Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I am about to retire, moving to Texas. And I have been giving some thought to both my future and my past. This is a time to look not only forward but also to look back. It is time to move on, and it is also a time to look back and to say some goodbyes.
As part of looking forward to a new future, planning for a life that will be so different, I have given some consideration to my experience at the little Baptist church I've been going to these past four years.
I found, in this church, a loving people that were right with each other and right with God, a people working for the good of the community and for the glory of God. I found a Pastor with a wonderful, inspired message, based on the Bible, ably leading his flock. In this church, I did find some spiritual peace, some little bit of rest on my walk in His path, in His Spirit. This was a good church to find one's salvation.
But, sad to say, I found no kindred spirits in this church. There was never much to say. I guess I was just passing through. It's just a fact, an odd, sad fact of my life.
If you give life, in its deepest sense, some thought, God's essential message in the Bible is not about church, universal or local. God's essential message in the Bible is not about the rapture, or speaking in tongues or election or evangelism. In the end, you only have your Bible and the holy message that God left for you. In the end, it is just you and your God.
Thankfully, for some of us, he is a gracious, loving God.
Isaiah 2
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths....
Amen
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Moving On
Matthew 19
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
I'm taking a break. I'm getting old, feeling my age, and I'm about to retire. It's time to think, to pray. What am I going to do for the next few years, or at least 'til God takes me home. New directions. Setting a new course. Hopefully serving the glory of God. And, somehow, I sense that this blog is coming to an end.
Final note. It seems to me, when you make big changes in your life, when you think about your future, what you are to do, what you should be doing with your life, the above passage is good to consider.
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
I'm taking a break. I'm getting old, feeling my age, and I'm about to retire. It's time to think, to pray. What am I going to do for the next few years, or at least 'til God takes me home. New directions. Setting a new course. Hopefully serving the glory of God. And, somehow, I sense that this blog is coming to an end.
Final note. It seems to me, when you make big changes in your life, when you think about your future, what you are to do, what you should be doing with your life, the above passage is good to consider.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Need For New Macedonian Church
2 Corinthians 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
The events of the day and daily Bible study, do not mix well, for me anyway. Daily Bible study, I think, is a refuge, quality time between a sinner and his savior. And that is the focus of this blog. It time to get away from the news of the day, the politics, the murder, the mayhem.
Be that as it may, I came across this sad news item the other day. It is from New York Newsday, August 21, 2011:
After giving this issue some thought, I think it is maybe more important than I initially thought. But I can't even begin to imagine how church members and those who might want to go to church might approach this issue.
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
The events of the day and daily Bible study, do not mix well, for me anyway. Daily Bible study, I think, is a refuge, quality time between a sinner and his savior. And that is the focus of this blog. It time to get away from the news of the day, the politics, the murder, the mayhem.
Be that as it may, I came across this sad news item the other day. It is from New York Newsday, August 21, 2011:
Large numbers of less-educated white Americans are abandoning religion, a new study says. Since the 1970s, religious service attendance has declined among all white Americans, but the rate of decline among those without college degrees has been more than twice that of college graduates, according to the researchers. The study, which was to be presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association ( ASA ) in Las Vegas, focused on whites because religiosity among blacks and Hispanics is less affected by education and income, the researchers said.Part of the problem may be that churches, above and beyond their valid, wonderful, soul-saving spiritual purposes, may function as clubs with members pay their dues during each service. My guess: the group discussed in the above article - less educated white Americans - just may not be able to comfortably, spiritually, and financially participate in churches.
After giving this issue some thought, I think it is maybe more important than I initially thought. But I can't even begin to imagine how church members and those who might want to go to church might approach this issue.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Will Of God
Joel 2
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
As my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ grows, the more I try to live a righteous life, the more I love my church, the more I love my fellow Christians, the more I pity the lost.
And, as my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ grows....the less inclined I am to share my deepest thoughts on the will and the ways and the working of God it this cruel, evil world.
The argument would waste my strength....
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
As my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ grows, the more I try to live a righteous life, the more I love my church, the more I love my fellow Christians, the more I pity the lost.
