tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153271712024-03-23T13:28:05.970-05:00aaronwilson.orgAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.comBlogger382125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-68830647710491062572017-02-08T09:55:00.003-06:002017-02-08T09:55:54.723-06:00Are We Bibliolaters?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhF6qCec6rVqTBP_GMqBrpP9T6NoQM5tPLlgwEsB9zfGG6ZDcKWWTmxk6UFaBs4-lGQw5fzuCLjbLp4pYy6FDrrZAlEcjAk9fC91UoCBu_QAlgU9NC-YBQKjNIlhLr3ij0f9yew/s1600/Bible2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhF6qCec6rVqTBP_GMqBrpP9T6NoQM5tPLlgwEsB9zfGG6ZDcKWWTmxk6UFaBs4-lGQw5fzuCLjbLp4pYy6FDrrZAlEcjAk9fC91UoCBu_QAlgU9NC-YBQKjNIlhLr3ij0f9yew/s320/Bible2.jpg" width="320" /></a>I remember talking to a pastor several years ago about the centrality of the Word of God in the <br />
Christian's life and in the church's worship. Apparently, I spoke too highly of God's Word (is that possible?) to the point that he cautioned me to be careful that I don't become a bibliolater - that is, a Bible worshiper. Ever since then I've wondered if it was possible to over-emphasize the Bible and to indeed become a worshiper of the Word of God instead of the God of the Word.<br />
<br />
Jim Shaddix, in his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Driven-Sermon-Changing-Pastors-Congregations/dp/0805427228/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286292286&sr=8-1-spell">The Passion Driven Sermon</a>, has gone TO the Word of God to help alleviate my fears. His explanation is so very helpful.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
...the Bible makes little distinction between God and His Word when it comes to the praise offered by His people. In recent years, some Christians have become concerned that the renewed <b><i>emphasis on biblical authority would lead to bibliolatry</i></b>, or the worship of the Bible. But based upon His Word, God probably isn’t nearly as concerned about that possibility as we have become. The psalmist said:<br />
<br />
In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust<br />
Psalm 56:4<br />
and<br />
In God (I will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word) <br />
Psalm 56:10<br />
and<br />
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, and I will meditate on Your statues<br />
Psalm 119:48<br />
and<br />
My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments<br />
Psalm 119:120<br />
<br />
and maybe most astounding of all,<br />
<br />
I will worship toward Your holy temple,And praise Your name<br />
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name<br />
Psalm 138:2<br />
<br />
These are just a few of the many examples of how Scripture makes little distinction between God and His Word (see also Psalm 119:9-11, 49-50, 97-98, 123, 137-144; 130:5-6). When we praise His Word, we are praising Him. So when His voice is magnified in the sermon, God draws people to Himself. Oh, how we need to reclaim the role of Scripture reading and expository preaching in corporate worship, and how we need to revere God’s Word with praise when it is proclaimed!<br />
(<b><i>emphasis added</i></b>)</blockquote>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-31241791665565456302015-12-11T09:05:00.000-06:002015-12-11T09:24:07.589-06:00Christmas Band Concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4C3XFv82o6uxk8FCJ9B-5IvUP3CaaoFOUuEkqvkil9BvFjaRXKMyxO_H11w9Q_LrmAxYOIwdq4c-xTJwg-idXFfmiU3DLUgsN4ssAcekcL29vPUDVitdnIjpqzXygncV1o-DPw/s1600/horn-round.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4C3XFv82o6uxk8FCJ9B-5IvUP3CaaoFOUuEkqvkil9BvFjaRXKMyxO_H11w9Q_LrmAxYOIwdq4c-xTJwg-idXFfmiU3DLUgsN4ssAcekcL29vPUDVitdnIjpqzXygncV1o-DPw/s200/horn-round.png" width="200" /></a></div>
In conjunction with my son and daughter's recent Christmas concert, I'm posting the audio to four songs from my own Jr. High Band Concert from the mid 80's under the direction of Ed Grissom.<br />
<br />
Santa's Toyshop<br />
<iframe data-link="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6baf9?from=yiiadmin" data-name="pb-iframe-player" frameborder="0" height="100" id="audio_iframe" scrolling="no" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6baf9?from=yiiadmin" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
My Two Front Teeth<br />
<iframe data-link="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6bafb?from=yiiadmin" data-name="pb-iframe-player" frameborder="0" height="100" id="audio_iframe" scrolling="no" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6bafb?from=yiiadmin" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
Sleigh Ride<br />
<iframe data-link="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6bafd?from=yiiadmin" data-name="pb-iframe-player" frameborder="0" height="100" id="audio_iframe" scrolling="no" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6bafd?from=yiiadmin" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
What Child is This?<br />
<iframe data-link="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6bafa?from=yiiadmin" data-name="pb-iframe-player" frameborder="0" height="100" id="audio_iframe" scrolling="no" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/itewf-6bafa?from=yiiadmin" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
And here is one of the songs from my son's High School Band Concert. You can view more on the same <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Scienceroom35/videos" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dSykVrNJ7Ic" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
And one of my daughter's songs from the Middle School Band.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4W7B_rPxRQo" width="560"></iframe>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-32565555879633337282014-06-20T07:54:00.001-05:002014-06-20T07:58:46.408-05:00But Jesus...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939946395/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1939946395&linkCode=as2&tag=222mission-20&linkId=6TD2YJ5I345VGKXH" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRL0VqpTr5shakOnfnYcgMGdCsaoGEenx3oDNGvQ3teuihjDi5UZOA99me-pCtRl2i5rbGB5lmU9mMANCXA7SL_O9fbGUffWXZjQo2X1AO5hTXe0zGNENTnffpLFc6aW33n5Jlg/s1600/showthemjesus.jpg" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=222mission-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1939946395" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A helpful summary of sin and the saving power of Jesus over it.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we were doomed to die. But Jesus died to give us eternal life. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“[He] died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:10).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we were cursed. But Jesus became cursed to make us blessed. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we were shamed. But Jesus endured the shame of the cross to give us honor. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“He has now reconciled [you] in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:22).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we were guilty. But Jesus was condemned and punished so we could be declared not guilty, </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we were enemies of God and deserving of his anger. But Jesus deflected that wrath onto himself to give us God’s favor. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we were shut out from fellowship with God. But Jesus died alone on the cross so we might never be lonely again. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit;">Sin means we had no hope of lasting happiness. But Jesus suffered sadness to give us eternal joy. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-36181023913825572672013-10-29T08:40:00.001-05:002013-10-29T08:43:07.399-05:00God Will Watch Your Soap Opera<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDQESPTEGdPEt4rPjZvUIumDWhd2zNLTZ0KQ51qElm1_YMRA-TqlPnPgAhp-h3AZ8XDbtXDB9vJe7SbOU8YN6m0-txvZL0ECcfxPk6wE6-ssiyWMkt57qR9IcBdTBt1_eFoyjJQ/s1600/1383053765.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDQESPTEGdPEt4rPjZvUIumDWhd2zNLTZ0KQ51qElm1_YMRA-TqlPnPgAhp-h3AZ8XDbtXDB9vJe7SbOU8YN6m0-txvZL0ECcfxPk6wE6-ssiyWMkt57qR9IcBdTBt1_eFoyjJQ/s200/1383053765.png" width="200" /></a>"The great danger of biblical discipleship is that we should have two religions:<br />
<br />
<b>a glorious, biblical Sunday gospel</b> that sets us free from the world, that the cross and resurrection of Christ makes us eternity alive within us, a magnificent gospel of Genesis and Romans and Revelation;<br />
<br />
and, then, <b>an everyday religion</b> that we make do with during the week between the time of leaving the world and arriving in heaven.<br />
We have the Sunday gospel for the big crises of existence.<br />
For the mundane trivialities-<br />
the times when our foot slips on a loose stone,<br />
or the heat of the sun gets too much for us,<br />
or the influence of the moon gets us down –<br />
<br />
we use the everyday religion of the Reader’s Digest reprint,<br />
advice from a friend,<br />
an Ann Landers column,<br />
the huckstered wisdom of a talk-show celebrity.<br />
We practice <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_medicine">patent-medicine</a> religion.<br />
<br />
We know that God created the universe and has accomplished our eternal salvation. But we can’t believe that he condescends to watch the soap opera of our daily trials and tribulations; so we purchase our own remedies for that. To ask him to deal with what troubles us each day is like asking a famous surgeon to put iodine on a scratch.<br />
<br />
But Psalm 121 says that the same faith that works in the big things works in the little things."<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ALPJYR4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ALPJYR4&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20">A Long Obedience in the Same Direction</a></i>, Eugene Peterson (Page 44)Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-58838687895138393012013-10-10T11:33:00.000-05:002013-10-10T11:33:02.088-05:0010 Biblical Reasons for Ministry to Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYHcBktQzWpMclvN-31XP5enco1PQy3CH7sCwfJYNRnihutAQRmohupECpzwyAIEX-vTK0T_9ujKVqKhF1Ss2o-WnC1dBGQg9wKK7ubNWWz_vy8llyj3Oz6aRvOTFl-abxrkJUw/s1600/1381422572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYHcBktQzWpMclvN-31XP5enco1PQy3CH7sCwfJYNRnihutAQRmohupECpzwyAIEX-vTK0T_9ujKVqKhF1Ss2o-WnC1dBGQg9wKK7ubNWWz_vy8llyj3Oz6aRvOTFl-abxrkJUw/s200/1381422572.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I read recently some stats that said </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 was $152,790.00!*</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's $8488.00 each year.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">$707.00 each month.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">$23.20 each day.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's about a buck an hour. </span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">So what about the cost, or rather, the value, of raising a child spiritually? To use that famous credit card commercial slogan: Priceless.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Below are 10 simple and (I trust) biblical reasons why we should minister to children both in the home and in the church.</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">All children are sinners in need of a Savior. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 3:23 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ephesians 2:1-3</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 51:5</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Savior loves children. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 19:13-15 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mark 10:13-16 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luke 18:15-17
