it. So shame discourages the behaviors that draw it out.
Therein lies the Catch-22. If reading the word of God leaves us “naked and exposed”, why would we devote ourselves to it? It would make much more sense for us to avoid it as much as possible.
The problem is not the sense of shame we feel—that is unavoidable. The problem is what we do with it. Ultimately, the only good solution is to bring our shame before the God against whom we have rebelled. There is a sense in which this too is unavoidable.
John 12:48 ESV
The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Even if we know we cannot fool God, by fooling everyone else we essentially isolate ourselves from family, friends, and the church community.
This protective instinct is understandable, but it stems from an unbelief. If people see who we truly are, they won’t accept us. Underneath this assumption is the fear that God hasn’t accepted us. Because we know God has seen us, we feel rejected and condemned.
When we understand the gospel, everything changes! God knew every sin we would ever commit, but he still sent his Son. Jesus saw the depth of our depravity, but he still died for us while we were enemiets. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He has seen us inside and out, yet he promises to preserve us in the palm of his hand.
So we take God’s word, and with the precision of a scalpel, it penetrates our hearts—exposing any waywardness that remains. We willingly open ourselves up to his examination before the great day of God’s judgment.
The paradox is that humbling ourselves before God, exposing our rebellious hearts, actually brings us to the only hope for relief—the gospel. Instead of relentlessly trying to suppress our guilt and bearing the weight of our shame, Jesus offers to remove the our sin and to give us his righteousness.
› Let’s conclude by turning back to the book of Psalms…
ConclusionWe’ve been reading through the psalms because the author of Hebrews quotes or alludes from the psalms more than any other book. So it is appropriate for us to find some relevance there.
Psalm 103:8–12 ESV
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
The word of God continues to pierce us and we find ourselves vulnerable before our great Judge. But, in Christ, we have come to know his steadfast love towards us. Instead of condemnation we receive mercy and grace. So let us draw near to him in confidence!
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What are you hoping to change in 2023? Do you ever wish you could enjoy more rest (physically, psychologically, and spiritually)?
“Rest” occurs 12x Hebrews 3:11-4:11. Primary application. Goal = why it’s important and how you might find it.
Jesus > Everything
• 1-2 Angels (Jesus speaks a better word, 1:1-2, 2:1-3) <<< Pay much closer attention!
• 3-4 Moses (Jesus is worthy of more honor, 3:3) <<< Do not harden your hearts!
We are too easily distracted by what is worldly and hardened to the Spirit’s work.
We enjoy a foretaste of our eternal rest by honoring the Lord’s Day every week.
Read Hebrews 4:6-11.
Are You Hearing the Gospel? (6-7)“Let us fear” (Heb 4:1). Covenant community is mixed with wheat and tares. The opportunity to enter God’s rest remains open, but some will fail to enter (Heb 4:6).
Every generation should consider the fate of that former generation. Those under Moses rebelled. David warned the covenant community. The author of Hebrews warned his audience. And now the warning comes to us.
How ought we to hear this warning?
• Dismissive—Wearing our “Calvinist” armor.
• Sensitive—Wrecked with paranoia.
Murray Capill compares believers to smoke alarms. Some go off due to a piece of burnt toast. Yet, others have drained batteries.
We can have an overly sensitive conscience, or one that has grown calloused by sin disobedience (Heb 4:6). Conviction means the Holy Spirit is at work.
We need to call the lost to return (repent). Wandering is dangerous! Warnings preserve. Take heed and reflect.
God asked Adam and Eve “Where are you?” He had not lost them; they were lost. They did not win a game of hide & seek with God. And neither will you. Where are you?
The good news—“formerly received”—was that God had delivered them from Egypt and the Promised Land was just around the corner. The good news should have given them a better perspective on their trials. But, due to their disobedience, they failed to enter God’s rest.
Our present trials often distract and harden us to the Spirit’s work. We need to ask ourselves:
• Have I heard the gospel?
• Am I regularly hearing the gospel?
• How am I responding to the gospel?
Encouragement: Your presence reveals a desire for the gospel that contradicts cultural norms. Instead of sleeping in, you showed up! That’s a good way to start the year.
There’s a difference between going to church and hearing the gospel. We can miss it due to poor preaching as well as poor hearing. Are you hearing the gospel this morning?
› Although corporate worship is the highlight, God has set apart the whole day…
Are You Keeping the Sabbath? (8-10)Maybe the thought of ‘rest’ immediately conjures up sleep problems. 1/3 adults don’t get at least 7 hours per night. The consequences are significant and long term.
But, as much as we need to do a better job of sleeping, that has little to do with Sabbath-keeping.
WARNING: This is about to get technical. You’re free to tune out for a few minutes, but v.9 is the central point of this passage and needs to be unpacked carefully.
• “Sabbath rest” (σαββατισμός). This is the only occurrence of the noun in the NT.
• However, its verbal form (σαββατίζω) occurs four times in the LXX and always means to observe the Sabbath. The noun is the observance.
• Action is grammatically implied with words ending in -μός. It refers to a practice rather than state.
• The word “rest” does not appear in Heb. 4:9 even though it occurs twelve times between Heb 3:11-4:11.
• The BBE translates it accurately, “So there is still a Sabbath-keeping for the people of God” (Heb 4:9).
Robert Dabney writes,
“The apostle’s inference is that because God still offers us His ‘rest’ under the new dispensation, there remaineth to us a Sabbath-keeping under this dispensation…Because the rest is ours, therefore the Sabbath-keeping is still ours; heaven and its earthly type belong equally to both dispensations.”
Both Sabbath observance and eternal rest are in view. The earthly experience is a type of the heavenly fulfillment.
Verse 10 sets up a comparison between the work of creation and redemption.
• God finished his creation work and entered into his rest on the seventh day of the week.
• Jesus finished his redemptive work and entered into his rest on the first day of the week.
Therefore (v.11), our incomplete/imperfect observance of the Sabbath points to Christ’s complete/perfect work!
The fourth commandment clearly establishes our lack of conformity to the law of God. It convicts us of sin, but then we hear the good news, and are reminded that Christ as fulfilled all of the righteous requirements of the fourth commandment in our place.
When we place our faith in Jesus, his perfect record is credited to us, and he takes all of our guilt. On the cross, Jesus put to death all of the ways you and I have failed to honor the Lord’s Day. We should appreciate that truth and live in the assurance of that gospel reality.
And now, with gratitude and a compelling motivation to please God—enabled by the Holy Spirit—we seek to honor the Lord’s Day with a heart that is moved by Jesus’s example. We enjoy a foretaste of that heavenly state as we observe Sabbath-keeping.
› That’s why it’s important to answer the last question…
Are You Striving to Rest? (11)Preparing for our family beach vacation (clothes, food, books, games). Basic, predictable, but it’s all part of the excitement. Even the tedious aspects build anticipation.
Striving to enter God’s rest involves Sabbath-keeping observance. To ignore the fourth commandment is to miss how its blessings foreshadow our future glory.
Let’s consider several ways we can all improve our Sabbath-keeping to the glory of God (see the WLC 115-121). Don’t focus on what’s forbidden, but what’s encouraged.
The Lord has set one day in seven apart for you to commune with him undistracted by your worldly employments and recreations. It’s not a burden, but a delight. The Puritans called it the market day of the soul. The Lord’s Day is a day that God says, “Devote yourself to me in word, thought, and deed. And see what a delight communing with me can be.”
• One day not to worry about school, work, chores, spending, politics, sports, or whatever else might distract you today.
• Plan activities that promote the purpose: conversation, interaction, reading, journaling, hospitality.
If the goal is communing with Christ, then rest will be one of the blessings that results from that encounter. Every week we have another chance to bring our weary bodies and souls to Jesus. He restores our hope and strengthens us for the week ahead.
Even though the author exhorts us to Sabbath-keeping, it is an application in the midst of the theme of rest. We observe the Sabbath in order to enjoy the rest it protects. Rest is the gift we receive when we come to Christ and practice undistracted communion with him.
“What fitter day to ascend to heaven, than that on which He arose from earth, and fully triumphed over death and hell. Use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passed them all, and are there arrived.”
~ Richard Baxter
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Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy that confirms Jesus’ humanity as well as his royal heritage. Although Jesus was born into the line of King David, his immediate parents were actually poor and insignificant. Jesus had a true humanity. And yet, the genealogy was unique in how it explained his relationship to his parents. Instead of following the pattern of naming the father, Matthew carefully states that Joseph is not the physical father (Matt 1:16). More explanation is provided in our passage this morning.
The genealogy roots Jesus in our humanity, and the birth narrative reveals his divine nature. The hopes and fears of all the years under the Old Covenant have reached their appointed time of satisfaction. God would dwell among his people, not in a tabernacle, not in an ark, but in flesh!
In the early stages of Christianity—when Matthew wrote this account—there was much confusion regarding Jesus. On top of the Jewish misunderstanding about the Messiah, rumors and lies have been circulating since the time of Christ’s ministry. Misunderstandings about Jesus abound in our time as well. Christmas trinkets and slogans often depict the themes of joy and peace and generosity, but they rarely center those themes on the Savior who perfectly exemplified them.
Read Matthew 1:18-25.
Matthew interestingly focuses on Joseph throughout this passage. His account complements Luke’s account, given from Mary’s perspective. Mary was also visited by an angel (Lk 1:26-38). When she learned about the pregnancy of Elizabeth, she left “with haste” to be with her for several months (Lk 1:39-45). Did Joseph find out about Mary’s pregnancy second hand? At the very least, her lengthy absence likely increased the tension in Joseph’s heart. Both Luke and Matthew mention that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, his mother Mary was married to Joseph, and that Mary was a virgin when he was born. The accounts are different in the details they share, and yet compatible. J. Gresham Machen’s classic book, The Virgin Birth of Christ (1930), does a thorough job of showing how both accounts complement each other.
› This passage begins with…
The Devastation of Joseph (18-19)Matthew informs us that Mary conceived a child “from the Holy Spirit” (18). However, Joseph does not know what we know. He assumed Mary had an affair and it left him devastated. But, out of compassion he is “unwilling to put her to shame” (19).
He was “a just man” which indicates his righteous character. He was not innocent, but—like Abraham—he was counted righteous by faith. He lived in covenant relationship with God and delighted to obey the law. Joseph is honored for having a right standing with the Lord. He trusted in the Lord and walked with Him by faith. He loved God and he loved his neighbor.
Something similar was said of John’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah. “They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” (Lk 1:6). Mary also loved the Lord. Although she was probably between 12 and 15 years old, the poem she composed during her visit with Elizabeth was filled with allusions to Scripture (Lk 1:46-56).
This only compounded Joseph’s confusion and devastation.
He “resolved to divorce her quietly”. Why would he need to divorce Mary? Betrothal was a much higher commitment than engagement. It was a binding contract between two families involving the exchange of gifts or service. The couple did not live together nor were they allowed to sleep together. There was some amount of flexibility in how marriages were arranged, but once a betrothal occurred, the couple was treated as if they were married. Infidelity was equivalent to adultery at this stage.
The law allowed for the guilty parties to be stoned to death (Dt 22:23-24). But husbands could also give a certificate of divorce (Dt 24:1), which was the standard practice at that time. Joseph could have held a public trial, resulting in Mary’s shame, but he planned a quiet divorce before two witnesses (Num 5:11-31). This would have maintained Joseph’s righteous conformity to the law while also confirming his compassion for Mary.
In a moment, Joseph’s marriage was over. He had to make the hardest decision of his life, but he believed it was the only honorable thing he could do.
Most of our favorite Christmas songs are about joy and celebration. If you turn on the radio you are more likely to hear songs about snow, gifts, and romantic relationships, than you are to hear songs of heartache and longing. But the best hymns also include lament. They draw out the themes of hopes and fears. Yes, there were many hopeful expectations that were met in Bethlehem, but Christ’s birth was surrounded by characters who felt uncertainties and devastation.
We have all felt the heartache of devastation. Whether it is the result of a sudden act, or a slow building storm, we are left with a sense of hollow misery. That may define your present state as this Christmas has been filled with difficult news. May you take comfort in God’s sovereign hand over you.
Ferguson, “Joseph does not yet know that it is God’s action that has momentarily shattered his life. God sometimes does that. But only because he knows exactly what he plans to accomplish…What he did not yet know…was this: the shattering of his hopes and expectations was the prelude to the discovery of the central purpose of his whole life. From now on everything would revolve around Jesus.”
› God sends to Joseph…
The Reassurance of an Angel (20-21)Just as Joseph resolved to divorce Mary quietly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and reassured him that Mary’s child was conceived from the Holy Spirit (20). He told Joseph to fulfill his betrothal to Mary and to name her son “Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (21).
The child Mary conceived was from God! “Veiled in flesh the godhead see. Hail the incarnate deity.” In Jesus, “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col 2:9). The eternal Word who was with God and was God (Jn 1:1) “became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). God literally tabernacled among us in Jesus.
Matthew emphasizes two significant points:
• Jesus was Man—He was born of woman.
• Jesus was God—Conceived of the Holy Spirit.
It means that Jesus is both eternal in his divine nature, and sinless according to his human nature. Descendants of ordinary generation—sinned in Adam and fell with Adam (WSC 16). There was only one exception, descending from extraordinary generation. Jesus is the only man who did not inherit a sinful nature.
As God, Jesus could afford to pay the eternal penalty for our sin. As man, he could represent those he came to save. Therefore, Jesus Christ is a Mediator who is like us in every way, but different in that he is without sin, including original sin (cf. Heb. 7:26).
This news completely removed Joseph’s fears regarding Mary’s faithfulness, but I’m sure it also added a new sense of his own inadequacy. How was he qualified to take on such an important task?
God could have revealed this news to Mary and Joseph at the same time. That would have cleared up all of this confusion for him. That would have been a lot easier on everyone involved. But God had a purpose in allowing Joseph to experience these emotional hills and valleys. More challenges awaited, but he would always have the angel’s opening words in mind, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear...”
Even when relief is delayed, we know that God is working out all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). God’s revealed will is a means of comforting his people even if it raises the burden we must bear moving forward. Learning to trust God with the uncertainties of life is part of how he prepares us for the next phase of his redeeming work.
› The climax of the passage is the next verse which shows how the Savior’s virgin birth was…
The Fulfillment of Scripture (22-23)All of this occurred in order to fulfill the Lord’s word through Isaiah 7:14 (22-23). Looking at Isaiah’s context it seems clear that this prophecy was initially fulfilled in his own day.
Isaiah 7:14–16 ESV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
Some have suggested that this child is King Hezekiah, or another prophet, or even a remnant of people. Many scholars think the most likely candidate is Isaiah’s own son.
Isaiah 8:3–4 ESV
And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz; for before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.”
This child is then referred to as “Immanuel” and Israel’s preservation is credited to the fact that “God is with us” (Isa. 8:8-10). Just as in 7:14, Isaiah’s children are called “signs and portents” (Isa. 8:18).
However, one chapter later, you find another Messianic prophecy regarding the child who “shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This King of Kings will have a universal reign and establish everlasting peace. Clearly, it is not limited to an earthly king. The NT puts these prophecies together and finds their ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ.
But now we have a problem. If the prophecy initially pointed to Isaiah’s son, who was born of his wife, then how could it refer to her as a virgin? The Hebrew word “Alma” refers to a young girl of marriageable age, while the Greek word “parthenos” almost always refers to a virgin. The Septuagint, the Greek version of the OT, intentionally chose a word which would point to a miraculous birth. This reveals the expectation of Jewish scholars—before the advent of Christ—that the Messiah’s birth would be supernatural.
Regardless of Isaiah’s context, it is clear that Matthew and Luke, portray the birth of a child without a human father. He was not only born of a young woman, but specifically—he was born of a virgin. That is the deeper and ultimate fulfillment of all the prophecies in Isa. 7-9.
If you believe Jesus was born of a virgin, then you can believe all of the miracles he did throughout his ministry. If you believe that God came down to dwell in the midst of his people, in the person of Jesus, then you can believe his promise to always be with you “to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). If you believe Jesus accomplished salvation on the cross, then you can believe that he rose again and ascended into heaven and makes continual intercession for you—even now! These are the precious promises God has revealed to us in order to sustain us, even as they sustained Joseph.
A supernatural birth was required for a Savior who could bring reconciliation between sinful humans and a Holy God.
› And that is the meaning of…
The Name of Jesus (24-25)When Joseph woke up he immediately obeyed the angel’s instruction. The baby was circumcised and given the name Jesus (Lk 2:21). In his human nature, Jesus had to learn the meaning of his name. His parents would have taught him that “Jesus” is derived from the Hebrew name Joshua which means “the Lord saves”. And they would have told him that they did not pick the name for him. His name came directly from God and defines the purpose for which he came.
If Jesus came to save his people from their sins, then no one is capable of saving themselves. You cannot do enough good works to merit eternal life. You cannot punish yourself enough to achieve forgiveness. If you are not justified before God in this life, you will not be justified before him in death.
Your only hope of salvation is to believe in Jesus, the one who came to “save his people from their sins.” He began the work of redemption when he entered the womb of a virgin. And he completed the work of redemption when he hung upon the cross and bore the wrath of God in our place.
“Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the cross be borne for me, for you: hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary.”
Have you called Jesus your Savior? Have you ever told him that you trust him alone to save you from your sins? Have you thanked him for dying on the cross in your place? Have you humbled yourself before the King of Kings so that he might lift up your head and call you his own? He is with us even now by his Spirit. Cry out to him in faith without delay!
ConclusionJust as Matthew’s audience in the first century was in desperate need of one who would save them from their sins, so are we. There is no other way to be saved except through Jesus Christ.
The virgin birth of Jesus affirms the true deity and true humanity of the only Savior of sinners.