And, as my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ grows....the less inclined I am to share my deepest thoughts on the will and the ways and the working of God it this cruel, evil world.
The argument would waste my strength....
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Works And Will And Way Of God
Ecclesiastes 3
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
This passage is about our God, whose works and will and ways are unfathomable.
More From Ecclesiastes 3
13 ....every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.
It is acceptable, in God's sight, to enjoy the fruits of our labor.
But, we must be careful. There is a thin deadly line between humbly enjoying the fruits of your labor and abject iniquity. A very thin line.
More From Ecclesiastes 3
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Question. Is the use of the phrase "works and will and ways" a copy write violation?
Finally From Ecclesiastes 3
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
This passage is about our God, whose works and will and ways are unfathomable.
More From Ecclesiastes 3
13 ....every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.
It is acceptable, in God's sight, to enjoy the fruits of our labor.
But, we must be careful. There is a thin deadly line between humbly enjoying the fruits of your labor and abject iniquity. A very thin line.
More From Ecclesiastes 3
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Question. Is the use of the phrase "works and will and ways" a copy write violation?
Finally From Ecclesiastes 3
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Good Church Order
1 John 3
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Here is rule number 11 for a happy, humble, Godly life: Never, ever, disturb good church order. This is not rule number 1 or 5 or even 8, but rule number 11. But, that still makes it a very important rule.
Psalm 133
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.
When we think of good church order, we should think of Israel after the death of Absalom or the captivity of the Jews during the time of Zarubabbel and Joshua the high priest. That is good background for thinking about the church.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Here is rule number 11 for a happy, humble, Godly life: Never, ever, disturb good church order. This is not rule number 1 or 5 or even 8, but rule number 11. But, that still makes it a very important rule.
Psalm 133
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.
When we think of good church order, we should think of Israel after the death of Absalom or the captivity of the Jews during the time of Zarubabbel and Joshua the high priest. That is good background for thinking about the church.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Kosmos
John 3
16 For God so loved the world, that....
You cannot understand your salvation, you cannot bask in the sunshine of God's love, you cannot appreciate God's grace until you confront the whole world, the kosmos in Greek, the world that God loved so dearly. This is the definition of the World, From Strong's Reference:
One final point. This passage does not read: And God so loved his elect....
16 For God so loved the world, that....
You cannot understand your salvation, you cannot bask in the sunshine of God's love, you cannot appreciate God's grace until you confront the whole world, the kosmos in Greek, the world that God loved so dearly. This is the definition of the World, From Strong's Reference:
2889 // kosmov // kosmos // kos'-mos //The world is our stage, it includes good and bad, health and sickness, joy and sadness, evil, enmity, justice and injustice, along with all of God's gracious gifts. And we are sinners in this wonderful, awful world.....
1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
2) ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1Pe 3:3
3) the world, the universe
4) the circle of the earth, the earth
5) the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
6) the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
7) world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
7a) the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
8a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews ( Ro 11:12 etc)
8b) of believers only, John 1:29; 3:16; 3:17; 6:33; 12:47
1Co 4:9; 2Co 5:19
One final point. This passage does not read: And God so loved his elect....
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Day Of Visitation
Isaiah 10
1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
This passage is a warning to those who do not deal with the poor and the needy in a charitable, righteous way. It is specifically directed to Hebrew leaders, but is a good lesson for us all.
Prepare now, live righteously, treat those in need with kindness, be ready for your judgement on the day of visitation, the day of God's judgement. As Hebrew tradition has it, the day of God's judgement is "the day when the Holy One, blessed be He, visits upon you your iniquities." (Amos 3:2).
But there is, always, hope for the Hebrew remnant:
Isaiah 11
11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
And, there is, always, hope for the righteous of God, Christian or Hebrew. Are you righteous?
1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
This passage is a warning to those who do not deal with the poor and the needy in a charitable, righteous way. It is specifically directed to Hebrew leaders, but is a good lesson for us all.
Prepare now, live righteously, treat those in need with kindness, be ready for your judgement on the day of visitation, the day of God's judgement. As Hebrew tradition has it, the day of God's judgement is "the day when the Holy One, blessed be He, visits upon you your iniquities." (Amos 3:2).
