Behold the Lamb

[photo by Gretchen Heinecke]

Please hold your boos and hisses, but I'm just not a Christmas kind of guy. Let me say that I love the Gospel and the mystery of the incarnation. Perhaps it is the commercialization of Christmas that originally turned me off as a Christian. But now I am turned back onto it.

I went through a stage where I was not exactly "anti-Christmas", but I had mostly a "non-Christmas" mentality. While I taught that the celebration of Christmas is not explicitly required in Scripture, I also accepted that those who do it for the right reason are not violating Scripture either.

Over the last couple of years I have been increasingly warming up to the idea, though most of what is touted as "Christmas-y" is still not that thrilling to me. I could honestly do with or without the tree, the bells, the mistletoe, etc. There is something about the sound of traditional Christmas music that simply isn't to my taste. But if you like those things, then enjoy!

What has affected me more than anything is a brother named Andrew Peterson. Here is how it fell out.

About three years ago, a man in our church recommended that I listen to an album entitled "Behold the Lamb." I didn't. I heard that it was a Christmas album, and even what I have heard by Christian artists hasn't thrilled me. Quite frankly, after Thanksgiving I won't even turn on Christian radio. Again, it is an issue of taste, as I love incarnational hymns. God in flesh! It doesn't get much better than that (except that God crucified and resurrected).

The following year the recommendation came again. I decided to take a listen. It blew me away. I cried, I laughed, and my heart was ignited afresh with the idea of that "brave little Boy who was God, and made Himself nothing." Even now as I think about that original experience, especially my first listening to "So Long Moses", a biblical/theological unfolding of Christ as the fulfillment of the Davidic King", I have to hold back the tears.

So over the last year I have basked in the blessing of this Christmas album, not just when Thanksgiving has passed, but all year long. I'm not kidding. I listen to it as much if not more than anything else I have.

So last night's concert was wonderful (don't let that word pass too quickly...I was truly caused to wonder). I was surprised by an hour of singer/songwriters taking turns presenting songs covering a variety of expressions of Christian experience in a fallen world. Good stuff.

Then came what I was waiting for. A full presentation of "Behold the Lamb" at the Ryman Auditorium, song by song, with artistic beauty and glory. That was worship. My wife had to gently nudge me at one point to stop singing out loud, lest my fellow worshipers get annoyed.

Today, driving about town, I was listening again, continuing to marvel. Thank you Lord for guiding the hands, heart, mind, and voice of Andrew and His friends.

Even if you have been like me, give it a try. You may just like it. You can listen here for free.

Gospel Primer

There are a few books that have impacted my life more than others. If I was somehow limited to only one small bookshelf on which to store my whole library A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent, would take a spot there. I cannot more highly recommend this book.

However, this recommendation doesn't come without a warning. It is this: don't be deceived by its simplicity. It would be very easy to read it and say to yourself, "There is nothing profound here, it is basic stuff." I would suggest that if you read this little work with such a disposition, you are guilty of something I am constantly in danger of: assuming the Gospel.

The Gospel has become increasingly precious to me, and there is a deeply encouraging revival of love for the Gospel that is moving through the Church of Christ. This movement, which is at its root a work of the Holy Spirit, is producing fruit of religious affection, deeper appreciation, greater humility, and increased thankfulness among Jesus' followers. How greatly we need this, and how worthy is our Lord of it.

So, if you need some help in stoking your heart with Gospel truth, don't overlook this little book.

Series on the Holy Spirit

We are now 12 messages into our study on the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the "forgotten Person of the Trinity."

They are all available free on Sermon Audio at this link.

Plans for the New Year

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are coming to the end of 2009, and preparing to come into a new year. This is also coming into our 10th year anniversary as a church.

As you know, we are also coming or have come to the conclusion of our current adult Sunday school class and sermon series. We finished “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” last week. I am hopeful that this was helpful not only for parents, but also in studying our own hearts in a Godward orientation and asking deeper questions about why we do what we do.

For any who may have begun to absent themselves from the Sunday school class because you did not think it was as relevant to you (or any other reason), I invite you to return as we begin another study in 2 weeks (remember, this week we will NOT have Sunday school due to our special Christmas celebration in the afternoon). We are going to be looking together at the substance of a book entitled Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel Community by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. As the title implies, there are two things that we deeply need, the Gospel and the Gospel in community. I am hopeful that this sustained attention on the place of Gospel community will be transforming for our church, and bring about reformation in relationships and service within our Body. Lord willing, that will begin on December 20th.

We will also soon be coming to and end on the sermon series on the Holy Spirit. I am hopeful that this sustained awareness and teaching on the Spirit will also continue to have its effects, as we have learned to not only be thankful for the historical work of the Lord Jesus in His life, death, and resurrection, but also the personal indwelling of the Spirit in us as believers. As of right now I plan to preach from another book of the New Testament, and I am leaning either toward Romans or Colossians (or Ephesians). I haven’t decided for sure, but I want to continue to focus our attention on the glory of Christ in the Gospel.

In January I am scheduled to go again to Zambia to teach a class at the Copperbelt Ministerial College. I am planning to teach in the letters of Paul as pastoral letters, trying to understand how he addressed church and personal problems as a servant of the Gospel. Around that same time we will be coming to the remembrance of Roe v. Wade and pro-life Sunday. Around that time there will be some special preaching and teaching about why being pro-life and anti-abortion is important, as well as some practical suggestions of how to pray/give/serve in this cause for the sake of Christ.

So, this is a bit of a “head’s up” of the direction we are planning to head as a church. As always, I cherish your ongoing input (good or bad) regarding how you think the teaching/preaching is going, as well as general church life. I am hopeful that this coming year will see a renewal of the Spirit to bring us out of lethargy and the chase after the American dream (personal peace, prosperity, and safety), and be more Christ-centered than ever before.

Stephen

FREE John Piper Audio Book

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You can also download the PDF of the book free here.

Desiring God ministries continues to display the free-ness of the Gospel.

That I May Know Him

For now six weeks I have been preaching in our worship service on the Holy Spirit. The approach I have taken could be called a historical-redemptive approach. What that means is that I am trying to unfold the person and work of the Spirit as God revealed Him, step by step through Scripture. It has been for me personally very enjoyable to study and to preach.

We are presently in the Gospels, and the tension is building for a monumental, historically unique, yet enduring pouring out of the Spirit upon those who believe on Jesus. As I am studying what the evidence and work of the Spirit is as defined in Scripture, I am asking questions in regards to my own heart and in relation to our church.

We will eventually look at John 16:14 where Jesus says “[The Spirit] will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (NKJV). One of the primary things that the Spirit will do when He comes is to announce the person and work of Jesus Christ.

This work begins at conversion. Through the miracle of the new birth, the Spirit grants a resurrection of spiritual life, eyes to see and ears to hear of the glory of the Savior. But it doesn’t end there. While there is this initial work, it is only the beginning.

In Ephesians 1:15ff, Paul lets us in on what kind of things he was praying for the church at Ephesus. These are genuine believers who have come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Yet, he prays that God would give to them “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”

Later, in Ephesians 3:14ff, Paul again gives the substance of His prayers for the church. It includes that they “may comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.”

In Philippians 3:10 Paul tells us of his desire, in regards to Jesus, that “I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.” He had come to know and believe on the Lord Jesus, but he also had a deep and earnest desire to know Christ.

So…does a true disciple, born again by the Spirit, know the Lord Jesus? Yes, and no. Yes, in that there is an initial, miraculous, Spirit-wrought blessing of seeing and savoring the Savior. But also no, not exhaustively. There is much more we have yet to learn and know of Jesus. This is one of our most desperate needs.

From Paul’s prayers, I suggest that a primary means to know more of Christ is the personal, indwelling, and ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. I would also suggest it isn’t a matter of mere doctrinal instruction. We must not equate additional information with Christian growth. There is a living, personal, powerful dynamic work of the Holy Spirit that we should desire and pray for, as well as feel our desperate need. His work is not automatic. It is not mechanical. He will not be manipulated by techniques.

He is sovereign. But the Sovereign Himself has said, “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13).

I ask You, heavenly Father, for the promise and gift of Your Spirit’s work in my life and in the life of our church…that we may know Christ Jesus our Lord.

Book Review: North! Or Be Eaten

Just finished it last night. The momentum was building, the tears were flowing, and then hope was given. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

I read the first book of Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga entitled On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness in 2008. I enjoyed it, as did my wife and several people in our church. I recommended it to others and looked forward with a relative amount of joy to the next book. The second book entitled North! Or Be Eaten came out a few weeks ago, and little did I know how this one would take me.

In giving a book review, I realize that this is very subjective. I believe I enjoyed North! more than the first book. It could be that I would have enjoyed the first book more had I given more attention to it at the time or some other unknown factor. I want now to go back to reread it. At this time I can most accurately speak about what is newest to me.

So, the sum of it is that I deeply and thankfully enjoyed this installment. There were moments in which I was so taken with the tension and desired to know what was about to happen that I had to literally cover the page with my hand to keep from reading ahead for a hint.

In my mind there are so many resonating Truths throughout, especially in the end, regarding redemption, forgiveness, and mercy, especially when we remember our own evil deeds. My favorite line is “He moved through the days in peace and wonder, for his whole story had been told for the first time, and he found that he was still loved” (you will have to read it yourself to find out who this is spoken about).

So, from the chair of an ordinary husband, father, and pastor, I most highly recommend this unfolding story of the Jewels of Anniera. Prepare for some intense, soaring, and agonizing moments. And…watch out for the Toothy Cows.

Summary: Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them. Their escape brings readers to the very brink of Fingap Falls, over the Stony Mountains, and across the Ice Prairies, while villains galore try to stop the Igibys permanently. Fearsome toothy cows and horned hounds return, along with new dangers: a mad man running a fork factory, a den of rockroaches, and majestic talking sea dragons. Andrew Peterson’s lovable characters create what FantasyBookCritic.com says made Book One “one of the best fantasy novels in a very long time,” and Book Two contains even more thrills, exploring “themes universal in nature, ranging from the classic good versus evil, to the importance of family, and burdens of responsibility.”

Author bio.: Andrew Peterson is the author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Book One in the Wingfeather Saga, and The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats. He’s also the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist of ten albums, including Resurrection Letters II. He and his wife, Jamie, live with their two sons and one daughter in a little house they call The Warren near Nashville, Tennessee. Visit his websites: www.andrew-peterson.com and www.rabbitroom.com

The High Privilege of Teaching

I love to teach. This is, in part, because I love to learn. This is probably one of the major reasons that I am a pastor.

I have also grown to love teaching young people. In the last few years the Lord has opened to me opportunities to teach in conjunction with homeschooling, and now Christian school.

This year has turned out to be the busiest yet in regards to teaching outside of the setting of the local church. However, I don't see these two things as disconnected. By the blessing of God, I hope that my role as school teacher will be a part of the preparation of the students to serve in the Kingdom of God.

For the past two years I have taught a class on Christian worldview. I have used materials from gifted teachers and writers such as Francis Schaeffer, James Sire, and Nancy Pearcy for this class, and I have grown increasingly thankful for the Truth of Christianity.

This year I have taken on three new classes. At a homeschool supplemental program called CHET I am teaching a class called "Journey through the Bible" which focuses on the importance of understanding the Bible as an inspired anthology of literature. I believe that this is significant in properly reading, understanding, and applying the Bible.

At CHET I am also teaching "The Imaginitive Literature of C.S. Lewis." I believe, with others before me, that the exploration and exercise of the imagination is essential to glorifying God.

I have also been given the wonderful and challenging task of teaching (and by necessity learning) Latin to teach 3rd-5th graders at a new school called Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy (here is an article explaining classical education, and here is one on the place of Latin in education).

As already mentioned, one of the reasons I love to teach is because I learn in the process. It is, perhaps, a bit self-serving. But Proverbs speaks of those who water others are themselves watered in the process.

This is a high privilege. It is a blessing. It is an honor. I am hopeful that what is taught will be beneficial in ways that the 25 students in these classes don't yet understand. I am sure that I will be benefited in ways I don't yet understand.