Jesus’ birth established his identity as the Son of God and confirms the infinite value of his substitutionary death on behalf of “his people”. If that is true, then every one of us must humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
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The bulk of our passage this morning is a direct quote from Psalm 95. That psalm opens with a familiar call to worship. We’ve used it several times to open our own worship service. Psalm 95:1 ESV Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Some bible scholars suggest that this psalm was liturgical and frequently used during the preamble of the service. So, as the author begins to quote a The post Do Not Harden Your Hearts appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Martin Luther provides a helpful definition of God Larger Catechism “A “god” is the term for that to which we are to look for all good and in which we are to find refuge in all need. Therefore, to have a god is nothing else than to trust and believe in that one with your whole heart. As I have often said, it is the trust and faith of the heart alone that make both God and an idol. If The post Jesus Is Greater Than Moses appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I’m sure you have heard of this quote from George Bernard Shaw, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” I have noticed that many times—Business teachers have experienced one or two failed business endeavors. Marriage and Family Therapists come from broken or troubled marriages. Church planting coaches tend to be men whose own church plant failed. So why would anyone want to learn from those who have not tasted the glory of success? How could our Savior live a The post A Faithful and Merciful High Priest – Pt.2 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Before knowing God, Jonathan Edwards had a fear of thunderstorms. “I used to be a person uncommonly terrified with thunder: and it used to strike me with terror, when I saw a thunderstorm rising.” But after his conversion, Edwards writes: “Now, on the contrary, [thunderstorms] rejoiced me. I felt God at the first appearance of a thunderstorm. And used to take the opportunity at such times, to fix myself to view the clouds, and see the lightnings play, and hear The post A Merciful and Faithful High Priest appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In 1970, Stanford professor Paul Ehrlich published The Population Bomb, where he predicted that hundreds of millions of people would starve to death—regardless of any mitigating efforts we might implement. The opening sentence reads: “The battle to feed all of humanity is over.” He went on to blame nearly every social problem upon the fact that we simply have too many people. His doomsday prediction was based upon a faulty hypothesis that overpopulation of the planet had reach unrecoverable proportions. Ehrlich’s The post Perfect Through Suffering appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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In his book, The Shallows, Nicholas Carr writes about how the internet is changing our ability to think. “Neuroscientists and psychologists have discovered that, even as adults, our brains are very plastic. They’re very malleable, they adapt at the cellular level to whatever we happen to be doing. And so the more time we spend surfing, and skimming, and scanning … the more adept we become at that mode of thinking.” Wisdom is associated with deep concentration. Scholarly intellectuals, or any The post Such A Great Salvation appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We can all get a bit nostalgic about returning to time when we didn’t have a care in the world. For many of us, that’s a time in childhood where we felt a sense of security. For some of us that time was a very brief window before the hardships of reality crept into our lives. An essential aspect of our reality is that we are in constant flux, alongside other creatures and creation that is constantly changing. We have The post But You Remain appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Perseverance is the final description applied to those who maintain their faith in Christ to the end of their lives. That faith will not remain in hearts that do not treasure Christ. That is why this sermon-letter opens (and continues) with numerous examples of the superiority of the Son. The author of Hebrews establishes Christ deity, and thus, his ultimate supremacy over all things like few other sections of Scripture (cf. Jn 1; Col 1). Last week we considered how the Son is superior The post The Scepter Of Uprightness appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
“In Defense of Being Average”, Mark Manson encourages his readers to accept that they won’t be extraordinary at most things they do, if anything. He writes: “There are over 7.2 billion people on this planet, and really only about 1,000 of those have major worldwide influence at any given time. That leaves the other 7,199,999,000 +/- of us to come to terms with the limited scope of our lives and the fact that the vast majority of what we do The post Superior To Angels appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In his book, Rejoice and Tremble, Michael Reeves makes the following insightful comment: When people, through misunderstanding, become simply afraid of God, they will never entrust themselves to him but must turn elsewhere for their security. In fact, it is when people have this confused fear of God that they turn to other gods. Michael Reeves, Rejoice and Tremble One of the primary benefits of reading God’s Word and sitting under its preaching is that we might gain a sense of security. The post The Atonement and Enthronement Of The Son appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
What is the area of your life that you feel you MUST control? How devastated are you when things don’t go according to your plan? Parents feel this pressure to protect every aspect of the life of their children to the point that their lives literally revolve around them. Fathers feel the the need to provide for their families to the point that their lives revolve around work. Single men and women get so preoccupied with finding a spouse that The post He Upholds The Universe appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
C.S. Lewis has a famous argument called the Trilemma in Mere Christianity that prepares us for this morning’s sermon. Roman Catholic philosopher, Peter Kreeft, calls Lewis’ Trilemma “the most important argument in Christian apologetics.” US President, Ronald Reagan, used the argument in reply to a Methodist minister who didn’t believe that Jesus was the Son of God (I use the term ‘minister’ loosely). “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m The post The Exact Imprint Of His Nature appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Every once in awhile I get a little controversial from the pulpit. I know there are some differences among us on very weighty issues, but please hear me out. I think we can all agree that music peaked in the eighties. And the only genre that really mattered in the eighties was soft rock. But narrowing down a favorite soft rock song is where it gets challenging. “The Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera has to be in the running. The post The Radiance Of Glory appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
You’ve likely heard about the Marshmallow Test. Young children were given a giant marshmallow to eat, but if they were willing to wait for an unspecified amount of time, they would receive an additional marshmallow. Most of the children could not do it, but the few who did were creative at distracting themselves from looking at the prize. This example is often used to illustrate the value of delayed gratification. Most of us are willing to forfeit the best things The post The Heir And Agent Of Creation appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Athanasius: Constantine Augustus and his sons wrote letters to St. Anthony seeking divine wisdom. Anthony told his disciples: “Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man. Wonder rather that God wrote the law for man and has spoken to us through his own Son.” The first coming of Jesus was the climax of redemptive history and his second coming marks its culmination. This hybrid sermon-letter opens with a comparison between Christ and the The post God Had Spoken By His Son appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We’re considering two things: 1. The Author 2. The Audience Why does this matter? They will have a significant impact upon our interpretation (hermeneutics). • Historical-Grammatical: Treats the Bible as God’s Word and understands that it conveys objective truth. Seeks to understand the original intent of the author. • Historical-Critical (Higher Criticism): Treats the Bible like any other text assuming no possibility of miraculous activity. Seeks to understand the author’s intended meaning. • Reader-Response: The Bible conveys subjective truth to The post Jesus Is Greater Than….Part 2 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus Is Greater Than… (Hebrews) It is anathema to compare two cultures and declare one to be superior. Cultural relativists will accuse you of ethnocentrism before you can finish your sentence. The author of Hebrews, himself a Jew, unashamedly argues that Jesus is greater than every prophet, priest, and king who came before him. He points to the supremacy of Christ over everyone and everything belonging to the old covenant. 1. Jesus > Prophets 2. Jesus > Angels 3. Jesus The post Jesus Is Greater Than…. appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Since 1937 Gallup has tracked the decline in church membership in America. 2020 marked the first year that membership dropped below 50%. This trend applies across every demographic and subgroup of America. We cannot point the finger at one particular generation or denomination. We are simply becoming less and less religious across the board. Surely, the decline in Church membership is the product of a decline in church attendance. Only 22% of Americans say they attend Church every week, and The post Restoring The Sabbath appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
After building the wall in Jerusalem and overseeing a revival among the people, Nehemiah returned to King Artaxerxes (Neh. 13:6). While away, people quickly lost the ability to maintain the work. Some failed to separate from foreigners (Neh. 13:1-3), going against their own vows (Neh. 9:2, 38). Eliashib, the high priest, made room in a large temple chamber for Tobiah, one of Nehemiah’s foremost enemies (Neh. 13:4-9). This minimized the importance of the tithe. While the swift religious and moral The post Restoring The Tithe appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
One of the most frustrating things about watching movies today is wading through the plethora of options. The worst thing you can do is browse through the selection. The recommendations are all over the place. At least, they aren’t organized in a way that makes sense to me. I find movie selections based upon categories I have never shown an interest in. Obviously, they want me to watch something different. Usually, I base my movie selections off an expert and The post Cleansing The Temple- Part 1 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
US: 40M adults (18.1%) suffer from anxiety disorder. 18M major depressive disorder. The first year of Covid increased prevalence of depression 25% worldwide. Barna (2011): Almost 1/5 young adults leave church because their faith isn’t helping them cope with depression or other emotional problems. If church is a refuge, it won’t ignore genuine emotional tensions or paper over them with platitudes. Remember how book began? Neh. 1:1-3 God raised up Nehemiah, supplied resources + volunteers to rebuild the wall > Revived interest The post A Dedication To Celebrate appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Are We Still Required to Tithe to the Church? (Nehemiah 10:37-39) Are we obligated to tithe in the new covenant? Let me set you all at ease. I have no intentions of sending the offering bags around a second time after this sermon. R.C. Sproul does not mince words when discussing the tithe. In his book, 5 Things Every Christian Needs to Grow, Sproul writes: A poll of people claiming to be evangelical Christians indicated that only 4 percent of them The post Are We Still Required To Tithe To The Church? appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Why Giving Money to the Church is Important (Nehemiah 10:32-39) I recently watched a talk by Sinclair Ferguson on three lessons from 42 years of ministry. He referenced his appreciation for William Still, whose book The Work of the Pastor has been an encouragement to me. Ferguson mentioned that every pastor should read the book every year, at least. So, I picked it up for only the third time and came across this quote where Still discusses church revival: There will soon The post Why Giving Money To The Church Is Important appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Although, on the surface, it might appear that the Western mindset is commitment-phobic, most people recognize the value of making an agreement to keep their most important goals. There are a few successful apps like GymPact and Beeminder that penalize you with a fine when you fail to keep your goals. In the case of Gympact they take the pool of money and distribute it among those who kept their commitment to go to the gym. It doesn’t know what The post Why Church Membership Is Important- Part 1 (Nehemiah 10:1-31) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
How to Pray to a Covenant Keeping God (Nehemiah 9:22-38) In his preface to the book Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, D.A. Carson writes, I doubt if there is any Christian who has not sometimes found it difficult to pray. In itself, this is neither surprising nor depressing: it is not surprising because we are still pilgrims with many lessons to learn; it is not depressing because struggling with such matters is part of the way we learn. What is The post How To Pray To A Covenant Keeping God (Nehemiah 9:22-38) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Learning how to confess sin to a faithful God is as easy as following the example we have in Scripture. The human heart is made to reach out beyond itself and so, as G. K. Chesterton is alleged to have said, when people reject God they do not worship nothing, they worship anything. Murray Capill, The Heart Is the Target That is the history of humanity in a nutshell. God made us for worship, and if He is not the The post How To Confess Sin To A Faithful God (Nehemiah 9:16-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Learning how to praise God is not the same as actually doing so. Teaching through this chapter—which contains one long prayer—is almost counter-intuitive. We run the risk of analyzing the passage as a model for prayer, and failing to actually pray it. What do you really want from this sermon? My guess is that you don’t need another tip or technique on prayer. If you do, you can watch this video I gave on “How to Pray to God” a The post How to Praise God for His Actions in the Past (Nehemiah 9:6-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Learning how to confess sin to other believers is not a concept we enjoy talking about. Most of us would like to remain silent about our struggles. Sharing our sin, even with our closest family and friends makes us feel more vulnerable than we would like. Is authenticity overrated? Authenticity has become all the buzz within the Christian community. It is reflected in our obsession with personality tests and vulnerability. We are deeply interested in knowing and being our true selves. We even see The post The Surprising Need For Every Believer To Learn How To Confess Sin With Others appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
It may sound paradoxical to find joy in obeying, but that is the encouragement we find in God’s Word time and time again. “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim . . . of human existence.” Aristotle That’s partially true. However, the Bible clarifies that lasting happiness is the result of living according to God’s will (1 Jn 1:3-4). That doesn’t mean we can be free of all suffering as long as we’re obedient to The post The Marvelous Joy of Obeying God’s Law in Every Situation (Neh. 8:13-18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I mentioned what others have said about Biblical Sexuality Sermon Sunday in a previous post. The church leadership thought it was important to address the issue of biblical sexuality not only for the cultural moment that Canada is facing at the moment, but also because of the matters we are dealing with in our own denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America. In 2006, a case regarding the clash between sexual and religious freedom came before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court The post Biblical Sexuality and the Call for a Bold Response (Genesis 1-2; Romans 1) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Americans have never been unhappier and the worship service in America has never been emptier. A survey conducted in May of 2020 found that just 14% of American adults considered themselves “very happy”. They have conducted this survey since 1972. In the past 50 years the percentage of people who rated themselves “very happy” had never dropped below 29%. We all experience seasons of unhappiness. Stress can creep into our lives slowly, or broadside us like a freight train. We The post How to Receive Gladness For Sorrow in a Worship Service (Nehemiah 8:9-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In the 16th Century, Elizabethan England had such a reputation for revering the Bible, and the Preaching of God’s Word, that French author Victor Hugo said, “England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare but the Bible made England.” Regarding the Pilgrims who arrived in North America in 1620, Daniel Webster writes, “The Bible came with them, and it is not to be doubted that to the free and universal reading of the Bible is to be The post 3 Important Aspects of Preaching God’s Word to His People (Nehemiah 8:1-8) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Christmas builds up a great amount of anticipation, and sometimes it ends in disappointment. We set our expectations on certain things only to find that what we got was not as nice as we envisioned. We all know what it is like to wait for something that fails to live up to our expectation. Or, we immediately desire something else that makes the previous object less satisfying. This happens a lot with goal setting. The reward for reaching a goal The post Song Of Simeon appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I just finished an excellent book, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You, by Tony Rienke (2017). He opens his conclusion with the following, familiar routine. Today, tired after work, I opened Facebook on my phone, looking for a diversion. I flicked past a video of a cat that sounds like a crying child; then I saw a new study about gun control; then I saw an innovative new keyboard for tablets; then I read a story from the latest celebrity gossip; The post Angels, From The Realms Of Glory appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The New Testament begins after 400 years of silence. It would have been a time when the church was asking: Where is God? It also begins during a historically significant time in Roman history. Rome had been entrenched in centuries of warfare and imperial expansion until Caesar Augustus ushered in 200 years of peace, known as the Pax Romana. The people were asking: Who needs God? In light of history, we are insignificant and powerless, yet we remain full of self-sufficient pride. God The post Once In Royal David’s City appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Most commentaries recognize a transition point here in Nehemiah 7. One scholar even sees it as the climax of the book. I know, personally, I have been excited to preach the next chapter. From my perspective, we’re standing on the precipice of the pinnacle of Nehemiah. We have already seen a list of names in chapter three. Is there really much more that can be said that has not already been mentioned? This particular list—with minor exceptions—appears in Ezra 2. Why bore The post Redeeming Genealogies appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I love a good psychological thriller like The Sixth Sense and The Quiet Place. Something that makes my heart race and my palms sweat. For most of these movies the key factor is the slow build up of our anticipation. While many of us find these kind of movies entertaining, we would hate to face them in real life. That’s what the FX show Scare Tactics tried to do. It aired for five seasons between 2003 and 2013. The premise was essentially a smashup of The post Scare Tactics appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lord preserved me from a lot of heartache by keeping me single throughout high school. However, it wasn’t for a lack of interest. I remember somewhere near the end of my sophomore year, talking to a girl I was interested in getting to know better. She was sharing with me her excitement about going to Summer Camp because it always brought her closer to God. I asked her why she felt the need to wait several months for Summer The post Nehemiah’s Generosity appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Follow the Money Brad Mills / General Nehemiah / Oppression / Nehemiah 5:1–13 In his Netflix special, Colin Kaepernick seriously compared the NFL combine to a slave auction. Dressed in all black, wearing a grave countenance, and staring through the camera into your soul, without a trace of cringe, he says: “What they don’t want you to understand is what’s being established is a power dynamic. Before they put you on the field, teams poke, prod and examine you searching The post Follow The Money appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Resuming God’s Mission Coming to Christ means entering into his rest. We take his easy yoke upon us and bear his light burden (Matt 11:29). However, a few chapters later (Matt 16:24-25), Jesus told his disciples: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Coming to Christ and following him The post Resuming God’s Mission appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Overcoming Opposition In our Pastor’s Welcome class I always share my belief that the single greatest outward indicator of your spiritual health is your commitment to the local church. Scripture portrays corporate worship as the primary expression of our faith. If that expression is weak in your life, we can assume it is hiding other, less obvious, struggles. Let me be clear, church attendance doesn’t save you, but not attending church (or frequently switching churches) often reveals growing concerns—whether those The post Overcoming Opposition appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Meet the Wall Builders I have mentioned before that my favorite novel is Les Miserables. It is long, but the plot generally moves at a swift pace. Victor Hugo covers a lot of ground over the course of its 1200 pages. I say it generally has a fast pace, because there are a few sections of the narrative that come to a grinding halt. The two points that particularly stand out to me are his lengthy descriptions of the convent where Jean The post Meet The Wall Builders appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Preparing to Rebuild This summer I read the fictional account of the Battle of Thermopylae called The Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. The battle between the Greeks and Persians lasted three days in September, 480 BC (35 years before Nehemiah). Persia was invading Greece for the second time, ten years after their defeat at Marathon, and King Leonidas of Sparta was leading an alliance of Greek states defending their land. In one speech Leonidas summarizes his view of leadership: “A king The post Preparing To Rebuild appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Mission of the Cupbearer We talk about God’s sovereignty a lot, but we keep running into circumstances that—on the surface—appear to threaten that reality. If God is sovereign, why do his children go through such difficult times? God is about to open a way for Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, but why were the walls in such disrepair to begin with? Before we answer that, let’s make the question personal. Some of you have recently The post The Mission of the Cupbearer appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
• I needed a familiar passage this week. 8 years is more than sufficient to escape long-term memories. • Obsession with eschatology > Abandon it altogether. Some would prefer to remain disengaged. Focus on essentials. “End Times” doctrine not central to the gospel. • Disagreement doesn’t mean unsaved, unwelcome. Differences of opinion abound among solid, reformed Christians. Common Reading Strategies (Unhelpful): 1. Detailed blueprints • Characteristic = Chronological Precision. • Method = Each element finds correspondence with historical event/figure. • The post The Son’s Everlasting Dominion appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I like to stay informed of what’s going on in the world, but the main outlets to learn this information have a way of explaining things in such inflammatory ways that it’s hard to read the news without becoming upset. And that sucks me into a nosedive of frustration and despair that is difficult to recover from. Hours later I’m still trying to refocus my attention. Let me know if any of you have discovered the secret of staying informed The post The Prayer Of The Cupbearer appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Those of you who have small children at home will be familiar with an experience I had about 10 years ago. Thatcher was one year old and he was eating spaghetti for the first time. As all of you could imagine, by the time he was finished eating he had managed to get himself completely covered in spaghetti sauce with an occasional noodle stuck in his hair, face, arms, hands, clothing, legs, and toes. He was literally covered from head The post The Priest In Filthy Garments appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
When people search for a marriage partner they often begin with superficial motives. We see an example of this in the book of Esther. When Queen Vashti refused to entertain King Ahasuerus and his guests at a party, he set up a beauty contest in order to select his new queen. Modern society tries to be a bit more sophisticated, but much of the superficiality remains. A potential spouse usually has to pass an appearance test before going through a The post Love That Will Not Let Me Go appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Last year, during the riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, CNN made a ridiculous assessment of the situation. In a screenshot that has now become the subject of thousands of memes, reporter Omar Jimenez, is front and center. He had goggles on his forehead and a gas mask hanging around his neck. Behind him were several hollowed out vehicles and structures still engulfed in flames and smoke. The caption beneath the scene said: “FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING.” Matt The post The Strength Of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Have you ever had a panic attack? All of us know something about anxiety. We might even know a few tricks for dealing with it. But, I wonder how many of you have experienced anxiety to such a degree that you thought you were going to die. An estimated 2-3% of Americans have panic disorder at some point in their lives. Although I have not experienced anxiety to that degree, Pierce Taylor Hibbs has. He writes about it in his The post The Peace Of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Randy Alcorn tells the following story: “In 1952, a young woman names Florence Chadwick stepped off Catalina Island, into the Pacific Ocean. Her goal was to swim to the shore of mainland California, 21 miles away. It was foggy and chilly. She could barely see the boats alongside her. Florence swam for fifteen hours. She begged to be taken out of the water. Her mother, in a boat alongside, told her she could make it. Finally, physically and emotionally exhausted, she The post The Goal Of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
One of the greatest joys of serving this church as an elder is the privilege we have to listen to everyone share their testimony. Each story is unique, but they all have that familiar pattern. If someone has grown up in a Christian home, there still comes that point where the faith of their parents becomes personal. Often times, the stories begin outside the church and it is not until a friend invited them to church that they heard and The post The Impact of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Gallup recently released a study that showed that membership in a church, synagogue, or mosque had fallen below a majority for the first time in the history of our nation! The decline seems to clearly represent an increasing number of folks who are abandoning their faith in God altogether. The line held relatively steady between 1937 and 1999, beginning at 73% and dropping to 70%. But, since 1999 the decline has increased speed losing an average of one percent each The post The Preservation of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In the first chapter of Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink! he talks about the concept of “thin-slicing”. Basically, it is the idea that you can make an accurate judgment about something after seeing a very “thin slice” of the overall picture. For instance, psychologist John Gottman can watch a 15 minute clip of a married couple having a disagreement, and with 95% accuracy, he can determine whether the couple will still be together in 15 years. Another example he gives is how we The post Servants of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
It wasn’t always controversial to suggest that the presence of police officers reduces crime. Numerous studies confirm this truth. After the death of George Floyd, when “Defund the police” became the primary goal of the Black Lives Matter platform, I was shocked how readily several friends of mine were to defend the concept. It was depressing to see major cities, with high rates of crime, reducing the budget of their law enforcement. The result of this insanity—as everyone should have The post The Work of the Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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A young seminarian was excited about preaching his first sermon in his home church. After three years in seminary, he felt adequately prepared, and when he was introduced to the congregation, he walked boldly to the pulpit, his head high, radiating self-confidence. But he stumbled reading the Scriptures and then lost his train of thought halfway through the message. He began to panic, so he did the safest thing: He quickly ended the message, prayed, and walked dejectedly from the The post The Paradox of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
It is becoming increasingly apparent to Americans that we are on the brink of another civil war. Enduring a year of violence and riots tends to make people pessimistic. Both liberals and conservatives are recognizing the signs. Most Americans do not trust the government or the media. And most polls reveal that a growing percentage of people are stockpiling for the inevitable war. One article suggested that three factors lead to civil wars and that all of them are present The post Joy of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Circumstances are a powerful force in uniting people. There is an immediate connection when we realize that someone is experiencing the same thing we are. There is a sense of community. When someone in that community needs help, the rest of the group will rally around them. It was more than a decade ago when Brian Wood was killed in a car accident. He was hit in an almost head-on collision with another car. There were four people in the The post Worthy Of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In the field of psychology there is a common saying that when a person feels threatened they will instinctively react—out of fear—in one of several ways. Fight/Flight/Freeze. You will either prepare to fight against the threat or turn to flee. A third instinctive response is to freeze out of indecision. Those who have experienced trauma will oftentimes overreact even in non-threatening situations. An innocent gesture might trigger a defensive reaction from someone who has not fully recovered from trauma. This The post The Hope of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The bitter fruit of the Woke Left has begun to hit a little closer to home. A good friend of mine, and fellow pastor in the URC was doxxed and slandered yesterday by a former member of his church. The individual posted a private message that my friend had sent to him after the Charlottesville Riot in 2017. In his message, my friend had quoted from another article, suggesting that he shared some of the same concerns as the author. The post The Fruit of The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Many pastors have an entrepreneurial spirit. They like to cast a vision and develop a plan to fulfill that vision. But, so often, the strategy that underlies the vision and the plan are business models. It was so common for churches to apply tactics from Good to Great, that the author, Jim Collins, wrote a separate booklet for non-profits. I remember noting it was required reading for the church planting elective in seminary. Now, I’m not suggesting we have nothing to learn The post Confidence In The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In J.R.R. Tolkein’s Fellowship of the Ring—A band of individuals with disparate backgrounds come together to accomplish an important quest. After Frodo and Sam, my favorite character is Smeagol—the hobbit who became Gollum. His character teaches an important lesson about the consequences of idolatry and isolation. He lived for his precious—the ring that he had acquired by murdering his cousin and best friend, Deagol. Although Gollum loved his ring for its powers, it also gave him a long life in darkness and The post Gratitude In The Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We opened our series looking at the first two points regarding the context of the author and the context of the recipients. 1. Writing From Prison (1a) 2. Writing to the Philippians (1b) 3. Writing With a Purpose (2) Today we will focus on this third point. We will consider several themes of this letter before looking at several of the reasons Paul wrote this letter. Once we have understood the historical context in which the letter was written we can discover some important implications for our present circumstances. This is The post Fellowship In The Gospel (Part 2) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In his 2010 article, “America: Land of Loners?” Daniel Akst makes several helpful points to encourage people to build deeper friendships. How many “close social contacts” do you think the average American has? The answer is four, but only two of those are “friends only.” Akst points out four barriers that typically prevent us from forming and maintaining friendships: Time – we create busyness so we can feel important and mask our lack of meaningful relationships, Place – we choose The post Fellowship in the Gospel appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Awaiting Advent / Advent; Second Coming / Revelation 22:18–21 I confess the thought of Christ returning soon was something I did not always look forward to. When I was younger I had so many things I still wanted to enjoy. I felt like all the descriptions of heaven that I had heard lacked any of my toys and earthly interests. Heaven seemed a bit boring. Floating on clouds with chubby cherubs was not very appealing. When children are not bored The post Come, Lord Jesus appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