But there is, always, hope for the Hebrew remnant:
Isaiah 11
11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
And, there is, always, hope for the righteous of God, Christian or Hebrew. Are you righteous?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Helplessness - And Bible Prophesy
Matthew 24
42 Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Here is the problem. I don't have a mind to figure out much. This especially applies to Bible Prophesy, and especially to the books of Daniel and Revelations.
I believe Jesus is coming, like a thief in the night. And I believe He is coming in a cloud, with great power and glory. But for any understanding more than this, I have come to the conclusion that I must rely on others, trusted others: Scofield, Larkin, Gill, my Pastor, Chafer.
And so, I read my Bible and Scofield, and now mostly Chafer, and say, ah ha, yes indeed, now I understand God's prophetic word to man. I truly understand the seventieth week. And a month later? I still believe Jesus is coming, like a thief in the night, but I can't remember the significance of Rome, the fourth kingdom, much less Medo-Persia, the second kingdom. Or is it the third?
Here is John Gill's explanation of Jesus' coming in Matthew 24 that I find oddly comforting:
42 Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Here is the problem. I don't have a mind to figure out much. This especially applies to Bible Prophesy, and especially to the books of Daniel and Revelations.
I believe Jesus is coming, like a thief in the night. And I believe He is coming in a cloud, with great power and glory. But for any understanding more than this, I have come to the conclusion that I must rely on others, trusted others: Scofield, Larkin, Gill, my Pastor, Chafer.
And so, I read my Bible and Scofield, and now mostly Chafer, and say, ah ha, yes indeed, now I understand God's prophetic word to man. I truly understand the seventieth week. And a month later? I still believe Jesus is coming, like a thief in the night, but I can't remember the significance of Rome, the fourth kingdom, much less Medo-Persia, the second kingdom. Or is it the third?
Here is John Gill's explanation of Jesus' coming in Matthew 24 that I find oddly comforting:
for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come; [Here Jesus says He is coming] to avenge himself of the unbelieving Jews, and fulfil what he in person, and by his apostles, had predicted and warned them of. I will not deny, but that what follows may be much better accommodated and applied to the second coming of Christ, and the last judgment, and the behaviour of men with regard to both, than anything said before. And, it may be our Lord's intention, to lead his disciples gradually, and as it were imperceptibly, to the last scene of things on earth, to make way for the parables and description of the future judgment, in the next chapter; still keeping in view, and having reference to, the subject he had been so long upon..I find Gill's 18th Century Baptist view of the millennium and beyond comforting. This, in the end, is my view of Jesus' Second Coming. It is tentative, but then again it is more than sufficient to guide me in my daily life....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Jesus and His Office
Hebrews 9
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
I wish I had written down my thoughts about Jesus before He came into my life as my Lord and Savior. I wish I had written down my thoughts about Jesus before I was quickened, before I started my Bible studies. I have always believed in Jesus, but I did not understand His sacrifice for my transgressions. I did not understand that He was mediator of the Gospel; I did not understand that Jesus was Christ, the reconciler of heaven and of earth. I did not understand the Offices of Jesus, as prophet, as priest and as king. I just did not give much thought to any of this. I just did not give much thought to Jesus, what He is, what He does, who he is to me. And, I really did not give much thought to his sacrifice for my sins. And, indeed, I did not give much thought to my sins and my own sinful nature.
In my early years, I did not struggle with atheism or agnosticism. I did not struggle with the existence of God. I always believed in Jesus who was somehow divine. But, for so many years, he was distant. When I started my daily bible study, but before I was saved, I remember just the idea of Jesus being vaguely discomforting. Jesus and God were over there, beyond the far ridge. And the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit was a warm breeze that would slowly blow past me, comforting, but only once in a while.
Hebrews 8
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
One thing about those years before I was saved: they were accompanied by southern gospel music and hymns. I would listen, sing along, filled with the Spirit. I always had my records, then my cassettes and finally my CD's. And in those songs, one might not quite grasp the sacrifice of Jesus. In those songs, one might not grasp the need to be born again. In those songs, one might not feel the need to repent your sins. But, in those songs, somehow over the years, I could feel the Christian love of the singers and especially I could feel the love of Jesus Christ.