3.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children cannot be saved without the Gospel. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 1:16 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 10:13-17</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">You are most like Jesus when you are serving and blessing children. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 19:13-15 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mark 10:13-16 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luke 18:15-17 </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Teaching children teaches us. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?</i> (Romans 2:21 ESV) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. </i>(James 3:1 ESV) </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children are a reward to be received and arrows to be released.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 127:3-4</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children are fruit to be reproduced. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 128:3</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children will live more fulfilled lives. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”</i> Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children are tomorrow’s Church. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have a measure of responsibility to train spiritual leaders beyond our time on earth. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">This demands we participate in ministry for reasons above & beyond ourselves. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s not about us. It’s really not even about the children. It’s about the glory of God displayed through His body, the Church, until He returns for His bride.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we serve children, God is our reward!</span></li>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And he took a child and put him in the midst of
them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such
child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him
who sent me." </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">(Mark 9:36-37 ESV)</span></span></i></li>
</ul>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">*2010 figures</span></div>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-35297176326062812482013-08-15T07:41:00.000-05:002013-08-15T07:47:11.181-05:00What is Death to the Christian?<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1877611980/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1877611980&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://heritagebooktalk.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/818.jpg" width="127" /></a>In 1651, puritan pastor Christopher Love was wrongfully accused of high treason and sentenced to death by beheading. Among many letters from family, friends, and fellow ministers to Parliment begging for Love's life to be spared, there were many written to Love himself, preparing and counseling him for that day when, in Love's own words, "my head is severed from my body [and] shall be united with Christ my Head in heaven."<br />
Below is one such letter written from a dear friend, Roger Drake. Notice how the promises of Scripture are foundational to offering hope to one who is otherwise humanly helpless. In this letter, Drake answers the question, many times over, "What is death to the Christian?"<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear soul, thou art now going to heaven. To quicken they desires, put it into these notions that are most suitable to thy condition. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the weary it is rest. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;
he enters into peace;
they rest in their beds
who walk in their uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2, ESV)
</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the banished it is home. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (2 Corinthians 5:6) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the reproached it is glory. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2, ESV) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the molested and captived with corruption it is the glorious liberty of the sons of God. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:21, ESV) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the resister to blood it is conquest. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37, ESV) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the vexed with sin and sorrow it is the extinction of both. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the hungry soul it is the hidden manna. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the thirsty it is rivers of pleasure, water of life, fountain of life. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light. (Psalm 36:8-9, ESV) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>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, ESV) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To the grieved soul it is fullness of joy, and to the sorrowful heart it is pleasures forevermore. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; (Psalm 116:8) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In a word, to them that have lain upon the dunghill here and kept their integrity it is a throne upon which they shall sit and reign with Christ forever and ever. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5, ESV) </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear heart, cheer up. A sharp* breakfast, but a blessed supper, the supper of the Lamb.
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span class="extratext">*Referring to the blade of the axe that will soon sever his head.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span class="extratext"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1877611980/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1877611980&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20">A Spectacle Unto God, The Life and Death of Christopher Love</a>, </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span class="extratext">D</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span class="extratext">on Kistler, Soli Deo Gloria</span></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span class="extratext"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span class="extratext"><br /></span></span></i></span></span></div>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-17927233849271427182013-06-26T14:33:00.001-05:002013-06-26T14:33:56.389-05:00Fly From Sin!<a href="http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server2500/cb550/products/539/images/5396/Brooks_precious__99782.1319487437.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="200" src="http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server2500/cb550/products/539/images/5396/Brooks_precious__99782.1319487437.1280.1280.jpg" width="133" /></a>The second device used by Satan in tempting us to sin, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Remedies-Against-Satans-Devices/dp/148100087X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372274223&sr=1-1&keywords=precious+remedies+against+satan%27s+devices" target="_blank">according to Thomas Brooks</a>,
is "painting sin with virtue's colours" (sic). One of the remedies he
offers against this temptation is to seriously consider "that even those
very sins that Satan paints, and puts new names and colours upon, cost
the best blood, the noblest blood, the life-blood, the heart-blood of
the Lord Jesus." And then, in a most expected, puritanical way, Brooks
waxes elequently and poetically about the humiliation of Christ for
those very sins<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That Christ should come from the eternal bosom of his Father to a region of sorrow and death;<br />
that God should be manifested in the flesh, the Creator made a creature;<br />
that he who was clothed with glory should be wrapped with rags of flesh;<br />
he who filled heaven and earth with his glory should be cradled in a manger;<br />
that the almighty God should flee from weak man—the God of Israel into Egypt;<br />
that the God of the law should be subject to the law,<br />
the God of the circumcision circumcised,<br />
the God who made the heavens working at Joseph's homely trade;<br />
that he who binds the devils in chains should be tempted;<br />
that he, whose is the world, and the fullness thereof, should hunger and thirst;<br />
that the God of strength should be weary,<br />
the Judge of all flesh condemned,<br />
the God of life put to death;<br />
that he who is one with his Father should cry out of misery, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46);<br />
that he who had the keys of hell and death at his belt should lie imprisoned in the sepulcher of another,<br />
having in his lifetime nowhere to lay his head, nor after death to lay his body;<br />
<br />
that that HEAD, before which the angels do cast down their crowns, should be crowned with thorns, and those EYES, purer than the sun, put out by the darkness of death;<br />
those EARS, which hear nothing but hallelujahs of saints and angels, to hear the blasphemies of the multitude;<br />
that FACE, which was fairer than the sons of men, to be spit on by those beastly wretched Jews;<br />
that MOUTH and TONGUE, which spoke as never man spoke, accused for blasphemy;<br />
those HANDS, which freely swayed the scepter of heaven, nailed to the cross;<br />
those FEET, "like unto fine brass," nailed to the cross for man's sins; each sense pained with a spear and nails;<br />
his SMELL, with stinking odor, being crucified on Golgotha, the place of skulls;<br />
his TASTE, with vinegar and gall;<br />
his HEARING, with reproaches, and SIGHT of his mother and disciples bemoaning him;<br />
his SOUL, comfortless and forsaken;<br />
<br />
and all this for those very sins that Satan paints and puts fine colors upon! <br />
Oh! how should the consideration of this <br />
stir up the soul against sin, <br />
and work the soul to fly from it, <br />
and to use all holy means whereby sin may be subdued and destroyed!<br /><br /><i>Banner of Truth Trust, Pages 36-37</i></blockquote>
That cruel cross is where we look to convince us to say "no" to sin.<br />
That cruel cross is where we look to convict us when we've said "yes" to sin.<br />
And yet that same cross is where we look to comfort us when we need forgiveness of sin.<br />
<br />
You can read Precious Remedies online <a href="http://www.preachtheword.com/bookstore/remedies.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-33187929553341613772013-06-21T08:46:00.000-05:002013-06-21T08:46:31.699-05:00How to Pray for Your Pastors<a href="http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server2500/cb550/products/539/images/5396/Brooks_precious__99782.1319487437.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server2500/cb550/products/539/images/5396/Brooks_precious__99782.1319487437.1280.1280.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="133" /></a>In the introductory comments from his book, <a href="http://www.preachtheword.com/bookstore/remedies.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices</i></a>, Thomas Brooks asks for prayer as a pastor. Perhaps this could be a guide as you pray for your pastor.<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That you would pray for me, who am not worthy to be named among the saints, <br />
<ul>
<li>that I may be a precious instrument in the hand of Christ to bring in many souls unto him, </li>
<li>and to build up those who are brought in, in their most holy faith; </li>
<li>and "that utterance may be given to me, that I may make known all the will of God" (Eph. 6:19); </li>
<li>that I may be sincere, faithful, frequent, fervent and constant in the work of the Lord, and that my labor be not in vain in the Lord; </li>
<li>that my labors may be accepted in the Lord and his saints, and I may daily see the travail of my soul.
</li>
</ul>
But, above all, pray for me--<br />
<ul>
<li>that I may more and more find the power and sweet of those things upon my own heart, </li>
<li>that I give out to you and others; </li>
<li>that my soul may be so visited with strength from on high, </li>
<li>that I may live up fully and constantly to those truths that I hold forth to the world; </li>
<li>and that I may be both in life and doctrine "a burning and a shining light," </li>
</ul>
that so, when the Lord Jesus shall appear, "I may receive a crown of glory which he shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but to all who love his appearing." (John 5:35 and 2 Tim. 1:8).<br /><i>(The Banner of Truth Trust; Page 20)</i></blockquote>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-66838910688344200002013-05-12T15:46:00.000-05:002013-05-12T15:47:35.522-05:00He Will Lick Your Face<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwBTWd8mNkMyrtQ6d_n6zuIuN4cgbBhTVAOOMHCtJOnW-e7SL_UkjjDEYudZXha_dferZqLN_loHuXrkQbVxXblMh4LbZkuP8gHdEDEdB7ahhB9FqT0kwhXpJs7y-797B9EjJkQ/s1600/1368391503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwBTWd8mNkMyrtQ6d_n6zuIuN4cgbBhTVAOOMHCtJOnW-e7SL_UkjjDEYudZXha_dferZqLN_loHuXrkQbVxXblMh4LbZkuP8gHdEDEdB7ahhB9FqT0kwhXpJs7y-797B9EjJkQ/s200/1368391503.jpg" width="184" /></a>An excellent illustration of the fear of the Lord, taken from <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/a-woman-who-fears-the-lord-is-to-be-praised" target="_blank">a sermon by John Piper on Proverbs 31</a>. Preached in 1981.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Noël and the boys and I went out to Dick and Irene Tiegen's place last week. They have a big dog as tall as Benjamin which greeted us with barks and growls from where he was chained. But after we were there and in the house with the dog, he was friendly. Then we went outside again and Irene gave the warning: Don't run from him. But as Karsten was heading out to the car, the dog came trotting up behind, and instead of slowing down and petting the dog, Karsten started to run, and immediately the dog barked and growled. What a lesson in the fear of God. Irene was Moses and she says to us Israelites, the Piper family, "Do not fear to draw near, but keep the fear of the dog (the fear of the Lord) before your eyes, lest you try to run away (lest you start to fall into sin)." God is a joy to be near and a terror to those who flee. The comparison breaks down, however: Irene put the dog in the basement, but nobody puts God in the basement.<br />
<br />
If you are running from God because you are afraid of him, then you are not yet as afraid as you ought to be. In fact, your very flight is a mockery of God, presuming to think that you could outrun this German shepherd. <b>If you really fear him and love your own life, stop running, turn around, and hug his neck for dear life, and he will lick your face. The fear of the Lord is fear of fleeing out of his fellowship into the way of sin.</b> Therefore the fear of the Lord is full of peace and security and hope. It keeps us near to the merciful heart of God, our fortress, our refuge, our sanctuary, our shield, our sun. Isaiah 8:13 says, "The Lord of Hosts, . . . let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, and he will become a sanctuary." A proper fear of the Lord keeps us under the shadow of his wings where we need not be afraid. </blockquote>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-37454031514301963742013-05-05T20:00:00.000-05:002013-05-05T20:00:02.122-05:00Chin Up and Face the RealityFrom <a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/55-19">a sermon preached</a> by Pastor John MacArthur explaining Hebrews 4:12-13.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, <br />piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, <br />and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. <br />And no creature is hidden from his sight, <br />but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.</b></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now let's follow along in verse 12, the Word is alive, it's active, it's sharp, it cuts deeply and reveals the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Verse 13, "And there is no creature hidden from His sight but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." God takes His Word, cuts deep into your heart, lays you open, you're flayed, as it were, right before God's eyes. And nothing is hidden, He sees every single thing about you. We are open to the eyes of Him.<br /><br />
He uses a most interesting term in the Greek which was also used among the soldiers. Let me give you a little idea of how it was used. It was used to describe a criminal who had to lift his face and face the crowd as he was marched to his punishment. And the way they did that was quite interesting. A soldier held a dagger right at the chin with it just barely piercing the skin. The point of that dagger was held to force the criminal to hold his head high and his face so that every one could see him as he was paraded to his punishment.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZxpc_Pcq2cnx8ZoQYPOBOl4zTxuEb17sgrXAJsmr4MdKEFU12uTlT4SPp3iLv1S1SO4DP9TGr-xgxoXecDh7qRqFUTHxtwSCE7y5zkNmGouIElZ1YrOXQPFaPwmqNIShf1035A/s1600/dagger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZxpc_Pcq2cnx8ZoQYPOBOl4zTxuEb17sgrXAJsmr4MdKEFU12uTlT4SPp3iLv1S1SO4DP9TGr-xgxoXecDh7qRqFUTHxtwSCE7y5zkNmGouIElZ1YrOXQPFaPwmqNIShf1035A/s200/dagger.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Now you see when you turn on the television set some criminal... and holding his hands over his head and ducking under his coat because he doesn't want to be seen by the television cameras. There's a certain amount of shame and guilt. They knew that but they wanted the criminal to have to face the whole wide world and the whole community to see his face so they rammed a little dagger up under his chin and made him walk with his chin up and were he to lower his chin, he would have pierced himself right through. And in a very real sense he is saying that's exactly what the Word of God does, it jams its pierced point right up under your chin and it makes you face the reality and it makes God able to see exactly what you look like.<br />
<br />
It reveals you to Him.<br />
You are open before Him.<br />
You can't hide a thing.<br />
That's what the Word will do.<br />
The Word is a reprover.<br />
The Word is a rebuker.<br />
The Word is a convicter of sin.<br />
<br />
It sifts, it analyzes, it reveals emotions, attitudes and thoughts.</blockquote>
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-59760160989760016752013-05-03T16:27:00.000-05:002013-05-03T16:27:07.229-05:00The Best Chapter Written on the Final Chapter We Write<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3XBWQdy2iSCG8TS-Zpy1Hc8iGyNmPSjF6gfCRn9ewC9affieBv21PU0dtZ4unUA_53rOMHMupowCdKG3O0umfRwuw6FhqhSbBbyfC2HkWxLWt0TfvbAxK8D-atAdq59eeOtktw/s1600/WEMWHFHTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3XBWQdy2iSCG8TS-Zpy1Hc8iGyNmPSjF6gfCRn9ewC9affieBv21PU0dtZ4unUA_53rOMHMupowCdKG3O0umfRwuw6FhqhSbBbyfC2HkWxLWt0TfvbAxK8D-atAdq59eeOtktw/s200/WEMWHFHTH.jpg" width="129" /></a>I just finished reading Byron Yawn's helpful and convicting book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0736946381/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0736946381&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20" target="_blank"><i>What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him</i></a>. His chapter on ambition was great. But the chapter on integrity was even better. Challenging us particularly in the context of how we will be remembered after we're gone, Byron very accurately describes the deceptive gap between what is often said about a person at the end of their life, and what is actually true about that person throughout their life. His point? The increase of our integrity will be directly in proportion to the decrease of that gap.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
More lies are told at funerals than at any other occasion. They are forced out as the silent deceptions of a man's character are finally dealt with at his memorial service. People spend lifetimes covering or ignoring the truth of who they are. Friends and family, who spent their lives playing along with the deception while they were alive, stick to the beloved's script in the end.... It's a bizarre type of courtesy paid to the bereaved. But it's a disservice to reality. We should speak up sooner.<br />
There's nothing so powerful as a life that speaks for itself. A life that is its own benediction. A life that is a translation of integrity.<br />
We carry the final chapter of our lives around with us every day we live.<br />
It's our next decision.<br />
We're the mosaic of every decision we've ever made.<br />
When we die we push print.<br />
<b><i>You</i></b> wrote your life's story moment by moment. Not preachers and loved ones. It's not the honorable mentions of accomplishments, or financial worth, or possessions. People will accomplish greater things than you. If you were fortunate to have any, people who "loved" you will fight over the money you leave behind. Your possessions will fit into boxes of all shapes and sizes. The real conclusion is about integrity. What kind of man you were. The last thing written about your life will be the correspondence between who people though you were and who you actually were. What your family actually inherits is the truth. (<i>emphasis original</i>)</blockquote>
<br />
Byron then describes cleaning out his father's medical office months after his sudden death. The last area to pack up was a locked cabinet. When he finally unlocked the cabinet, he found... nothing. At least nothing unsuspected - just some medical journals. No locked-up surprises. No hidden secrets. His dad was exactly who he knew him to be; a man of integrity. The author then closes the chapter with these words:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
You're going to die. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe tragically. Maybe forty years from now. Your family, in one way or another, will be faced with the task of digging around in the remains of who you were. As you are dead, there will be nothing you can do to stop them. Those defenses that kept back the truth about you while you were alive will be powerless in death. Your children will face the truth about you. They may come to discover things they never knew about you. They will face a locked cabinet of one sort or another. What will they find there?</blockquote>
This is sobering. This makes me think about those daily decisions. It makes me wonder if I'm ready to hit the print button. But if I'm not careful, I'll stop there, when there's even something more to consider: my eulogy cannot be my motive. There is Another who already knows my beginning and my end and everything in between must be pleasing to Him, not merely impressive to my mourners.<br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to <b>walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him</b>, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks<span class="footnote"></span> to the Father, who has qualified you<span class="footnote"></span> to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<span class="extra_text"> <br />(Colossians 1:9-14, ESV, <b>Emphasis added</b>)</span><span class="footnote"></span></blockquote>
<br />
Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-69430227945055536522012-12-13T11:33:00.001-06:002012-12-13T11:34:20.828-06:00Putting Christ in His Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwWpHT3oAvH3JrwotKgvItmqLQAR5xUuhScOu2bRrUN-mtFZytS42pYRyYx94RrRs_gf28kiu2kiSwNmo-0SwuBYucVvoyj-YqLxE8OLC9zEWS19kaqdsox_ETf57HFr5dV872A/s1600/SantaJesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwWpHT3oAvH3JrwotKgvItmqLQAR5xUuhScOu2bRrUN-mtFZytS42pYRyYx94RrRs_gf28kiu2kiSwNmo-0SwuBYucVvoyj-YqLxE8OLC9zEWS19kaqdsox_ETf57HFr5dV872A/s200/SantaJesus.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
There is a lot I could say about the Christmas holiday, family tradition, and the place (or <i>mis</i>place) of Santa Clause. But I'll try to be brief. Below are just a few guidelines for shepherding your family through one of the most wonderful times of the year.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Tell the truth. </b><br />
Tell your children the true story of Christmas. His birth which resulted in His death which secured the salvation of many sinners is indeed the reason for this season. Read the narratives in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2 with your children. Read them throughout the month of December. Read them on Christmas morning before the gloriously chaotic unwrapping frenzy begins.<br />
<br />
If we're going to cry "foul" at the world's ongoing attempt to remove Christ from Christmas, let's make sure we're not guilty as well. Make much of Christ in your home this Christmas.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Do Not Lie. </b><br />
While I would not want to dictate, in areas of liberty, how your family celebrates Christmas; I can say one thing on the authority of God's Word: Do not lie. (Exodus 20:16; Ephesians 4:25) Parents, do not lie to your children about Santa Clause. It's that simple.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Do not tell them that he brings their gifts. <br />
He doesn't. <br />
God does.<br />
<blockquote>
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." <br />
(James 1:17 ESV)</blockquote>
Do not tell them that "he knows when you are sleeping and knows when you're awake."<br />
Do not tell them that "he knows when you've been bad or good."<br />
He doesn't. (Neither does that shelf-elf guy, for that matter.)<br />
God does.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. <br />
(Proverbs 15:3 ESV)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!<br />
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.<br />
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.<br />
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.<br />
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.<br />
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.<br />
(Psalm 139:1-6 ESV)</blockquote>
<b>3. Use discernment.</b><br />
Having now said the hard thing, let me help you keep all this in a balanced perspective. <br />
Santa does not have to be a bad word in your home. Tell your children about him - but tell the truth. Tell them the history of the real Nicholas of Myra if you like. <a href="http://thecripplegate.com/my-favorite-santa-claus-story/" target="_blank">Here's one great story</a> about St. Nick's desire for the truth of Christ to be known. Sing the fun & silly songs - you know, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcsFcQJeycM" target="_blank">deck them halls and all that stuff</a>. But sing the sacred too. And sing them all the more loudly!<br />
It's not <i>necessarily </i>sinful to include some of the whimsical with the worshipful (I'd still be cautious when they're younger), but take great effort to be sure that all things secular are subservient to that which is sacred. <br />
<br />
It was <a href="http://esv.to/Mt2.7-12" target="_blank">a group of wise men</a> who bowed to Christ in His home a couple of years after His birth, making Him central in their worship. Let us be all the more careful to do the same in ours.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-69776565910339562642012-08-24T07:00:00.000-05:002012-08-24T07:00:01.467-05:00Transformed by the Gospel of Glory<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885904673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1885904673&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieodwGhD2eCCL4QAeQFvsY5RaMdG4oO4UsW1n6qo8la_TRrw3Oz-NYYLrtlcJjgJ77Tyj_2eVIK-m8RiX_nV12Kl5z9VjTXUblTxyeiZNwr2q53xiC_gd2IK1xWAafpqc_V5B8pw/s200/gospel_primer.jpg" width="130" /></a> The glory of God is the most powerful agent of transformation available to mankind. It is so powerful that is transforms those who merely gaze upon it. The Apostle Paul gives personal testimony concerning this stunning fact. "But we all," he says, "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, and being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." (2 Corinthians 3:18) From Paul's testimony I learn that if I wish to become all that God wants me to be, I must behold His glory each day.<br />
<br />
But where do I find God's glory to behold? Indeed, the glory of God is revealed throughout all of Creation, (Psalm 19:1, Isaiah 6:3) but <b>the Bible indicates that, outside of heaven, the glory of God in its thickest density dwells inside the gospel.</b> It is for this reason that the gospel is described in Scripture as "the gospel of the glory of Christ" and "the gospel of the glory of the blessed God." (2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Timothy 1:11) Consequently, as I habitually gaze upon the glory of the Lord revealed in the gospel, I can know the actual deposits of God's very glory are attaching themselves to my person and transforming me from one level of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18) This transformation is deep and abiding, and unfadingly displays the glory of God to others. (2 Corinthians 3:13)</blockquote>
<br />
~Milton Vincent, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885904673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1885904673&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20"><i>A Gospel Primer</i></a>, pages 16-17<b> (emphasis added)</b>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-4058057420587647792012-08-22T06:57:00.000-05:002012-08-22T06:57:22.727-05:00Embrace Trials as Friends<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885904673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1885904673&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieodwGhD2eCCL4QAeQFvsY5RaMdG4oO4UsW1n6qo8la_TRrw3Oz-NYYLrtlcJjgJ77Tyj_2eVIK-m8RiX_nV12Kl5z9VjTXUblTxyeiZNwr2q53xiC_gd2IK1xWAafpqc_V5B8pw/s200/gospel_primer.jpg" width="130" /></a>Here is one of those lessons, like iodine on a wound, that stings as it makes us better. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
More than anything else I could ever do, <b>the gospel enables me to embrace my tribulations and thereby position myself to gain full benefit from them</b>. For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and <b>every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me.</b> When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize that the gospel is not just one piece of good news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize instead that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of ever other aspect of my life, including my severest trials. <b>The good news about my trials is that God is forcing them to bow to His gospel purposes and do good unto me by improving my character and making me more conformed to the image of Christ.</b><br />
<br />
Preaching the gospel to myself each day provides a lens through which I can view my trials in this way and see the true cause for rejoicing that exists in them. I can then <b>embrace trials as friends</b> and allow them to do God's good work in me.<br />
<br />
~Milton Vincent, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885904673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1885904673&linkCode=as2&tag=iamchief-20"><i>A Gospel Primer</i></a> <b>(emphasis added)</b></blockquote>
<br />
<i>Scripture References:</i><br />
<br />
Romans 5:1-5; 8:28-29<br />
James 1:2-4<br />
2 Corinthians 12:7-10Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-79504781027526144772012-05-31T13:53:00.000-05:002012-05-31T13:53:54.430-05:00Self-deception about Sin is a Narcotic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPPZsI_ZArlNSqHezOdSm4wbg1FXD4jRV7WOSXkUpIkNcnEtypw4gd-LNh59WOh7ugwSZzs6b3UFvMeNekEzISDNwnunsXLHK593w1V6pHAqvBo3xv4PlWptbR-lkqK5aOt_TtA/s1600/plantinga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPPZsI_ZArlNSqHezOdSm4wbg1FXD4jRV7WOSXkUpIkNcnEtypw4gd-LNh59WOh7ugwSZzs6b3UFvMeNekEzISDNwnunsXLHK593w1V6pHAqvBo3xv4PlWptbR-lkqK5aOt_TtA/s1600/plantinga.jpg" /></a></div>
In his brief theology of sin, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802842186/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0802842186"><i>Not The Way It's Supposed To Be</i></a>, Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. states that his goal is to renew our knowledge of the persistent reality of sin "that used to evoke in us <b>fear, hatred, and grief</b>."<br />
Fear.<br />
Hatred.<br />
Grief.<br />
Do these words describe your reaction to sin?<br />
They should.<br />
<br />
Plantinga goes on to lament and warn us:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Many of us have lost this knowledge, and we ought to regret the loss. For slippage in our consciousness of sin, like most fashionable follies, may be pleasant, but it is also devastating. <b>Self-deception about our sin is a narcotic, a tranquilizing and disorienting suppression of our spiritual central nervous system.</b> What's devastating about it is that when we lack an ear for wrong notes in our lives, we cannot play right ones or even recognize them in the performances of others. Eventually we make ourselves religiously so unmusical that we miss both the exposition and recapitulation of the main themes God plays in human life. The music of creation and the still greater music of grace whistle right through our skulls, causing no catch of breath and leaving no residue. Moral beauty begins to bore us. The idea that the human race needs a Saviour sounds quaint.<br />
(Page xiii, <b>emphasis added</b>)</blockquote>
I often remind myself of the two theological pillars that hold up my worldview:<br />
1) The holiness of God, and<br />
2) The sinfulness of man.<br />
<br />
In our Bibles we see both. And they feed off of one another.<br />
The more holy I see my God, the more sinful I see myself.<br />
The more sinful I see myself, the more gracious I see my God.<br />
As the chasm grows wider between my sinful self and my holy God, the need for grace grows greater.<br />
And grace is greater, because Christ is greater. Grace is great, because it comes through Christ.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but <b>where sin increased, grace abounded all the more</b>, so that, <b>as sin reigned</b> in death, <b>grace also might reign</b> through righteousness leading to eternal life <b>through Jesus Christ our Lord.</b></i><br />(Romans 5:20-21 ESV, <b>emphasis added</b>)</blockquote>
<br />
So, do we need to heed Plantinga's warning and overcome the
self-deception about sin? Must we really train our ears to hear the
wrong notes (sin) in our lives? Absolutely. Perhaps the <a href="http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Puritans/Thomas-Watson/">puritan Thomas Watson</a> could sum it up best, "'Til sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet."Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-40314937211673213502012-05-25T02:00:00.000-05:002012-05-25T06:02:02.579-05:00These are my Favorite Verses<i>A repost in memory of Mamaw, who went to Heaven 2 years ago today.</i>
On a cool Tuesday morning almost thirteen years ago, I received this envelope in my post office box in Guy, Arkansas. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oith5vz5uc8L2NHNjQntzxLhhM-HFKJllviMhYUytKV1qSbOzIk17HHe3nwhiFxegBqXe5mnJqNPWUUzEeThZU_4Cl9xsmNHFmFQlpmmy96VlkySfvJvWhEB_J6HdbxTM7IFmQ/s1600/mamaw_verses_env_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oith5vz5uc8L2NHNjQntzxLhhM-HFKJllviMhYUytKV1qSbOzIk17HHe3nwhiFxegBqXe5mnJqNPWUUzEeThZU_4Cl9xsmNHFmFQlpmmy96VlkySfvJvWhEB_J6HdbxTM7IFmQ/s400/mamaw_verses_env_sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The postmark reads October 14, 1997 as best I can tell. Thirteen years. Our 3rd child, Anna, would be born 7 years later, to the day.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aEBryiMaFV33HOdnMW8YLdHegxG7LyXzSdovrKgc4u3AE2r53QsIckuBRE__QNCbsfIk1qkw1OnKdD27RwF_4agX9GGWbE3_SD25bHx-2X2SoCmHJgopE6b-l4CA1yuEQMwlFQ/s1600/mamaw_verses_postmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aEBryiMaFV33HOdnMW8YLdHegxG7LyXzSdovrKgc4u3AE2r53QsIckuBRE__QNCbsfIk1qkw1OnKdD27RwF_4agX9GGWbE3_SD25bHx-2X2SoCmHJgopE6b-l4CA1yuEQMwlFQ/s320/mamaw_verses_postmark.jpg" /></a></div>
The letter was from my Mamaw. It wasn't a surprise to me, in fact I had requested it from her not long before receiving it. She had asked me at some point if I would preach her funeral service when she died. I agreed to the great privilege and asked her to share with me any favorite Bible verses. She sent this letter to fulfill my request.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjS-_ppcCRQRvIQYR8kEpLa-ueYckToKTg1NXlWVSRn9u888NRTxZ9kkdRkKjTV_EXq21DQSiX9b8y3Ox3WGFKN5RIteTlXVixM_IridFBJ6-UTlj42uY7lBjFN2yUdy-6hXKMg/s1600/mamaw_verses_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjS-_ppcCRQRvIQYR8kEpLa-ueYckToKTg1NXlWVSRn9u888NRTxZ9kkdRkKjTV_EXq21DQSiX9b8y3Ox3WGFKN5RIteTlXVixM_IridFBJ6-UTlj42uY7lBjFN2yUdy-6hXKMg/s400/mamaw_verses_1.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Psalm 23</b><br />
<b>The <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is my shepherd; I shall not want.<br />
</b> <b>He makes me lie down in green pastures.<br />
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.<br />
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. </b><br />
<div class="line-group" id="p19023004.01-1">
<b>Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,<br />
</b> <b>I will fear no evil, for you are with me;<br />
</b> <b>your rod and your staff, they comfort me.</b></div>
<div class="line-group" id="p19023005.01-1">
<b>You prepare a table before me<br />
</b> <b>in the presence of my enemies;<br />
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.<br />
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,<br />
and I shall dwell in the house of the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> forever.</b></div>
<br />
<b>John 3:16</b><br />
<b><span class="woc">For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.</span></b> <b><br />
</b><br />
<b>John 11:25-26</b><br />
<b>Jesus said to her, <span class="woc">“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,</span><span class="woc">and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”</span></b> <b><br />
</b><br />
<b>[2] Timothy 2:15<br />
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.</b><br />
<b>John [11]:25</b><br />
<b>Jesus wept.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>If Jesus wept when he was sad; then it's ok for any one to cry, when you are sad.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Last:</b><br />
<b>To my children and grandchildren; I ask you to remember one of the commandments; that you love one another as I have always loved you. [John 13:34]</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Aaron you can add to or take off any of this you want to. These are my favorite verses. Maybe you know some that would be more [appropriate] to say.</b><br />
<b>Just don't leave off the last.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Love you </b><br />
<b>Mamaw</b></blockquote>
<br />
Well, Mamaw wasn't a Bible scholar, but she couldn't have chosen a better selection of passages than she did. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">She went to Heaven last Tuesday, May 25</a>. She had requested a graveside service only and of course, I honored her other request by preaching during the service. I was able to mention every one of these verses as well as preach through much of Psalm 23. <a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2yqMRH2zHmZNThmY2JhMDYtM2UwMy00MWU1LWFmZDQtZTYyZWVmYzlmZjg1&hl=en">Click here to read my sermon notes</a>. These notes contain more than an outline, but they're not quite a manuscript.<br />
What the letter above says to me more than anything is that Mamaw was a woman who was prepared - in more ways than one - to die. Her soul was right with God, her sins were forgiven, her home was Heaven, and she was ready. For the past several years on many occasions as we would talk on the phone, Heaven would become the conversation topic.<br />
Now she's there. Now she's well. Now she is resting... in peace.<br />
Now these verses have become a glorious reality as she enjoys the presence of her King.<br />
<br />
Other posts about Mamaw <a href="http://www.aaronwilson.org/search/label/Mamaw">here</a>.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-33496393086589788362012-05-11T02:00:00.000-05:002012-05-11T02:00:10.958-05:00Genesis Three: The Seed-Plot of the Bible<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXaFfwkHU7Xenpv9Yi5fDIpam3aKu5YlH9HAx1opOros9ZRYDGf-hJE8_BuAdOaAlYX9mcCFNGxrrCrhr__2xFp1Z1-h3hJKtzd1wBludzgTGMxLpZ_gGVds3uEQDz60Ayh7PUA/s1600/sin_serpent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXaFfwkHU7Xenpv9Yi5fDIpam3aKu5YlH9HAx1opOros9ZRYDGf-hJE8_BuAdOaAlYX9mcCFNGxrrCrhr__2xFp1Z1-h3hJKtzd1wBludzgTGMxLpZ_gGVds3uEQDz60Ayh7PUA/s200/sin_serpent.png" width="158" /></a>There is a trend today - even among otherwise solid evangelicals - to deny the literal interpretation of the Genesis account of creation, even to deny a historical Adam and Eve. Kevin DeYoung has some good thoughts on this slippery slope <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/02/07/reasons-to-believe-in-a-historical-adam/">here</a>. If we begin to question (though we may not outright deny) the very first chapters of our Bible, we immediately have some very big problems on our hands. Pastor John MacArthur rightly warns us, "If Genesis 1-3 doesn't tell us the truth, why should we believe anything else in the Bible?.. how can we be certain about anything else the Bible says?" (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785271597/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0785271597"><i>The Battle for the Beginning</i></a>, Page 29.) <br />So, are there any important theological truths in these first pages of Holy Scripture? I'd say so; particularly in Genesis chapter three. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The third chapter in Genesis is one of the most important in all the Word of God. What has often been said of Genesis as a whole is peculiarly true of this chapter: it is the "seed-plot of the Bible." Here are the foundations upon which rest many of the cardinal doctrines of our faith. Here we trace back to their source many of the rivers of divine truth. Here commences the great drama which is being enacted on the stage of human history, and which well-nigh six thousand years has not yet completed.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Here we find the Divine explanation of the present <b>fallen and ruined condition of our race</b>. </li>
<li>Here we learn of the <b>subtle devices of our enemy</b>, the Devil. </li>
<li>Here we behold the <b>utter powerlessness of man to walk in the path of righteousness</b> when divine grace is withheld from him. </li>
<li>Here we discover the <b>spiritual effects of sin</b>- man seeking to flee from God. </li>
<li>Here we discern the <b>attitude of God toward the guilty sinner.</b> </li>
<li>Here we mark the <b>universal tendency of human nature to cover its own moral shame by a device of man's own handiwork</b>. </li>
<li>Here we are taught of the <b>gracious provision which God has made</b> to meet our great need. </li>
<li>Here begins that marvelous <b>stream of prophecy</b> which runs all through the Holy Scriptures. </li>
<li>Here we learn that <b>man cannot approach God except through a mediator</b>. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<br />
A.W. Pink, <a href="http://www.biblebelievers.com/Pink/Gleanings_Genesis/genesis.htm"><i>Gleanings in Genesis</i></a> (<b>Emphasis added</b>)<br />
Purchase at Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603864210/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=222mission-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1603864210">here</a>.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-47550400493079376112012-05-10T02:00:00.000-05:002012-05-10T02:00:06.825-05:00Whence Comes This Wickedness to Man?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXaFfwkHU7Xenpv9Yi5fDIpam3aKu5YlH9HAx1opOros9ZRYDGf-hJE8_BuAdOaAlYX9mcCFNGxrrCrhr__2xFp1Z1-h3hJKtzd1wBludzgTGMxLpZ_gGVds3uEQDz60Ayh7PUA/s1600/sin_serpent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXaFfwkHU7Xenpv9Yi5fDIpam3aKu5YlH9HAx1opOros9ZRYDGf-hJE8_BuAdOaAlYX9mcCFNGxrrCrhr__2xFp1Z1-h3hJKtzd1wBludzgTGMxLpZ_gGVds3uEQDz60Ayh7PUA/s200/sin_serpent.png" width="158" /></a></div>
Excerpt from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785271597/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=222mission-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0785271597"><i>The Battle for the Beginning</i></a>, by John MacArthur: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Philosophers struggle to explain the origin of evil. One thing is certain:
God is not its author, creator, or efficient cause. Everything He created was
good. Evil was no part of His creation.<br />
<br />
Who then created evil? No one. Evil is neither substance, being, spirit,
nor matter. It is not a created thing. <b>It is simply a want of moral perfection in
moral agents who were originally created sinless.</b> Evil has no existence apart
from fallen creatures.<br />
<br />
How could creatures made sinless fall into sin? John Calvin dealt with
that very question:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Lord had declared that "everything that he had made ... was
exceedingly good" [Gen. 1:31]. Whence, then comes this wickedness to
man, that he should fall away from his God? Lest we should think it
comes from creation, God had put His stamp of approval on what had
come forth from himself. By his own evil intention, then, man corrupted
the pure nature he had received from the Lord; and by his fall drew all
his posterity with him into destruction. Accordingly, we should. contemplate
the evident cause of condemnation in the corrupt nature of humanity which
is closer to us-rather than seek a hidden and utterly incomprehensible
cause in God's predestination.</blockquote>
<br />
God, although absolutely sovereign over all things, is not the author or
instigator of sin. He did not concoct sin, encourage it, sanction it, condone
it, approve it, or otherwise countenance it. But He created moral agents with
a capacity to make moral choices, and they fell (in Calvin's words) by their
own evil intention.<br />
<br />
Although sin is no part of creation, neither is it something that sneaked
in and caught God by surprise. Sin was not something that thwarted the plan
of God; rather, it was part of God's plan from the beginning. He had a good
purpose in allowing it, but still He was neither the instigator nor the author
of His creatures' evil deeds. Rather, He made them moral agents and gave
them freedom to act, and they fell into sin by their own choice. <br />
<br />
In other words, God is sovereign over all , and evil was in no sense a
breach of His absolute sovereignty. But He did not take the same active role
in the devising of evil that He did in the creation of good. Fallen creatures
themselves bear full responsibility for their sin. God's creation at its completion
was impeccably flawless. Evil spoiled its perfect goodness after God had
finished creating.<br />
<br />
God's sovereign purpose from the beginning was to overrule His creatures'
evil deeds and destroy evil forever, restoring His creation to a glory that
surpasses even the glory and perfection of Eden.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(Pages 189-190, emphasis added)</blockquote>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-9923860223911818422012-05-07T15:44:00.000-05:002012-05-07T15:44:15.723-05:00Fruit Follows Faith<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0YMYRm-3LP6MX-WqOwz84sfY7Yea2IZXyFgg9IcTxvy74Tk0CYHwBn3cXWxwHHDZ9q5iiJVEMFq7OlY_V1TFruCc69pnX0zXSibAp_0uxXlcbATabNnYjBSeIFFDIst1W8wV1g/s1600/fruit_vine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0YMYRm-3LP6MX-WqOwz84sfY7Yea2IZXyFgg9IcTxvy74Tk0CYHwBn3cXWxwHHDZ9q5iiJVEMFq7OlY_V1TFruCc69pnX0zXSibAp_0uxXlcbATabNnYjBSeIFFDIst1W8wV1g/s200/fruit_vine.png" width="200" /></a>I always appreciate help in further understanding the relationship between faith and works. The Scriptures are clear that we are not saved BY our good works (Ephesians 2:8-9) but they are just as clear that we are saved UNTO good works (Ephesians 2:10).<br />
While discussing the need for practical preaching - i.e., that both doctrine and duty should be preached - Charles Bridges, in his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/landing/B0034NM1J8/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=ur2&qid=1336423317&camp=1789&sr=8-1&creative=390957"><i>The Christian Ministry</i></a>, argues that preaching doctrine doesn't deny one's practical obligations to that doctrine. He uses an argument from Bishop George Horne:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How we can be said to deny the existence of moral duties, because we preach faith, the root from whence they spring, I know not; unless he that plants a vine, does by that action deny the existence of grapes. The fruit receives its goodness from the tree, not the tree from the fruit, which does not make the tree good, but shows it to be so. So works receive all their goodness from faith, not faith from works; which do not themselves justify, but show a prior justification of the soul that produces them.<br />
(p. 267)</blockquote>
Here's how I've outlined Hornes' thoughts:<br />
<br />
<b>The accusation:</b><br />We deny the necessity of works (fruit) because we preach faith.<br />
<br />
<b>The argument:</b><br />
If you plant a vine, do you deny the existence of grapes?<br />
<br />
<b>The analogy:</b><br />
Fruit receives its goodness from the tree (not the tree from the fruit).<br />
Fruit does not make the tree good, but rather shows that the tree is good.<br />
<br />
<b>The answer: </b><br />
Likewise, good works receive their goodness from faith (not faith by works)<br />
Good works do not justify a man, but rather show that a man is already justified.<br />
<br />
<i>For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, <b>not a result of works</b>, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus <b>for good works</b>, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.</i><br />(Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV, <b>emphasis added</b>)<br />
<br />
<i>But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and <b>I will show you my faith by my works</b>.</i><br />(James 2:18 ESV, <b>emphasis added</b>)Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-67090763997261402652012-04-27T02:00:00.000-05:002012-04-27T02:00:06.861-05:00Has Your Bible Read You Today?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1601781652/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=222mission-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1601781652" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQiuoxaD2Mo1vEQL2xCvJ9R4TCFTnyxDvn-rf_1i74r5vC_1VolkboQ3KK8A4_su1npMhuvJvxIMcLX_4qFRE-ljcx5CKFAOkA-zDdwZk2grs7pJnHLlTU4PxaGMxcQOosN_adw/s200/bilkes_glory_veiled.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
We're often asked - and rightly so - "Have you read your Bible today?" But an even better question is this, "Has your Bible read YOU today?" In his new book on the parables of Jesus, Gerald Bilkes turns our thinking (and our Bible reading) around with these challenges:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"...many today are content to read the Bible in a way in which the Word of God is subject to them, rather than reading so they are subject to the Word. They study the Bible--so they think--but the Bible does not study them. They may even 'search the Scriptures,' but the Scriptures fail to search them."</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Gerald M. Bilkes, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1601781652/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=222mission-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1601781652">Glory Veiled and Unveiled</a></i>, Reformation Heritage Books</blockquote>
I once heard Dr. Bruce Ware suggest a simple prayer to pray before we begin our Bible reading, <i>Lord, open Your Word to me and open me to Your Word.</i> I think this is an appropriate way to begin allowing our Bibles to read us.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
Search me, O God, and know my heart!<br />
Try me and know my thoughts!<br />And see if there be any grievous way in me,<br />and lead me in the way everlasting!<br />(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)</center>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-4593907055712881652012-04-24T02:00:00.000-05:002012-04-24T21:34:48.001-05:00Why I'll Never Divorce My Wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFPVlzu_S58UPKmQJDAHM7nO95CQh71nmiLKyVm1in2siU6ZIurqPt6KS3OW-VD-tGvllk2sdeA6d-NstGUsrOBV6eoxRDfWm_VHWpaC5ONYjJ5Rcg-4YYfqD2SQYM745arFpdw/s1600/Wedding-Rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFPVlzu_S58UPKmQJDAHM7nO95CQh71nmiLKyVm1in2siU6ZIurqPt6KS3OW-VD-tGvllk2sdeA6d-NstGUsrOBV6eoxRDfWm_VHWpaC5ONYjJ5Rcg-4YYfqD2SQYM745arFpdw/s150/Wedding-Rings.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<i>*This is a repost in light of <a href="http://www.bclr.org/sermons/?sermon_id=938">a recent message I taught</a> on this subject.</i><br />
<br />
Well, there's lots of reasons, actually. To name a few...<br />
<br />
I'll never divorce my wife because I love her.<br />
I'll never divorce my wife because I love my four children.<br />
I'll never divorce my wife because I love God.<br />
<br />
But John Piper suggests another reason - a more foundational reason - in his book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433507129/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433507129">This Momentary Marriage</a>." Under the section heading, "Christ Will Never Leave His Wife," he writes,<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Staying married, therefore, is not mainly about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant. “Till death do us part” or “As long as we both shall live” is a sacred covenant promise—the same kind Jesus made with his bride when he died for her. Therefore, what makes divorce and remarriage so horrific in God’s eyes is not merely that it involves covenant-breaking to the spouse, but that it involves misrepresenting Christ and his covenant. <b>Christ will never leave his wife. Ever.</b> There may be times of painful distance and tragic backsliding on our part. But Christ keeps his covenant forever. Marriage is a display of that! That is the ultimate thing we can say about it. It puts the glory of Christ’s covenant-keeping love on display.<br />
The most important implication of this conclusion is that keeping covenant with our spouse is as important as telling the truth about God’s covenant with us in Jesus Christ. Marriage is not mainly about being or staying in love. It’s mainly about telling the truth with our lives. It’s about portraying something true about Jesus Christ and the way he relates to his people. It is about showing in real life the glory of the gospel.<br />
Jesus died for sinners. He forged a covenant in the white-hot heat of his suffering in our place. He made an imperfect bride his own with the price of his blood and covered her with the garments of his own righteousness. He said, “I am with you . . . to the end of the age. . . . I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). Marriage is meant by God to put that gospel reality on display in the world. That is why we are married. That is why all married people are married, even when they don’t know and embrace this gospel.<br />
(Page 25-26, <b>Emphasis added</b>)</blockquote>
<br />
I'll never leave my wife because I love the Gospel!<br />
<br />
It's true that our lives and our words and our actions and our relationships are all means by which we can display the Gospel to the lost world, but <i>it is our marriage and ONLY our marriage that is designed by God to be THE perfect illustration of the amazing and permanent love that Christ has for His Bride.</i><br />
<br />
Of course, our marriages aren't perfect because we aren't perfect. In fact, if you have an imperfect marriage (and we all do), what better way to show the world how God loves sinners than to have two sinners in a marriage showing that same love to one another.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-88382497294903801222012-04-19T06:57:00.001-05:002012-04-19T07:15:19.762-05:00Job Security for the Theologian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNmXB5t2mquVHknqoUHpbcJi3bvF6AUW2s1dq0HK1trUivwKT1KI0vzRoZHhFKagv718PQlV-Is8_FIHFNak3kxC_dHS3VrTe-VS1Ov8Cf9P9EG2_aRonXbj5okwQ7c06E_CvQQ/s1600/nicea.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNmXB5t2mquVHknqoUHpbcJi3bvF6AUW2s1dq0HK1trUivwKT1KI0vzRoZHhFKagv718PQlV-Is8_FIHFNak3kxC_dHS3VrTe-VS1Ov8Cf9P9EG2_aRonXbj5okwQ7c06E_CvQQ/s200/nicea.png" width="139" /></a></div>
The student of God never fully completes his course. Oh, there may be a grade given; but it will be for faithfulness... not for finality.<br />
<br />
The theologian may retire, but there is never complete resolve.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! <br />
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!<br />
<b>(Romans 11:33 ESV)</b><br />
<br />
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,<br />
and his greatness is unsearchable.<br />
<b>(Psalm 145:3 ESV) </b><br />
<br />
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;<br />
it is high; I cannot attain it.<br />
<b>(Psalm 139:6 ESV)</b><br />
<br />
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;<br />
his understanding is beyond measure.<br />
<b>(Psalm 147:5 ESV)</b></blockquote>
<br />
And though there is no ultimate <i>finality </i>in knowledge, there is also no <i>futility</i>. We <i>can </i>know Him - we <i>must</i>! It is a matter of life or death.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And this is eternal life, that <b>they know you</b> the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.<br />
<b>(John 17:3 ESV</b><b>, emphasis added</b><b>)</b><br />
<br />
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that <b>we may know him</b> who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.<br />
<b>(1 John 5:20-21 ESV, emphasis added)</b></blockquote>
<br />
May Paul's prayer be ours, to know the unknowable...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and <b>to know</b> the love of Christ <b>that surpasses knowledge</b>, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.<br /> <br /><b>(Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV, emphasis added)</b></blockquote>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-3137406253544614372012-04-18T11:31:00.001-05:002012-04-18T11:31:45.483-05:00The History of the Old Testament: In 450 Words or Less!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAxJshbMFSnSosFZ8L95zIEGIUZ1E6aWvfDLAmw9FGStjYyTkp4u5vBtEq0Vpr0oc-MXFfBiiMLQSSqopOLowVx3RSsbA4Xsu4OwUAaEe0X_QhcJosPsaBEjkRW9XLL_HeuZnFA/s1600/dever_promises-made.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAxJshbMFSnSosFZ8L95zIEGIUZ1E6aWvfDLAmw9FGStjYyTkp4u5vBtEq0Vpr0oc-MXFfBiiMLQSSqopOLowVx3RSsbA4Xsu4OwUAaEe0X_QhcJosPsaBEjkRW9XLL_HeuZnFA/s200/dever_promises-made.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_792358231"></span><span id="goog_792358232"></span>Here's a great little summary of the history of the Old Testament from Mark Dever's volume, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581347170/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1581347170">The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made</a></i>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Our text begins, not surprisingly, on page 1 of your Bible: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). That is where the story line of a particular history begins. The Bible is not only a book of wise religious counsel and theological propositions, though it has both. It is a story, a real story set in real history. It is a historical saga—an epic. And the story in the Old Testament is amazing!<br />
<br />
In this very first verse, the story begins with the greatest event in world history. You have nothing, and then all of a sudden you have something.<br />
<br />
But keep reading; there is more!<br />
<br />
You have inanimate creation, and then all of a sudden you have life.<br />
<br />
You have creatures, and then you have man made in God’s image.<br />
<br />
You have the Garden of Eden, and then you have the Fall.<br />
<br />
And all this occurs in the first three chapters of the Bible. Some people have called the third chapter of Genesis, where Adam and Eve sin in the Garden, the most important chapter for understanding the whole Bible. Cut out Genesis 3, and the rest of the Bible would be meaningless.<br />
<br />
After Adam and Eve’s sin, Cain kills his brother Abel. Humankind further degenerates for a number of generations. And God finally judges the world with a flood, saving just one righteous man—Noah—and his family. The generations following Noah fare no better. Humankind rebels at the Tower of Babel; this time God disperses everyone over the face of the earth. A new beginning is then promised as God shows his faithfulness to another particular person, Abraham, and his family. After a brief period of prosperity, Abraham’s descendents, now called Israel, fall into slavery in Egypt. Then the Exodus occurs, in which Moses leads the people out of Egypt. God gives Israel the law. The people enter the Promised Land. They are ruled by a series of judges for a short time. A kingdom is established, with kings David and David’s son Solomon representing the pinnacle. Solomon builds the temple, which houses the ark of the covenant and functions as the center of Israel’s worship of Yahweh. Shortly after Solomon’s death, the kingdom divides between Israel and Judah—the northern and southern kingdoms. Idolatry grows in Israel until the Assyrians destroy the northern kingdom. Judah then deteriorates until it is destroyed by Babylon. Survivors are carried off to exile in Babylon, where they remain for seventy years. A remnant then returns to Jerusalem and rebuilds the temple, yet Israel never regains the glory it knew under David and Solomon. And that is the whole history of the Old Testament!</blockquote>
Dever has a New Testament volume as well, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581347162/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1581347162"><i>The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept</i></a>. These would be two great resources for any Bible student or teacher.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-74502131738143119612012-04-16T19:00:00.000-05:002012-04-16T19:00:03.409-05:00Hard Preaching<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKi8kTjiEGKvxalmIiprhYcpyoUhKT57eBd3zeCMMxfP3DNwmuD_j2yVVUiORDyNFyPeQnH4ibUjyq6Jgtn8L7CreNHF0mRKKSaN8l-zLarBiv6DwXD6zarNRS8AQf3-IKmKsAw/s1600/bible_pulpit_rnd.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKi8kTjiEGKvxalmIiprhYcpyoUhKT57eBd3zeCMMxfP3DNwmuD_j2yVVUiORDyNFyPeQnH4ibUjyq6Jgtn8L7CreNHF0mRKKSaN8l-zLarBiv6DwXD6zarNRS8AQf3-IKmKsAw/s200/bible_pulpit_rnd.png" width="200" /></a>It's hard to preach hard things.<br />
But we must.<br />
<br />
For years churches have shrunk back from declaring the "whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27) It's not just the liberal churches and their omittance of doctrines such as sin or Hell or the exclusivity of Christ. Evangelical churches are just as guilty of avoiding certain "hard" topics.<br /><br />Speaking from almost two centuries ago, Charles Bridges addresses this serious problem with gentle counsel and balanced warnings. He identifies one extreme of preaching a pet-doctrine to the neglect of others, and the other extreme of out-right neglecting a difficult doctrine. Bridges says, <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We must declare our testimony without concealment --not indeed forcing offensive truths into undue prominence; yet not daring to withhold them in their Scriptural proportion--adapting our statements to the spiritual capacities of our people; yet jealous, that we omit nothing from our own or our hearers' disgust to particular doctrines;--"not handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sigh of God." [2 Corinthians 4:2]</blockquote>
<br />
Bridges goes on to warn "against over-statements, or an <b>undue partiality</b> for individual
points, which is equally unscriptural with an <b>undue concealment</b>." "Judicious preaching," he says, "implies a clear display of every Doctrine of the Gospel..." (<b>emphasis added</b>)<br />
<br />
It is in this section (and at the risk of being accused of ignoring his own warnings) that he singles out the doctrines of divine election as those that go too often by the way side in preaching and presenting the scope of Salvation. In a beautiful balance, he states, <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...in declaring the freeness of the invitations of the Gospel, <br />we must hide the basis of our effectual calling. <br />In displaying the riches of grace, <br />we must not forget to trace them to the sovereign pleasures of God. <br />We must enforce the obligations of holiness as connected with, and resulting from, <br />the eternal designs of God.</blockquote>
Continuing the balance, he says these must be brought "forth in their due place and order," and yet to avoid "forced and needless repetition."<br />
<br />
Bridges then gives some insight as to the reason these doctrines are neglected. He suggests the following:<br />
<br />
Much prejudice against these particular doctrines had doubtless arisen from a controversial and repulsive mode of statement, unconnected with that humility, watchfulness, holy devotedness, and enjoyment of Christian privileges... We must watch against repugnance to the study of any particular portions of Scripture; which is the sure indication of a wrong temper of heart--of a want of "trembling at the word" --and of a disposition even to cancel what our proud hearts cannot receive. <br />
<br />
In other words, it's often pride in the heart of the preacher delivering this message that attributes to pride in the heart of the parishioner who will not receive it. But there is also a greater risk of pride for those who <i>refuse </i>to preach these hard things. Bridges footnotes a section of John Calvin's Institutes on this same topic, from which I quote below:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But for those who are so cautious or fearful that they desire to bury predestination in order not to disturb weak souls--with what color will they cloak their arrogance when they accuse God indirectly of stupid thoughtlessness, as if he had not foreseen the peril that they feel they have wisely met? Whoever, then, heaps [disgrace] upon the doctrine of predestination openly reproaches God, as if he had unadvisedly let slip something hurtful to the church.<br />
Calvin's Institutes, Book III, Chapter XXI, Section 4; Pg. 926 </blockquote>
God forgive us for thinking we know better than You what people need to hear from our pulpits.<br />Help us to preach hard things.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Soft preaching makes hard people. Hard preaching makes soft people.</i></b> ~ John MacArthur<br />
<br />
<br />Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15327171.post-11124754830731126862012-02-15T15:16:00.001-06:002012-02-15T15:16:36.846-06:00Obedience: Cruise Control or Race Car?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zhE7LSW5uPvQNX6bmbKeueOFii-EIiG8UjG7NTa4oXdXnakHuODTnEuzYV-YO0ygggAWFZ-tYid2fjY5isg3W9p14UUVwI-HCM_98SnYVNdKc5iuIRVVhko2jzCgDeGoPFduhw/s1600/stockcarbible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zhE7LSW5uPvQNX6bmbKeueOFii-EIiG8UjG7NTa4oXdXnakHuODTnEuzYV-YO0ygggAWFZ-tYid2fjY5isg3W9p14UUVwI-HCM_98SnYVNdKc5iuIRVVhko2jzCgDeGoPFduhw/s200/stockcarbible.png" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An actual Bible Edition. <br />
Unfortunately.</td></tr>
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Two men's groups at our church are currently reading Jerry Bridges' helpful book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576839893/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iamchief-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1576839893"><i>The Discipline of Grace</i></a>. When discussing the need for obedience, Bridges illustrates two kinds of obedience: <b>cruise control obedience</b> and <b>race-car obedience</b>.<br />
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<b>CRUISE-CONTROL OBEDIENCE</b><br />
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Most of us who are believers practice what I call a “cruise-control” approach to obedience. Many cars today have a convenient feature called cruise control. When you are driving on the highway you can accelerate to your desired speed push the cruise-control button, and take your foot from the accelerator pedal. Some mechanism attached to the engine will then maintain your desired speed, and you can ease back and relax a little…It’s very convenient and relatively relaxing. It’s a great feature on cars.<br />
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However, we tend to obey God in the same way. To continue the driving analogy, we press the accelerator pedal of obedience until we’ve brought out behavior up to a certain level or “speed.” The level of obedience is most often determined by the behavior standard of other Christians around us. We don’t want to lag behind them because we want to be as spiritual as they are. At the same time, we’re not eager to forge ahead of them because we wouldn’t want to be different. We want to just comfortably blend in with the level of obedience of those around us.<br />
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Once we have arrived at this comfortable level of obedience, we push the cruise-control button in our hearts, ease back, and relax. No watching the speed limits of God’s Word, no fatigue that comes from seeking Him with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind. Just cruising along at the speed people have set for us and not Jesus.</blockquote>
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<b>RACE-CAR OBEDIENCE</b><br />
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By contrast consider race-car drivers. They would never think of using cruise-control. They are not interested in blending in with the speed of those around them. They are not out for a Sunday afternoon drive. They want to win the race.<br />
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Race car drivers are totally focused on their driving. Their foot is always on the accelerator as they try to push their car to the outer limits of its mechanical ability and endurance. Their eye is always on the track as they press their own limits in negotiating the turns on the track as they watch for the hazards of the other cars around them. They are driving with all their heart, soul and mind.<br />
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To love God with all our heart and soul and mind means to obey Him with all our heart and soul and mind. In the words of Hebrews 12:14, it means to “make every effort…to be holy,” and in the words of Peter, to “make every effort” to add to our faith the various facets of Christian character (2 Peter 1:5-7).<br />
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The apostle Paul didn’t have cruise controls to use as illustrations, so he used the metaphor of a footrace.<br />
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Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. <br />
2 Corinthians 9:24-27<br />
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God is not impressed with our worship on Sunday morning at church if we are practicing “cruise-control” obedience the rest of the week. You may sing with reverent zeal or great emotional ferver, but your worship is only as pleasing to God as the type of obedience that accompanies it. </blockquote>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840479818099362754noreply@blogger.com0