One of the greatest sounds a new parent hears is the sound of their baby crying for the first time. That cry lets us know that our child is alive and breathing. It also lets us know that they are uncomfortable. They want to be close to their mother. They are immediately placed upon the mother’s chest and, if possible, they should begin nursing right away. There is another kind of thirst that all humans possess from birth. However, this The post The Water of Life appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Awaiting Advent / Advent; Second Coming / Revelation 22:10–13 George Orwell’s parody of Communism, Animal Farm, basically provides an outline of how certain dictators have responded to COVID. In chapter five, Napoleon decided to end Sunday meetings where all the farm animals would vote on various decisions. He began making decisions for the farm among a small private committee. Squealer shared the news of this transition with the rest of the animals. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that The post The Final Judgment appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Distracted driving kills about 9 people every day in the US. We’ve tried doing something about this phenomenon. Unfortunately, providing more information does not seem to be working. Despite all of the public service announcements, the statistics continue to follow a discouraging trend. Distracted worship is also on the rise in 2020. For anyone sensitive to the spiritual needs that a worship service is designed to meet, attempting to worship from home has been completely inadequate. Then, the numerous restrictions placed The post Worship God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Note: The audio cut out half way through. In Love and Friendship, a movie based upon Jane Austen’s Lady Susan, the plot is typical of Austen. A recently widowed woman seeks a suitable husband for herself and a wealthy husband for her daughter. In one brilliant scene, Susan’s daughter Frederica is interacting with the wealthy Sir James Martin, who is trying to impress everyone with his knowledge. Martin: This reminded me of many such accounts one learns in childhood. Perhaps the most The post The Ten Commandments: A Life of Gratitude appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
This is an important message to hear anytime something doesn’t go as we expect. How should we respond when we are unable to get what we want? How do we cope with suffering and loss? The world offers many coping mechanisms that are dangerously misguided. Buddhism and new age meditation teach us that life is suffering caused by craving. Therefore, the goal of Eastern meditation is to learn to eliminate craving altogether. To reach Nirvana is to no longer crave The post The Tenth Commandment: Be Content! appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Conspiracy theories are found around every corner, but they have been around for about two-hundred years in their current form. Back in 1831, New England religious leaders warned about the Illuminati’s destructive plans. Ever since then, Americans have sought and found conspiracies typically associated with politics or religions. DeYoung Bad news travels much faster than good news. We must be careful to avoid deceit of every kind, intentional or not. On the other hand, many will scream “Conspiracy Theory” simply because The post “The Ninth Commandment: Do Not Lie” (Exodus 20:16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Ninth Commandment: Tell the Truth We often times think of telling the truth as a basic regurgitation of the facts. Truth tellers are honest and forthright. They don’t sugarcoat the unsavory details. They don’t downplay anything problematic about an event or belief. But, do we really appreciate such unfiltered truth? I love courtroom dramas. To Kill A Mockingbird, A Time to Kill. But, one of my favorite movies in this genre is “A Few Good Men”. Jack Nicholson as The post “The Ninth Commandment: Tell the Truth” (Exodus 20:16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal Someone broke into our garage this week and stole our limbo stick. I mean, seriously, how low can you go? Maybe you think this sermon is going to be fairly easy to take after hearing enough conviction the past several weeks considering the previous commandments. Maybe you assume stealing has never really been an issue for you. A survey from Barna discovered that 86% of adults claim to have met the requirement of The post “The Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal” (Exodus 20:15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Eighth Commandment: Fostering Prosperity The U.S. is, by any measure, the wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential country in the history of the world. It is not difficult to understand why so many immigrants want to come here to pursue their dreams. The United States is far and away the most likely destination for immigrants (5x more than the second country). That is true of those wanting to come through legal channels as well as those who will risk The post “The Eighth Commandment: Fostering Prosperity” (Exodus 20:15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
What a cultural reformation would take place if we began to take the seventh commandment seriously. It is not difficult to find illustrations of our radical need for this renewal. We could name prominent figures in every sphere of society that have committed adultery. We could see the breakdown of the covenant marriage, both its biblical definition as well as its value in a secular nation. One of the more obvious ways in which we see the problem is with The post The Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery (Exodus 20:14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Truth of the Gospel (2:1-14) Paul wrote the letter of Galatians to several churches he had planted a few years prior. A problem arose when false teachers taught a different gospel. In the first chapter, Paul explained that his authority and message came directly from Christ. In today’s passage Paul shows that he was fully accepted among the other apostles. They recognized that he was both called and commissioned by Christ. Two weeks ago we talked about the fact The post “The Truth of the Gospel” (Galatians 2:1-14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Call of God (1:11-24) Galatians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to several churches that he had planted a few years prior in the region of Galatia. Since his last visit, some false teachers came through the region teaching a different gospel. Not only did they preach something that was untrue, but they challenged Paul’s apostolic authority in order to undermine what was true. Paul cut right to the chase replacing his typical section of thanksgiving with The post “The Call of God” (Galatians 1:11-24) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
No Other Gospel (1:1-10) Over six years ago we held our first public worship services with a series on Galatians. The context of the letter seemed like an appropriate starting point. Paul was a church planter. After his conversion he set out on three different missionary journeys in which he planted churches in the provinces of Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. After planting these churches Paul wrote letters of encouragement, instruction, and sometimes rebuke. Galatians is probably the first letter The post “No Other Gospel” (Galatians 1:1-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Hate As we get practical in our application of the commandments, we must always keep in mind the preface, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2). These commands were given to a people who had been set free from their bondage in Egypt. Since entering the wilderness God had already shown himself to be faithful to preserve their The post “You Shall Not Hate” (Exodus 20:13) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Murder In such polarizing times it is difficult to maintain a godly posture towards those we disagree with. We are quick to allow our political allegiances to determine how we think about and treat others. If we follow the attitudes of many of our favorite radio and cable tv pundits, we may find ourselves not only in fundamental disagreement with our opponents, but we will begin to despise everything about them. What is most The post “You Shall Not Murder” (Exodus 20:13) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Fifth Commandment: Honor the Authorities Several values have shaped American culture since our founding. Those who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower were mostly Puritans with an appreciation for Reformed theology. They sought freedom of religion and took extreme measures in order to find that freedom. Half of the pilgrims died during their first winter in Plymouth. November 11, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing at Cape Cod. Although there was a strong Christian influence The post “Honor the Authorities” (Exodus 20:12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The first four commandments focused on our relationship with God. Beginning with the fifth commandment we transition to our relationship with one another. We summarize the whole law with one word, “love”. We are called to love God in commandments one through four. Then we are called to love one another in commandments five through ten. This is the commandment all the parents have been waiting for! Children, listen up! Actually, this command is important instruction for all of us The post The Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Parents appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Fourth Commandment: The Christian Sabbath There have been significant figures in church history who argued that Christ abolished the Sabbath in the same way that he fulfills the shadows of the ceremonial law. Augustine and Calvin are two of the more significant figures that give me pause for holding to a view that differs. For them, gathering on Sunday is not a command from God, but a tradition from man. We will consider several challenges to the notion of The post “The Christian Sabbath” appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
In high school and college I learned to do the bare minimum to get the grade I was seeking. If I knew I could get an “A” by skipping the reading and focusing on the writing, I didn’t bother reading. I like to think I was being efficient, but laziness is a better word for it. The Sabbath was not instituted so that men would have an excuse to be lazy. As much as that sounds like a great way The post “Jesus and the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:1-14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Fourth Commandment: The Purpose of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) The first four commandments reflect our instruction to love God. Commandments five through ten reflect our instruction to love our neighbor. There is only One true God and He is worthy to be worshiped in the way that He has revealed. We are to honor Him in thought, word, and deed. This final commandment in the first section that deals with our love for God meets the greatest amount of The post The Purpose of the Sabbath appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) There are plenty of ceremonial laws that were not inherently right or wrong in and of themselves. They were temporary laws meant for a specific people in a specific time and place. An example would be how certain food was forbidden under the Mosaic dietary laws, but are now permitted (1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Tim. 4:3-5). Ceremonial laws have been fulfilled, moral laws are permanently binding on all people. A summary of The post Remember the Sabbath appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
You might think a reflection upon God’s name is irrelevant to the current state of our nation. We are living in strange times. Fears of the coronavirus are still among us, but they have been largely displaced by the riots in response to the murder of George Floyd. In fact, more than a thousand medical professionals, infectious disease specialists, and community stakeholders wrote an open letter that got a lot of press. Essentially, they argued that the systemic threat of The post The Third Commandment: Don’t Dishonor God’s Name! appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I was soundly converted in Jr. High. I went to Hume Lake Christian Camp and distinctly remember recognizing the heinousness of my sin against God. I had heard the gospel several times, but something clicked on that occasion and I knew that I needed to repent and confess my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. One of the first obvious changes that occurred in my life was a strong desire to clean up my language and that of those The post The Third Commandment: Honor God’s Name! appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
At the end of 2011, my wife and I went to church planting assessment. Then, for the next two years, I attended several cohort meetings and training where I learned the model that other churches successfully followed. Some of the information was truly invaluable, but some of it was disconcerting. Certain topics provided direction, while others were misleading. Unfortunately, many church planting strategies are market-driven techniques that any business might follow. They are oftentimes not adequately grounded in Scripture. Church The post The Second Commandment: Pure Worship Required appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The first commandment is about true worship. Most people think of worship as something we do in various parts of the day. We think of participating in corporate, family, or private worship. When we aren’t engaged in one of those activities, then we are not involved in worship. But that is not true. Your circumstances may change daily or hourly, but the object of your worship must remain the same! Worship is not optional, it’s instinctive. We were made for The post The First Commandment: God Above All appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
One of the most important lessons we learn in life is the difference between personal beings and impersonal objects. All too often, we get into trouble when we think of other people as objects to be used much like we use our other possessions. There are some things that we value more than others. But people must always be given a higher priority than our stuff. We heard this debate carry out recently, during the early days of this coronavirus The post The Grace of the Ten Commandments appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
If you were to poll society regarding rules for life, you would get many different answers. Some of them might even contain a few examples from the Ten Commandments. But you would probably gather a large consensus around a few secular core doctrines. One popular sentiment would be that there is not one “right way” to live. Another might be that people should be allowed to do whatever makes them happy provided it does not harm someone else. Many would The post What is the Use of the Ten Commandments? appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The mission of Grace Clovis states: “We exist to transform the people of Clovis by finding, equipping, and multiplying followers of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.” This mission really comes from a combination of the Great Commission to make disciples and Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 4: 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ… A lot of The post The Great Commission to Make Disciples appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Well, if you are anything like me, yesterday was difficult. We celebrated one of the strangest Easter Sundays of our lifetime. It was quite possibly the strangest Easter Sunday since that first Resurrection Sunday. Celebrating Easter from our homes was far from ideal, but it was nice to see everyone making the most of it. I want to encourage you to keep the benefits of Christ’s resurrection on your mind. I trust you were blessed by the many reminders you The post The Benefits of Christ’s Resurrection for Believers appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The resurrection is crucial to Christianity. Calling people to embrace Jesus, the risen King is the central topic of Apostolic preaching and writing. Last week, Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna!” He was treated like a king. But by Thursday night he was being arrested, mocked, and beaten. By Friday morning the Romans were scourging and crucifying him. Easter or Resurrection Sunday transitions from Christ’s humiliation to exaltation. No longer the crucified King, The post Worship Christ, the Risen King appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Typically we have reserved this feed for sermon and devotional audio, but I thought it would be helpful for us to think about COVID-19 today. The post What Should We Think About COVID-19? appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Have you ever felt alone? I don’t mean socially distant. I mean isolated from everyone. Maybe that sounds like a good thing to some of you. Maybe you are the kind of person who enjoys going to movie theaters alone. I can understand the value of getting away from the noise of this world, but we really were not created for isolation. The post The Triumph of the Cross (Matthew 27:45-51) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
I simply want to recommend four resources to help you to pray. One is essential, and the other three are very helpful. 1. The Word of God 2. Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney 3. A Way to Pray by Matthew Henry, O. Palmer Robertson 4. Echo Prayer App The post How to Pray to God appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Shame of the Cross (Mt. 27:26-44) One of the most embarrassing moments of my childhood was when I went clothes shopping with my mom and older brother. I didn’t care much for shopping or picking out my own clothes. I pretty much was just there to try things on that my mom picked out for me. My brother, on the other hand, enjoyed taking his time. He wanted to look at every item in his size and try them The post The Shame of the Cross appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Who wants to hear someone telling them to “Calm down!” at a time like this? It sounds naive and trite. But, Paul wrote that from prison! He faced incredible challenges throughout his ministry. So we can assume that Paul was familiar with anxiety. He’s not rebuking people to “Chill out!” He’s calling upon everyone to join him in seeking peace from the only source of true and lasting peace. Phil. 4:4-5a, “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, The post Do Not Be Anxious! (but when you are…) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – Part 3 Well, I’m about to preach God’s Word as I’ve never preached it before! Literally… Let’s just get over the fact that this is awkward. It feels very different speaking to you through a camera. I can’t see your faces when I say something confusing. On the plus side, I also can’t see you nodding off to sleep. This just feels awkward. And it should because Church is not supposed to be The post The Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We are taking the time to reflect upon the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. As I explained in a previous video, we were about to wrap up a series on Revelation and move into a series on Matthew 26-28. In particular, I intend on teaching about communion (Mt. 26:26-29), crucifixion (Mt. 27), resurrection (Mt. 28a), and commission (28b). In the previous video, I introduced the subject and why it is important for us to consider. There church’s practice of communion The post The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – Part 2 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Many of you have seen the quote from C.S. Lewis regarding how people should live in an “atomic age”, with the reality that a bomb might drop upon them and wipe them out at any moment. It was an important question that many people were asking and it makes sense to apply that to our situation today in dealing with the fear of the Coronavirus. I have seen a dramatic increase in the number The post The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – Introduction appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Coronavirus has given us an opportunity to shepherd you through these difficult times in ways we have not done before. May God grant us spiritual unity as we remain physically apart. This video is an explanation of our tentative plan through the end of March, 2020. The post Ministry in a time of Coronavirus appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The New Jerusalem – Pt. 2 (Rev. 21:22-22:5) I wondered whether we should take a week to consider how the Bible might encourage us during this Coronavirus pandemic. The response from people around the world has ranged from sheer panic to complete indifference. We certainly want to avoid both extremes. We also need to prepare to show compassion to those who are vulnerable and in need during this time. And we cannot allow this virus to become our all consuming The post “The New Jerusalem – Pt. 2” (Revelation 21:22 – 22:5) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The New Jerusalem The New Jerusalem Brad Mills / General When God called Abraham out of Ur, away from his family, he departed with nothing but faith in God’s covenant promise. He did not know where he was going. He did not know the challenges that awaited him on his journey. What Abraham did know was that the promises God gave to him were not going to be fulfilled in his lifetime. He had a perspective that serves as The post “The New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:9-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The New Heaven and New Earth The New Heaven and New Earth Brad Mills / General In 2008, a Dutch newspaper poll voted the city of Charleroi to be “The Ugliest City in the World”. Honestly, I can think of plenty of places in worse shape. The voting was weighted to places in the Belgian region, but it still felt like a low blow to those who lived there and appreciated its charm. No doubt, everyone could see that The post “The New Heaven and New Earth” (Revelation 21:1-8) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Great White Throne Judgment Great White Throne Judgment Brad Mills / General Revelation / Eschatology: Last Judgment / Revelation 20:7–15 Think of a time in your life where you greatly offended your parents and received some form of discipline. I realize the spectrum of responses may span from one of neglect and indifference to (unfortunately) even physical abuse. For some of you, the punishment might have been so harsh it overshadowed the offense so that you can’t even remember The post “The Great White Throne Judgment” (Revelation 20:7-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Thousand Years The Thousand Years Brad Mills / General Revelation / Millennium / Revelation 20:1–6 In Adolph Hitler’s first speech as the German Fuhrer, he assured the nation that Nazi Germany would last a thousand years. He believed that Germany needed to return to its roots in the Holy Roman Empire which inspired visions of “agriculture virtue, simplicity, community, and social harmony.” In other words, it was an inspiring and idealistic view of the future. Hitler often riled The post “The Thousand Years” (Revelation 20:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Great Supper of God The Great Supper of God Brad Mills / General Revelation / Second Coming; Christ as King / Revelation 19:11–21 Christians were already enduring various levels of persecution. A few had been martyred for their faith. Others were experiencing social and economic hardship, as detailed in several of the letters sent to the seven churches in Asia Minor (Re 2-3). Much of John’s vision warns believers to expect that persecution to increase. They were about The post “The Great Supper of God” (Revelation 19:11-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Marriage of the Lamb The Marriage of the Lamb Brad Mills / General Revelation / Joy; Heaven; Marriage of the Lamb / Revelation 19:1–10 Revelation contains many contrasting themes. Darkness is followed by scenes of bright light. The torments of persecution on earth are followed by the glories of saints in heaven. In this case we jump from the theme of the world lamenting at Babylon’s funeral to the saints rejoicing at the wedding celebration of the Lamb. The post “The Marriage of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:1-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
A Lament for Babylon A Lament for Babylon Brad Mills / General Revelation / Judgment; Idolatry; Harlot / Revelation 18:1–24 Babylon and the beast represent the assault of Satan upon the Church through the seduction of our lustful desires and indulgence of our misplaced fears. Those threats are not finally removed until they are destroyed by Christ at his Second Coming. That can only be seen from a heavenly vantage point. The believer is filled with hope recognizing that The post “A Lament for Babylon” (Revelation 18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Harlot and the Beast The Harlot and the Beast Brad Mills / General Revelation The best classic novels represent excellent writing and story telling, but those with the greatest impact typically illustrate some moral purpose. One of my favorite novels portraying the devastating consequences of immorality is Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. The story follows the lives of two main characters. Anna, a disenchanted housewife, has an extra-marital affair with another member of the upper-class. Konstantin Levin, a down-to-earth The post “The Harlot and the Beast” (Revelation 17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath Brad Mills / General Revelation / Wrath of God / Revelation 16:1–11 Although judgment is a dirty word in our culture, it is biblical. The holiness of God demands his wrath. Liberal pastors minimize God’s wrath in order to be accepted by the culture. But this comes at a great cost to the truth and sufficiency of Scripture. Arguing against this tendency, Richard Niebuhr described the liberal The post “The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath” (Revelation 16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sea of Glass The Sea of Glass Brad Mills / General Revelation / Heaven; Worship; Wrath of God / Revelation 15:1–8 Let me begin by reminding you of some of the fundamental principles we have been following in order to better comprehend this challenging book. Given the nature of the apocalyptic genre, our default hermeneutic (how we interpret any given passage) should be to expect symbolism and metaphor. We see it throughout the book. That doesn’t make the The post “The Sea of Glass” (Revelation 15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Absorbed in God’s Word Absorbed in God’s Word Brad Mills / General Bible; Meditate; Purity / Psalm 119:9–16 One of my traditions has been to use the last Sunday of the year to prepare us for the new year. We have considered several psalms which help us to look back with gratitude. But I want to return to Psalm 119 and spend time picking up at vv.9-16. This is the quintessential chapter on God’s word. Almost every verse refers The post “Absorbed in God’s Word” (Psalm 119:9-16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Far As the Curse Is Found Far As the Curse Is Found Brad Mills / General Advent: Now But Not Yet / Matthew 2:13–23 We opened this Advent series by looking at a passage that is rarely preached (Mt 1:1-17). Now we are closing the series with a passage that is rarely preached (Mt 2:13-23). Many come to church expecting a sermon specifically about the birth of Jesus on the Sunday before Christmas. But I have tried to show The post “Far As the Curse Is Found” (Matthew 2:13-23) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Come, Adore on Bended Knee Come, Adore on Bended Knee Brad Mills / General Advent: Now But Not Yet / Matthew 2:1–12 I have a friend who doesn’t celebrate Christmas or Easter or any other Christian holiday because their origins are tied to pagan holidays. Maybe you know people like that. They begin with a well-intentioned desire to remain faithful to the truth. Once they discover the link between Christmas and the Roman festival of Saturnalia, they decide that The post “Come, Adore on Bended Knee” (Matthew 2:1-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Offspring of the Virgin’s Womb Offspring of the Virgin’s Womb Brad Mills / General Advent: Now But Not Yet / Hope; Fear / Matthew 1:18–25 Last week we emphasized the humanity of Jesus. Matthew began with a genealogy that confirms Jesus’ royal heritage. Although Jesus was born into the line of King David, his immediate parents were actually poor and insignificant. Jesus had a true humanity. And yet, the genealogy was unique in how it explained his relationship to The post “Offspring of the Virgin’s Womb” (Matthew 1:18-25) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years The Hopes and Fears of All the Years Brad Mills / General Advent: Now But Not Yet / Hope; Fear / Matthew 1:1–17 “Advent: Now But Not Yet” points to the reality that Jesus appeared 2,000 years ago, but he will appear again to usher us into the new heavens and new earth. Just as the OT saints waited for Jesus’ first coming, we anticipate his second coming. Christ’s birth marked The post “The Hopes and Fears of All the Years” (Matthew 1:1-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Grapes of Wrath (Rev. 14:12-20) In his novel The Grapes of Wrath Steinbeck brilliantly portrayed the consequences of the suffering people endured during the Dust Bowl migration. Their suffering was building in them a fury of wrath that would eventually explode. Essentially, he was suggesting that anger and hatred are the natural byproduct of oppressive experiences. He certainly has a point. However, one thing is clear, he was not using the metaphor in the same way that Scripture used The post “The Grapes of Wrath” (Revelation 14:12-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Terror and Comfort of the Gospel (Rev. 14:6-13) There is no denying the weightiness of the book of Revelation. Eternity hangs in the balance as John’s vision portrays the punishment of evil, and the victory of the Lamb. Symbolism increases the sense of mystery while highlighting the terrible and glorious realities they illustrate. Our passage this morning reveals how the gospel provokes both terror and comfort. Read Rev. 14:6-13 Pascal’s Wager essentially states that humans bet their lives on The post “The Terror & Comfort of the Gospel” (Revelation 14:6-13) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lamb and the 144,000 Revelation is a book of contrasts. The dark is stark, while the light is bright. And it frequently shifts between the two. This morning we come to another abrupt transition. After visions of a fierce dragon and beasts persecuting the church, we need to remember that victory belongs to the Lamb. This passage (14:1-5) stands in sharp contrast with the previous one (13:11-18). Last week we saw how the false prophet promotes the counterfeit worship The post “The Lamb and the 144,000” (Revelation 14:1-5) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:11-18) Predicting the identity of the beast whose mark is 666 has become a game. So let’s play “Pin the Tail on the Antichrist” for a minute.1 Some of the obvious candidates have been world leaders such as Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and Anwer Sadat. Americans have been proposed too. In his book 666: The Final Warning!, Gary Blevins argues that the Antichrist is none other that our beloved 40th president, Ronald (6) Wilson The post “The Mark of the Beast” (Revelation 13:11-18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Counterfeit Worship (Rev. 13:1-10) Many people search for a church to attend without ever asking the most important questions. They look for entertainment, a cool atmosphere, or even nice people. But the fundamental factor that should be considered is whether or not the worship is biblical. That question doesn’t only apply to the preaching, but to every element of a worship service. Worship should be guided and supported by Scripture from beginning to end. You might be unfamiliar with certain The post “Counterfeit Worship” (Revelation 13:1-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Perseverance of the Saints (Rev. 12:13-17) God created everything and gave man dominion over it, but also the responsibility to “work and keep” the garden. When Adam neglected to guard the garden, the serpent deceived Eve tempting her to eat the forbidden fruit. Then she gave some to Adam. Prior to the fall, “the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” (Gen. 2:25). After eating the fruit, “they knew that they were naked” (Gen. 3:7). The post “The Perseverance of the Saints” (Revelation 12:13-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Absence of Accusation (Rev. 12:7-12) The presence of shame, in its many forms, goes well beyond the scope of a challenging emotional struggle. In his book, The Soul of Shame, Dr. Curt Thompson writes, “This phenomenon is the primary tool that evil leverages, out of which emerges everything that we would call sin.” Thompson argues that shame is at the root of all other negative emotions and it eventually effects the way we think and behave. For instance, our The post “The Absence of Accusation” (Revelation 12:7-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Backstory of History (Rev. 12:1-6) Is it too soon to wish you a “Merry Christmas”? This passage makes for the perfect Christmas text. But before we get to it, let’s review. With the blast of the seventh trumpet the wrath of God fell upon unbelievers and the saints were gathered. We came to the end of the third cycle in Revelation. The letters to the seven churches was followed by the breaking of the seven seals, which was followed The post “The Backstory of History” (Revelation 12:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19) The Church needs vision to survive. But, that needs clarification. I’m not referring to a catchy slogan that summarizes the church’s objectives. Many churches use a Vision Statement to define their purpose and how they will reach the culture. They quote Proverbs 29:18 “Without vision, the people perish!” Church planting strategists suggest coming up with a simple slogan that defines our goal and guides our mission. If we ignore this critical step, they warn that The post “The Seventh Trumpet” (Revelation 11:15-19) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Enduring Witness of the Church (Rev. 11:3-14) Symbolism in apocalyptic literature is not meant to soften the impact of the passage. Revelation is filled with pictures and illustrations of the truth that magnify