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
I wish I had written down my thoughts about Jesus before He came into my life as my Lord and Savior. I wish I had written down my thoughts about Jesus before I was quickened, before I started my Bible studies. I have always believed in Jesus, but I did not understand His sacrifice for my transgressions. I did not understand that He was mediator of the Gospel; I did not understand that Jesus was Christ, the reconciler of heaven and of earth. I did not understand the Offices of Jesus, as prophet, as priest and as king. I just did not give much thought to any of this. I just did not give much thought to Jesus, what He is, what He does, who he is to me. And, I really did not give much thought to his sacrifice for my sins. And, indeed, I did not give much thought to my sins and my own sinful nature.
In my early years, I did not struggle with atheism or agnosticism. I did not struggle with the existence of God. I always believed in Jesus who was somehow divine. But, for so many years, he was distant. When I started my daily bible study, but before I was saved, I remember just the idea of Jesus being vaguely discomforting. Jesus and God were over there, beyond the far ridge. And the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit was a warm breeze that would slowly blow past me, comforting, but only once in a while.
Hebrews 8
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
One thing about those years before I was saved: they were accompanied by southern gospel music and hymns. I would listen, sing along, filled with the Spirit. I always had my records, then my cassettes and finally my CD's. And in those songs, one might not quite grasp the sacrifice of Jesus. In those songs, one might not grasp the need to be born again. In those songs, one might not feel the need to repent your sins. But, in those songs, somehow over the years, I could feel the Christian love of the singers and especially I could feel the love of Jesus Christ.
When all of God's singers come home....
Friday, September 9, 2011
John Gill's Comments On Ephesians
Ephesians 3
19 .... know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In my Bible reading this past few days, I came across this description of the theme of Ephesians in John Gill's "Exposition Of The Entire Bible."
What a wonderful exposition of Ephesians.
I never tire of reading John Gill's commentary. I may not agree with every single phrase of Gill's interpretation of Ephesians, but I do now have a sense of the width and the breath and the depth of God's message in Ephesians. It seems, for whatever reason, that John Gill leads me to my last and final thoughts on many Bible passages, and particularly difficult Bible passages. And, I always look forward to that next John Gill comment, which quickly becomes my all-time, favorite John Gill quote.
19 .... know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In my Bible reading this past few days, I came across this description of the theme of Ephesians in John Gill's "Exposition Of The Entire Bible."
...the subject matter of [Ephesians] is most excellent; it treats of the most sublime doctrines of grace, of divine predestination, and eternal election, of redemption by Christ, and of peace and pardon by his blood, of conversion by the power of efficacious grace, and of salvation by the free grace of God, in opposition to works: it also very largely treats of the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, and of gifts qualifying for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians; and the method which is used is exceeding apt and beautiful, for the apostle first begins with the doctrines of the Gospel, which he distinctly handles and explains, and then proceeds to enforce the duties belonging to men, both as men and Christians.
What a wonderful exposition of Ephesians.
I never tire of reading John Gill's commentary. I may not agree with every single phrase of Gill's interpretation of Ephesians, but I do now have a sense of the width and the breath and the depth of God's message in Ephesians. It seems, for whatever reason, that John Gill leads me to my last and final thoughts on many Bible passages, and particularly difficult Bible passages. And, I always look forward to that next John Gill comment, which quickly becomes my all-time, favorite John Gill quote.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
God's Message In Ephesians
Joshua 21
43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
I have been, this past few days, reading about the Church of God, the body of Christ, the true church, in comparison to the local church.
Scofield describes the theme of the true church in Ephesians here:
And finally, the quote from Joshua above tells of the Hebrews receiving Israel, a gift from God. In Ephesians, we Christians receive salvation, a gift from God, which is, "glory in the church."
Ephesians 3
19 .... know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
I have been, this past few days, reading about the Church of God, the body of Christ, the true church, in comparison to the local church.
