Those who commit to joining God in the building of his church will inevitably face discouragement and opposition. It's not easy! There are trials and challenges, testings and even suffering on the path. But God is worth it! And he gives us the power to serve him with joy, even when times are tough.
In Nehemiah 4 we see a glimpse of God's people facing opposition. The exiles had returned from captivity, had rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem, and were now working on the city wall. This was God's work. He had brought his people out of captivity in Babylon and was now building up the remnant...and setting the stage to send his Son, the promised Messiah!
God used Nehemiah to stir up the hearts of the people for the work, as he had used Ezra before. So the people began to build the wall. And then we meet Sanballat and Tobiah.
These guys are just mean, and they hate God's people and God's work. First lesson! There is a devil, and he hates us. He wants to kill us and destroy us, but first he wants to discourage us and get us to stop working for the Lord. How many churches have people who have been burned...and have given up on the work! No longer are they working and building; they are just there - floating from meeting to meeting, discouraged and defeated.
Sanballat and Tobian begin to taunt God's people. They say that even if a fox goes up on their wall it will fall down. Words, even dumb jokes, can really hurt. They can deflate the people of God and take us away from the work.
"So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6, ESV). God gave the people a mind to work. Do you have a mind to do God's work? Or are you busy and distracted with a mind to do your own work?
So Sanballat and Tobiah raised the opposition. No longer did they just use words; now they're coming to kill God's people and stop the work! But Nehemiah leads God's people. They prayed to God (v9) and then Nehemiah gave them a charge that filled their spines with steel: "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes" (v14).
What a charge! First take care of your own heart by refusing to be afraid, and remembering the Lord (who is great and awesome!). Then fight for others. Men should lead the way by fighting for their families. Fight for the other brothers and sisters in the local church where God has stationed you!
Finally, they got ready to fight...while they continued to work on building the wall! "From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall" (v16). Notice that the leaders were right there with the workers and warriors, encouraging them along. Church leaders, get in their with the people and fight and build!
"Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built" (17-18).
A trowel in one hand, a sword in the other. Ready to fight while doing the work. What a vision for serving the Lord in the midst of trial and even opposition. Have you become discouraged? Have you put down your trowel and stopped working? Have you put down your sword and stopped fighting? Have you put them BOTH down? Well pick them back up! STAND with the brothers and sisters in the local church where you have been stationed, and join them in the work - and in the fight!
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight as you build!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Season For...
'Tis the season for...a lot of things.
It's a whirlwind!
This time of year means so many things to different people.
For many it's the season to overeat.
For others it's the season to become a media junkie, vegging out on movies, tv, etc.
Others think it's the season to elevate traditions above all...
Or worship the family,
Or be lazy,
Grumpy,
Stressed out,
Depressed,
ETC.
How should the Jesus-follower, who finds himself in the middle of all this, treat this season?
1. Stay focused on Jesus. Don't get distracted by craziness - even while pretending it's for Jesus. Ask yourself what Christ would have you focused on. The truth of the incarnation - that the eternal Son of God took on flesh and became a Man in order to save us - is a glorious and healthy thing to set our minds on! Meditate on the glories of Christ, and the wonder of his becoming flesh!
2. Evaluate the Traditions. Ask yourself why you do what you do - or why you don't do what you avoid - when it comes to holiday traditions. There may be some pointless, distracting traditions that need to be canned. And there may be some really Christ-exalting things you and your family can do to celebrate the Word becoming flesh.
3. Look for Opportunities to Share the Gospel. Since we find ourselves in this culture, we may as well use it to share the gospel! People could be more open to hearing about Christ this time of year. Give gifts, cards, and smiles - with the gospel. Write a letter to your neighbors explaining the gospel of Christ and hand deliver them as a family...with some baked goodies. Ask God to show you how you can utilize this culture to share his good news.
4. Remember the Awe and Wonder of God's Glory and Love. Think afresh on the glory and holiness of God. He did not owe us salvation when we sinned (He didn't offer salvation to the angels who sinned...). Be blown away, once again, with the grace of God: how he chose to set his love and affection on us, and redeem us at great cost to himself. Stand, by faith, at the foot of the cross and look upon the One who poured out his lifeblood to ransom our sin-stained souls! Repent of hard-heartedness, grumpiness and selfishness. Receive from the Lord a tender, gracious and loving heart.