our sense of purpose and deepen our confidence in God’s plan. John is recording this Revelation from exile on the island of Patmos around A.D. 95. He had been banished there by the government. Whether he was preaching against the idolatry of the people in Asia The post “The Enduring Witness of the Church” (Revelation 11:3-14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Safety in Numbers (Rev. 11:1-2) Two weeks ago we saw, from chapter ten, how John was commissioned by the Mighty Angel—a theophany of Christ portrayed with global dominion. John was re-commissioned to proclaim the revelation of judgment that he was receiving. Chapter eleven transitions from John’s personal commission to the church’s global mission. Some scholars consider this passage to be the crux of the entire book of Revelation because it forces us to pick a particular interpretive approach in order The post “Safety in Numbers” (Revelation 11:1-2) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Grace of Giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Tonight we are learning about Christian giving. The grace of financial giving. There is only one other topic that could be preached that so directly strikes at our Old Man and fleshly sensibilities: overeating and obesity. We are going to examine what the Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 8. There are obvious pitfalls associated with the sharing of our finances. Giving unto God financially can be a reflection The post “The Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:1-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Anticipating the Final Trumpet (Rev. 10:1-11) Between the breaking of the sixth and seventh seal there was an interlude in chapter seven where John was given a vision of the church militant and triumphant. The saints on earth are promised protection from the harm of the judgments and given a vision of their future reign in glory. Following that same pattern, we have another interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpet. This interlude transitions from the demonic forces that were The post “Anticipating the Final Trumpet” (Revelation 10:1-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 8 “Forgive Us Our Debts” (Matt. 6:9-15) Prayer is children coming before their Heavenly Father, offering Him praise and adoration for who He is, expressing our desire to see His kingdom established and purified, and requesting for His will to be done in and through us. Last week, we looked at the fourth petition which teaches us to pray for our daily bread. We begin by acknowledging that we do not deserve outward blessings, but The post “Forgive Us Our Debts” (Matthew 6:9-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Futility of Idolatry (Rev. 9:13-21) One frustrating tendency of Christians is their incessant search for innovative ways to worship God. We crave novel means of approaching God because we don’t like the results we are currently achieving. People who are generally dissatisfied with the depth of their spiritual experience—which is all of us at some level—are prone to look for creative approaches to worship. This is why being grounded in historic orthodox Christianity is crucial if we are going The post “The Futility of Idolatry” (Revelation 9:13-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 7 “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” (Matt. 6:9-15) Whenever we come to God in prayer we begin by acknowledging his heavenly majesty and power. That is why we say “Our Father in Heaven”. We know he is holy and transcendent, but we have personally experienced his fatherly kindness. By sending his Son, the Father made a way for us to be adopted into his family. Through faith in Jesus we pray as children The post “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” (Matthew 6:9-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Misery of Unbelief (Rev. 8:13-9:12) John is writing from exile on the island of Patmos to the Universal Church in order to prepare them for the trials they will inevitably face and encourage them to persevere. The vision includes warning and encouragement. Heavenly glory is followed by divine judgment. Last week, we began the second cycle of judgments looking at the first four trumpets. With each successive blast another judgment resulted in the de-creation of a third of the The post “The Misery of Unbelief” (Revelation 8:13-9:12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sound of Trumpets (Revelation 8:6-12) Two fundamental truths about the world is that (1) God created everything good, but (2) sin has corrupted everything. Without this understanding, much of life is nonsense. This explains why our desires are so often at odds with what is truly good for us. Man has fallen into an estate of sin and misery that the Westminster Shorter Catechism defines as “the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the The post “The Sound of Trumpets” (Revelation 8:6-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 6 “Your Will Be Done” (Matt. 6:9-15) The Reformed community has a wealth of resources to turn to for guidance in prayer. Typically, the instruction follows the pattern of the Westminster Larger Catechism. Books on prayer take the subject and expound upon the examples and topics we find throughout Scripture. This is not meant to turn our prayers into a simple reading of God’s Word. Prayer is communication with God in our own words. But The post “Your Will Be Done” (Matthew 6:9-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Sound of Silence (Rev. 8:1-5) I have loved Simon & Garfunkel ever since my mom chose “Bridge Over Troubled Water” for her brother’s funeral back in 1990. Since then, they have been one of my favorite musical artists. Hands down, their best song is “The Sound of Silence”. Paul Simon wrote the song at the age of 21 in 1963. It was recorded in March 1964 and included on their debut album. The song was a flop until a The post “The Sound of Silence” (Revelation 8:1-5) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Part 5 “Your Kingdom Come” We continue our series on the Lord’s Prayer where we have been taking the teaching of the Westminster Larger Catechism and expounding upon it with the Scripture proofs. The Larger Catechism is rich with biblical wisdom to guide us in prayer. I hope you are encouraged and that you are becoming more aware of your dependence upon God. Like evangelism, we oftentimes spend more time talking about prayer than actually praying. Several weeks ago we The post “Your Kingdom Come” (Luke 11:1-4) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Church Triumphant – Part 2 (Rev. 7:9-17) How does the Church Militant become the Church Triumphant? How does our experience on earth, translate to our experience in heaven? Last week we looked at the first two points in your outline. 1. The Salvation of the Church Triumphant (9-10). 2. The God of the Church Triumphant (11-12) . We noted the several allusions to the Exodus out of Egypt and their preservation and suffering in the wilderness. In heaven, everything The post “The Church Triumphant – Part 2” (Revelation 7:9-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 4 “Hallowed Be Your Name” Last week we considered the preface to the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father in heaven”. We considered his Fatherly goodness and our childlike reverence. We talked about coming before God with “heavenly affections” that give us hope for the future and confidence in the present. We recognized that we are praying to a God who is Sovereign and full of grace. This does not weaken our responsibility to prayer but strengthens The post “Hallowed Be Your Name” (Luke 11:1-4) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Church Triumphant – Part 1 (Rev. 7:9-17) I spend time each week wrestling over the purpose of the passage I’m going to preach because I want to be faithful to present that purpose to you in a way that you can understand and apply immediately. I want to do justice to the author’s intent, both the human author and especially the divine Author of Scripture. As I began thinking about how to do that for this passage, I was The post “The Church Triumphant” (Revelation 7:9-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 3 “Our Father In Heaven” Read Luke 11:1-4; Matt. 6:9-13 WLC 189. WHAT DOTH THE PREFACE OF THE LORD’S PRAYER TEACH US? The preface of the Lord’s Prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven,) teaches us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein; with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions, heavenly affections, and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, The post “Our Father in Heaven” (Luke 11:1-4) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The 144,000 Sealed (Rev. 7:1-8) Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that prior to 1935 144,000 people were anointed to enter heaven. Latter Day Saints believe there are 144,000 high priests who have been ordained according to the holy order of God. Christians have their own confusion about this number. With so many confusing interpretations, we must remember the context of the original audience. Late in the first century John received a revelation from God of which he was to make a written The post “The 144,000 Sealed” (Revelation 7:1-8) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Great Day of Wrath (Rev. 6:9-17) We must not lose sight of the big picture as we make our way through Revelation. John is describing what he saw. Revelation paints vivid pictures for us, but not precise photographs or videos of reality. Revelation is about the victory of the Lamb. As we consider the breaking of these seals keep in mind chapters four and five, namely, that God is on his throne and that Christ is worthy to execute The post “The Great Day of Wrath” (Revelation 6:9-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4) Read Luke 11:1-4 Why don’t we pray more? Why are prayer meetings so poorly attended, not only here but at most churches? It does not seem to be due to a lack of information. Many who are very comfortable reading and applying Scripture are still terrified to pray out loud. There is an unnecessary intimidation involved. Part of what I am hoping to do by slowing down in our series in Luke is to help The post “The Lord’s Prayer” (Luke 11:1-4) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Rev. 6:1-8) In his book, The Great Awakening, Joseph Tracy highlights the context of New England in early eighteenth century. Unbelievers were allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper as long as they had been baptized. There was little to no regard for theological and moral examination. Eventually, even the pulpits were filled with unconverted men. When Jonathan Edwards began preaching a series on “Justification By Faith,” he attacked the notion that any could The post “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (Revelation 6:1-8) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
What is prayer? WLC 178 Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God1, in the name of Christ2, by the help of his Spirit3; with confession of our sins4, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies5. The post “What Is Prayer?” (Various Scriptures) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Worthy Is the Lamb (Rev. 5:8-14) We talk about coming before God in worship with reverence and awe. He is holy, majestic, and worthy to receive our praise. But, we are sinful, defiled, and unworthy in and of ourselves. The first thing we need is the cleansing blood of Christ to make us worthy. Then we need the enabling work of the Spirit to empower our worship. And when you have both, you will engage in worship with your whole The post “Worthy Is the Lamb” (Revelation 5:8-14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) As we continue to make our way through Luke, it is helpful to keep in mind his stated purpose. He is writing to Theophilus, and Christians like him, to provide assurance about the things they had been taught about Jesus (1:1-4). As a doctor, he was educated and understood the importance of providing “an orderly account”. Jesus just told the parable of the Good Samaritan to the crowd in answer to the self-righteous lawyer. It The post “Martha and Mary” (Luke 10:38-42) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Lamb Is Worthy (Rev. 5:1-7) John’s vision in chapters one through three begins with the son of man in the midst of the lampstands. He shepherds his flock by sending letters to the seven churches, which includes both promised blessings as well as warnings to repent of a growing indifference and wickedness that threatens to destroy the church from within. If their rebellion persists, Christ will remove the lampstand of their church. In chapter four, John is brought up The post “The Lamb Is Worthy” (Revelation 5:1-7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Joy of Salvation (Luke 10:21-24) It is an unfortunate reality that the doctrine of God’s Unconditional Election often results in pride rather than joy. The Caged Stage is real. However, Jesus had every intention of this doctrine filling us with joy, as we will see from this passage. The past three sermons have considered how Jesus appointed seventy-two “other” disciples to bring a message of peace into the surrounding cities. The disciples were rebuked for rejoicing in the subjection The post “The Joy of Salvation” (Luke 10:21-24) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Holy, Holy, Holy (Rev. 4:6b-11) We have transitioned from the first section which included letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor (1:1-3:22), to the second section which includes the opening of seven seals (4:1-8:1). Upon ascending into heaven in his vision, John sees the throne of God—a throne of glory, grace, and judgment. The principle is that our worship must be God-centered. In the rest of chapter four John continues his description of what he sees, including the worship The post “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Revelation 4:6b-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Misplaced Joy (Luke 10:17-20) Luke has been providing an orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus to provide assurance to believers that what they had heard about Jesus was indeed true. Jesus had wrapped up an extended season of ministry in Galilee. Now he is beginning his journey toward Jerusalem knowing that his own death is fast approaching. This chapter began with Jesus appointing seventy-two disciples to go out into the cities in the surrounding region and deliver The post “Misplaced Joy” (Luke 10:17-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Behold Our God (Rev. 4:1-6a) Apocalyptic literature is oftentimes used like a kind of treasure map. If we can unlock the mysterious riddles we will discover when and how the world will end. That approach can certainly make for an exciting reading of the text, but it rarely finds the author’s central meaning. Revelation was not written to satisfy our curiosity about the future. Revelation is about God! It describes the glory of God, the power of God, and the The post “Behold Our God” (Revelation 4:1-6a) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Woe to the Unrepentant (Luke 10:13-16) Jesus has transitioned from his Galilean ministry to begin his journey toward Jerusalem (9:51). He has sent out seventy-two “others” to enter into the surrounding towns before he gets there and offer them a message of peace (10:5). However, he warned them that some will reject their offer (10:10-12). Our text this afternoon could have easily been added on to the end of last week’s sermon. Its primary purpose is to illustrate the warning The post “Woe to the Unrepentant” (Luke 10:13-16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Lukewarm Church (Rev. 3:14-22) Introduction We have arrived at the final letter to the seven first-century churches located in Asia Minor. Although the situations in each of these churches was in many ways unique to their time and location, the contents of each letter have proved to be relevant to every church in every age. Last week we considered a church that received no condemnation from Christ. This week we consider a church that received no commendation from him. The post “Dear Lukewarm Church” (Revelation 3:14-22) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Evangelism Explosion (Luke 10:1-12) Introduction We have just finished the story of three individuals who were reluctant to follow Jesus. Each of them offered their best excuse for not being available at that time. Here, we see a group of 72 disciples who immediately respond in obedience. Luke is the only gospel witness to record this episode. It seems perfectly suited to balance the previous section. Evangelism exists because worship does not. Evangelism is needed because unbelief is rampant. Jesus The post “Evangelism Explosion” (Luke 10:1-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Faithful Church (Rev. 3:7-13) Introduction In his novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck provides a harrowing illustration of the pressure families faced during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Due to poor farming techniques and severe drought, tens of thousands of families were forced to migrate to California. But the recession had such a widespread impact that few people were better off. In their weakness, families had to rely upon the kindness of strangers, which oftentimes resulted in The post “Dear Faithful Church” (Revelation 3:7-13) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Return of the King (Luke 24:13-35) Last week we considered the triumphal entry of Jesus as he rode upon a donkey into Jerusalem with a large crowd shouting “Hosanna in the highest!” They were ready to crown him as their king. They viewed him as the Messiah, the promised Savior. But they limited his reign to a physical throne, and his salvation to political freedom. Jesus came to accomplish so much more. The entrance of the King was merely The post “The Return of the King” (Luke 24:1-35) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Departure of the King (Mt. 27:26-61) This morning we considered Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Although he was praised and honored, it was merely the beginning of the end of his earthly ministry. As we come to a passage that is so familiar to us, we really want to engage our minds and hearts. Let us rely upon the Holy Spirit to move us with a fresh understanding of Christ’s death. We want to understand the event itself so The post “The Departure of the King” (Matthew 27:26-61) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Priority of Following Jesus (Luke 9:57-62) A few months ago we were at Costco looking at Traeger smokers. Our BBQ is on its last leg and we’ve heard good things about Traegers. After talking to the salesman, we were on the verge of leaving with one. But we decided to grab some lunch at the food court and think it over. Personally, I had every intention of going back and buying it, but after calling some folks we began The post “The Priority of Following Jesus” (Luke 9:57-62) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Dead Church (Rev. 3:1-6) In his book, Drunk Tank Pink, Adam Altar points out the curious phenomenon known as “nominative determinism”. It’s the idea that our names can often have a profound effect upon how we live. Our name predetermines the outcome. He shows how people are often preoccupied by ideas related to their name. The Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2008-2013 was Justice Igor Judge. His colleague, Justice John Laws, was on the court of appeals The post “Dear Dead Church” (Revelation 3:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Compromised Church (Rev. 2:18-29) We now come to the fourth in this series of seven letters written to churches in Asia Minor. It is a mixed community that represents the makeup of the broader visible church in all times. It’s the longest letter, positioned right at the center of the bunch, so we would do well to pay attention to its message. Expository preaching forces me to address all kinds of sin. If I always focused on pet sins, The post “Dear Compromised Church” (Revelation 2:18-29) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Responding to Rejection (Luke 9:51-56) Jesus is now leaving Galilee and heading towards Jerusalem. We will see three different characters/groups (Jesus, Samaritan Village, James & John) with three different purposes. I think the goal is to evaluate whether our own mission/purposes are aligned with Christ’s kingdom purposes. We so easily focus on our own agenda to the neglect of Christ’s mission. This will also be the theme of the passage that follows. It also complements our text this morning. Take The post “Responding to Rejection” (Luke 9:51-56) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Worldly Church (Rev. 2:12-17) Chapter one concludes with the vision of the son of man as our Prophet, Priest, and King. Chapter two transitions to letters written to seven church. There is an interesting relationship between the letters that follows a familiar pattern. A. Ephesus – Loveless B. Smyrna – Only Commendation C. Pergamum – Worldly D. Thyatira – Immorality E. Sardis – Dead ‘B. Philadelphia – Only Commendation ‘A. Laodicea – Lukewarm We will cover the escalation in The post “Dear Worldly Church” (Revelation 2:12-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Eliminating Our Enemies (Luke 9:49-50) Luke is assuring his Christian readers with an orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In this final conversation of Jesus’s Galilean ministry, the disciples are being humbled. They were arguing about which of them would be the greatest in heaven, and Jesus brought a child to his side as an example. Instead of taking up their cross to follow Jesus they were far more concerned with securing positions of honor. We The post “Eliminating Our Enemies” (Luke 9:49-50) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Suffering Church (Rev 2:8-11) John has been commissioned by Christ to write these letters to the seven church in Asia Minor at the end of the first century AD. What he writes addresses the specific needs of these particular churches, but Jesus also has in mind the broader, universal Church which spans time and place. The Lord is informing the churches of persecution that they will face. Some of that tribulation has already begun, but a more intense form The post “Dear Suffering Church” (Revelation 2:8-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Who Is the Greatest? (Luke 9:46-48) We have come to the final accounts of Jesus’s Galilean ministry. Chapter nine has focused on the question: Who is Jesus? The answer is that “He’s the glorious and majestic Messiah.” Peter could say this, but then prove his ignorance about what this actually meant with regard to Christ’s ministry. The irony of this passage is that it follows after the display of the majesty of Christ in his authority (casting out a demon) The post “Who Is the Greatest?” (Luke 9:46-48) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dear Loveless Church (Rev. 2:1-7) This may be one of the most important sermons I ever preach regarding the longterm viability of Grace Clovis. I’m convinced there is something very important for all of us to hear in this letter to Ephesus. At some point in the next thirty minutes all of us should feel targeted by this passage. These are not words the Lord has for a handful of individuals. This is a message for us all. I am The post “Dear Loveless Church” (Revelation 2:1-7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Majesty of God The Majesty of God Brad Mills / General Luke / Healing; Demon Possession / Luke 9:37–45 Most of us instinctively think humility is a sign of weakness. There is an assumption among leaders that they need to avoid showing any gaps in their armor. They have to be guarded at all times. To show any vulnerability is to throw in the white towel. But, in reality, there is a direct connection between our willingness to The post “The Majesty of God” (Luke 9:37-45) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Announcement of Glory The Announcement of Glory Brad Mills / General Jesus has commissioned John to write his vision down into a book and send it to seven churches located in Asia Minor. He is writing from the island of Patmos, where he was likely banished for disrupting emperor worship. On the Lord’s Day, probably reflecting upon the saints he pastored some fifty miles away in Ephesus, he was “in the Spirit”. John received this vision of the The post “The Announcement of Glory” (Revelation 1:17-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Our Glorious Judge Our Glorious Judge Brad Mills / General Son Of Man / Revelation 1:12–20 In the prologue (1-3) John informed us about how the revelation came to him by an angel sent by Jesus. The Triune God has greeted his redeemed Church with grace and peace reminding us that we are a kingdom of priests (4-8). Then Christ commissioned John to write a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor (9-11). John addressed The post “Our Glorious Judge” (Revelation 1:12-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Transfiguration of Jesus The Transfiguration of Jesus Brad Mills / General Transfiguration / Luke 9:28–36 Herod was confused by Jesus, intrigued by his popularity and yet, only interested in learning more about Christ to ensure his own position and authority were not being threatened. The feeding of the 5,000 puts the question of Jesus’s identity before the crowd. In Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked his disciples who the crowds thought he was. They were perpetuating various theories—which Herod had The post “The Transfiguration of Jesus” (Luke 9:28-36) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Take Up Your Cross Brad Mills / General Luke / Crucifixion; Discipleship / Luke 9:21–27 Luke continues his orderly account of the ministry of Jesus providing his readers with a certainty about the truth of the apostles’ teaching. This purpose heightens the need to be clear and honest about the challenges they would face living in a culture that was oftentimes hostile towards Christianity. Jesus never minimized the cost of discipleship in order to win more followers. He was The post “Take Up Your Cross” (Luke 9:21-27) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
He Is Coming! Brad Mills / General Revelation / %SecondComing / Revelation 1:7–11 John’s reliance upon Daniel is consistent in this opening section and throughout Revelation. He seems to have seen a similar situation between Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon during Daniel’s time, and first century believers living in Asia Minor and experiencing an escalating Roman persecution. In both ages, believers needed to be encouraged to persevere. They would’ve been feeling anxious about what the future held. The post “He Is Coming!” (Revelation 1:7-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Four Major Views of the Millennium – 6 Four Major Views of the Millennium – 6 Brad Mills / General Revelation 20:1–6 Critique of Dispensational Premillennialism 1. The Second Coming is not separated into two phases: Christ’s “coming” (parousia) is associated with the rapture (1 Thess. 4:15), Christ’s return with the saints (1 Thess. 3:13), and Christ’s defeat of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:8). Christ’s “revelation” (apokalypsis) is associated with the rapture (1 Cor. 1:7) and his coming in The post “Four Major Views of the Millennium – 6” (Revelation 20:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Who Is Jesus? Brad Mills / General Luke / Confession / Luke 9:18–20 In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes the argument that Jesus could not merely be a “good moral teacher” as many often claim. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be The post “Who is Jesus?” (Luke 9:18-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Greeting to the Seven Churches Greeting to the Seven Churches Brad Mills / General Revelation / Revelation 1:4–8 John’s prologue set the stage for the symbolic language of Revelation. It was given to show the Church “things that must soon take place” (1). The events described in Revelation were about to begin at that time. However, spiritual warfare fills the present age. The vision held immediate relevance, even though not everything described occurred immediately. Jesus received the revelation and The post “Greeting to the Seven Churches” (Revelation 1:4-8) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Structure of Revelation – Pt.2 Last week I mentioned that we made it to our final introductory sermon. And we certainly did. But what I didn’t say was that we would be looking at that final introduction in two parts… We began our consideration of the structure of Revelation, last week, by showing John’s dependence upon the Old Testament. We cannot understand Revelation without taking his frequent allusions to 36 of the 39 books of the Old Testament into The post “The Structure of Revelation – Pt. 2” (Revelation 1:1-3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Four Major Views of the Millennium – 4 Lecture 4: Dispensational Premillennialism Distinctives of Dispensationalism Historic Premillennialism has existed since the second century, but Dispensationalism wasn’t articulated until the late nineteenth century by John Nelson Darby. Literal interpretation of the whole Bible, including Prophecy: They make no distinction between the various genres of Scripture. Historical, doctrinal, moral, and prophetic content are all taken in their literal, normal sense. They do allow for the use of figurative language, but they interpret The post “Four Major Views of the Millennium – 4” appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (Luke 9:10-17) In chapter eight, Jesus told several parables about the kingdom of God. Since then he has gone on to do many miracles which reveal the presence of that kingdom. In our passage this afternoon, Jesus is further revealing aspects of the kingdom that have come through his ministry. Luke places this pericope on its own, but it falls in between two episodes of significant people reacting to Jesus’s identity. It follows Herod’s superficial The post “Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand” (Luke 9:10-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Structure of Revelation – Pt.1 Last week we looked at four major interpretive approaches to the book of Revelation and concluded that they all had something to contribute. This morning, we will not have time to consider the various outlines that have been proposed, but among those who take an eclectic approach to the book, there is general agreement about the structure. Dennis Johnson portrays the importance of the structure of Revelation with the analogy of a puzzle.1 “Hard-core jigsaw The post “The Structure of Revelation – Pt. 1” (Revelation 1:1-3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Four Major Views of the Millennial Reign Lecture 3: Premillennialism Definition: Christ’s second coming occurs before (pre) his earthly MR. How do they read Rev. 20:1-6? Earthly MR of risen believers with Christ (v.4). “Came to life” (v.4) and “come to life” (v.5) = Physical resurrection. However, the word in Greek is also found in Luke 15:24, 32 in reference to the spiritual rebirth of the Prodigal Son. We also find the word again in revelation referring to the counterfeit The post “A Critique of Premillennialism” appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Interpreting the Symbolism in Revelation (Revelation 1:1-3) If you don’t catch something in these sermons, you can always find them on our website by Monday afternoon. I know dating Revelation was pretty technical. Introductory information is always a bit technical. But it’s also important to keep biblical truth accessible to children. That’s no less true of Revelation. Children, read Revelation with your parents. I suggest that not because you need their help, but because they need your help.1 You have The post “Interpreting the Symbolism in Revelation” (Revelation 1:1-3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Amillennialism (Cont.) This series is primarily based upon the arguments found in The Bible and the Future by Anthony Hoekema. What Has Already Happened? The millennium of Rev. 20:1-6 is figurative. Why? We are currently in the MR and it’s been well over 1,000yrs since Christ’s first coming. Satan has been bound since the cross (Rev. 20:1-3) and shortly before Christ’s return he will be released “for a little while.” Where is Christ? He is reigning in heaven. The soul The post A Critique of Postmillennialism appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1-3) Maybe you think of Revelation much like a horror movie. Seven headed monsters rise out of the sea, destructive earthquakes wipe out entire nations, hail and fire – mixed with blood – rain down from heaven and burn up a third of the earth. The world is darkened with swarms of locusts ascending from the depths of hell with scorpion-like stingers tormenting, but not killing everyone in sight. All of that describes the equivalent The post “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1-3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord (Psalm 98) If we want to worship God in the way he intends us to worship him, we must come before him with reverence and joy. We rightly recognize God’s holiness as we gather for corporate worship. But how important is joy? How often do you stir up the joy of worship as you prepare your heart? That’s the primary emphasis in this psalm. It teaches us to sing with excitement. This psalm The post “Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord” (Psalm 98) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Herod and Jesus (Luke 9:7-9) After sending out the twelve apostles, before recording their return to Jesus, Luke informs us of an important development. God is orchestrating the news about Jesus piquing the interest of the religious leaders and the popularity of his miracles among the people. Those threatened by his popularity will seek to sabotage his ministry, while others are drawn to follow him. The message of the kingdom is driving deeper into the culture so that it might The post “Herod and Jesus” (Luke 9:7-9) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6) The call to evangelize is difficult in our antagonistic culture. We fear being mocked. Or maybe we think it’s ineffective. Many assume it’s someone else’s responsibility. All of these arguments applied to Jesus’s twelve apostles to a much greater degree. The one who sends us out ensures the effectiveness of our message. The results will be hardened and softened hearts. Some will welcome us and others will reject us (2 Cor. 2:15-16). The The post “Jesus Sends Out the Twelve” (Luke 9:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Steadfast Love of the Lord (Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26) In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Despite the limited number of certainties Franklin possessed, we ought to strive for more confidence. If we take our cues from Scripture, we find that we can be confident in who God is and what He says. Last The post “The Steadfast Love of the Lord (Psalm 89:1-2, 19-26) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