Scofield describes the theme of the true church in Ephesians here:
[Ephesians] contains the highest church truth, but has nothing about church order. The church here is the true church, "His body," not the local church, as in Philippians, Corinthians...Scofield describes the theme of the local church in 1 Timothy here:
As the churches of Christ increased in number, the questions of church order, of soundness in the faith, and of discipline became important. At first the apostles regulated these things directly, but the approaching end of the apostolic period made it necessary that a clear revelation should be made for the guidance of the churches. Such a revelation is in First Timothy, and in Titus. The key-phrase of the Epistle is, "That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God."The distinction between a local church and the Church of God, the body of Christ, is important to me. It is wonderful to be a member of a local church; but things do not always go well. Being a member of a local church can, indeed, at times, be a painful experience; and not edifying. It is, however, always wonderful to be a member of the Church of God, the body of Christ, the true church; it is always a blessing. In the Church of God, things never go wrong.
And finally, the quote from Joshua above tells of the Hebrews receiving Israel, a gift from God. In Ephesians, we Christians receive salvation, a gift from God, which is, "glory in the church."
Ephesians 3
19 .... know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Hounded By Phantoms
Romans 7
14 ....I am carnal, sold under sin.
A man named Anthony, a pious Christian no doubt, who lived in the Fourth Century A.D., is notable for being one of the first Christian ascetics to attempt living in the desert, completely cut off from civilization, dedicating his life to God alone. He is considered a saint by some. According to Athanasius, another no doubt pious Christian of the time, the devil fought Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women. Tradition has it that Anthony overcame his temptations using the power of prayer.
I am interested in Christian history. I find myself fascinated by righteousness, sacrifice, Christian piety, humility without consideration of possible, eventual personal blessing or gain, Godliness for Godliness sake. Is it possible? Is it conceivable? I have no final, neat answers to those questions. They are questions about the essence of man. Although, my sense is that Paul provides, in Romans, God's last and final word on righteous, piety and humility.
More From Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death
14 ....I am carnal, sold under sin.
A man named Anthony, a pious Christian no doubt, who lived in the Fourth Century A.D., is notable for being one of the first Christian ascetics to attempt living in the desert, completely cut off from civilization, dedicating his life to God alone. He is considered a saint by some. According to Athanasius, another no doubt pious Christian of the time, the devil fought Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women. Tradition has it that Anthony overcame his temptations using the power of prayer.
I am interested in Christian history. I find myself fascinated by righteousness, sacrifice, Christian piety, humility without consideration of possible, eventual personal blessing or gain, Godliness for Godliness sake. Is it possible? Is it conceivable? I have no final, neat answers to those questions. They are questions about the essence of man. Although, my sense is that Paul provides, in Romans, God's last and final word on righteous, piety and humility.
More From Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death
Saturday, September 3, 2011
What It Means To Be A Baptist 6 - Southern Baptists
I go to an Independant Fundamental Baptist Church. The pastor preaches a wonderful message from the King James Bible. I find peace in this church. I could never go to, let's say, a Catholic Church or a Methodist or a Pentacostal church. I am sure I would find no peace, whatsoever, in those churches. Now, if circumstances warrant, whatever those cercumstances might be, I do think I could attend a Southern Baptish church, and could adjust.
And so, here are some notes on Southern Baptists.
Isaiah 44
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesh'urun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
4 and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
Baptists, and indeed many Christians, have struggled to understand the Bible doctrines of election and predestination. My sense, after some little bit of reading, is that Southern Baptists struggle a little more with these issues than other Baptists.
Following are two quotes from an article written by well-known Southern Baptist author Tom Nettles. It is published on the Southern Baptist Convention website Baptist2baptist.net.
Many years ago, in the 1980's, my mother-in-law lent me her copy of "Baptists And The Bible," by Tom Nettles. It was autographed by the author. After some months I tried to return it to her. But she said no, I should keep it. It contains biographies of all of our great Baptist "founders." I have referred to it many times over the years. It is one of my dearest possessions.
And so, here are some notes on Southern Baptists.
Isaiah 44
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesh'urun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
4 and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
Baptists, and indeed many Christians, have struggled to understand the Bible doctrines of election and predestination. My sense, after some little bit of reading, is that Southern Baptists struggle a little more with these issues than other Baptists.
Following are two quotes from an article written by well-known Southern Baptist author Tom Nettles. It is published on the Southern Baptist Convention website Baptist2baptist.net.
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.I think this Nettles's quote is a representative example of Southern Baptist thought on election. Here, election appears not to be connected to two words found a number of times in the Bible: predestinate and foreknow. Later in the article Nettles mentions the thoughts of an early 20th Century Baptist.
F. H. Kerfoot, a Southern Baptist theologian and pastor at the turn of the 20th Century, highlighted this doctrine when he wrote, "Nearly all Baptists believe what are usually termed the 'doctrines of grace': the absolute sovereignty and foreknowledge of God; His eternal and unchangeable purposes or decrees; that salvation in its beginning, continuance and completion, is God's free gift; that, in Christ, we are elected or chosen, personally or individually, from eternity, saved and called out from the world, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth; . Read Rom 8, 9, 10, 11; Acts 13:48; Eph 1:4-5; 2:1?10; 1 Pet 1:2?5; Jude 24; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5.The juxtaposition of the two passages, I think, point to the essence of Southern Baptist thought. Here is the Southern Baptist struggle to understand the will of God, in the most profound sense. The two quotes do not seem to finally and conclusively reconcile the doctrines of election and predestination. Does God elect you because you have faith? Or. Does God foreknow you, and choose you, and then you have faith? Who acts first? God or Man?
Many years ago, in the 1980's, my mother-in-law lent me her copy of "Baptists And The Bible," by Tom Nettles. It was autographed by the author. After some months I tried to return it to her. But she said no, I should keep it. It contains biographies of all of our great Baptist "founders." I have referred to it many times over the years. It is one of my dearest possessions.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Sometimes, I Wish There Were No Goats
Matthew 25
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:32 and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Sometimes I think it would be nice if the world were not so complicated.
More From Matthew 25
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand [the sheep], Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:Sometimes I think it would be nice if it was just me, and Jesus, and the saved.
More From Matthew 25
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand [the goats], Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Sometimes I think it would be nice if there were no goats. Then again, if there were not goats, who would we pray for?
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Breath Of Jesus - And The Storm
John 20
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
In this passage, after His Crucifixion, His burial and His resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples. And he breaths the Holy Ghost on those pious souls. Not for their salvation, they are already saved, but for holy strength, as they begin God's work of spreading the Gospel.
Prayer
Jesus. Today, I have one simple request. Please breath on me and my family, that we may know God's work, His will and His way....
Oh yes. And, somehow, for some reason, God spared us from Hurricane Irene....
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
In this passage, after His Crucifixion, His burial and His resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples. And he breaths the Holy Ghost on those pious souls. Not for their salvation, they are already saved, but for holy strength, as they begin God's work of spreading the Gospel.
Prayer
Jesus. Today, I have one simple request. Please breath on me and my family, that we may know God's work, His will and His way....
Oh yes. And, somehow, for some reason, God spared us from Hurricane Irene....
Friday, August 26, 2011
Waiting For Irene
Psalm 47
47 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
And so I sat there on the train this morning waiting for Hurricane Irene. I live in the path of the storm. And I was trying to decide whether to ask God to spare my house and the oak trees behind my house. So many thoughts of the past....
Dr. Bosley was our pastor when I was growing up. He had been Dean of the Duke University School of Divinity. He may have not enjoyed that position and, so, he came to be the pastor of our church. He was one of those men, blessed by God, who could help his sinning flock to understand God's world and man's world and to understand God's will in this world. His was, evidently, a serious, polished message for mature Christians. I remember the profound spiritual peace my father found in his weekly sermons, and our weekly family discussions about them. I found Dr. Bosley intimidating, extremely intimidating. And he made me nervous.
And when I was 12 years old, I attended Dr. Bosley's confirmation class - it was a Methodist church. The classes took place on Saturdays. I cannot remember how many classes there were, but I remember being intimidated, very nervous and really not wanting to be there. I do have some very specific memories of these classes. I remember he mentioned the word Grace many times. And I remember not even beginning to understand what he meant by grace. And I remember him asking me a question about grace. I mumbled some no doubt unintelligible answer, and I remember one of my class mates explaining to him what I meant.