Thank you Lord for the privilege of studying Your Word and Your Works. I delight in them. May it redound to Your glory.

Simplified Missional Living

by Jonathan Dodson (from theResurgence)

Eat with Non-Christians
We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with a non-Christian or with a family of non-Christians? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal, invite a non-Christian friend. Or take your family to family-style restaurants where you can sit at the table with strangers and strike up conversations. Have cookouts and invite Christians and non-Christians. Flee the Christian subculture.

Walk, Don’t Drive
If you live in a walkable area, make a practice of getting out and walking around your neighborhood, apartment complex, or campus. Instead of driving to the mailbox or convenience store, walk to get mail or groceries. Be deliberate in your walk. Say hello to people you don’t know. Strike up conversations. Attract attention by walking the dog, carrying along a 6-pack to share, bringing the kids. Make friends. Get out of your house! Last night I spent an hour outside gardening with my family. We had good conversations with about four of our neighbors. Take interest in your neighbors. Ask questions. Engage. Pray as you go. Save some gas, the planet, and some people.

Be a Regular
Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. I have friends at coffee shops all over the city. My friends at Starbucks donate a ton of leftover pastries to our church 2-3 times a week. We use them for church gatherings and occasionally give them to the homeless. Build relationships. Be a regular.

Hobby with Non-Christians
Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports or local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.

Talk to Your Co-workers.
How hard is that? Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team or task force after work. Show interest in your co-workers. Pick four and pray for them. Form moms’ groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively non-Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission.

Volunteer with Non-Profits.
Find a non-profit in your part of the city and take a Saturday a month to serve your city. Bring your neighbors, your friends, or your small group. Spend time with your church serving your city. Once a month. You can do it!

Participate in City Events
Instead of playing XBox, watching TV, or surfing the net, participate in city events. Go to fundraisers, festivals, cleanups, summer shows, and concerts. Participate missionally. Strike up conversation. Study the culture. Reflect on what you see and hear. Pray for the city. Love the city. Participate with the city.

Serve Your Neighbors.
Help a neighbor by weeding, mowing, building a cabinet, or fixing a car. Stop by the neighborhood association or apartment office and ask if there is anything you can do to help improve things. Ask your local Police and Fire Stations if there is anything you can do to help them. Get creative. Just serve!

Gospel-Centered Reader

A very helpful list of resources focusing on the Gospel. (thanks Jeremy)

New Blogs

Hello all,

I have started two other blogs, each for the new classes I am teaching at CHET.

Journey through the Bible.

The Imaginative Literature of C.S. Lewis..

Two Kingdom vs. Universal Kingdom of God

It is somewhat rare that I merely post links to someone's blog, but I do so today for at least two reasons:
1.) It has been quite some time since I have updated my blog (though even yesterday I had started a post, and decided to not comment on what I was going to write without more maturing of my thought on the subject...socialistic education)
2.) Because of the helpfulness of this particular post by Kevin DeYoung

He writes about a tension that I have frequently felt myself, and which is a common topic debate among those who are of Reformed persuasion. I agree with Kevin in that it isn't an either/or answer, and that a middle ground pursuit seeks to takes seriously the full gamut of biblical revelation. I find myself attracted to both positions, and yet believe there are pitfalls to both.

The post can be read here.

Some Marks of Pride

What are some of the marks of pride? One or more of the following:



01. Usually thinks that he/she is right; knows it all.
02. Easily offended; does not like to be corrected
03. Often complains about circumstances or people.
04. Usually unthankful/ungrateful.
05. Impatient—with God and with others
06. Self-confident in temptation
07. Secretly ashamed of serving Christ
08. Likes to talk more than to listen… quick to offer opinions
09. Desires to be first or best
10. Needs to be noticed or liked; wants to be somebody
11. Obstinate and unsubmissive toward authority
12. Quick to find fault with others
13. Contentious; bold to criticize or contradict others
14. Demanding and hard to please
15. Insensitive to the needs of others
16. Boasts about self – accomplishments…
17. Lives beyond his/her means
18. Outward appearance is everything…
19. Has a hard time forgiving others
20. Pride makes us - covetous, liars, flatterers, and men-pleasers

20 more reasons I am in need of the Gospel.

[from Pastor Bryan Wheeler of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Verona, VA]

Upsetting People

I have upset a lot of people over the years. There are many of these times, probably most, that I regret. My last years of high school were not good. I was a real jerk to a lot of people. In the military I was also a jerk, doing a lot of things to push the boundaries and break the rules. When I was on the road with a rock band I become not only a jerk, but an arrogant one. During this entire time period I gave my parents a lot of grief.

Sadly, this did not completely stop when I became a Christian. I have said things I regret or said things in a way that I regret. I have not always been a spokesman for the Gospel of Christ in a way that demonstrated compassion and love.

I am thankful that there is forgiveness and grace in the Gospel for these things I have said and done that have hurt people and displayed my folly.

Having said this (and meant it), there are some occasions in which I have caused people a bit of agitation that I don't regret. I was reminded of one one of them this morning in my devotional reading from the Gospel of Luke:

Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. (Luke 12:37)

Jesus is calling His disciples to be ready for His return. They should view themselves as house servants or stewards over His house, ready for the Master to return after an absence. In short, this is Jesus' call for His people to be ready as He has now gone away, and will one day return. There is a pronounced blessedness for those who are not caught unaware, but are faithfully serving Christ at His return.

In this verse Jesus says something astounding. When He (the Master) returns He will gird Himself (in the servant's garment) and serve them. There is a role reversal. Rather than His servants serving Him after His long absence, He will become the Servant and serve them. This would be shocking to the society and culture to which Jesus speaks. It should also be shocking to us.

So how does this tie into my upsetting people without regret?

I have had the privilege to travel to various countries in the world. I have gone places that I never dreamed I would go. It has been an honor to take the Word of God and to preach and teach it among people of 5 other nations. Having traveled such, I have run into things that are very different from our own culture. Some which are simply different, some which I see as antithetical to the Gospel.

In one place I was being served lunch by the sisters in the church. The men from the church were also there being served and talking about "important" matters as the women hurried to and fro. By the time I was finished eating, the ladies had finally had a chance to sit down and to eat. I broke from the conversation, and began to gather the plates of the men and a few of the women who had finished so I could take them to the kitchen. There was obvious shock on the faces of both men and women. That a white Westerner who was a man and the visiting preacher would do such a thing was obviously unexpected. One of the respected men in the church (with a smile on his face) corrected me and told me that that was the woman's job. I said back (also with a smile) that if Jesus could come from heaven to serve me by laying down His life on the cross then I could certainly imitate my Master by helping to pick up a few dishes. Nothing else was said about the scandal of my action.

Going back to Luke, the surprising thing is that Jesus not only is seen as the servant who gives his life, but serves at His return in His glory. I don't know all that that means, but I remember Peter's protest at Jesus washing his feet and the Lord's response, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me."

Even so, in the mystery of the suffering and glorified Servant of the Lord, come Lord Jesus and serve your people.

Thursday Morning and General Reading

It has been too long since posting, so I thought I would simply tell what I'm doing on this beautiful Thursday morning.

This week has been quite busy, and I haven't had time in the past couple of weeks to sit and read and let thoughts stew in my mind. After working out this morning I returned and settled down in our screened-in porch for my devotional reading (Psalm 88, Proverbs 7-9, Luke 12) and prayer time. I decided to stay there (photo above), since it is a very pleasant 90 degrees. I caught up on my Calvin's Institutes reading (3 days behind), then read a chapter of Total Church by Chester and Timmis as well as a couple of essays from C.S. Lewis' God in the Dock. I am about to get into some more Lewis, primarily his The Great Divorce in preparation for a class on the fictional literature of Lewis I am teaching in the fall.

I am thankful for this time of reading and reflection. It is too easy for me to get caught up in doing many things and not leave time for this vital discipline. This afternoon will be full with two meetings followed by going to a good friend's house who is out of town and cutting his grass.

We are also gearing up for a weekend of hospitality, with two close sisters in Christ staying through to Tuesday, a church picnic on Saturday, and preparation for the Lord's Day.

I am thankful for God's goodness in my life, and that I have been given the privilege to see the world "Christianly."

Hosea Interview

Interview for Moody Radio on the book of Hosea.

In this interview I connect our sins with idolatry and the reality of our spiritual adultery against the Lord.

The Challenge of Preaching

Tim Keller has developed several questions for the purpose of evaluating sermons, asking hard questions about a glorious task. I hope particularly for our church, these might be things that you help me to develop and keep on track for a Christ-centered, Gospel-saturated ministry of the Word.


1. The preaching assertions (points) were clearly rooted in the text and squared with the whole teaching of scripture.

2. The central theme was an illustration of Christ – the message was clearly all about Jesus.

3. The speaker seemed in awe of God, not merely focused upon his sermon and the audience.

4. The speaker avoided moralizing or psychologizing, and distinguished these from the gospel.

5. The goal was to get people face-to-face with God, rather than merely instruct.

6. Christ and His finished work were applied as the practical solution to any problem.

Message Delivery and Communication. These questions are related to the preacher’s communication abilities and connection with the intended audience.

7. It was clear where the preacher was driving – and the progression of points was traceable.

8. The points were presented in a fresh, wise, and striking way as opposed to boring & cliché.

9. At the end of the preaching, the main point was both clear and persuasive.

10. It was clear the speaker understood the hearers’ hopes, fears, problems, concerns, etc.

11. The central metaphor or “hook” was gripping.

12. Jesus was made visible, not just taught about.

13. There was a balance of warmth, love and humility on the one hand and force, power and authority on the other.

14. The notes followed the message and enhanced comprehension.

May God grant help for such an awesome task!

[thanks to Jonathan Christman for making these known to me through his blog]

Its Easier, and More Difficult, to Go it Alone

I have been blessed for the past several months to have something I have never had before: a workout partner. For years I have endured the lonely attempts, usually in my garage, both in the cold and in the heat, to do some weight lifting for general fitness (with no desire to "Hulk out"). These attempts are relatively short-lived and don't come to much.

A good friend of mine who is a faithful member of our church approached me a few months ago about our working out together. This comes just on the heels of my finally selling my weight equipment on Craig's List this past winter, discouraged that I would really ever do anything with it. I had resigned myself to just being a runner. His invitation took my previous hopes of lifting out of the moth balls, and gave them new life.

So we began. We settled on a 5am meeting time. This meant that I would have to change my normal morning routine that used to begin at 5am so that my alarm now goes off at 4:30am. That's okay, it would be worth it.

There we are each morning, music cranking, sweat flowing, manly grunts echoing through the building (I think they really do help). At the end of each morning we share prayer requests, then pray for those requests as well as that God will help us not to be proud of what we are doing, or of the results we see in our body (which is, despite our great efforts, still growing old and perishing).

Thankfully, things have been going well. We essentially keep the same routine, with Mon/Wed/Fri being lifting days and Tues/Thurs/Sat being cardio days. This is only interrupted or thrown out of whack when he or I go out of town or have something unusual come up.

Due to his leaving town on Thursday, he needed to change up his days a bit to try to get all his lifting in before he left. So he lifted and I was out in the pool. As the time passed, unknown to one another, we were both struggling. It just wasn't the same. When he emerged from the weight room, and I drug my weary and panting body out of the pool, we gave another a mutual look which said "that was hard."

He was the first to speak. It went something like this:
[Robb] "How was it?"
[Stephen] "Hard."
[Robb] "Me too. Did you find it harder to swim without me there?"
[Stephen] "Yep. How about you?"
[Robb] "It wasn't easy without you pushing me and encouraging me."
[Stephen] "I know what you mean."
[Robb] "You know, its the same spiritually."

It is the same in our walk with God. In seeking to live by the Gospel, seeing it bear fruit in our lives by practical obedience, when there is someone involved and are experiencing the same struggles and successes and challenges, you try harder. Though this can be a mere man-pleasing, there is also something in our makeup that the presence of another helps us to work harder. When we don't have someone in that role with us, things may be easier in that we don't try as hard.

So I am thankful for my friend, my partner, not only in working out but also in my walk with Christ. I am thankful for the church, a group of believers who are to be useful to one another in being helps to holiness, perseverance, and faith.

Don't try it alone. Don't lack transparency. Let someone see you sweat, and grunt, and fail, and succeed. It is harder, but it is good. And by it you and I will grow and be strengthened.

One of the greatest gifts of the Gospel is having those who will help and push us in this way. Jesus spilled His blood to redeemer fellow sinners for such a purpose.

[Credit is due to Robb for this post. It was his observation this morning that gave me the idea for this post. Thanks dude!]

The Example of Faith

As part of my morning devotion I am reading from John Piper's Life as a Vapor. This morning the section is entitled "Thanksgiving for the Lives of Flawed Saints." Piper says that God has given to us the examples of faith-filled, yet flawed saints that we might imitate, be inspired, and gain encouragement. He quotes Hebrews 13:7, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”

While this verse points to the importance of the Christian to look to leadership within the church as an example of faith, there is also an assumption that the leadership are those who are living lives of faith. As I have been preaching from Hebrews 11, what this means has become more significant to me. It is to live a life being transformed by the realities that are unseen and hoped for. It is to be transformed by the Word of God.

A similar verse is 1Timothy 4:12 which says “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” The word example is the Greek word tupos, from which we get type. It means a mold, image, or pattern. What is assumed in Hebrews 13:7 is explicit in 1 Timothy 4: leadership is to lead the people of God by example, exercising moral influence not by a “do as I say, not as I do” mentality, but rather an “imitate me as I imitate Christ."

So the single most important thing for me to have a positive influence on the people of God is that I would personally be transformed by the Word of God that they can look and say “that is what lived Christianity is to be." Though they will also see my sins and my flaws, yet there ought to be a real example of transformed humanity by the Grace and Word of God.

O Lord, for the sake of Your people and Your glory, transform me by Your Word today. It is my day off, but I am Yours and You are mine. Be my portion, fill me with Your Spirit, and help me to walk by faith. Then, as a result, may they be influenced to trust in you, love you, find You as their All in all.

Marinet or Incarnate?

"The great thing then is to impregnate the existing mass with truth - moral truth - divine truth. How to do this, should be our question. Many of our old and round-about methods will probably have to be given up....Methinks it were well if some of us old-fashioned martinets in religion and literature, could cut off our pig-tails and work away in the dishabille of the age. Do so we must, or be left in the rear. Learning we want indeed, but not pedant-learning, names and classifications, but good living truths, such as lie deep, and as yet unquarried in the Book of books, which are yet to be brought out for the revolution of the world." (from J.W. Alexander's Thoughts on Preaching)

Alexander was a Presbyterian pastor and teacher at Princeton. His work on preaching is a classic in the field of Reformed rhetoric or preaching (of which he was a teacher).

So I'm reading along to prepare and warm my own heart for preaching, and I come on this quote. It doesn't immediately help me one way or another do to the fact that there are words I don't understand. Three in particular: martinet, dishablle and pedant (though I had a sense of what the third word meant). I quickly pull out my laptop, open my dictionary program, and suddenly the paragraph comes to life. And boy, does it.

So what is he saying? He is answering the question "how are we going to get the truth to the masses?" He confesses that some methods are going to have to be given up. These he calls "old and round-about." He suggest that a more direct method is necessary. He describes these old methods as held by "us martinets." A martinet is one who is a strict disciplinarian who demands adherence to forms and rules. In contrast, he speaks of working away in the dishabille of the age. I typed this into my Google search, accidentally doing so in the "images" feature. Mistake. Don't do it. Thankfully I was in safe search mode, but one meaning is naked (yep, that will show up on my Covenant Eyes report). Another meaning, one I think meant by Alexander, is casual or intentionally careless.

If you aren't getting it by now, and the impact of what he is saying, then probably you should never mind. Otherwise, it is a call for a very straightforward, informal and ordinary use of the treasures of Scripture to confront our own culture(s).

Not an army of martinents, but of incarnates, living and breathing love and truth and holiness in the ordinary to bring about revolution to a needy world.

If it ain't biblical, its optional. Or in the words of the Reformation, Sola Scriptura.

So help us God.