A Tale of Two Daughters (Luke 8:40-56) Luke refers to women more than any other gospel (7:36-8:3) > Parables regarding responding to God’s Word (8:4-18) > Responding to miracles (8:19-39). Notice the contrast between 8:39 and 8:56. Read Luke 8:40-56. Two Tales of Desperation (40-43) Jairus would’ve arranged the service and chosen who participated in the Scripture readings and prayer. Seeing this man of high repute bowing before Jesus would have been significant. It’s even more remarkable if he was The post “A Tale of Two Daughters” (Luke 8:40-56) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Shouts of Joy (Psalm 126) In 2014, hundreds of undergrad students were ushered into a plain room at the University of Virginia. They were asked to put away their cellphones, books, and pens in order to engage in “thinking periods” lasting between six and fifteen minutes. Some were given prompts while others were told to think about whatever came to mind. It was intended to be a pleasant experience, but 50% of the participants didn’t think so. They tried “thinking The post “Shouts of Joy” (Psalm 126) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Revive Us Again (Psalm 85) Illustration: Twilight Zone “A Nice Place to Visit.” After being gunned down during a burglary, Mr. Valentine, is ushered into eternity. To his surprise he experiences all the things he had been craving in this life (luxurious penthouse, fancy suits, all the alcohol he could want, an endless supply of money and women). But as the episode nears the end, he finds that his eternity is empty. It doesn’t leave him satisfied. He tells his The post “Revive Us Again” (Psalms 85) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon (Luke 8:26-39) Luke continues to show how people are responding to Jesus. The parables were about how we respond to his word. This passage, like the one before it, provide examples of people responding to Jesus’ power. The episode is found in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). One of the significant differences being that Matthew mentions two demoniacs. The easiest answer is that Mark and Luke refer to the greater The post “Jesus Heals A Man With A Demon” (Luke 8:26-39) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Restore Us, O God (Psalm 80) How do you approach God when you need restoration? Advent is about waiting/anticipating God’s restoration. In Psalm 80, Asaph longs for the covenant blessings to be returned to Israel. He pictures God as an angry Shepherd who left his flock, in the midst of their enemies, to feed upon their tears. He longs for the Lord’s restoration and favor. The Psalms teach us how to communicate with God. We learn to express our emotions The post “Restore Us, O God” (Psalm 80) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Wholehearted Thanksgiving (Psalm 9) We’ve heard a lot about recounting in the news over the past few weeks. Once again, Florida was in the middle of the controversy. At least we have our act together over here in California… Hopefully, recounting the wonderful deeds of the Lord isn’t so complicated. Psalm 10 has no title supporting the theory that 9-10 were originally one (mostly acrostic) psalm. However, due to a significant shift in the mood, we will only focus on The post “Wholehearted Thanksgiving” (Psalm 9) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Civil War (Judges 20-21) Conclusion: Israel’s religious decline > moral decline > political decline. Upon receiving their portion of the Levite’s concubine, Israel gathered for battle. Read Judges 20-21. The near elimination, and subsequent restoration, of the Benjamites portray Israel’s need for a king. I. Vengeance Upon Benjamin (20:1-48) 1. A Devastating Unity (1-18) 400,000 Israelites gather for a divine mission. Upon hearing the Levite’s story, minus any self-incriminating details, Israel unanimously decide to attack Gibeah, demanding Benjamin hand over The post “Civil War” (Judges 20-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Light of God’s Word (Luke 8:16-18) The parable of the Sower was related to the proclamation of God’s Word and the various soils in which it lands. The good soil bears much fruit. That fruit is the multiplication of the Word received. Jesus stays on the same subject, but transitions to another analogy. God’s Word is not only like a seed, but it’s also like a light. Because men love the darkness, we don’t always appreciate the light. It The post “The Light of God’s Word” (Luke 8:16-18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
It Was the Worst of Times (Judges 19) Judges ends with a description of the political and religious decline of Israel (reverse of introduction). Last week we noted the corruption of worship as idolatry in the household of Micah escalated to idolatry in the tribe of Dan. The decline magnifies in the following section where Benjamin looks like Sodom. You won’t find illustrations of this chapter in your Children’s Storybook Bible. Why is this so dark? (19:1; cf. 17:6). Judges The post “It Was the Worst of Times” (Judges 19) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Sola Gratia (Eph. 2:1-10) It’s a lot easier to state the truth of this doctrine than it is to feel the joy and freedom we have received because of it. God gives life through his Son to display the riches of his grace. Our silence is not only a missed opportunity for our neighbor to hear the gospel, but, a missed opportunity to display God’s grace. I want to know fully and display often, the riches of God’s mercy. Illus: The post “Sola Gratia” (Ephesians 2:1-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Corruption of Worship (Judges 17-18) Jack Arnold writes: There can be no appreciation for the Reformation until one sees the great spiritual need of the western world in the 16th century. No Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant or Independent can gloss over the period of history from 590 to 1517. This period is a “black spot” to all who name the name of Christ, but it is Christian history. The Medieval Church had repeated the failure of Israel during the The post “The Corruption of Worship” (Judges 17-18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The Death of Samson (Judges 16) Introduction I’m going to try to be somewhat discreet as I preach this text, but we will need to address a topic that was a significant problem for Samson. It’s a significant problem for many more people today. In his book, Hide or Seek, John Freeman writes: At times I’m still amazed at the pushback I get from men who are reluctant to install a filter or accountability software on their computer. For men, The post “The Death of Samson” Judges 16:1-31 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Parable of the Sower Brad Mills / General Luke / Parables / Luke 8:4–15 The dangers of falling asleep in church are often exaggerated when we read the story of Eutychus in Acts 20. In fact, falling asleep in church is quite common, and it rarely leads to any serious injury. I appreciate what Kent Hughes says about it: Falling asleep in church really does not concern me. It can happen for any number of reasons, both good The post “The Parable of the Sower” (Luke 8:4-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Samson Defeats the Philistines Brad Mills / General Judges: So Great A Salvation / Judges 15:1–20 As Americans, many of us have grown a little battle weary. We cringe whenever we hear about wars and rumors of wars. We struggle to understand why there is so much violence in our world today. But maybe it is even more troubling to read of such violence in the pages of Scripture. God’s grand design may not make sense of all the The post “Samson Defeats the Philistines” (Judges 15:1-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus had just finished attending a feast at Simon the Pharisee’s house. While there a prostitute had entered the room and served Jesus as if she herself were the host. She kissed his feet and washed them with a mixture of her tears and ointment. Here, in this brief passage, Luke provides us with a description of Jesus’ traveling companions: the twelve, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. Read Luke 8:1-3 We can only imagine the blessing it would The post “Women Accompanying Jesus” (Luke 8:1-3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
How do you respond when life doesn’t make sense? What do you do when loved ones make decisions that contradict everything you taught them? Wrestle with that question for a moment. Do you throw your hands up? Do you take their decision personally, as if you were directly responsible for their actions? Do you grow angry with God? Do you doubt his power or presence? All of these are understandable reactions, but none of them reveal a heart that is The post “A Match Made In Heaven” (Judges 14:1-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
A Sinful Woman Forgiven Brad Mills / General Luke / Luke 7:36–50 During our Summer Study in 2017 we considered the importance of eating in the ministry of Jesus. We used Tim Chester’s excellent book A Meal With Jesus to spend several weeks talking about the role of meals in the life of Jesus. One of the quotes that stuck was from Robert Karris: In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming The post “A Sinful Woman Forgiven” (Luke 7:36-50) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
So Great A Salvation Brad Mills / General Judges: So Great A Salvation / Judges 12:1–7; Judges 13:1–25 We need to wrap up our look at the end of the Jephthah narrative, before going to another controversial figure in the book of Judges. The Samson narrative provides another good opportunity to remind us that the book of Judges is ultimately about how God operates through Israel to bring about redemptive history. Colorful characters should not become central. Yes, they The post “So Great A Salvation” (Judges 12:1-7; Judges 13:1-25) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus and John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35) It’s easy to follow Jesus when we are getting what we want out of life. But what happens when that’s not the case? How do you respond when everything you touch seems to fall apart? What do you do when you are hindered from achieving your goals? Do you turn to God? Can you be honest in prayer about how you’re feeling? Or, do you shut down? Our response to Jesus, including how The post “Jesus and John the Baptist” (Luke 7:18-35) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
- Jephthath’s Character (10:17-11:28) Allow me to briefly remind you what we covered last week. We noted the way Jephthah was despised and rejected by his half-brothers as they drove him out of Gilead, ensuring he would not receive any portion of their father’s inheritance. Yet, when no one was willing to lead their military against the Ammonites, they went back to Jephthah offering to make him their head. Their self-serving ambitions were evident, but we can often relate struggling with our The post Jephthah’s (Not So) Tragic Vow – Pt.2 (Judges 11:29-12:7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Jesus Miracles The post “Jesus Raises A Widow’s Son” (Luke 7:11-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction In an article for marthastewartwedding.com, Taysha Murtaugh, provides several examples of modern wedding vows that couples can make in order change things up from the boring religious and traditional vows we’re so used to hearing. Murtaugh writes, We’d expect nothing less than super-cool vows from this California couple, who threw a chic picnic-party wedding. The groom’s self-penned script included the funny phrase, “I love putting the toothpaste on your toothbrush, I’m yours for eternity.” Honestly, after reading all ten The post Jephthah’s (Not So) Tragic Vow – Pt. 1 (Judges 10:17-12:7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Some of you have come this evening in a state of confusion. Others of you are weighed down by burdens so great you thought twice about staying home. Marriages are on thin ice. Children are living in rebellion. There are conflicts and tensions in families, as well as discord and division within the local church (or even between sister churches). Many of us feel beaten up emotionally. Our lives are messy. Our hopes have been shattered. We’ve came to church The post “Looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Sermon Lesson: Give thanks to God for the spiritual fruit which He has graciously and powerfully imparted to you through His ministers of the gospel.Outline: Give thanks to God (v.3) Give thanks for your spiritual fruits (v.4-5a) Give thanks for a gracious and powerful gospel (v.5b-6) Give thanks for His ministers of the gospel (v.7-8) The post “Why Be Thankful?” Colossians 1:3-8 appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
All, Faith The post “The Centurion’s Faith” (Luke 7:1-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Dale Ralph Davis, Our hope does not rest in the sincerity of our repentance but in the intensity of Yahweh’s compassion. The post A Couple of Minors (Judges 10:1-16; 12:8-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Throughout this discourse Jesus has been addressing disciples, but it seems to go back and forth between genuine and false disciples. Blessings are followed by woes. Our love should be different than the self-serving love of the world. We should know the difference between rebuking and condemning. We should be the first to repent before calling others to repent. We come to the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse which contains a very direct question of the integrity of his audience. The post “Build Your House Upon A Rock” (Luke 6:46-49) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Last week we noted the unfitting end to Gideon’s life. A man worthy of great commendation for his faith, comes a hair’s width away from condemnation near the end. He declared that God was Israel’s King, but lived as if he were king, even naming his son Abimelech (“My father is king”). Gideon’s downfall was the result of: Underestimating external temptation Underestimating internal corruption Neglecting the means of God’s preservation (Holy Spirit, Prayer). But prior to that, we saw The post “Gideon’s Legacy” (Judges 9) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction How do people really change? What’s the secret to genuine transformation? Is it even necessary? Jesus has just finished teaching his disciples to “judge not”. We argued that this is connected to condemnation that results in shunning people rather than rebuking sin. Most people who quote this misapply it. The person who adequately removes the plank from his own eye is able to properly inspect the eye of his brother. This same principle is now applied to trees that The post “Good and Bad Apples” (Luke 6:43-45) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction So far, we’ve viewed the judges as almost entirely positive. We’ve taken the interpretive lens from Hebrews 11:32, viewing these men as exemplars of faith. Othniel, Ehud, Barak, and Gideon were all called to lead the Israelites in military conquest against their oppressors. And God gave them success. Unfortunately, when we come to the end of Gideon’s life, there is no excusing much of what he did. Yes God clothed him with the Spirit and used him to deliver The post “An Unfitting End” (Judges 7:24-8:35) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Who do you follow? Not on social media, but in life. It’s an important decision to make. The religious example these disciples had prior to Jesus’ teaching was that of the Pharisees who were keen on judging and condemning everyone who didn’t quite meet their man-made standards. The Pharisees were not only hypocritical in their judgment of sin, they were entirely graceless in their condemnation of sinners. Jesus speaks to the importance of following teachers who lead with a The post “Judge Not” (Luke 6:37-42) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Midianite oppression > Gideon’s call by the Angel of the Lord > conversion and offering. Gideon was from the tribe of Manassah, but his family not only worshipped Baal, his father was a priest of Baal keeping an altar at their home. Last week we noted the numerous parallels that The post “Gideon’s Divine Mission – Pt. 2” (Judges 6:25-40) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Midianite oppression > Gideon’s call by the Angel of the Lord > conversion and offering. Gideon was from the tribe of Manassah, but his family not only worshipped Baal, his father was a priest of Baal keeping an altar at their home. Last week we noted the numerous parallels that The post “Gideon’s Divine Mission – Pt. 1” (Judges 6:25-40) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The Golden Rule is almost universally praised, yet scarcely followed. Last week we began our look at the Golden Rule (Commandments > Examples > Rule). Now Jesus provides further illustrations of the Golden Rule in practice (29-30, 32-34) before closing with the standard stated from a divine perspective (31, 35). The Golden Rule is a standard many see as good, but it is the Christian alone who has the proper enabling and motivation to live accordingly (2 Pet. 1:4). The post “Love Your Enemies” (Luke 6:32-36) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction What is your response to the Lord’s warnings? We feel convicted by our tendency to seek comfort in this life rather than God’s promises. We may even question our salvation. Is the Lord’s goal to fill you with fear and doubt? No. Warnings of judgment should drive us to repentance. When Jesus declares “woe is you” we ought to respond like Jeremiah (Isa. 6:5). That is the response of someone who has been called by a Holy God. The The post “The Golden Rule” (Luke 6:27-31) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction What is the posture of your heart when you prepare to come into the Lord’s presence for worship? Would you confess a reluctant spirit? Is your mind so divided that you fail to grasp what’s being read? Maybe we’re distracted by other people or other concerns. We’re filled with disinterest instead of reverence, complacency instead of anticipation. In this opening section of Gideon’s narrative, which focuses upon his calling, we get an illustration of the proper posture of our The post “The Call of Gideon” (Judges 6:1-24) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The world says, “Who are you to judge?” Christians need to take Jesus’ advice to “judge not…” and stay out of everyone’s personal business. They obviously haven’t read tonight’s passage. These woes stand in direct contrast to the Beatitudes in order to wake us up! Pastors need to preach both the beatitudes and the woes. Remember, this sermon was especially for Jesus’ disciples (20). These warnings apply to believers. Jesus seeks to redirect our hearts to what is eternal The post “Woe To You” (Luke 6:24-26) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Martin Luther once said that he did not care so much who wrote the theologies, as long as he could write the hymns. Music has a powerful effect and can do more to change the culture than mere logic. Songs have a way of bringing head knowledge to the heart. Israel’s downward spiral entered it’s third cycle in ch.4. Deborah’s leadership role, Barak’s faith, Jael’s assassination of Sisera. How do we know Deborah wrote it? Not a duet wearing The post “Victory Song” (Judges 5:1-31) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Introduction The 49ers had a motto they pumped themselves up with before and after each game in 2011-2012. Jim Harbaugh shouted: “Who’s got it better than us?” Team responded: “Nobody!” Our next section of Judges, begins with the repeated refrain (1). Why did they do it? Psalm 73:1-10. However, notice where Asaph ends in vv.23-26. There’s the key difference between the Israelites in Judges and Asaph! Ch.1 – Political failure. Ch.2 – Spiritual failure. Ch.3 – Deliverance! Yet, take away The post “It’s Hammer Time” (Judges 4:1-24) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Andy Stanley Here’s what the Jerusalem Council was saying to the Gentiles: “You’re not accountable to the 10 Commandments. You’re not accountable to the Jewish Law. We’re done with that. God has done something new…Thou shalt not obey the 10 Commandments because those aren’t your commandments.” Likewise, many have questioned the relevance of the Sermon on the Mount. Does Jesus reenforce Old Testament law, or does he “unhitch” it from his teaching? After selecting apostles > teaching and healing. The post “The Beatitudes” (Luke 6:20-23) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction If you’re new here, you should be aware that we have no shortage of boys running around with various toy weapons after every service. We try to contain them somewhat, but we also want them to know they can remain boys at Church. Boys, if you aren’t running around with daggers strapped to your right thigh or held in your left hand, calling yourselves Ehud this morning – I will have failed. This is an exciting account. It certainly The post “The Left-Handed Assassin” (Judges 3:12-31) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Now that Jesus has called his apostles he returns to his teaching and healing ministry. There was never a lack of ministry opportunities. Everywhere Jesus went, within a short amount of time, crowds gathered around him. Why did crowds gather around Jesus? It wasn’t because he made an announcement that he was coming. Those who had heard him, or been healed by him, brought others. There are plenty of people in your own life who need to experience the The post The Healing Power of Jesus (Luke 6:17-19) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction So far we’ve seen two introductions. The first detailed the political decline of Israel. The second detailed the religious decline of Israel. What preserved Israel during this downward spiral was the discipline of the Lord. The Lord’s kindness is evident even in his chastisement. God is accomplishing his redemptive purposes through intentional acts of discipline (Hebrews 12:11). Chastisement is ultimately followed by rescue in the form of judges who served as (1) Civil Magistrates and (2) Deliverers. Othniel serves The post The Paradigmatic Hero (Judges 3:7-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Have you ever felt so trapped in a cycle of sin that you questioned your salvation? Octavius Winslow “If there is one consideration more humbling than another to a spiritually-minded believer, it is, that, after all God has done for him, – after all the rich displays of his grace, the patience and tenderness of his instructions, the repeated discipline of his covenant, the tokens of love received, and the lessons of experience learned, there should still exist in The post The Religious Decline of Israel (Judges 2:1-3:6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction This morning, we considered the notion that many of us feel like frauds. This afternoon, we will consider the notion that many of us feel useless. We may feel inadequate, unprepared, or disqualified. But, regardless of the underlying cause, we feel unproductive. The gospel accounts of Jesus’s ministry can often feel like added helpings of guilt and shame. Considering the gathering interest in the healing ministry of Jesus and the growing hostility of his opposition, how would Jesus ever The post The Twelve Apostles of Jesus (Luke 6:12-16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The post “The Joy of Christ’s Righteousness” – Part 2 (Philippians 3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The post The Truth of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-34) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The post The Joy of Christ’s Righteousness (Philippians 3) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Sabbath conflict is practically non-existent today: Ryle We must take heed that we do not abuse the liberty which Christ has given us. It is in this direction that our danger chiefly lies in modern times. There is little risk of our committing the error of the Pharisees, and keeping the Sabbath more strictly than God intended. Our Lord’s perfect observance of the Sabbath involved mercy. Read Luke 6:6-11 Jesus’s opponents intensified their efforts. Previously, they noticed Jesus and The post Another Sabbath Healing (Luke 6:6-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction I was never good at geography. And I’m not alone. In 2006, a study revealed that 63% of Americans (18-24yo) couldn’t locate Iraq on a map. Furthermore, 50% couldn’t find New York! The following year, during the Q&A portion of Miss Teen USA, Caitlin Upton from South Carolina, suggested the reason Americans were so poor at geography was due to a lack of maps…Facepalm! Well, like it or not, geography is the primary subject of this chapter. Judges 1 The post The Political Decline of Israel (Judges 1:1-36) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The post “Things For Which God is Thanked. Things About Which God is Petitioned.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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The post So God Created Man (Genesis 1:26-2:25) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Happy Lord’s Day! We have been given 52/yr. WCF 21 – The Sabbath command is: Positive – Not simply refraining from certain activities, but positivelyengaging in worship. Moral – Like all 10 Commandments. Perpetual – Not merely Old Testament law. Once again… Jesus is at odds with the Pharisees. Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath are the cause of their concern. Jesus points out their faulty practice (c.f., fasting). We’ve already seen Jesus healing on the Sabbath. But now, the The post Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Many pastors have carefully selected their text to fit with the occasion of Mother’s Day. Our general pattern is to preach through the next passage. Whereas many pastors are preaching about how great our mothers are, I’m going to talk about the pattern of failure that pervades Judges. Relevant? Absolutely! Every mother here (and the rest of us) knows the feeling of failure. In fact, for many of us, it’s debilitating! So here’s the message of Judges: You are The post Introduction to Judges – Pt. 2 (Judges 2:6-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Jim Johnston The most miserable Christians I’ve seen are those who live with a foot in both worlds. The kind of person Jesus calls to repentance is one who acknowledges his sin. The righteous have no need of Christ. His opponents respond with another question. In comparison with Matthew and Mark, there doesn’t seem to be a chronological connection between Levi’s feast and these questions. The connection is thematic. Why are Jesus and his disciples frequently at odds with The post The Newness of Christ (Luke 5:33-39) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Dale Ralph Davis The church has her way of dealing with embarrassing Scripture; ignore it. Yet that is difficult to do with Judges. It’s so interesting. Only people who take tranquilizers before sitting down can doze off while they read it. Big Picture: Promised Kingdom > Partial Kingdom > Prophesied Kingdom. Author: Multiple with final editor | single author. Context: Between Joshua and Samuel. Contemporaneous with Ruth. Israel took the land (Josh. 21:43-45). Israel demands a king (1 Sam. The post Introduction to Judges (Judges 1:1-2) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction What kind of people do you allow into your life? Jesus confronted the sin and sickness that surrounded him. Previously, he forgave and healed the paralytic on the account of the collective faith of him and his friends. Now, Jesus returns to the task of calling disciples that began in 5:1-11. But this time, the emphasis is upon the kinds of people Jesus calls. If we will not acknowledge our depravity, we will not hear Christ’s call to follow The post The Hospitality of Jesus (Luke 5:27-32) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare… It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe The post No Ordinary People (Titus 3:9-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Goldingay A slave has no rights and slave owners may assume they are free to do with the slave as they wish and to require of the slave whatever they wish. We have this definition in the back of our minds clouding our interpretation of passages like this. That’s typically unhelpful, because in addition to there being contextual differences, it makes the focus too narrow. Although the institution of slavery is no longer applicable, much of the instruction here The post Adorn the Doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The first episode of Planet Earth 2 contains an intense chase scene. Baby iguanas hatch on a beach to everyone’s delight. They slowly open their eyes for the first time and find themselves surrounded by rocks and empty beach…except for the gigantic snakes! These iguanas literally begin their lives on the run. Only the fast and brave survive. Our lives can often feel like that little naïve hatchling. We have no idea what lurks inside the rocks, just beyond The post Trained by Grace (Titus 2:11-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction “No shirt, no shoes, no service” signs came about in the 60s as a combination of southern Jim Crow laws (legal segregation) and an attempt to ban hippies. In order to receive service one had to clean up! Old Testament ritual laws worked in a similar fashion. In order to worship, one needed to be clean. Jesus experienced ups and downs, acceptance and rejection. Last week, his miraculous provision of fish > the calling of disciples. Here we see The post The Will of Jesus (Luke 5:12-16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Previously, Jesus revealed his personal, physical, and verbal compassion for the people in Capernaum. He delighted to make them whole, not just healed. And that meant that he was committed to the proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of God (4:43-44). Read Luke 5:1-11 Jesus often utilized the scenery to illustrate his message. That doesn’t mean he always had a prop in his hand, or put on some distracting costume, but he valued relating truth to everyday The post The Call of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Introduction Jesus began his ministry being accepted and praised by many who heard him teach, but also rejected and run off by people in his hometown of Nazareth. Having returned to Capernaum, he has just finished casting out a demon from a man in the synagogue. Read Luke 4:38-44 Why did Jesus heal anyone? Why didn’t he heal everyone? His healing ministry supported his purpose, namely to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. We must keep this The post The Compassion of Jesus (Luke 4:38-44) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Jesus began his ministry with high praise, but his rejection in his hometown is where we left off last week. Here we see the recognition of his authority. Read Luke 4:31-37 This is the first of five accounts Luke provides of Christ healing on the Sabbath. It is significant that the day of rest and worship included great acts of mercy and compassion. This was radically different from the religious norm. When we picture authority today, it is often The post The Authority of Jesus (Luke 4:31-37) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction There are a thousand different strategies from a thousand different denominations all advocating some unique selling proposition that the church MUST consider TODAY! It’s not only confusing, but it’s often at odds with the simple instruction provided in the Word of God. The great Easter Egg drop of 2014. 7,000 candy-filled plastic eggs were dropped from a helicopter. “You may ask, well, what does dropping an egg from a helicopter have to do with the resurrection? Uh, Absolutely nothing. The post Introduction to Titus (Titus 1:1-4) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Jesus begins his public ministry with great reception, then faces intense challenge upon returning to the place of his upbringing, Nazareth. Read Luke 4:14-30 Previously, Jesus went from affirmation > temptation, now he experiences acclamation > Persecution. This is the second time Jesus found himself staring down from a dizzying height. He escaped 1x through overcoming the devil’s temptation. The 2x he was indeed protected from harm. It seems like an overreaction from the crowd doesn’t it? What did The post The Rejection of Jesus (Luke 4:14-30) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction We have spent the past six months looking at a book that contains many things that are difficult to understand. It’s a book you should continue to read and meditate upon. It’s truths are appropriate for all ages, but especially postmodern Westerners. 12:8 summarizes the Preacher’s thoughts. If Ecclesiastes ended at 12:8, our interpretation would have been different. Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 Ryken If there is no God, then there is no Judge. If there is no Judge, then there The post Vanity of Vanities (Ecclesiastes 12:8-14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
e filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Introduction Jesus has been empowered by the Holy Spirit for the ministry he is about to begin. The baptism was followed by a genealogy that concludes significantly (3:38). He wasn’t an alien (part God, part man). His temptation confirms his humanity. Great Privilege > Great Trial. Read Luke 4:1-13 Docestism = Jesus merely seemed human. If Jesus was going to suffer and obey in our place, his temptation The post The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction As the Preacher draws towards his closing, he turns his attention to his young listeners. Maybe much of what he has said has gone over their heads or was difficult for them to see its application. But, he wants to ensure they hear him at this point. Children, do I have your attention? Read Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8 Here’s another call to enjoy life, but it’s couched in the reality of aging and death. How do we deal with growing old? The post A Word to the Young (Ecclesiastes 11:7 – 12:8) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Luke slowly, but steadily building toward the ministry of Jesus. His desire to provide an orderly account has led him to emphasize the empowering of the Holy Spirit at the start of his ministry. Now Luke wants to ensure his readers realize the origin and purpose of his ministry. Read Luke 3:23-38 The age of 30 is significant: It is when priests were allowed to work in the tabernacle (Num. 4:3, 47). Joseph became second in Egypt (Gen. 41:46). The post The Genealogy of Jesus Christ (Luke 3:23-38) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The Preacher continues his study of wisdom, specifically economic wisdom, which will be followed by another commendation of joy next week. Read Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 In the past 20 years we’ve witnessed to of the biggest financial disasters in our nation’s history. We saw the dotcom crash of 2000 and the housing market collapse of 2008. In both cases, the market was saturated with inflated prices creating a bubble of instability. If we were anything like the generation that survived The post Calculated Risk (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The church rapidly grew from a group of 120 (1:15) > 10,000+ within Jerusalem. Before it spread beyond (8:1), leadership and structure were established. Read Acts 6:1-7 The growth of the church is a good thing, but it brings new challenges. Prior to this passage, the church had withstood persecution and moral corruption. Now, we see how they fight the threat of division. The selection of these seven men will prove to be instrumental in the spread of the The post Chosen to Serve (Acts 6:1-7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction What’s the point of living? The Preacher has been breaking down the most common cultural strongholds: the pursuit of a comprehensive knowledge, the indulgence of worldly pleasures, and a general sense of self-sufficiency. In the Preacher’s study of wisdom he has come to the consistent conclusion that life is filled with frustration. It would be easy to see him as a hopeless fatalist, but he has challenged us to enjoy life despite the existence of injustice and unpredictability. Read The post Wisdom is Better (Ecclesiastes 9:13 – 10:20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The baptism of Jesus raises several questions such as: Why was Jesus baptized? Why does Jesus pray? What were the roles of the Spirit and Father? This is an excellent passage for teaching the doctrine of the Trinity since all three persons participated in the Son’s baptism. That fact that Jesus began his public ministry with his baptism also highlights the importance of this event. The Trinitarian work of redemption provides believers with their only comfort in life and death. The post The Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:21-22) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The Preacher has been looking at wisdom and cycling back around to the same conclusions, namely that we aren’t capable of grasping the knowledge we seek. His final three chapters are mostly positive, but we have another chapter that is mostlyfrustration. Read Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 Considering all the injustice and frustrations of life, is it even worth living? He’s done this before. In fact, this is the 6x the Preacher has called his readers to enjoy life. Why say it The post Enjoy Life! (Ecclesiastes 9:1-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The Spirit-filled preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Catherwood The one thing he prayed for, the one thing he relied on, the one thing he waited for and the one thing above all else beyond most other preachers of his generation which thousands felt under his preaching was the unction, or anointing, of the Holy Spirit. That would’ve been the testimony of many who heard John’s preaching. Read Luke 3:15-20 What kind of preacher was John? Greatest prophet > Example for The post The Preaching of John the Baptist – Pt. 2 (Luke 3:15-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Introduction Jesus’ birth and childhood (12y/o remained in the temple after Passover). Ch.3 transitions to John’s ministry during a time of political corruption and religious compromise. He prepares the way of the Messiah. Read Luke 3:7-14 John directs his preaching to individuals with spiritual insight (2). He warns the whole crowd, but zeroes in on a portion of them specifically. Their questions show a level of conviction that leads them to ask, what repentance looks like in their case. Repentance The post The Preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:7-14) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Carrie and I recently watched Murder on the Orient Express. I’m sure Agitha Christie’s novel was better, but it had a pretty unbelievable ending that perfectly wrapped up every loose end. Unfortunately, the Preacher won’t be doing that for us in Ecclesiastes… We will be left with the same challenges. But struggling teaches us to trust in God even when we don’t have the answers. The benefits of wisdom are often paradoxical (funerals > birthdays). Wisdom limited (7:27-28). Read The post Who Is Like the Wise (Ecclesiastes 8:1-17) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Historically preached at end of the year. Church of England (19c) read this at funerals. Moses probably prayed this for Israel near the end of his life. He looked out across the Dead Sea at the Promised Land that would be divided among the twelve tribes. Appreciating the hills, valleys, and vegetation, he meditated upon the sovereignty and justice of God. Read Psalm 90 He likely prayed this prayer before the people, warning and encouraging the next generation to The post Number Our Days – Pt. 1 (Psalm 90) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction When decorations and trinkets trivialize the image of Jesus, it’s just as important now, as it ever was in history, that we seriously consider who this child truly was – and is. Read John 1:1-18 Dorothy Sayers We may call that doctrine exhilarating or we may call it devastating; we may call it revelation or we may call it rubbish; but if we call it dull then words have no meaning at all. Only those without a spiritual pulse The post The Word Became Flesh (John 1:14-18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Introduction In the temple: Transitions from events when Jesus was 40d/o to an event that took place 12yrs later. Read Luke 2:41-52 How do Jesus’ human and divine nature work? Apocryphal gospels: Jesus molds clay doves and brings them to life. Jesus zaps some kids who were tormenting him. Luke emphasizes his human nature: Jesus had to study. Develops understanding of God’s Word through interaction. Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Jesus The post I Must Be In My Father’s House (Luke 2:41-52) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Things that leave us feeling anxious and ashamed. These frustrations are cyclical. 6:11 What is the advantage to man? Provides the answer in chapter 7. Wisdom literature = frequently shift subjects (Funerals > Rebuke > Oppression > Nostalgia). Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-12 Road Rage: I was recently cut off on the freeway by a person entering behind me. In order to get ahead of him, I had to cut off someone else. Think about a recent experience of suffering. What The post Living For Something Better (Ecclesiastes 7:1-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The quiet manger contrasted with the glorious angelic choir in the field of the shepherds. The incarnation is awe inspiring, reveals Jesus’ humility. Read Luke 2:21-40 The way we prepare for the arrival of our children. The most important step is seeking the Lord’s blessing. Praying for health and spiritual well-being. Joseph and Mary are seeking God’s blessing. 5x’s, “according to the Law of Moses/the Lord” (vv.22, 23, 24, 27 39). Purpose = Contemplate our reaction to Christ. Mary The post Nunc Dimmittis (Luke 2:21-40) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction The concluding exhortation to enjoy life as a gift from God (5:18-20) is the climax of a larger argument. Problem > Solution < Problem. We will see many parallel themes and phrases. Read Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 Even though we know we should enjoy the gift of life God has granted, we are frequently prevented from doing so. Why is that the case? Why can’t we simply decide to enjoy life more? We begin noticing and counting all our frustrations. The The post I Still Can’t Get No Satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 6:1-12) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction In the first 30 years of Pax Romana. Who needs God? We have a sovereign, faithful, and humble Messiah. Don’t let the wonder of our Savior’s birth fade. Read Luke 2:8-20 A series of contrasts: Darkness/Light Manger/Field Wondering/Treasuring You are not in darkness; Your world is not filled with mundane routines; Your thrilling encounters with God are not all in the past… Treasure up and ponder this scene of the glory of God in the birth of a Savior The post Gloria In Excelsis Deo (Luke 2:8-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction We have seen the value of community followed by the proper way a community is to approach God, namely with reverence. Here, we add another essential ingredient to the fulfilled life—joy. Read Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 Periods of transition create anxious feelings. Mostly revolve around uncertainty about the future. I get worried when things are out of my control, almost everything is! We all have guilt and emotional baggage. We perpetuate the cycle of guilt by repeated failure. Since we’re so The post I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 5:8-20) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction 400 years of silence. Where is God? 200yrs of war > 30yrs of Pax Romana. Who needs God? The mundane beginning of the most elaborate birth narrative in Scripture. Read Luke 2:1-7 We need a Sovereign Messiah who can rescue us from our bondage to sin. We need a faithful Messiah who will follow through where we (and others) have failed. We need a humble Messiah who will meet us in the depths of our brokenness and lift us The post The Messiah in a Manager (Luke 2:1-7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Transitions from value of community to proper way community approaches God. Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 1wk after wedding, Carrie and I left the church I had attended for 12yrs. It wasn’t planned, but it was quick. That Sunday, two convertible 50s Chevy Bel Airs were parked at the entrance. Ladies in poodle skirts greeted us and guys in blue jeans and leather jackets ushered us inside (Grease). A 50s themed skit opened the service > 50s themed songs. Everything served The post Approaching God With Reverence (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Nature’s ceaseless toil > The emptiness of pleasure. Discontentment > Despair/Joy in God’s provision. God’s sovereign orchestration of time. Enjoy your work despite pervasive wickedness and death. Live in contentment despite oppression and envy. Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-16 The vanity of life “under the sun,” no mention of God. This doesn’t mean all of his conclusions are wrong. He makes sense discussing the value of having a partner to share the work and the reward. He also speaks accurately regarding The post Two Are Better Than One (Ecclesiastes 4:7-16) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Let’s remember Mary’s age. Last week I mentioned that she was most likely between the ages of 12-15 years old. It is remarkable how she responded to Gabriel’s announcement with humility and trust. But how she responds to Elizabeth speaks volumes about her spiritual knowledge and character. Because of the way the Roman Catholic Church has exalted Mary to near divine status, Protestant Christians (the rest of the Christian Church) have sometimes denigrated Mary. Rather than “blessed”, the Roman The post The Benedictus (Luke 1:67-80) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We are continuing to make our way through Paul’s letter to the Galatians. This morning we saw that this passage is the transition point in the letter. After Paul opens with a stunning rebuke – instead of thanksgiving – he moved into a defense of his authority and calling as an apostle. This included his confrontation with Peter in Antioch when Peter was unwilling to eat with Gentiles. Keep that episode in mind because it sets up the main argument The post Justified by Faith-Pt. 2 (Galatians 2:17-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
This passage is the transition point in Galatians. Paul began this letter quickly, skipping his usual section of thanksgiving and opening with a sharp rebuke. After more than a chapter of Paul defending his apostolic authority, and after taking a moment to explain the episode where he stood opposed to Peter, he now transitions to describing the central doctrine of Christianity. In Galatians 2:15-3:14 Paul defends the doctrine of justification by faith. We are only looking at the first part The post Justified by Faith-Pt. 1 (Galatians 2:15-21) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Luke has set out to provide his readers with a certainty concerning the things they had been taught about Jesus. He is detailed and organized in his presentation. He is historically accurate as well as pastorally sensitive. He has been building this chapter by jumping back and forth between the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist to the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. He provides details about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the song of praise The post The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-66) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Ecclesiastes is a book about searching for meaning in life. It’s about finding purpose. The Preacher assumes the position of King Solomon, one who had great wisdom and great wealth, yet he is unable to find rest in either. Wisdom and wealth cannot provide rest. He considers the endless cycles of nature and concludes that everything is vanity, emptiness. Searching for meaning in life “under the sun” is like chasing after the wind. You won’t find your contentment in work The post Better Off Dead (Ecclesiastes 4:1-6) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction Let’s remember Mary’s age. Last week I mentioned that she was most likely between the ages of 12-15 years old. It is remarkable how she responded to Gabriel’s announcement with humility and trust. But how she responds to Elizabeth speaks volumes about her spiritual knowledge and character. Because of the way the Roman Catholic Church has exalted Mary to near divine status, Protestant Christians (the rest of the Christian Church) have sometimes denigrated Mary. Rather than “blessed”, the Roman The post Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:39-56) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Introduction In the first two chapters, the Preacher was searching for purpose in wisdom, pleasure, and possessions. He concluded with a call for man to enjoy life. In chapter three, the Preacher has described the various seasons of life, highlighting that God is sovereign over all. After acknowledging God’s superiority to man in the previous passage (3:14-15), the Preacher begins comparing man with the beasts, finding a very important similarity. But, once again, we will see that he comes to The post Working Among the Wicked (Ecclesiastes 3:16-22) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
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Introduction As Christianity has expanded—Luke provides an “orderly account” of the life and death of Christ. His expressed purpose is to provide Theophilus, and those like him, with “certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (1:4). He seeks to inform those interested in understanding more about Jesus.
In the previous section, the birth of John the Baptist was foretold. The promise was that he would be “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (v.15). At this point Elizabeth—who had been barren—was now six months pregnant. Her miraculous pregnancy prepares us for an even greater pregnancy to come.
This is the fulfillment of every Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. The appointed time has arrived. God would dwell among his people, not in a tabernacle, but in flesh!
Before we read this passage let us look to the Lord in prayer for his help in understanding it.
Luke 1:26–38 ESV
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
In the early stages of Christianity—when Luke wrote this account—there would have been much confusion regarding Jesus. On top of the Jewish misunderstanding about the Messiah, there were rumors and lies that had been circulating since the time of Christ’s ministry.
This passage calls us to learn about this unique child and to understand that he was more than a sweet baby with Santa Claus hovering over him (or any other beloved Christmas trinket). He grew up to be more than a good person, he was—and is!—the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
The first step in getting to know someone is discovering where they came from. Luke wants his readers to know that Jesus was entirely unique. This child was like everyone who was born before him, yet he was like none who were born before him.
The news of the text is this: A humble servant will conceive a holy Son who will reign over an eternal kingdom. The birth of the King of Kings demands your attention and calls for your allegiance. What might sound like a harsh command is actually filled with grace. To those who take the call lightly it should serve as a warning. But to those who repent and believe, this is an invitation to enter true rest.
First, we will look at The Humility of the Servant. Second, we’ll see The Holiness of the Son. And third, we will note The Reign of the King.
- The Humility of the Servant Luke 1:26–27 ESV
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
Jewish betrothal had two stages:
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Formal engagement (contract, bridal price).
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Wedding 1 year later.
Engagement could only be broken by divorce and the parties were considered husband/wife during their engagement (Matt. 1:19-20, 24). It was culturally common for girls to become betrothed between 12-15 years old.
Luke 1:28 ESV
And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
Mary was the recipient of favor because of the Son that would be in her womb, not because she earned it with her faith or humility. She is told “the Lord is with you,” reiterating an important phrase in salvation history as Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah can testify.
Luke 1:34 ESV
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Mary’s virginity doesn’t emphasize her purity, but the uniqueness of Christ’s conception. Some scholars have pointed out that “virgin” can mean young woman. But Mary’s question clarifies what Luke means in this context.
Luke 1:37 ESV
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Nothing will be impossible with God. Jesus’ birth must be greater than the birth of John the Baptist. John was filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb, but Jesus was conceived by the Spirit. Stein writes, “John’s conception, like that of Isaac, Samson, and Samuel, was miraculous; but Jesus’ conception was absolutely unique.”1
The popular atheist, Christopher Hitchens, before dying of cancer argued,
If we lost all our hard-won knowledge and all our archives, and all our ethics and all our morals…and had to reconstruct everything essential from scratch, it is difficult to imagine at that point we would need to remind or reassure ourselves that Jesus was born of a virgin.
If you lose this doctrine you lose the authority of Scripture and you lose the holiness of the Savior. The PCA formed by separating from the PCUS—in part—because of the compromise of this very doctrine. The denomination had determined that its ministers were no longer required to believe in the virgin birth (among other critical doctrines that were being denied).
In Miracles, C.S. Lewis writes:
The idea that the progress of science has somehow altered this question is closely bound up with the idea that people ‘in olden times’ believed in [miracles] ‘because they didn’t know the laws of Nature.’ Thus you will hear people say, ‘The early Christians believed that Christ was the son of a virgin, but we know that this is a scientific impossibility.’ Such people seem to have an idea that belief in miracles arose at a period when men were so ignorant of the cause of nature that they did not perceive a miracle to be contrary to it.
A moment’s thought shows this to be nonsense: and the story of the Virgin Birth is a particularly striking example. When Joseph discovered that his fiancée was going to have a baby, he not unnaturally decided to repudiate her. Why? Because he knew just as well as any modern gynecologist that in the ordinary course of nature women do not have babies unless they have lain with men. No doubt the modern gynecologist knows several things about birth and begetting which Joseph did not know. But those things do not concern the main point– that a virgin birth is contrary to the course of nature. And Joseph obviously knew that.
› Mary’s humility increases because of…
- The Holiness of the Son Those who want the scientific explanation for everything might reject the virgin birth and deny the perfection of Christ. But how do they explain sin and evil? If it is merely a religious construct, what determines whether anything is right or wrong?
Why would anyone ever sacrifice? There is something fulfilling about showing love and compassion. Why? And if there is something in our chemical make up that finds pleasure through showing love, why do we find it so opposed to our nature at times?
It is true that there is something deeply fulfilling about being morally good, but our inability to consistently do the right thing is proof that we have a problem that goes beyond the physical and emotional. We have a spiritual problem. Therefore, we need a spiritual solution.
The birth of Jesus emphasizes two significant points:
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Jesus was Man—He was born of woman.
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Jesus was God—Conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Called holy (v.35). Christ must be holy—without blemish—in order to cleanse others (Psalm 51:1) and cause the Church to bear fruit (Isa. 32:15). He was the Son of God.
Therefore, Jesus Christ is a Mediator who is like us in every way, but separate from us because he is without sin (cf. Heb. 7:26). We find no trace of original sin within him.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Q.16) asks: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression? Answer: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.
Descendants of ordinary generation—sinned in Adam and fell with Adam. There was only one exception, descending from extraordinary generation. Jesus is the only man who did not inherit a sin nature.
We are eternal, but not holy which means all of us are fitted for everlasting destruction. We are not worthy to become servants in Christ’s kingdom.
We need a Savior who is both human and holy. God sent his Son because of the desperate situation of His people. God’s children needed to be rescued. The only way that was going to be possible was through the perfect sacrifice of a sinless human. The Savior had to be the holy seed of a woman.
This takes us back to Gen. 3:15—the proto-euangelion (The First Gospel). God says,
Genesis 3:15 ESV
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
This “offspring” of woman would be wounded by the serpent, but He would crush the serpent’s head in the process of being wounded. It is a picture of what took place on a cross of wood nearly 2,000 years ago!
Do you know this Son? Have you placed your trust in Him? Do you belong to Him?
› Those who belong to the people of God will be under…
- The Reign of the King As the original audience was seeking to be further convinced of the truth themselves, or even explain to others what happened, they would’ve wanted a better understanding of the facts.
Luke 1:32–33 ESV
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
This Son will be a King on David’s throne. This fulfills numerous prophecies regarding the Messiah who would rescue God’s people. His reign would be eternal and His kingdom will not end.
All of this parallels God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:8-16: This promise would be fulfilled by a descendent of David (7:8). He would become great (7:9). He would sit on the throne of David (7:13). God says, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son” (7:14). And his throne and kingdom would have no end (7:13, 16).
Perhaps your greatest fear is that “there might be a king who could claim this sort of absolute allegiance.”2 You may be in current rebellion/treason against your King. Maybe you have heard the gospel a thousand times, but you simply don’t care. All of this stuff about faith, obedience, and theology can wait until you’re older. What teenagers are really thinking about this stuff anyways?
In his book, Soul Searching, Christian Smith comments on the results of a telephone survey that was conducted in 2002, of 3,370 teens (13-17 years old—basically Jr. High and High School students) across 45 states. 82% of the participants belonged to a congregation and 52% attended 2-3x per month. However, most of them had a very superficial view of religion.
He summarized their faith, calling it Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, with the following five statements:
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A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.
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God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.
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The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.
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God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.
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Good people go to heaven when they die.
If that is how you describe your faith, it is time for you to seriously consider what the Bible actually teaches. Life is too short to delay living for the King. If what is described in this passage is true, then there could be nothing more important than submitting under the reign of this King.
If it’s true that His reign is eternal, it is far more important that your loyalties are with His kingdom than any other kingdom (i.e., your own, your family, your career, your retirement, your friends, etc.). When you submit yourself to this King, His desires become your desires.
› His purpose is always more satisfying than any earthly desire because His blessings are eternal!
Conclusion We have considered Mary’s humility which led her to the recognition that nothing was impossible with God. In the end (v.38), Mary responded to the angel’s announcement by declaring, “I am the servant of the Lord.”
From beginning to end, this Son was holy. He always did the will of His Father in Heaven. His reign is eternal because He alone could satisfy the righteous demands of our Creator. The birth of the King of Kings demands your attention and calls for your allegiance.
Have you given your allegiance to this King?
You can do so right now by acknowledging—in humility—your sinful rebellion and placing your trust in the work He accomplished on your behalf through His perfect life and death in your place.
Submit yourself to the only worthy Savior-King through repentance and faith.
The post You Shall Call His Name Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Humans have an innate tendency to search for a reason for everything that happens in life. The Preacher began with a search for meaning in wisdom, pleasure, and possessions. In the end he discovered that we should enjoy the life that God has given us.
In chapter three, the Preacher began describing various seasons of life. The title of the sermon was “A Season For Everything.” Now, we will see there is “A Reason For Everything” as he begins to analyze those thoughts.
Is it possible to be joyful through all of these seasons of life?
Before we read it, let’s ask the Lord for his help in understanding it.
Ecclesiastes 3:9–15 ESV
What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
Maybe you feel God is distant from you. Is God so mysterious to you that you feel it’s hopeless to even try to understand him? Or maybe you are waiting for God to show himself to you in a personal way. Who wouldn’t want to know God in a deeper, more personal way?
The fact of the matter is that we don’t decide when and how God reveals himself or how much of his wisdom we receive. Frankly, man is incapable of knowing God and enjoying him forever apart from his sovereign will to grant us the privilege. And what we see here in this passage, and elsewhere in Scripture, is that until you are filled with a fear of God’s wisdom and power you cannot know him as your God.
We might state the Preacher’s main point like this:
Until you fear God’s power you cannot know his love.
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Man’s Inability (9-11)
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Man’s Responsibility (12-13)
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God’s Superiority (14-15)
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Man’s Inability (9-11)
Man is incapable of knowing what God has done in eternity.
In this passage, the Preacher begins to provide us with a much grander view of God than he has done previously. God is the One sovereignly bringing these seasons about (2-8), and he determines their length.
Ecclesiastes 3:9 ESV
What gain has the worker from his toil?
C.f. 1:3 which implies the answer “no”. Man gains nothing from all his toil. Everyone experiences the same seasons. No one is exempt from hardship. No one escapes pain or death.
Not only does each pair in the poem contrast, they actually cancel each other out so nothing ever really changes despite constant motion.
Ecclesiastes 3:10 ESV
I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.
The Preacher has considered everything God has given man to do. “Seen” may also imply the Preacher’s own experience of various seasons.
This is the business that God gives. God has given him a heart that is perpetually discontent. Although it might appear like the Preacher is about to suggest the vanity of this business that God has given to us to be busy with, he further develops our view of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Does this mean there is something beautiful about death, killing, weeping, mourning, hatred, and war (2-4, 8)? Or is the Preacher suggesting that those things eventually give way to what is beautiful?
Although the latter thought might be easier to grasp, it does seem to me that he is suggesting a beauty about things running their intended course. And, if God is indeed sovereign, then all things run their course according to his perfect timing.
An old man celebrates his 100th birthday on the same day that a child dies in infancy.
We see these kinds of opposites occur all the time don’t we? On the one hand we rejoice, and on the other hand we mourn.
A friend of mine from seminary, who is now a pastor, had the experience of going to the hospital to celebrate the arrival of a couple’s first child. Then, a few hours later, the couple called him in tears because the child’s grandfather died in a car accident after just visiting his grandchild.
How do we cope with such tragic circumstances? We naturally question the timing of such things. But, if our theology is correct, we know that God numbers the days of everyone, including the stillborn.
So how is that beautiful? Or maybe we should ask: What is beauty? Can it be defined in any ultimate sense? Isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder? Isn’t beauty subjective, entirely up to each individual to define?
“Beautiful” is repeated in 5:18 and translated with “fitting”. It has the sense of being appropriate (but maybe that’s a bit too dry).
The Preacher is not suggesting that everything that happens in your life, no matter how tragic, is something you should appreciate and accept as having some intrinsic beauty. If we are reading this verse in that way, we’ve either minimized what was mentioned in the poem earlier, or we’ve made the term “beauty” void of any emotional value.
There is something powerful about recognizing our utter dependence upon God’s sovereign will.
And that begins with an acceptance of our inability, which is what he makes plain in the second half of v.11.
He has placed eternity in man’s heart but kept his own actions – past and future – hidden.
We search for meaning in life because we are not satisfied with a purposeless existence. No one lives in a manner that is entirely consistent with a purely scientific outlook upon life. Man is not content with purely scientific answers. Telling me how something works doesn’t satisfy my desire to know why it works.
The New Bible Commentary 2:24–3:22 The Alternative to Pessimism
Human beings have a capacity for ‘eternal’ things, something that transcends the immediate situation.
The human mind naturally begins to ask questions such as:
What/Who sets everything in motion? Where is history heading?
These are the question every mind ponders. But, in the end, we are still in the dark. We cannot know all the answers our heart longs to understand.
Although man has been given a perspective that includes thoughts of eternity (past and future), he remains clueless. His lack of understanding feeds his discontentment.
Derek Kidner points out:
The Message of Ecclesiastes: A Time to Mourn, and a Time to Dance The Tyranny of Time (Ecclesiastes 3:1–15)
This incomprehensibility is dismaying for the thoughtful secularist, but not for the believer. Both can take refuge in making the most of life as it is, but the man of no faith is doing it in the void.
The question is: Does he know it? And will he admit it?
God has given every season and at its proper time it has a purpose even though we are often left in the dark.
› So, in light of that, what is…
- Man’s Responsibility (12-13)
Man should enjoy the life God has given him. Just as every season comes from God so does our ability to enjoy our toil.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 ESV
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
The best approach to life is to be joyful and do good.
Enjoy life! He’s already said this:
Ecclesiastes 2:24 ESV
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
Do good. That’s our responsibility in a nutshell. We are called to walk in obedience to God. And the Bible makes clear that doing so is the most rewarding way to live.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 ESV
also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
Is God’s gift to man enjoying his toil or eating and drinking?
It seems to be the Preacher’s point to suggest that all of our experiences in life are a gift from God. His point is that we cannot enjoy life if we are confused about who gave it. We will continue chasing after the wind, searching for answers in science or worldly philosophy.
Doesn’t the fact that we are frequently frustrated give us some reason to pause and consider that our will might be at odds with our Maker’s will for us?
John Calvin speaks of how our discontentment leads us to the Lord.
Institutes of the Christian Religion 1. Without Knowledge of Self There Is No Knowledge of God
Each of us must, then, be so stung by the consciousness of his own unhappiness as to attain at least some knowledge of God. Thus, from the feeling of our own ignorance, vanity, poverty, infirmity, and—what is more—depravity and corruption, we recognize that the true light of wisdom, sound virtue, full abundance of every good, and purity of righteousness rest in the Lord alone.
WSC Q.39 What duty does God require of man? A: The duty which God requires of man, is obedience to his revealed will.
First, we find that Christ alone was capable of knowing exactly what God had done in eternity past. He is the only human able to claim he has always been. The Son of God, in his divine nature, has always existed. He was fully aware that there would be a proper time for his death (Gal. 4:4-5).
When Jesus began his ministry he declared:
Mark 1:15 ESV
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Second, we find that Christ alone was capable of perfectly completing God’s will. He was the only human capable of accomplishing the duty God required of man.
These truths free us to enjoy life in the present! We can become far too focused on the future so that the present has little significance. We minimize concerns about the culture or the environment with statements like, “It’s all going to burn anyways…”
The Preacher wants to challenge us to consider the way we presently live and think. If we are constantly speaking pessimistically about the present, as if to suggest it has no value, our witness will be minimized.
In our attempt to minimize concerns about the present, we end up minimizing our witness in the present.