But the most important thing I do remember was his guidance on how to pray. His guidance was that we should not pray for good things to happen to us. And we should not pray for bad things not to happen to us. His guidance was that we only pray for the strength to endure what happens to us. That's what I remember, and I'm not even sure this is sound Bible guidance. But, I have lived by this guidance for 50 years. And, it is advice that has served me well.
More From Psalm 47
44 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
I finally decided not to pray for God to spare my oak trees or to spare my house. I decided to ask God's blessing on each and everyone in my family who lives in the storms path. I have family in Eastern North Carolina. And I was at peace.
Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the strength to endure my trials and tribulations, such as they are, insignificant though they may be....
47 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
And so I sat there on the train this morning waiting for Hurricane Irene. I live in the path of the storm. And I was trying to decide whether to ask God to spare my house and the oak trees behind my house. So many thoughts of the past....
Dr. Bosley was our pastor when I was growing up. He had been Dean of the Duke University School of Divinity. He may have not enjoyed that position and, so, he came to be the pastor of our church. He was one of those men, blessed by God, who could help his sinning flock to understand God's world and man's world and to understand God's will in this world. His was, evidently, a serious, polished message for mature Christians. I remember the profound spiritual peace my father found in his weekly sermons, and our weekly family discussions about them. I found Dr. Bosley intimidating, extremely intimidating. And he made me nervous.
And when I was 12 years old, I attended Dr. Bosley's confirmation class - it was a Methodist church. The classes took place on Saturdays. I cannot remember how many classes there were, but I remember being intimidated, very nervous and really not wanting to be there. I do have some very specific memories of these classes. I remember he mentioned the word Grace many times. And I remember not even beginning to understand what he meant by grace. And I remember him asking me a question about grace. I mumbled some no doubt unintelligible answer, and I remember one of my class mates explaining to him what I meant.
But the most important thing I do remember was his guidance on how to pray. His guidance was that we should not pray for good things to happen to us. And we should not pray for bad things not to happen to us. His guidance was that we only pray for the strength to endure what happens to us. That's what I remember, and I'm not even sure this is sound Bible guidance. But, I have lived by this guidance for 50 years. And, it is advice that has served me well.
More From Psalm 47
44 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
I finally decided not to pray for God to spare my oak trees or to spare my house. I decided to ask God's blessing on each and everyone in my family who lives in the storms path. I have family in Eastern North Carolina. And I was at peace.
Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the strength to endure my trials and tribulations, such as they are, insignificant though they may be....
Thursday, June 30, 2011
And That's All I Ever Wanted
2 Thessalonians 2
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ.... hath given us....good hope through grace,
That....is all I ever wanted.
2 Thessalonians 2
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
And that is not much to ask in return.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ.... hath given us....good hope through grace,
That....is all I ever wanted.
2 Thessalonians 2
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
And that is not much to ask in return.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Oh, And One Other Thing....
Matthew 6
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
As to a Christian's responsibility for praying, Jesus does not ask for much. His directions are simple and straightforward. But, for me, something is missing? It strikes me as odd that the Lord's prayer does not include a mention of family. For me, before an Amen, it seems exactly appropriate to ask a blessing for a family member in need. And then, Amen.
Matthew 10
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
There are many important relationships in a Christian's life, the relationship between a Christian and his God, between a Christian and his family, between a Christian and his church and between a Christian and his community. All these relationships are important and holy. But we can't forget, the relationship between the Christian and his God is foremost.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
As to a Christian's responsibility for praying, Jesus does not ask for much. His directions are simple and straightforward. But, for me, something is missing? It strikes me as odd that the Lord's prayer does not include a mention of family. For me, before an Amen, it seems exactly appropriate to ask a blessing for a family member in need. And then, Amen.
Matthew 10
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
There are many important relationships in a Christian's life, the relationship between a Christian and his God, between a Christian and his family, between a Christian and his church and between a Christian and his community. All these relationships are important and holy. But we can't forget, the relationship between the Christian and his God is foremost.
Monday, June 20, 2011
What It Means To Be A Baptist 5 - Puritans
Even when I was very young, the meaning of being a Baptist was important to me. As fate would have it, it was an important issue for my family. The next few posts contain some basic information on Baptists and some personal thoughts. These are my notes and thoughts; some things I do not want to forget.
Galations 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
I believe, that it is never a waste of time for an American, who is a Christian, to study the Puritans. And, because of historical ties to Baptists, it is never a waste of time for Baptists to become familiar with the Puritan tradition.
Puritans do not have straightforward easily understandable, systematic beliefs the way various denominations do. That being said, here are some characteristics of Puritans:
Ephesians 5
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
SOURCE: wikipedia.com and enotes.com-puritanism
Galations 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
I believe, that it is never a waste of time for an American, who is a Christian, to study the Puritans. And, because of historical ties to Baptists, it is never a waste of time for Baptists to become familiar with the Puritan tradition.
Puritans do not have straightforward easily understandable, systematic beliefs the way various denominations do. That being said, here are some characteristics of Puritans:
Origin
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1559, as an activist movement within the Church of England.
Reformed Theology
There were substantial works of theology written by Puritans, such as the Medulla Theologiae of William Ames, but there is no theology that is distinctive of Puritans. "Puritan theology" makes sense only as certain parts of Reformed theology, i.e. the legacy in theological terms of Calvinism, as it was expounded by Puritan preachers (often known as lecturers), and applied in the lives of Puritans.
Civil Governance
In the relation of churches to civil power, Puritans believed that secular governors are accountable to God to protect and reward virtue, including "true religion", and to punish wrongdoers. They opposed the supremacy of the monarch in the church (Erastianism), and argued that the only head of the Church in heaven or earth is Christ.
Bible
The idea of personal Biblical interpretation, while central to Puritan beliefs, was shared with Protestants in general. Puritans sought both individual and corporate conformity to the teaching of the Bible, with moral purity pursued both down to the smallest detail as well as ecclesiastical purity to the highest level. They believed that man existed for the glory of God; that his first concern in life was to do God's will and so to receive future happiness.
Church Ritual
Like some of Reformed churches on the European continent, Puritan reforms were typified by a minimum of ritual and decoration and by an unambiguous emphasis on preaching. Calvinists generally believed that the worship in the church ought to be strictly regulated by what is commanded in the Bible (the regulative principle of worship), and condemned as idolatry many current practices, regardless of antiquity or widespread adoption among Christians, against opponents who defended tradition. Simplicity in worship led to the exclusion of vestments, images, candles, etc.
Demonolony And Evidence Of Salvation
Puritans were believers in the demonic forces as were almost all Christians of the 17th Century. For full membership, the Puritan church insisted not only that its congregants lead godly lives and exhibit a clear understanding of the main tenets of their Christian faith, but they also must demonstrate that they had experienced true evidence of the workings of God's grace in their souls. Only those who gave a convincing account of such a conversion could be admitted to full church membership.
Millennialism
Puritan millennialism was grounded in the readings of the New Testament, especially the books of Matthew (24:29-31), Mark (13:24-27), and Luke (21:25-28). These passages foreshadowed Christ's return, or his Second Coming, to earth and his subsequent one-thousand-year (hence millennial) reign of peace. Millennialists in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries split into two camps: premillennialists such as Cotton Mather, who believed that Christ's return would precede the age of peace, prosperity, and triumph of the church, and postmillennialists such as Daniel Whitby, Jonathan Edwards, Joseph Bellamy, and Samuel Hopkins, who held that Christ's Second Coming directly followed the expansion of civil and religious American values on earth ("civil millennialism") and hailed Judgment Day and Satan's return.
Salvation And Polity
Puritan culture emphasized the need for self-examination and the strict accounting for one's feelings as well as one's deeds. This was the center of evangelical experience, which women in turn placed at the heart of their work to sustain family life. The words of the Bible, as they interpreted them, were the origin of many Puritan cultural ideals, especially regarding the roles of men and women in the community.
Work Ethic - And GraceReading through this list of Puritan characteristics, I can see some obvious, interesting similarities with Baptists of all stripes.
To Puritans, the Bible stipulates that grace is received for altruism, an ascetic work ethic, and disregard for class differences.
Ephesians 5
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
SOURCE: wikipedia.com and enotes.com-puritanism
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