5. Show Love and Joy to Others. After #4, you'll want to overflow by just being nice to people - in the power of Jesus. Look around at all the distracted, stressed out people around you. Yield to the Holy Spirit and then go and love on people. Are there needs you can meet in Jesus' name? People you can encourage?
What a season of joy, when we remember the glory of God in Christ!
"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11, ESV
It's a whirlwind!
This time of year means so many things to different people.
For many it's the season to overeat.
For others it's the season to become a media junkie, vegging out on movies, tv, etc.
Others think it's the season to elevate traditions above all...
Or worship the family,
Or be lazy,
Grumpy,
Stressed out,
Depressed,
ETC.
How should the Jesus-follower, who finds himself in the middle of all this, treat this season?
1. Stay focused on Jesus. Don't get distracted by craziness - even while pretending it's for Jesus. Ask yourself what Christ would have you focused on. The truth of the incarnation - that the eternal Son of God took on flesh and became a Man in order to save us - is a glorious and healthy thing to set our minds on! Meditate on the glories of Christ, and the wonder of his becoming flesh!
2. Evaluate the Traditions. Ask yourself why you do what you do - or why you don't do what you avoid - when it comes to holiday traditions. There may be some pointless, distracting traditions that need to be canned. And there may be some really Christ-exalting things you and your family can do to celebrate the Word becoming flesh.
3. Look for Opportunities to Share the Gospel. Since we find ourselves in this culture, we may as well use it to share the gospel! People could be more open to hearing about Christ this time of year. Give gifts, cards, and smiles - with the gospel. Write a letter to your neighbors explaining the gospel of Christ and hand deliver them as a family...with some baked goodies. Ask God to show you how you can utilize this culture to share his good news.
4. Remember the Awe and Wonder of God's Glory and Love. Think afresh on the glory and holiness of God. He did not owe us salvation when we sinned (He didn't offer salvation to the angels who sinned...). Be blown away, once again, with the grace of God: how he chose to set his love and affection on us, and redeem us at great cost to himself. Stand, by faith, at the foot of the cross and look upon the One who poured out his lifeblood to ransom our sin-stained souls! Repent of hard-heartedness, grumpiness and selfishness. Receive from the Lord a tender, gracious and loving heart.
5. Show Love and Joy to Others. After #4, you'll want to overflow by just being nice to people - in the power of Jesus. Look around at all the distracted, stressed out people around you. Yield to the Holy Spirit and then go and love on people. Are there needs you can meet in Jesus' name? People you can encourage?
What a season of joy, when we remember the glory of God in Christ!
"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11, ESV
Monday, November 16, 2009
Seeing Jesus
I just heard John Piper say that if we have not devoted our lives to seeing Jesus (with the spiritual eyes of our hearts) then we are probably not making much progress in becoming like him.
Wow.
I think he is right. How often I forget that seeing Jesus in his glory is not just what happens when we are born again; it's not just the beginning of our Christian experience. It's the GOAL. Oh! I get so busy and distracted and stressed and overwhelmed and taken up with 'other things' (Martha, Martha) that I forget that's it's all about seeing Jesus: feasting my soul on the glories of Christ! "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love!" How quickly I leave Jesus so that I can go and serve Jesus. THAT IS RELIGION. And it's dead.
Are you like me? Then be reminded that Jesus is the Treasure. Stop trying to live for Jesus without waiting in his presence, just....looking at him.....ahhhhh......seeing him. Beholding his glory. Meditating on his excellencies. Tasting his goodness. The first and greatest commandment - to love the Lord with ALL.
The third verse of the old hymn Be Thou My Vision says:
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
Praise Jesus! Stop and rest in him today. SEE HIM.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
(Psalm 27:4, ESV)
Back to Piper's quote. If we have not devoted ourselves to seeing him, we are probably not making much progress in becoming like him. Because it is through seeing him that we are being transformed into his likeness:
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18a, ESV)
Oh Lord, open our eyes to see Jesus!
Wow.
I think he is right. How often I forget that seeing Jesus in his glory is not just what happens when we are born again; it's not just the beginning of our Christian experience. It's the GOAL. Oh! I get so busy and distracted and stressed and overwhelmed and taken up with 'other things' (Martha, Martha) that I forget that's it's all about seeing Jesus: feasting my soul on the glories of Christ! "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love!" How quickly I leave Jesus so that I can go and serve Jesus. THAT IS RELIGION. And it's dead.
Are you like me? Then be reminded that Jesus is the Treasure. Stop trying to live for Jesus without waiting in his presence, just....looking at him.....ahhhhh......seeing him. Beholding his glory. Meditating on his excellencies. Tasting his goodness. The first and greatest commandment - to love the Lord with ALL.
The third verse of the old hymn Be Thou My Vision says:
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
Praise Jesus! Stop and rest in him today. SEE HIM.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
(Psalm 27:4, ESV)
Back to Piper's quote. If we have not devoted ourselves to seeing him, we are probably not making much progress in becoming like him. Because it is through seeing him that we are being transformed into his likeness:
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18a, ESV)
Oh Lord, open our eyes to see Jesus!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Life-Giving Water From the Rock!
Have you ever wondered how much water flowed from the rock in the wilderness to quench Israel's thirst?
Remember this story? God poured out his plagues on Egypt and brought his people out by the blood of the Passover Lamb; He parted the Red Sea and brought them safely across; He began to lead them to Mt. Sinai to receive his awesome Law. And on the way, the people were thirsty. No water! So God told Moses:
"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6, ESV
Would you hit a rock if God was standing on it? You would if God told you to. This close connection between the rock and God (he was standing on it) has led some interpreters to see this as almost a command for Moses to strike God himself, "with the result that God himself is the source of the life-giving water that flowed from the rock" (ESV Study Bible notes). What a picture of Christ being "hit" for us at the cross, and saving, cleansing water for the thirsty pouring out of his sacrifice! The Apostle Paul even says, "the rock was Jesus" (1 Cor 10:4).
Back to my original question. How much water flowed out of this rock in the wilderness? Exodus does not tell us. We are told only that "Moses did so." Have you always had a mental picture of a little water trickling down, like a water fountain? Or maybe like an overflowing well, where each person could come and hold out a cup to be filled, one at a time?
But this was a multitude of people! Exodus 12:37-38 tells us there were "about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds." Wow! How much water would it have taken to quench the thirst of around 1 million people or more, and give their flocks and herds plenty of water as well? This is a lot of water!
The Psalms shed more light on this:
"He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers." Psalm 78:15-16
"He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river." Psalm 105:41
Praise God! What a supply! What a miraculous, plentiful provision to the covenant people of God. He made a river of life-giving water for his people.
And what a glorious picture of the overflowing, bountiful water of life that flows from the crucified Son of God, Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!
"But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water." John 19:34
"Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.' John 4:13-14
"...Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 'Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." Revelation 22:17
Take a moment right now, and look to Jesus Christ, the Rock who gives living water to all who believe in him! "The river of God is full of water" (Psalm 65:9). There is enough for you. Drink deeply!
Remember this story? God poured out his plagues on Egypt and brought his people out by the blood of the Passover Lamb; He parted the Red Sea and brought them safely across; He began to lead them to Mt. Sinai to receive his awesome Law. And on the way, the people were thirsty. No water! So God told Moses:
"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6, ESV
Would you hit a rock if God was standing on it? You would if God told you to. This close connection between the rock and God (he was standing on it) has led some interpreters to see this as almost a command for Moses to strike God himself, "with the result that God himself is the source of the life-giving water that flowed from the rock" (ESV Study Bible notes). What a picture of Christ being "hit" for us at the cross, and saving, cleansing water for the thirsty pouring out of his sacrifice! The Apostle Paul even says, "the rock was Jesus" (1 Cor 10:4).
Back to my original question. How much water flowed out of this rock in the wilderness? Exodus does not tell us. We are told only that "Moses did so." Have you always had a mental picture of a little water trickling down, like a water fountain? Or maybe like an overflowing well, where each person could come and hold out a cup to be filled, one at a time?
But this was a multitude of people! Exodus 12:37-38 tells us there were "about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds." Wow! How much water would it have taken to quench the thirst of around 1 million people or more, and give their flocks and herds plenty of water as well? This is a lot of water!
The Psalms shed more light on this:
"He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers." Psalm 78:15-16
"He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river." Psalm 105:41
Praise God! What a supply! What a miraculous, plentiful provision to the covenant people of God. He made a river of life-giving water for his people.
And what a glorious picture of the overflowing, bountiful water of life that flows from the crucified Son of God, Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!
"But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water." John 19:34
"Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.' John 4:13-14
"...Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 'Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." Revelation 22:17
Take a moment right now, and look to Jesus Christ, the Rock who gives living water to all who believe in him! "The river of God is full of water" (Psalm 65:9). There is enough for you. Drink deeply!
Monday, October 5, 2009
God Wants Us to be Generous Givers
God's will for Christians is that we be generous givers.
This is clearly taught in Scripture, and is rooted in the wonderful truth that God himeslf is a generous Giver!
Are you thankful that God is not stingy? Whose air have you been breathing today? God's! (Has he ever mailed you a bill?) Who maintains your sanity (seriously - have you, by an act of your will, done one thing to hold your sanity together? No, God maintains for us our ability to think and reason!)? Who gave you life? Who supplies rain to water the earth and bring forth food? God is a generous Giver!!!
Are you glad that God is not stingy with forgiveness, for those who come to him through Jesus? How many times have you crawled before his throne asking for grace, mercy and forgiveness?
God the Father is a Giver.
He gave his Son:
This is clearly taught in Scripture, and is rooted in the wonderful truth that God himeslf is a generous Giver!
Are you thankful that God is not stingy? Whose air have you been breathing today? God's! (Has he ever mailed you a bill?) Who maintains your sanity (seriously - have you, by an act of your will, done one thing to hold your sanity together? No, God maintains for us our ability to think and reason!)? Who gave you life? Who supplies rain to water the earth and bring forth food? God is a generous Giver!!!
Are you glad that God is not stingy with forgiveness, for those who come to him through Jesus? How many times have you crawled before his throne asking for grace, mercy and forgiveness?
God the Father is a Giver.
He gave his Son:
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son..." John 3:16
- "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?" Romans 8:32
He gives the Holy Spirit: "…the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" Rom 5:5
He gives us numerous blessings:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…" Jam 1:5, 17
He gives victory (1 Cor 15:57). He gives grace (Rom 12:3; 1 Cor 1:4, 3:10; 2 Tim 1:9).
He gives eternal life (John 10:28-29; 1 John 5:11)
God will forever be a giver!
"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." Rev 21:23
“Close to 90% of uses of didomi (Greek word for “give”) in the NT letters have God as their subject; thus, Christianity is a religion of receiving gifts from God that we cannot earn ourselves.” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, p285).
God the Son is a Giver.
He gave himself:
- "...I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20b
- "‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’" Lk 22:19
- "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" Ephesians 5:25 (see also Gal 1:4; Eph 5:2; 1 Tim 2:6; Titus 2:14)
God the Holy Spirit is a Giver.
He gives life: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all..." John 6:63 (see also 2 Cor 3:6b)
He gives us spiritual gifts: 1 Cor 12:8-11
We are to be like God the Giver!
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." Eph 5:1
Have you thanked God for his generosity today? Have you asked him to do a mighty work of grace in your life to make you a generous giver?
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11, ESV
Monday, September 28, 2009
Meditation: Communion with God
What do you think about all day? And does the answer to that question reveal much about your spiritual state? Is the content and focus of our thoughts a fruit, or sign, of whether or not we are alive to God?
At the moment of conversion the person who was once blind and deaf to God, dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), is miraculously "made alive" - regenerated by the Spirit of God, born again, awakened to the living God, given eyes to see and ears to hear in the spirit - it's a glorious, creation-work of God! The born-again child of God is indwelt by God's own Spirit and is suddenly AWARE of God, Christ, and spiritual things. He begins to see the unseen, and commune with God.
God is now the focus of thought for the convert. While this happens naturally, as the Holy Spirit works within, the believer has a responsibility to cooperate with God in this relationship. As believers we have the privilege and the duty to meditate on the things of God; to think upon the Lord and his revealed truth. The Lord gives us strength within, depth of thought, peace and joy and awareness of God as we meditate on his truth!
Yet the enemy (and our own flesh) recognizes the danger of the Christian who is constantly thinking upon Christ, and provides countless distractions. In our age it is becoming more and more difficult to "be still and know" that he is God (Psalm 46:10). But this is vital for our growing communion with God.
When we talk of meditating on the Lord, we mean that these focused thoughts on truth are done IN THE PRESENCE of the Lord (before the Lord) in an attitude of prayer and worship. We are not speaking merely of thought. There is an awareness in our meditation that we are sitting before the Lord, communing with him as we fill our minds with his truth, revealed in Scripture. What a glorious thing! How sweet and satisfying; how deep and rich and lovely to walk with God!
J.I. Packer, in his classic book Knowing God, describes the practice of Christian meditation:
We turn each truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God... Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consicously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God... It's effect is ever to humble us as we contemplate God's greatness and glory and our own littleness and sinfulness, and to encourage and reassure us - "comfort" us, in the old, strong, Bible sense of the word - as we contemplate the unsearchable riches of divine mercy displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ. (chapter 1)
Christian, what a privilege is yours to walk with God and KNOW him! What a delight to meditate on the Lord! Be diligent to fix your thoughts on the glory of Christ in prayer, praise and meditation. "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV).
At the moment of conversion the person who was once blind and deaf to God, dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), is miraculously "made alive" - regenerated by the Spirit of God, born again, awakened to the living God, given eyes to see and ears to hear in the spirit - it's a glorious, creation-work of God! The born-again child of God is indwelt by God's own Spirit and is suddenly AWARE of God, Christ, and spiritual things. He begins to see the unseen, and commune with God.
God is now the focus of thought for the convert. While this happens naturally, as the Holy Spirit works within, the believer has a responsibility to cooperate with God in this relationship. As believers we have the privilege and the duty to meditate on the things of God; to think upon the Lord and his revealed truth. The Lord gives us strength within, depth of thought, peace and joy and awareness of God as we meditate on his truth!
Yet the enemy (and our own flesh) recognizes the danger of the Christian who is constantly thinking upon Christ, and provides countless distractions. In our age it is becoming more and more difficult to "be still and know" that he is God (Psalm 46:10). But this is vital for our growing communion with God.
When we talk of meditating on the Lord, we mean that these focused thoughts on truth are done IN THE PRESENCE of the Lord (before the Lord) in an attitude of prayer and worship. We are not speaking merely of thought. There is an awareness in our meditation that we are sitting before the Lord, communing with him as we fill our minds with his truth, revealed in Scripture. What a glorious thing! How sweet and satisfying; how deep and rich and lovely to walk with God!
J.I. Packer, in his classic book Knowing God, describes the practice of Christian meditation:
We turn each truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God... Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consicously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God... It's effect is ever to humble us as we contemplate God's greatness and glory and our own littleness and sinfulness, and to encourage and reassure us - "comfort" us, in the old, strong, Bible sense of the word - as we contemplate the unsearchable riches of divine mercy displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ. (chapter 1)
Christian, what a privilege is yours to walk with God and KNOW him! What a delight to meditate on the Lord! Be diligent to fix your thoughts on the glory of Christ in prayer, praise and meditation. "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV).
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Diligence in the Means of Grace
God's will for Christians is that we grow up. Physically we're born and then we grow up. Spiritually we are born again and then we grow up. God's will is not comfort and ease for the believer. He'll send trials to test our faith. He's chipping away what doesn't look like Jesus. Our society, more and more it seems, produces wimps. God wants warriors.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV)
We grow up the same way we were born: God miraculously working in us, through faith in Jesus. But God has chosen certain means through which he grows us up in Christ. Historically they've been known as the means of grace. This doesn't mean that these things save us, but that God has chosen to work through them in the life of the believer to bless and grow and strengthen us. We don't hear much about them these days. It's all about how to be happy and successful. God wants us holy.
God is sovereign in his use of the means of grace. But the Christian is responsible. What is our duty toward the means of grace? Our duty is to be DILIGENT in them, looking past the means of grace to Jesus Christ. JOYFUL DILIGENCE.
What are the means of grace? They are all found in the church, the assembly of the saints. Historically they've been identified as the preaching of the word of God and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Others throughout the ages have added prayer to the list. Wayne Grudem has a longer list. He takes a more general view, calling all the things God uses in the church to bless his people the means of grace.
I take Grudem's viewpoint. My list has 10 means of grace:
1. Proclamation of the Word.
2. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3. Assembly of the Saints.
4. Prayer.
5. Evangelism and Good Works (acts of mercy).
6. Financial Giving.
7. Ministry in the Body (anointing w/oil, laying on hands, spiritual gifts, etc)
8. Submission to Authority.
9. Mortification (war on sin).
10. Suffering (not seeking it out, but receiving it when God sends it).
Our duty is to apply ourselves to these things with JOYFUL DILIGENCE, looking past the means of grace to Jesus Christ and him crucified. God will use these means to grow us up!
Because all the means of grace are found in the expression of the local church, to isolate yourself from the church is to commit spiritual suicide. It would be like someone refusing to breathe but saying they are trusting God to stay alive. God in his wisdom has appointed the means of air to keep us alive. Spiritually, God designed it so that we need committed connection to the saints!
How about you? Are you growing in grace? Are you applying these means of grace with all diligence and joy in Jesus?
I'll close with a few quotes on the means of grace.
To persevere in grace we must seek to use all the means of grace that can assist us—not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; not neglecting either private or public prayer; using what grace we have if we expect to get more; doing what we can for God, as we expect him to do all for us; in fine, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, because it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure. If these things be in you and abound, they shall be the means of preserving you, and you shall be among. the happy number that shall sing, " Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before his presence with exceeding joys unto him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Charles Spurgeon, (http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/3504.htm)
“And in the mean time, the sure and general rule for all who groan for the salvation of God is this, — whenever opportunity serves, use all the means which God has ordained; for who knows in which God will meet thee with the grace that bringeth salvation?” John Wesley,
(Wesley, Means; 266)
I hate the devil, and the way he is killing some of you by persuading you it is legalistic to be as regular in your prayers as you are in your eating and sleeping and Internet use. Do you not see what a sucker he his making out of you? He is laughing up his sleeve at how easy it is to deceive Christians about the importance of prayer.
God has given us means of grace. ...If we don’t eat, we starve. If we don’t drink, we get dehydrated. If we don’t exercise a muscle, it atrophies. If we don’t breathe, we suffocate. And just as there are physical means of life, there spiritual are means of grace.
John Piper, (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2008/3468/)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV)
We grow up the same way we were born: God miraculously working in us, through faith in Jesus. But God has chosen certain means through which he grows us up in Christ. Historically they've been known as the means of grace. This doesn't mean that these things save us, but that God has chosen to work through them in the life of the believer to bless and grow and strengthen us. We don't hear much about them these days. It's all about how to be happy and successful. God wants us holy.
God is sovereign in his use of the means of grace. But the Christian is responsible. What is our duty toward the means of grace? Our duty is to be DILIGENT in them, looking past the means of grace to Jesus Christ. JOYFUL DILIGENCE.
What are the means of grace? They are all found in the church, the assembly of the saints. Historically they've been identified as the preaching of the word of God and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Others throughout the ages have added prayer to the list. Wayne Grudem has a longer list. He takes a more general view, calling all the things God uses in the church to bless his people the means of grace.
I take Grudem's viewpoint. My list has 10 means of grace:
1. Proclamation of the Word.
2. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3. Assembly of the Saints.
4. Prayer.
5. Evangelism and Good Works (acts of mercy).
6. Financial Giving.
7. Ministry in the Body (anointing w/oil, laying on hands, spiritual gifts, etc)
8. Submission to Authority.
9. Mortification (war on sin).
10. Suffering (not seeking it out, but receiving it when God sends it).
Our duty is to apply ourselves to these things with JOYFUL DILIGENCE, looking past the means of grace to Jesus Christ and him crucified. God will use these means to grow us up!
Because all the means of grace are found in the expression of the local church, to isolate yourself from the church is to commit spiritual suicide. It would be like someone refusing to breathe but saying they are trusting God to stay alive. God in his wisdom has appointed the means of air to keep us alive. Spiritually, God designed it so that we need committed connection to the saints!
How about you? Are you growing in grace? Are you applying these means of grace with all diligence and joy in Jesus?
I'll close with a few quotes on the means of grace.
To persevere in grace we must seek to use all the means of grace that can assist us—not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; not neglecting either private or public prayer; using what grace we have if we expect to get more; doing what we can for God, as we expect him to do all for us; in fine, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, because it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure. If these things be in you and abound, they shall be the means of preserving you, and you shall be among. the happy number that shall sing, " Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before his presence with exceeding joys unto him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Charles Spurgeon, (http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/3504.htm)
“And in the mean time, the sure and general rule for all who groan for the salvation of God is this, — whenever opportunity serves, use all the means which God has ordained; for who knows in which God will meet thee with the grace that bringeth salvation?” John Wesley,
(Wesley, Means; 266)
I hate the devil, and the way he is killing some of you by persuading you it is legalistic to be as regular in your prayers as you are in your eating and sleeping and Internet use. Do you not see what a sucker he his making out of you? He is laughing up his sleeve at how easy it is to deceive Christians about the importance of prayer.
God has given us means of grace. ...If we don’t eat, we starve. If we don’t drink, we get dehydrated. If we don’t exercise a muscle, it atrophies. If we don’t breathe, we suffocate. And just as there are physical means of life, there spiritual are means of grace.
John Piper, (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2008/3468/)
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