If we could take our love for possessions and turn it into a love for God we would be well satisfied.
1 Timothy 6:17–18 ESV
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
What we long for is more of God. Possessions will never satisfy that longing. But, when that longing has been satisfied by faith in Christ, we can become generous with our resources and committed to obedience.
We long to know and experience God’s love for us. And the Preacher responds in two ways to that desire:
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In order to know God’s love for you, you must enjoy the gifts he’s given you.
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In order to recognize the gifts God has given you, you must fear his wisdom and power.
› So let’s consider this second point regarding…
- God’s Superiority (14-15)
Man should fear a God who is superior to them in every way. God has done everything perfectly in his timing. He does this so that man will recognize his need for him. We also see that God’s search is always successful.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 ESV
I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
God’s Perfect Acts: Only what God has done will endure forever.
God’s Perfect Purpose: He accomplishes his purposes in order to cause man to fear him. Other words for fear include: knowing, trusting, honoring, and obeying. He controls time so that all might respect and revere him.
We are humbled to discover that the world doesn’t revolve around us. We don’t dictate our destiny. We are entirely dependent upon God’s will. And that should cause us to fear his power.
Ecclesiastes 3:15 ESV
That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
God’s Perfect Search: The present and the future are just going to repeat the past. God’s purposes will not be thwarted. This may have to do with God’s future judgment. Or it may refer to God’s sovereign care of the world despite its ceaseless movement.
But what does it mean that God seeks what has been driven away? Is it comforting or convicting?
Since the Preacher is talking about the differences between God and man, he seems to be emphasizing the fact that God’s searching is always successful. He alone gains what he seeks. In contrast to man’s fruitless searching, God’s “searching” accomplishes exactly what he desires.
This truth humbled Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 4:32 ESV
and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”
God’s perfect will stands in stark contrast to man’s will. We cannot achieve the satisfaction we desire because our hearts are fallen and deceitful. We think we know what we want, but our desire changes as soon as we receive it.
But once we recognize that God alone controls history, we stand in awe of his wisdom and power.
More than that, we marvel at his plan of redemption. Why would a sovereign God condemn his innocent Son?
We already mentioned that Jesus is the only human who could ever claim to have knowledge of God’s actions from beginning to end.
But, how did that impact the way Jesus lived leading up to his death?
He was faithful. He continued to complete his Father’s will. Even as he prayed in Gethsemane, “Let this cup pass” he concluded, “not my will, but your’s be done.”
Where were the disciples at this time? What was Paul up to? Truly, these questions condemn all of us.
As Paul writes:
Romans 5:6 ESV
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
The cross is the ultimate example of why we should fear God, yet at the same time it shows us the depths of God’s love.
All of this can be gleaned from reflection upon God’s sovereign control of time.
Some might ask: How do you know anything about eternity?
The Preacher hasn’t set out to prove eternity, he has simply stated that God has placed in man’s heart (11). George MacDonald notes the simplicity of the argument:
The NIV Application Commentary: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Bridging Contexts
… to prove life endless is not a matter of the first importance.… The man with life so in himself … will not dream of asking whether he shall live forever. It is only in the twilight of a half life that the doubtful anxiety of immortality can arise.
Suppressing the truth doesn’t solve anything.
Until you fear God’s power you cannot know his love.
› The proper response is to show God the respect he is due.
Conclusion
Once we call God our Father, we can begin to appreciate the teaching of Jesus:
Matthew 10:29–30 ESV
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear gives way to love.
And the truth is, our fear is only temporary. It is a vapor in light of eternity where one day is as a thousand years (2 Pet. 3:8).
God’s sovereign control of time is a comfort for the Christian because we know God has kept his promise to send Christ and he will return again according to his perfect timing.
Hebrews 12:28–29 ESV
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
The post A Reason for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Preacher is exploring the meaning of life. He has already experimented with two avenues of discovery: wisdom (Ecc. 1:12-18) and pleasure (Ecc. 2:1-11). After coming to the conclusion that neither offered him a deep fulfilling sense of purpose and satisfaction, the Preacher returns to wisdom for a comparison between wisdom and folly. From there, he will consider the vanity of toil. Then, finally, he will come to the solution at the end of the argument (Ecc. 2:24-26).
Ecclesiastes 2:12–26 ESV
So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
In his book The Inevitable, Kevin Kelly writes:
If we are honest, we must admit that one aspect of the ceaseless upgrades and eternal becoming of the Technium is to make holes in our heart. One day, not too long ago, we (all of us) decided we cannot live another day unless we have a smart phone; a dozen years earlier this need would have dumbfounded us. Now we get angry if the network is slow. But before, when we were innocent, we had no thoughts of the network at all.
We keep inventing new things that make new longings, new holes that must be filled. Some people are furious that our hearts are pierced this way by the things we make. They see this ever-neediness as a debasement, a lowering of human nobility, the source of our continual discontentment. I agree that technology is the source. The momentum of technologies pushes us to chase the newest, which are always disappearing beneath the advent of the next newer thing so satisfaction continues to recede from our grasp.
But I celebrate the never-ending discontentment that technology brings. We are different from animal ancestors in that we are not content to merely survive, but have been incredibly busy making up new itches that we have to scratch, creating new desires we’ve never had before. This discontent is the trigger for ingenuity and growth.
We opened our study of Ecclesiastes with the thought that man’s search for meaning begins with an honest assessment of our discontentment. And there you have it, if nothing else, that is an honest assessment of our modern discontentment. And I think he has a point. Discontentment can lead to growth, but it can also have devastating consequences that the author seems to have ignored.
The Preacher’s assessment of his own discontentment has, so far, involved a look at wisdom and pleasure. This morning we will see a return to the theme of wisdom as well as a deeper look at toil (Ecc. 1:3).
The Preacher continues to observe life “under the sun” and remains discontent with the fruitless results of his efforts. But we must not miss his conclusion. His point can be summarized:
Our discontentment will either drive us into deeper despair or lead us to the liberating enjoyment of God’s abundant provision.
Obviously, the Preacher’s goal is that we would recognize when we have fallen into the former (despair) and fight for the joy that comes from the latter (faith in God’s provision).
The Vanity of Wisdom (12-16) The Vanity of Toil (17-23) The Joy of Toil and Wisdom (24-26)
- The Vanity of Wisdom (12-16) The Preacher swings back around to comparing “wisdom and madness and folly” (12). What has been done in the past is all we have because there is nothing new to be achieved.
Who could ever improve upon the work of a rich, powerful, and wise king?
That being said, he does recognize that wisdom brought more gain than folly (13). Practically speaking, there is a benefit to wisdom over folly.
He compares it to the difference between light and darkness. The wise person is in the light and is capable of seeing, whereas the fool walks in darkness (14). Only the wise can see what’s happening, and therefore, learn from the experience. However, throughout life (especially at the end of life), the same event happens to the wise and the foolish.
If the same event will happen to both the wise and the foolish, then why would anyone seek wisdom? (15)
He concludes in a most depressing manner:
Ecclesiastes 2:16 ESV
For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!
Death is the great equalizer. Regardless of how much you learned or earned, it all goes away in the end. Everyone and everything will be forgotten, including any wise/foolish behavior.
Here the Preacher allows his thoughts of vanity and fruitless searching to turn into despair – as dark a despair as you will find in all Scripture. He brings himself to thoughts of death, almost as if he’s contemplating the value of suicide. At least it would speed him to his inevitable end.
One of the most tragic examples of suicidal despair is found in Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. It is a challenging book to get through, but the last one hundred pages are worth suffering through the first nine hundred… In the end, Anna is frantically lost in her thoughts. Everyone has turned against her. Even the looks of strangers begin to feel like judgmental glares. She packs her bags and runs to the train station, hoping to escape everyone, including herself. She has no idea where she’s going or what she wants. As she stands holding her luggage at the edge of the platform, Tolstoy writes:
She tried to fling herself below the wheels of the first carriage as it reached her; but the red bag which she tried to drop out of her hand delayed her, and she was too late; she missed the moment. She had to wait for the next carriage. A feeling such as she had known when about to take the first plunge in bathing came upon her, and she crossed herself. That familiar gesture brought back into her soul a whole series of girlish and childish memories, and suddenly the darkness that had covered everything for her was torn apart, and life rose up before her for an instant with all its bright past joys.
His choice of the method of Anna’s suicide was based on one of Tolstoy’s neighbors who did this very thing.
The unfortunate thing is, since Tolstoy wrote, these tragic stories have only increased. But the primary point I want to make is Tolstoy’s incredible insight into the fickleness of the suicidal mind. Anna’s utter despair turns to childlike joy in a matter of moments. The solution is much simpler than the modern prescription.
For someone like Anna, which describes the situation of far too many people, another distracting piece of technology is incapable of scratching the itch. Putting up with perpetual discontentment for the sake of technological progress is far too trite an answer for someone in her condition.
A bigger iPhone is not going to solve her angst. Another “like” on social media is not going to fill her emotional void.
› If the quest for knowledge and understanding is unsatisfying, maybe work will provide some answers…
- The Vanity of Toil (17-23) The Preacher provides a bridge between the grief and anguish of considering his own mortality and the hatred of all his toil.
Ecclesiastes 2:17 ESV
So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
So the Preacher hated life when he realized nothing he did would ultimately matter. This, of course, does not accomplish anything either.
We find ourselves back at the question the Preacher asked earlier:
Ecclesiastes 1:3 ESV
What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
He is finally ready to provide an answer…
Ecclesiastes 2:18 ESV
I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me,
His hatred of life spilled into his perspective of his work. Rather than appreciating what he was able to accomplish, he regretted the fact that anything he achieved would be passed on to someone else (21).
There is no guarantee a successor won’t squander everything (19). Those who have not earned from their own toil aren’t capable of keeping or improving upon the toil of others.
And, once again, the Preacher’s contemplation continues his downward spiral of depression.
Ecclesiastes 2:20 ESV
So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,
He was swallowed up into an abyss of sadness and hopelessness. He’s ready to throw in the towel.
What is gained from man’s toil? (22)
Answer: Sorrow, vexation, restlessness, and vanity.
Ecclesiastes 2:23 ESV
For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.
Darkness was a theme with regard to the fruitless search for wisdom (14). And here, night is related to man’s fruitless toil.
This is consistent with what the prophet Isaiah wrote some 300 years after the Preacher:
Isaiah 8:22 ESV
And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.
This is true of all mankind since the fall, as the Westminster Larger Catechism points out:
WLC Q.27 What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
A. The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, his displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come.
In fact, the solution to the darkness and despair the fall brought into this world (and us!) does not come until our Lord’s arrival, as Matthew acknowledges with a quote from Isaiah:
Matthew 4:16 ESV
the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
Truly, the solution isn’t clear until the resurrection of Jesus removes the sting of death entirely (1 Cor. 15:54-58). Because our Lord has called us “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pt. 2:9). It is only through faith in Christ, that those who perpetually walked in darkness can become children of light (Eph. 5:8).
› Only then will we come to know…
- The Joy of Toil and Wisdom (24-26) The Preacher waits until the very end of his opening argument to show that there are two ways to pursue satisfaction. The first method involves changing your circumstances. The second method involves changing your perspective.
The Preacher has just about exhausted himself attempting the first method, but here he becomes an advocate for the second method.
Barry Webb notes:
The possibility of enjoyment returns, significantly, only when the quest for profit is given up altogether (2:22-23), and replaced by the notion of gift.
Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 ESV
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
Enjoyment is literally, “make his soul see good.” It involves the possession of a deep sense of satisfaction in God’s abundant provisions. Find joy in your toil! God gives all of this to you, plus your ability to enjoy it, for your benefit.
Of course, the fact that we are to enjoy them as a gift from God, implies that we are not to consider the gifts as more valuable than the Giver. God’s gifts are not indiscriminately given:
Ecclesiastes 2:26 ESV
For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to those who please him.
There’s another section in Anna Karenina that is eerily similar to Ecclesiastes. As Tolstoy traces the tragic consequences of Anna and Vronsky’s love affair, another couple, Levin and Kitty, are depicted as living a simple, enjoyable life.
At one point, early in the story, Levin is working in his field. Now, literally, Tolstoy writes how Levin swings his sickle back and forth, for about 40 pages! What is truly remarkable is that I read all 40 of those pages… But there is some gold to be found there too, such as:
The Lord had given them the day and the Lord had given them the strength. And the day and the strength had been dedicated to labor, and the labor was its reward. Who was the labor for? What would be its fruits? These were irrelevant and idle questions.
Joy is not earned, it is received. And it can be found in everything we do. Therefore, the goal is not to figure out how to gain more joy than others, but to simply receive it and enjoy it!
How is that working out for you? Have you learned to enjoy the life God has given you right now or are you waiting and hoping that the next season will bring some significant change in your circumstances?
› Beware of the endless search for a solution to your perpetual discontentment.
Conclusion Our discontentment will either drive us into deeper despair or lead us to the liberating enjoyment of God’s abundant provision.
We can fill our life with worry about what we will eat or what we will drink, or we can seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that he has, and will continue to, provide everything we need (Matt 6:25-33). And with the assurance of that truth firmly planted in our hearts by faith, we can learn to receive and appreciate the gift of joy.
The post The Gift of Joy (Ecclesiastes 2:12-26) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Preacher has been making an argument about the vanity of life. When we remove God from the picture and consider life apart from him, everything is meaningless and frustrating.
Remember, this entire section from Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 is an argument that follows a classic form of speech called “the chase technique.” The Preacher points to several avenues man looks to in search of meaning, and at the very end of his argument he provides the solution.
Last week, we zeroed in on the vanity of wisdom. Our ability to understand all that we want to know leads to further frustrations. Now the Preacher focuses on pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 ESV
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
In an article titled “The Functional Neuroanatomy of Pleasure and Happiness”, authors Morten L. Kringelbach, and Kent C. Berridge refer to an important scientific experiment that was published in 1954:
Just over fifty years ago, psychologists James Olds and Peter Milner, working at McGill University in Canada, carried out their pioneering experiments which discovered that rats would repeatedly press levers to receive tiny jolts of current injected through electrodes implanted deep within their brains (Olds and Milner, 1954). Especially when this brain stimulation was targeted at certain areas of the brain in the region of the septum and nucleus accumbens, the rats would repeatedly press the lever — even up to 2000 times per hour (Olds, 1956).
These powerful findings seemed to suggest that Olds and Milner had discovered the pleasure center in the brain. Research in the next two decades established that dopamine is one of the main chemicals aiding neural signaling in these regions, and for many years dopamine was suggested to be the brain’s “pleasure chemical.” The results seemed to promise an easy fix to the unhappiness and suffering which is the traveling companion of far too many people. They certainly emboldened writers to envisage brave new worlds where drugs and electrical stimulation could induce bliss for the masses.
Although Olds and Milner’s experiment was a bit more sophisticated than the Preacher’s, their “discovery” was much less accurate as proved by numerous future experiments. It would seem that humans, will not be connecting themselves to electrodes to enjoy endless pleasure anytime soon. Sensory pleasures, as tempting as they are, do not provide purpose and meaning, which are indispensible to human happiness. For these we must all turn to religion and philosophy.
The Preacher, more than 2000 years before Olds and Milner, conducted his own pleasure experiment. And what he discovered is that:
The continual pursuit of pleasure, for its own sake, leads to a sense of emptiness.
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I Sought Things That Brought Pleasure (1-3)
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I Made Things That Brought Pleasure (4-6)
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I Bought Things That Brought Pleasure (7-11)
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I Sought Things That Brought Pleasure (1-3) Ecclesiastes 2:1 ESV
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.
The Preacher is shifting his focus from seeking meaning through wisdom to seeking it through pleasure. It isn’t so much that he sought pleasure to find purpose, but in order to see if living in a general state of happiness is possible.
“Enjoy yourself” is literally, “see good”. He wanted to put his heart to the test with a series of pleasurable experiences to see if it would provide a lasting satisfaction. But all of it was empty.
Now, before moving on, we need to remind ourselves that the Preacher is talking about life apart from God. Later on, he will use the same phrase in a positive light.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 ESV
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
Like wisdom, pleasure, in and of itself, is not bad. It is where we are seeking that pleasure that creates the tension. Seeking joy is a good thing if it is sought in the right way.
Ecclesiastes 2:2 ESV
I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”
Superficial laughter is madness. In light of all that he experienced and saw of life under the sun, laughter didn’t seem to have any place. He isn’t defending stoicism—maintaining a stiff upper-lip at all times was not necessarily the Preacher’s attitude. Rather, he is merely pointing out the emptiness of laughter.
Pleasure is useless. It doesn’t ever bring us the ultimate satisfaction that a sense of meaning and purpose can provide.
The Preacher continues,
Ecclesiastes 2:3 ESV
I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
Drinking wine is pictured throughout Scripture as a sign of enjoying God’s blessing. Although, the Preacher doesn’t explicitly state it in this verse, the context indicates that the joy he sought in wine was temporary at best. Wine does “gladden the heart of man” (Ps. 104:15), but an over-indulgence of it can lead us into gross sin.
It would seem at this point the Preacher’s method for grasping folly, was getting drunk. However, he claims he was continuing to allow wisdom to guide him.
It is generally true that the pursuit of pleasure is more satisfying than the reality.
Kids, how many times have you begged your parents for a certain toy, only to find you had moved on to another toy not too long after receiving it?
This seems to be true whether you are talking about spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on your house, or spending a few dollars on Pokemon cards or fidget spinners.
In the case of fidget spinners, the anticipation of everyone receiving one lasted longer than they were actually played with.
But, lest you think I’m just picking on the kids, let me acknowledge that I do the same thing with systems of productivity. I’m constantly switching how I track the things I’m supposed to be doing and the things I’ve done. If I could have back the countless hours I’ve lost switching to new systems of productivity, I’d probably add a year to my life.
The thing is, all of us are guilty of pursuing pleasure in a similar way.And all of us find some temporary pleasure in that pursuit. In some few cases, that pleasure may even linger for a season. But, eventually, it wears off and we begin our search again.
The pleasure we pursue has a tendency to vanish the moment we grasp it.
One of the hardest lessons for anyone to learn is that the pleasure we are seeking is more likely to follow our gratitude for the things we already have, than a pursuit after something we don’t have.
Joy is a gift from God, as the Preacher will point out at the end of the chapter as well as a few more times beyond (Eccl. 2:26; 5:20; 8:15; 9:7).
› Not only did the Preacher seek things that brought pleasure, but he also…
- I Made Things That Brought Pleasure (4-6) Ecclesiastes 2:4 ESV
I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
One of the signs of covenant blessings was the privilege of building houses to inhabit and planting vineyards from which to drink the wine (Is. 65:21). These blessings, which God promised, were never meant to provide ultimate satisfaction.
“For myself”…The Preacher’s pursuit of pleasure has led him to a very ambitious and selfish approach to life.
Ecclesiastes 2:5–6 ESV
I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.
The translators of the LXX, the Greek version of the OT, use “παραδείσους” for “parks”. It is used often to refer to the Garden of Eden. Essentially, the Preacher is suggesting that he sought to create a utopia for himself with gardens and parks filled with fruit trees and streams which kept the trees fed. It is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, and ultimately an image of heaven (Luke 23:43).
There are many examples of utopian cities that have failed. Either they were never built, or they were never successful.
In an article titled “10 Failed Attempts to Create Utopian Cities,” the number one example was Jonestown:
What’s truly remarkable about Jonestown is not that it ended in a brutal massacre in which over 900 people died. It’s that it briefly seemed like a viable utopia. For Americans fed up with the racial divisions thrown up in the Civil Rights era and after, it was a way of coming together. Some 68 percent of the original Jonestown members were black—a staggering number in the mid-1970s. Although Jones was clearly a little loopy (and, it later emerged, a drug addict), the idea of a sharing, caring, socialist-style city clearly touched a lot of people. A small number who escaped later said it felt at the start like a place of hope.
You know what happened next. After allegations of child abuse by Jones surfaced, California Congressman Leo Joseph Ryan and several journalists went down to investigate. Jones’s followers murdered them. Immediately afterward, Jones convinced everyone to commit suicide by drinking Kool Aid mixed with cyanide. Prior to 9/11, it was the single largest loss of American life outside a war setting. While most utopias seem doomed to self-destruct, none did so quite as tragically as Jonestown.
Utopian cities will fail wherever sin exists. In this life, we will never escape corruption and perversion. But that won’t stop most people from trying. Unfortunately, the common result, as the Preacher discovered, is emptiness.
Vern Poythress points out:
“The fading pleasures in this life contrast with the eternal pleasures in God’s presence.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Peter quoted this in his sermon at Pentecost in reference to the resurrection life of Christ (Acts 2:28). It was Jesus who had ascended to his throne and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
Jesus said:
John 15:11 ESV
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
That boundless and endless joy awaits us in the only true utopia, or better yet κοινωνία – a fellowship of Christ followers, the culmination of which John portrays:
Revelation 21:4 ESV
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
› The Preacher sought, made, and finally…
- I Bought Things That Brought Pleasure (7-11) Ecclesiastes 2:7 ESV
I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.
The Preacher bought slaves, herds and flocks. It would indeed be a strange statement for Solomon to say, “any who had been before me in Jerusalem” (c.f. Eccl. 2:9) considering the only king in Jerusalem prior to him would have been David.
Ecclesiastes 2:8 ESV
I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
He obtained money, entertainment, and women. And here the Preacher is being a bit crass in the way he speaks of the women he gathered. He wasn’t interested in love, he was simply searching for pleasure through sexual gratification. The more the merrier.
Ecclesiastes 2:9 ESV
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
I became great because of my possessions and wisdom. In all of this, his pursuit never diminished into a chaotic mess. He remained wise in his approach.
Ecclesiastes 2:10 ESV
And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
I kept gathering more possessions and found more pleasure. There was indeed pleasure to be had in all of his searching, making, and acquiring. But, it was also empty. The pleasure was temporary and we might add of lower value than the true joy that he was seeking.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV
Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
In the end, I considered all that I had sought, made, and bought – all of it was vanity!
Michael Eaton notes:
“All the Preacher’s key terms combine at this point: toil, vanity, striving after wind, no profit, under the sun. The pileup of terms conveys bitter disillusionment.… Secular man is being shown the failure of his life-style, on its own premises.”
The goal of marketing is to make you discontent. They can sell more products and services if they can show you how their company will bring greater joy into your life. But, consumerism doesn’t really lead to greater joy.
Do you remember when it was cool to own the smallest cellphone? The price actually increased the smaller they got. Just when I could afford a small phone, Apple released their first iPhone. Then, a few years ago I got an iPhone, but my friend showed me his massive Samsung Galaxy Note.
Jesus warned:
Luke 12:15 ESV
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
The rapid pace of technological advancement is a perfect example of the endless and fruitless pursuit of pleasure. For all of our advantages over previous generations, we are not any happier. In fact, many studies show that the more we are superficially connected, the less happiness we truly experience.
But there is one relationship that leads to eternal joy. It is only when we look beyond the king in Ecclesiastes to the true King, Jesus that we find the joy we’re longing for.
Philippians 1:21–23 ESV
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
When we live our lives for selfish gain we are left empty, but when Jesus Christ becomes our central hope, we will not be disappointed.
› In summary…
Conclusion The Preacher discovered a paradox that is built into life. The law of diminishing returns states that there comes a point where the value of benefits gained is less than the amount of energy expended. The more something is done, the less benefit is derived from the experience. Thus, what might at first be an incredible experience at first will eventually become mundane.
Those living their lives for repeated experiences of emotional pleasure will never reach their goal. They simply cannot find that in this life. Matt reminded me of another quote from C.S. Lewis that is particularly relevant to our study of Ecclesiastes:
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
While the Preacher discovered that the continual pursuit of pleasure, for its own sake, leads to a sense of emptiness—we also discover that the continual pursuit of God, for His sake, leads to a sense of joy that never diminishes.
Only in Jesus Christ do we find the happiness our hearts are longing to experience. Let us look to him now in prayer.
The post The Vanity of Hedonism (Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
We come now to Amos’ final words, and we are finally relieved to find that they are not words of judgment but of hope and promise. Nothing has changed on the part of the people. It’s not as if he saw some spark of interest in their eyes. In fact, we would not be surprised to find that many of the members of the original audience back in their homes, no longer listening to the rambling prophet.
Regardless, this nation full of hypocritical worshippers will, once again, find grace in the eyes of the Lord. The judgment of exile that we considered last week would be followed by a day of restoration for God’s true people.
Amos 9:11–15
What would have been left of Amos’ audience after hearing the words and visions of judgment? Imagine their indifference or anger about what has been said. Those who had tried to tune him out, might have perked up at the language of the conclusion.
How could this book end with good news?
It catches all of us a bit off guard. And maybe that’s the point. Maybe hearing the glorious promise of the conclusion would cause them to return to the beginning of his prophetic word and take everything else a bit more to heart.
In the end, only the remnant that we considered last week would turn to God in faith and repentance:
Amos 9:8
Those who would survive the judgment had this incredible promise to encourage them to persevere during the exile. For them, this promise was something they looked forward to in the future. For us, this is a promise that is being fulfilled presently, but also awaits a full and final consummation at the Lord’s return.
David’s greater Son has established a greater kingdom that will enjoy an everlasting abundance of blessings.
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An Expanded Kingdom (11-12)
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An Abundant Kingdom (13-14)
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An Everlasting Kingdom (15)
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An Expanded Kingdom (11-12) Although the exile will send the dynasty of David into chaos and ruin, the Lord will raise it up and rebuild it:
Amos 9:11
“Booth” refers to a dwelling place, but it is a simple structure. This is what Jacob built for his livestock after building his own house (Gen. 33:17). It’s what Jonah built for himself when he was pouting over Nineveh’s repentance (Jonah 4:5). It is the temporary structure the people were to live in during the 7 day Festival of Booths (Lev. 23:34).
Booths provide shade and shelter, but they are temporary and point to their wilderness wandering (similar context to their scattered existence in exile). In other words, the Lord is saying he will start over with his people. He will bring them back to the status they had with him under David’s reign.
But even more than being reconstructed, the kingdom will also be expanded:
Amos 9:12
Remember Edom? There were one of the long-standing enemies which neighbored Israel. They were one of the nations Amos pointed out when he began his message of judgment (Amos 1:11-12).
David was the only king to conquer Edom (2 Sam. 8:14). Because of this, Edom became a symbol throughout prophetic literature of the comprehensive reign of the future messiah.
Edom is representative of the defeated nations, but Amos declares there will be a “remnant” among them! And not only among Edom, but “all the nations who are called by my name.” The Lord is going to ensure that the promises he gave to Abraham are fulfilled in this restored kingdom.
This future son of David (Matt 1:1) will take possession of a heritage that will include all the nations (Psalm 2:8). In Him would be fulfilled the promise given to Abraham, “you shall be the father of a multitude of nations” (Gen. 17:4-5).
At the Jerusalem council, James quotes this passage to speak of the expansion of the kingdom to include Gentiles.
Acts 15:13–15
Notice what he makes obvious about Edom in his quote:
Acts 15:16–18
“Edom” is replaced with “mankind”. James makes it absolutely clear that what they were seeing with the conversion of Gentiles is the fulfillment of Amos 9:11-12.
And that work remains ongoing until John’s vision comes to fruition in the new heavens and new earth:
Revelation 5:9–10
This is the hope of our mission work around the world. Our work will not be in vain because we know a remnant of God’s chosen people exists among every people group.
› An expanded kingdom often means a thinning out of the resources. This kingdom, however, will experience an increase. It will be…
- An Abundant Kingdom (13-14) Amos 9:13
While the previous harvest is still underway, the plowman are ready to begin their work of turning up the soil for another. The one treading out the grapes, making wine, will continue to do so when the season of planting seeds comes around again. Essentially, the people will be unable to keep up with the overflow of crops.
Douglas Stuart helpfully points out the practical experience of this blessing that is being described.
Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 31: Hosea–Jonah Comment
Barley and wheat are ripe in Palestine by early May; grapes by early September. Ploughing begins in October, followed immediately by sowing. These times will virtually blend together in the almost constant harvesting of the eschatological age, restoring the original promise of such bounty (cf. Lev 26:5, on which this wording is perhaps based).
The abundance of blessings will surpass the garden of Eden. The consequences of the Fall will be reversed.
Not only would there be an abundance to gather, but the people will also be in a position to enjoy the fruit.
Amos 9:14
This is a description of the reversal of the curses upon the land Amos had described earlier (Amos 5:11).
Because of the spiritual damage of the Fall, physical famines as well as harvests were used to picture the spiritual poverty or strength of God’s people. Therefore, the abundance that God’s people will enjoy is much greater than the blessings of a large harvest.
The land cooperating with the people testifies of a God who is no longer at enmity with them. Not only are they now at peace, but there is forgiveness, reconciliation, and provision.
One of the most impressive displays of reconciliation I’ve read is when Louis Zamperini, the WWII prisoner of war and survivor (the subject of Unbroken), had an opportunity to meet his prison guards, many of whom were serving sentences in prison for their war crimes.
Five years after the war, Zamperini was saved and began visiting the these guards who had tortured him. His display of forgiveness won several of them over to Christianity.
However, one guard in particular, Mutsuhiro Watanabe – nicknamed “the Bird”, was a man Zamperini dreamed about hunting down and killing after the war had ended. However, “the Bird” had evaded arrest and prosecution by spending 7 years in hiding until all charges were dropped. It wasn’t until 1998, over 42 years after the war had ended, that Zamperini would try to see Watanabe again, but Watanabe refused.
Zamperini’s offer of forgiveness is so powerful because it displays an attitude that is contrary to all expectations. We would understand if he had said he had forgiven them, but wanted nothing to do with them. But that would not be a display of true forgiveness.
In the promise of an abundance of blessings, to be poured out upon a people once considered enemies, we not only see the appeasement of God’s wrath, but we also witness his Fatherly heart. No longer his enemies, the remnant would be adopted as his children.
In Christ, God has blessed us with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” (Eph. 1:3). Those who believe have entered into this season of harvest that will continue to bring forth an abundance of fruit.
› Finally, the only thing that could improve upon the joy of an expanded kingdom, with an increasing abundance, would be the an increase in the time alloted for our enjoyment of this kingdom. Amos concludes with the promise that it will be…
- An Everlasting Kingdom (15) Amos 9:15
God’s promise to his people is that they will have an eternal security inhabiting a land from which they will never again be removed.
This promise is not limited to Israel. Paul would speak to the Romans about the remnant that existed in their time:
Romans 11:5
It is to this expanded remnant, the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16), that these promises belong (Rom. 11:29).
The author of Hebrews makes it clear that we have entered into our enjoyment of these promises by faith in Christ, but there is still a hope of receiving an eternal inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5).
The ultimate enjoyment of this security is found in the new heavens and new earth, where God will dwell with his people, and “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be not more, neither shall there be mourning, not crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4).
› In…
Conclusion David’s greater Son has established a greater kingdom that will enjoy an everlasting abundance of blessings.
The fulfillment of an expanded kingdom will reach its ultimate consummation at the return of Christ, when our congregation will gather with a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation at the throne of their Lord.
The fulfillment of an abundant kingdom will reach its ultimate consummation at the return of Christ, when your enjoyment of the reward of the harvest is so overwhelming that it overlaps the work of those planting new seed.
The fulfillment of an everlasting kingdom will reach its ultimate consummation at the return of Christ, when our God will wipe away every tear from your eyes and death will be no more!
Amos’ final words of promise concluded with the common, but remarkable phrase “says the Lord your God.” We have a God who is not indifferent to his creation. He is a personal God. There is only one question left to answer:
Is He your God?
The post The Restoration of Israel (Amos 9:11-15) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The Preacher has opened the book with a word about the vanity of life. Everything is meaningless and frustrating when it is viewed from “under the sun”, apart from any reference to God. The key verse from last week was: Ecclesiastes 1:3.
He went on to point out how nature is mundane and monotonous. It feeds the sense of ceaseless routine that never amounts to anything. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows around and around, the streams continuously flow, but nothing really every changes. The constant motion never leads to anything that is truly new. We are no better off than any other generation. And we will simply become another generation that will soon be forgotten.
Once again the Preacher will speak about his frustrations, this time he focuses on wisdom, the search for knowledge and understanding.
Ecclesiastes 1:12–18
One of my favorite childhood movies was The NeverEnding Story. It opens with a boy named Bastion, whose mother died and his father neglects him. Shortly after the opening scene Bastion is being chased by bullies until he finds an antique book store to hide inside. He comes across a book called The NeverEnding Story. The book immediately captures his attention. In the end, Bastion actually becomes a part of the story. As he continues to read, he notices the characters are actually referring to him. In fact, their entire world is based upon his imagination (including Atreyu’s horse, Artax, who died in the Swamp of Sadness and all the other life threatening events that followed).
At this point, the book fills in some important details that the movie lacks. When Bastion enters the story and saves the world of Fantasia from destruction by “the Nothing,” he is given an amulet that allows him to wish whatever he wants. But the catch is that whenever he makes a wish, he loses a memory from his human life.
Throwing caution to the wind, Bastion makes the most of his life in Fantasia. When the initial excitement begins to wane he creates enemies for himself to defeat, which begins to have consequences for everyone else living in Fantasia.
Ultimately, he betrays his friends and continues to pursue his selfish ambitions until the only memories he has left from his human existence are his parents and his name. These too, he is willing to give up in order to enjoy more adventures of his imagination.
The moral of the story is, of course, up for debate. But it seems to me the author is considering the nature and mystery of existence. His portrayal implies that there are limits to our knowledge as well as limits to our enjoyment of life. Bastion had no control over his childhood circumstances (death of his mom, emotional neglect of his dad), but his choice to escape their memory altogether had radical consequences. The pursuit of pleasure is oftentimes at odds with the pursuit of knowledge.
The Preacher is saying something quite similar in this passage. His search for wisdom was an attempt to escape the frustrations of life. But that search had been filled with an increasing level of frustration and sorrow.
Apart from God, the ongoing pursuit of human wisdom is never satisfied and never satisfying.
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The Chase for Wisdom (13-15)
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The Consequences of Wisdom (16-18)
In each section the Preacher provides a testimony of his own experience followed by a proverb (15, 18).
› With that in mind, let’s look at…
- The Chase for Wisdom (13-15) The entire section from Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 is an argument that follows a classic form of speech, sometimes called “the chase technique.” Fred Craddock describes the technique as “Not this, nor this, nor this, nor this, but this.” The Preacher points to several avenues man looks to in search of meaning, and at the very end of his argument he provides the solution.
This morning, we will only look at the first example that we turn to in order to find the meaning of life – namely, wisdom. And because it is such a common pursuit, especially for people who like to study and think (like many of us), I thought we would consider this one on its own.
We’ll come back to verse 12 later on, but look with me at verse 13:
Ecclesiastes 1:13
The Preacher will use the phrase “under heaven” interchangeably with “under the sun” (see the next verse). It doesn’t have any more spiritual significance. Heaven, in this case, is simply used to refer to the sky. The Preacher is referring to his search for meaning by observation. He has whole heartedly sought to understand “all that is done under heaven.”
Then, for the first time, the Preacher acknowledges God. But he describes God as one who simply keeps humans busy with a cruel game of hide and seek. God hides the truth from people so that they have to spend all their days seeking out understanding. As soon as you grasp one truth, you become perplexed by another.
Now, that might be how his search for wisdom felt at times, but this is not ultimately where the Preacher remains. His mention of God, at the very least, is indeed an acknowledgment of his sovereign oversight of the world. And, in the following chapter, the Preacher will make it clear that God gives “wisdom and knowledge and joy” (Ecclesiastes 2:26).
But, considering his search apart from God, the Preacher admits:
Ecclesiastes 1:14
The Preacher compares the search for wisdom to a “striving/chasing after wind.” It is a fruitless endeavor. It is a phrase that will occur another six times and is only found in this book. The picture is of one attempting to herd the wind. Trying to corral it or contain it.
No other Old Testament author uses this word with this sense. Interestingly enough, it is only used in the first half of Ecclesiastes. Its last use will be 6:9, which does seem to mark an important division in the book. We will have to consider the significance of that when we get there, but for now, it is enough to note its usual link with “vanity”.
Part of the reason the Preacher considers life under the sun as vanity, is because he feels somewhat helpless attempting to enact any change.
Ecclesiastes 1:15
Today we might say something like: “You can’t change the hand you’ve been dealt.” He says it again later on…
Ecclesiastes 7:13
The point is, no one is able to reverse what God has done. If God chooses to make something crooked, we have no hope of making it straight. Again, we should point out, this isn’t a reflection of God’s perfect creation, but of creation in its fallen state. It is the fall of mankind, the sin of our first parents, that brought “thorns and thistles”:
Genesis 3:17–18
We might add the existence of hurricanes and cancer to the list. These “crooked” aspects of creation will remain apart of this world until Christ returns to right all wrongs.
This is a point Paul acknowledges plainly in the New Testament:
Romans 8:20–21
Note that Paul agrees with the Preacher regarding the futility of creation. But he also points out God’s goal in subjecting creation to futility, namely the hope of being “set free from its bondage to corruption.” Paul goes on to point out the impact this has upon man:
Romans 8:22–23
The groaning of creation is joined by our own inward groaning for adoption and redemption. In other words, the chase for wisdom increases within us a greater desire to receive the reward.
But, until that day, according to the Preacher, if something is lacking in our comprehension, we are not going to be able to account for it or do anything about it.
› The chase for wisdom is not only ceaseless, but we must also face…
- The Consequences of Wisdom (16-18) Well, as I mentioned last week, although some have linked the author of Ecclesiastes with Solomon, it is far from certain that it is him. The biggest factors are that he doesn’t use his own name, as he does in Proverbs and Song of Solomon, and the language points to a post-exilic period that was much later than Solomon’s reign. However, the following passage is where many think Solomon is intended.
Ecclesiastes 1:12
Not only was he king, but he was a very wise king:
Ecclesiastes 1:16
This would be a fitting description of Solomon considering this is what he prayer for:
1 Kings 3:9
And it is what God granted:
1 Kings 3:12
However, the facts remain the same. Solomon is not mentioned and the language points to a later date.
Sidney Greidanus writes:
The Teacher seeks to give added weight to his message by casting it in the experiences and words of the great king Solomon. King Solomon, of course, was widely known for his wisdom and his great works.
The Preacher seems to be donning the persona of Solomon for the purpose of making his point. It makes sense that he would use the primary example of wisdom in the Old Testament. But, as we will see, the life of a wise king is not without its own set of perplexities.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
Like Bastion’s fading memory, our ability to retain all that we learn is impossible. We grasp an understanding of one subject, and then another, only to be forced to let go of one in order to grasp the next. In order to understand wisdom, the Preacher needed to consider its related opposites of “madness and folly” (both of which we will see more of in the next chapter). But this would amount to an endless pursuit, a never ending chasing after the wind.
In other words, our knowledge has limitations, and those limitations will continually frustrate us.
Ecclesiastes 1:18
The Preacher introduces another outcome of this endless pursuit. Not only will we be filled with frustration and vexation, but our sorrow/pain/suffering will also increase. What? Not only is the pursuit of wisdom endless, but it is the cause of much of our emotional and intellectual suffering.
More knowledge only means that we have a bigger understanding of the problem. With all of our gain in wisdom, we aren’t any closer to a solution.
For those who limit their search for meaning to everything “under the sun”, the pursuit of wisdom remains a popular strategy. Dean Chavooshian recently published a book titled, The Pursuit of Wisdom: A Chronological Inquiry of the World’s Most Influential Seekers of Wisdom in the Fields of Theology, Philosophy, and Science
His argument is that each of the fields of study are deepened by their dependence upon one another. What we can learn from any particular theologian or philosopher must be supported by scientific research. Each field compliments the other.
In one sense, his book is an argument against the skeptic who has denied the pursuit of purpose altogether. But, his response is to suggest that we can find our own sense of purpose through any number of avenues (as long as the philosophy is confirmed by science). After a survey of history’s greatest thinkers we’re left with a defense for the ongoing study of meaning and purpose.
We’re right back where we started, but apparently now we’re supposed to be content with the endless pursuit…
Thankfully, Christianity offers something more concrete. Solomon is an important figure in revealing how. Solomon was the wise Davidic son who ruled during a time of peace, but he is a mere shadow of the true King of peace Jesus Christ.
Jesus himself, told us this:
Matthew 12:42
And once we have placed our faith in Jesus, once we have tasted of the living waters, we can hear Paul’s instruction to:
Colossians 3:16–17
Wisdom is an excellent pursuit that we should seek, but it isn’t to discover the meaning of life, rather it is to extend the reach of the gospel into the lives of those who believe.
› In summary…
Conclusion Apart from God, the ongoing pursuit of human wisdom is never satisfied and never satisfying.
In Confessions, Augustine prayed “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.”
Only in Jesus Christ do we find the rest our hearts have always longed for. Only in Jesus do we hear the promise:
Matthew 11:28–30
Jesus Christ does not end our pursuit of wisdom, but does fill it with satisfaction. Let us come to him to find true and everlasting rest!
The post The Never Ending Chase (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Before we begin, let me acknowledge Dr. Vern Poythress for his help in my preparation to preach this passage. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to pick his brain over lunch this week. Although I won’t quote him directly, many of the pointers to Christ came directly from him. So, thank you Dr. Poythress. I pray there is a lasting evidence of the fruit of your ministry to me.
Amos is wrapping up his final words of judgment upon a people who have turned away from the Lord entirely. From the watching world, it might look as if they were faithfully practicing their religion. But the Lord knew their hearts. He knew they were only worshipping him for the gifts he might give them.
Amos declared words of judgment in the first six chapters followed by visions of judgment in chapters seven through nine. Words of relief have been sparse and subtle. But here, we get a hint of what the concluding paragraph will make absolutely clear.
Amos 9:7–10 ESV
As a prophet, Amos has served a role that is fairly typical. He comes on the scene as a covenant lawyer on God’s behalf. He declares the testimony of God to the people, accusing them of being covenant breakers.
Amos was possibly the first writing prophet. He warned Israel of the coming exile (within a few decades), when Assyria would ruthlessly conquer them and scatter them among the nations. About 130 years later, Judah would fall to Babylon.
Although Amos did not have all of the details, he knew God’s judgment was coming soon, he knew God’s patience was wearing thin. God’s people cannot go on ignoring his Word and expect his favor forever. So Amos, warns the people one last time,
He is hoping to prick the hearts of those who claim to follow God, but follow after their sin instead.
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What Had Become of God’s People? (7)
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What Would Become of God’s People? (8-10)
What Had Become of God’s People? (7) Amos 9:7 ESV
7 “Are you not like the Cushites to me, O people of Israel?” declares the Lord. “Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?
God is not just sovereign over Israel, but all nations. Clearly, he orchestrated the migration of Israel out of Egypt. But he was just as in charge of the migration of the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir. Truly, the Lord can be credited with overseeing the migration of every nation in history.
However, I think Amos is suggesting something beyond that even. The Israelites had become like the Cushites to God. There was no longer any distinction between them and the nations. They were not set apart in worship or lifestyle. Though God had brought them safely out of the land of Egypt, out of captivity and slave labor, you wouldn’t know them from Cush, or Philistia, or Syria.
Israel thinks they’re immune to judgment because of their past Exodus out of Egypt. But, that fact alone doesn’t make them special. God has done that countless times (Deut. 2).
Without a covenant relationship, the Exodus is just another migration.
Amos has declared something like this earlier:
Amos 2:9–10 ESV
9 “Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath. 10 Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.
Israel gladly accepted God’s gracious selection of them as his unique possession. But they stubbornly refused to consider the calling God had placed upon their lives. Clearly, God had blessed Israel so that they might be a blessing to the nations.
Genesis 12:1–3 ESV
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Isaiah 42:6 ESV
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,
Unfortunately, Israel failed to honor their covenant agreement. In fact, Moses had already anticipated their failure. At Moab, during a covenant renewal ceremony, he details the history of God’s blessings and he also warns them of the consequences of departing from the Lord. With the knowledge that Israel would fail, Moses calls them to repentance (Deut. 30:1-10).
Later on, after declaring the faithfulness and justice of God their “Rock”, Moses summarizes Israel’s faithless response:
Deuteronomy 32:5 ESV
5 They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.
Amos is simply recognizing the fulfillment of Israel’s utter failure. They were no longer set apart, they had forfeited their distinct status as God’s people and adopted the gods of this world. In other words, their religion was fake.
However, where the sons of Israel failed, the True Son succeeded. Jesus dealt with this too. He ministered at a time when the Temple, the House of Prayer had become a Den of Thieves. It was a time where once again, the poor were taken advantage of and the sacrificial system had been turned into a money-making scheme.
But rather than compromising his mission and joining in with their wicked practices, Jesus was filled with a righteous zeal to clean house (John 2:17).
His overturning of the tables of the money changers foreshadows the judgment that will fall upon all hypocrites at his Second Coming.
Matthew 7:22–23 ESV
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Deceitful religion isn’t simply a thing of the past. It is an ongoing challenge for the Church of God to maintain its purity. It isn’t pleasant or easy to admit our failure. Oftentimes, throughout history, Church leaders have made moral compromises and succumbed to the pressures of the world, the flesh, and the devil. And there have been far too few men with the holy zeal of our Savior, who would come and clean house.
We must hold fast to the Gospel! It is only the unblemished blood of Christ that will “purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14). It is only by the unblemished blood of Christ we can enter into this sanctuary with confidence (Heb. 10:19).
› The hypocritical state of Israel would lead to their judgment…
What Would Become of God’s People? (8-10) Amos 9:8 ESV
8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the surface of the ground, except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” declares the Lord.
Instead of “My people” Israel has been given the title of “sinful kingdom”. Their destruction is coming, although it will not be utter annihilation. God would preserve a remnant as he has always done.
Amos continues…
Amos 9:9 ESV
9 “For behold, I will command, and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve, but no pebble shall fall to the earth.
God will pick up the House of Israel as if sieving good soil. He will shake them out among the nations removing the worthless pebbles that remain trapped. Not one of them will escape (“fall to the earth”).
Amos 9:10 ESV
10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, ‘Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.’
All of the wicked hypocrites who are among God’s people will die by the sword. These are the same people confidently ignoring Amos. They spread a counter-word of optimism that is entirely baseless. They are so determined to keep the status quo, so they declare “Everything is fine. Don’t be alarmed by this lunatic.”
But as v.8 stated, the people are a mixed batch. Alec Motyer notes:
The metaphor of sieving implies that there are not only impurities to be purged out but good soil to be safeguarded.
And therein lies the subtle word of hope in this passage.
The language of destruction occurs most frequently in Deuteronomy, followed by Joshua. Deuteronomy literally means “second law”. We’ve already considered how Moses reiterated the covenant stipulations and curses to Israel at Moab (Deut. 29-30). The Book of Joshua details the first opportunity for Israel to fulfill their covenant obligations by entering the Promised Land and eliminating all enemies from its territory.
In response to Joshua, the people responded,
Joshua 1:16 ESV
16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
However, shortly after defeating Jericho, Israel is defeated at Ai (Josh. 7). The sin of Achan was a foreshadowing of an even greater and more widespread compromise that was to follow. Their compromise would spiral out of control, as depicted in the book of Judges.
In their Introduction to the Old Testament, Longman and Dillard explain:
God’s holiness required that he respond in judgment on the sins of the nation, but his commitment to Israel meant that there would be a remnant, those who had undergone divine judgment and survived to become the nucleus for the continuation of the people of God.
God would not utterly destroy Israel, his steadfast love and compassion for them would not allow it. It isn’t because they were worthy, but because he is faithful:
Isaiah 43:25 ESV
25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
Remember, this is what Amos had said earlier. He was filled with compassion and intercedes for the nation after viewing the visions of locusts and fire (Amos 7:1-6). And what refrain did we see twice (v.3 & 6)?
Amos 7:3 ESV
3 The Lord relented concerning this: “It shall not be,” said the Lord.
And he directly mentioned “the remnant” in ch.5:
Amos 5:15 ESV
15 Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
That remains the hope of Amos. He realizes that some will indeed hear his message and repent. They will turn away from their sin and turn to God.
But, honestly, how could anyone survive the sweeping judgment prophesied here?
Obviously, no one was worthy to be included among the remnant. The chosen son of Israel had failed to keep the covenant.
But, again, their utter failure points forward to Christ’s achievement, which ensured they would not be utterly destroyed.
As Graeme Goldsworthy notes:
Covenant breaking and covenant keeping converge on the one who both kept the covenant and was content to be counted among the transgressors and to pay the full penalty for covenant breaking.
The remnant were not chosen for their giftedness. They were not chosen because they had something special to offer. They were the recipients of divine grace, because their Lord was the recipient of divine wrath.
Furthermore, just as Israel was brought out of Egypt, we are brought out of the kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13-14). It is in response to Christ’s redemptive work that we now have a mission to accomplish:
Philippians 2:15 ESV
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
› In summary…
Conclusion So Amos, warns the people one last time, hoping to prick the hearts of those who claim to follow God, but follow after their sin instead.
We will always live among “a crooked and twisted generation.” And hypocritical Christians will remain among us until the Lord returns. There isn’t a generation that will escape this dilemma. Roughly 20 years after Christ’s ascension, Paul called the Corinthians to “purge”/“remove” the “evil person” that was among the congregation (1 Cor. 5:13). And we can expect to have to do the same thing in our own generation.
Chapter 18.1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith is helpful here:
Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
Like Amos, we are called to declare God’s truth to a faithless generation recognizing that among their midst is a remnant chosen and sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.
The post The Sinful Kingdom (Amos 9:7-10) appeared first on Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA).