"Getting Out"

I mentioned yesterday I would post a link to the message on The Exodus by Tim Keller. I can't recommend it highly enough. You can find it here.

In case you want to ponder it some more, here's the story I shared of Keller's time 40 years ago in R.C. Sproul's living room listening to Old Testament scholar Alec Motyer. Sproul asked Motyer to share something about the connection between the Old Testament and the New. Here's one of the things he said:

Think about what an Israelite would say on the way to Canaan having come out of the Red Sea. Here’s what an Israelite would say. If you said “Who are you?”, he would say, “I was in a foreign land under the sentence of death, in bondage, but I took shelter under the blood of the Lamb, and our mediator led us out and we crossed over, and now we are on our way to the promised land but we are not there yet. But he’s given us his law to make us a community, and he’s given us the tabernacle because you have to live by grace and forgiveness. And his presence is in our midst and he’s going to stay with us until we get home.

How Do You Feel About The Commands of God?

What do the commands of God usually feel like to you? I know, I know, it's doesn't matter how you feel about them. you must obey them. Of course.

But the commands of God are not supposed to be a burden. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. His commands are not burdensome.

It matters how you feel about the commands of God because your disposition toward the commands of God betrays what you think about the character of God. It re:flects the temperature of your love toward God.

Think about it this way. When a couple gets married, they make vows. They promise, for instance, to be faithful. Do you think it matters how a husband feels about the command to remain faithful? If you were the wife, would it matter to you? Does he honor you if he feels like that command is a burden? Does he honor you if he feels like that command is a joy and delight? Does it matter?

Must we obey the commands of God? Absolutely! Must we take heed to how we feel about the commands of God (and the God of the commands)? Absolutely!

Here's one helpful reminder from Deuteronomy 10:12-13 that we need to keep preaching to our hearts -- esp. when we don't feel like it's true:

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

All (you might need to say that again) of the commands of God are for your good. Do you believe that? It really matters that you do.

Steve Saint's Flying Car

A friend of mine sent me this video about Steve Saint's flying car (yes, he's that Steve Saint - the son of missionary martyr Nate Saint who was killed with 4 other missionaries on January 8, 1956). I had heard a few years back about some related projects that he was working on. It looks like he's made some good progress toward making some of his dreams a reality.

This is a beautiful illustration of using your imagination to the glory of God and the good of all peoples! Make sure you watch to the end to see his real reason for inventing it.

Re:flection at Work

John Piper recently spoke at a conference in Australia for young professionals. In an interview, he was asked, "How can [you] glorify God at work?" Here's a summary of his excellent answer that he posted on the Desiring God blog (be sure to watch the video he links to under "corporate shaping"):

• Dependence. Go to work utterly dependent on God (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 15:5). Without him you can’t breathe, move, think, feel, or talk. Not to mention be spiritually influential. Get up in the morning and let God know your desperation for him. Pray for help. 

• Integrity. Be absolutely and meticulously honest and trustworthy on the job. Be on time. Give a full day’s work. “Thou shalt not steal.” More people rob their employers by being slackers than by filching the petty cash. 

• Skill. Get good at what you do. God has given you not only the grace of integrity but the gift of skills. Treasure that gift and be a good steward of those skills. This growth in skill is built on dependence and integrity. 

• Corporate shaping. As you have influence and opportunity, shape the ethos of the workplace so that the structures and policies and expectations and aims move toward accordance with Christ. For example, someone is shaping the ethos of Chick-fil-A restaurants with this video. 

• Impact. Aim to help your company have an impact that is life-enhancing without being soul-destroying. Some industries have an impact that is destructive (e.g., porn, gambling, abortion, marketing scams, etc). But many can be helped to turn toward impact that is life-giving without being soul-ruining. As you have opportunity, work toward that. 

• Communication. Work places are webs of relationships. Relationships are possible through communication. Weave your Christian worldview into the normal communications of life. Don’t hide your light under a basket. Put it on the stand. Winsomely. Naturally. Joyfully. Let those who love their salvation say continually, Great is the Lord! (Psalm 40:16) 

• Love. Serve others. Be the one who volunteers first to go get the pizza. To drive the van. To organize the picnic. Take an interest in others at work. Be known as the one who cares not just about the light-hearted weekend tales, but the burdens of heavy and painful Monday mornings. Love your workmates, and point them to the great Burden Bearer. 

• Money. Work is where you make (and spend) money. It is all God’s, not yours. You are a trustee. Turn your earning into the overflow of generosity in how you steward God’s money. Don’t work to earn to have. Work to earn to have to give and to invest in Christ-exalting ventures. Make your money speak of Christ as your supreme Treasure. 

• Thanks. Always give thanks to God for life and health and work and Jesus. Be a thankful person at work. Don’t be among the complainers. Let your thankfulness to God overflow in a humble spirit of gratitude to others. Be known as the hope-filled, humble, thankful one at work.

There are more things to say about glorifying God in the workplace. But this is a start. Add to the list as God gives you light. The point is: Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink or work, do all to make God look as great as he really is.

Oh, how we would re:flect the glory of God - with increasing brightness and clarity - if we would live these things out in our places of work!

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Did Jesus Become A Glutton And A Drunkard?

I missed something important when I preached on Luke 7:11-35. I noticed it the other day while reading in Deuteronomy. Remember how Jesus characterized so many of that generation?

To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.' For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' (Luke 7:31-34, ESV, emphasis added)

In other words, "You find fault with whoever is aligned with God's purposes. You simply can't be pleased."

This accusation against Jesus, however, may have been saying more. It may have been intended to communicate more than Jesus' lack of commitment (in their eyes) to the holiness codes regarding food and drink and table fellowship. The phrase "glutton and drunkard" (in that order) is only used one other time outside of the two uses in the Gospels (Matthew 11:19 is a parallel passage). It's found in Deuteronomy 21:18-21:

If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.' Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear. (emphasis added)

The religious leaders knew the Pentateuch like the back of their hand. Were they not saying that Jesus deserved to be put to death? They viewed him as a rebellious son. And they wanted him dead.

But, oh, the irony! They were the rebellious sons! They deserved to be put to death. And that's exactly why this faithful Son came to live the life they and we could not live. And then he died the death we should have died.

Look where Deuteronomy 21 goes just after this "rebellious son" account:

And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.

Jesus became a curse for us, so that we might receive the blessing - the blessing of faithful, (New) covenant sonship.

Galatians 3:13-14, 26, 29:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"--so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

...for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ... And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

The irony, then, in the accusation of Luke 7:34, is thick. And it is glorious! Though Jesus was not literally a glutton or a drunkard, he did most certainly "become" a glutton and a drunkard. And a whole lot more. On the Cross. All for us. All in our place.

2 Corinthians 5:21:

For our sake he (The Father) made him (Jesus) to be sin (like gluttony and drunkenness and every other known sin) who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus willingly took on flesh and blood. He endured the shame of being called a glutton and a drunkard. Then he "became" a rebellious son and died in our place. He despised the shame of "becoming" a glutton and a drunkard...and every other evil thing we've ever thought or desired or done or become. And he did it all so that his faithful sonship could become ours, so that rebellious sons like us could be reconciled and call God, "Abba, Father!"

Savor the glorious irony of this shameful accusation! In Christ, the "glutton and drunkard," we rebellious, death-deserving, cursed sons are now repentant, believing, faithful, blessed sons!

Just Do Something - September/October B.O.M.

The Book Of the Month for September-October is Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung.

I love the full title:

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will OR How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Impressions, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, Etc.

A few quotes...

This book is not designed to make us all into hyper-rationalistic decision-makers who need to consult an Excel spreadsheet before deciding on an appetizer from Applebees. (83)

So here's the real heart of the matter: Does God have a secret will of direction that He expects us to figure out before we do anything? And the answer is no. Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives. And yes, we can be assured that He words things for our good in Christ Jesus. And yes, looking back we will often be able to trace God's hand in bringing us to where we are. But while we are free to ask God for wisdom, He does not burden us with the task of divining His will of direction for our lives ahead of time. 

The second half of that last sentence is crucial. God does have a specific plan for our lives, but it is not one that He expects us to figure out before we make a decision. I'm not saying God won't help you make decisions.... I'm not saying God doesn't care about your future. I'm not saying God isn't directing your path and in control amidst the chaos of your life. I believe in providence with all my heart. What I am saying is that we should stop thinking of God's will like a corn maze, or a tightrope, or a bull's-eye, or a choose-your-own-adventure novel.

... Many of us fear we'll take the wrong job, or buy the wrong house, or declare the wrong major, or marry the wrong person, and suddenly our lives will blow up. We'll be out of God's will, doomed to spiritual, relational, and physical failure. Or, to put it in Christianese, we'll find ourselves out of "the center of God's will." We'll miss God's best and have to settle for an alternative ending to our lives." (24-25, boldface added, italics original)

Not all of this book will apply equally to everyone. You may not agree with everything DeYoung writes. You may not agree wholeheartedly with where the emphases fall in every aspect of his handling of the subject. But this book will challenge and help your thinking (and your feeling and doing) as you seek to pray and live, "Your will be done."

Loving Your Neighor You Don't Even Know

The law of God is not merely a code of conduct "out there" to which the people of God must conform. It is most fundamentally a re:flection, a revelation of the character of God. In light of that, it's a good habit to ask of any command in the Bible (even, or especially, with Old Testament commands that may no longer apply to us because they were specific to the nation of Israel at a point in The Story when the people of God lived in a national theocracy), "What does this command say about the nature of God?" Or, "What kind of God commands this of us?"

Lately, I've been reading Deuteronomy. There have been several commands that have functioned like windows to see the character of God more clearly. Here's one:

Deuteronomy 22:1 "You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. 2 And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. 3 And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother's, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. 4 You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again. (ESV, emphasis added)

A few things stick out to me here.

1. Indifference is prohibited in God's kingdom (v1, 3, 4). "It's not my problem!" is out of step with the character of God and his kingdom.
2. An Israelite did not even need to know his neighbor for his neighbor to be his "brother." In our God's government, the call to love is not contingent on the nature of the relationship with the neighbor in question.
3. An Israelite did not even need to know his neighbor to be able to love his neighbor. In our God's kingdom, the "finders, keepers" is bunk. Love trumps selfish gain, or even convenience, every time.

Don't you want this God's kingdom to come?! His will to be done? He's so good!

"Motherhood is Application"

After reading this the other day, I couldn't wait to read it to Beth. So much grace and wisdom in there!

I encourage you (mother's especially) to read and ponder the whole thing. In doing so, don't blow by that first paragraph. Take a minute to ponder how you can consciously see your many roles as a mother as wonderful opportunities to reflect the glory of God.

"In the beginning," all was formless (chaotic) and void (empty). God worked each of those first six days to order and fill the heavens and the earth. He made man and woman in his image to reflect his glory. He then entrusted them, as his image bearers, with the stewardship of ruling and subduing, multiplying and filling, cultivating and keeping.

Do you see it, mothers? Do you see how so much of what you do, as "ordinary" and routine as it may seem, is a beautiful opportunity to image forth the glory of God?! Re:flection in the home that often no one sees (notices?!) but you and your God! But God does see...and you should see the cosmic significance in all that you do! God loves to see his glory shine back at him!

• Every meal prepared is formlessness to functional, edible form (even if the cooking process, and the time around the table, with little human pre-dinner pinballs and dinner table whirligigs all around, can seem more chaotic than orderly!)
• Every grocery run stocked up and belly filled is a filling of the voids
• Every dirty laundry pile washed and folded, every playroom and bedroom cleaned and straightened (for the umpteenth time!) is chaos to order

 Just wanted to make sure you mothers didn't miss the glory in the ordinary.

Don't Be A Stupid Bible Reader!

Thank you, Mr. Spurgeon, for speaking the truth in love!

You are retired for your private devotions; you have opened the Bible, and you begin to read.

Now, do not be satisfied with merely reading through a chapter. Some people thoughtlessly read through two or three chapters—stupid people for doing such a thing!

It is always better to read a little and digest it, than it is to read much and then think you have done a good thing by merely reading the letter of the word.

For you might as well read the alphabet backwards and forwards, as read a chapter of Scripture, unless you meditate upon it, and seek to comprehend its meaning.
Merely to read words is nothing...

The business of the believer with his Bible open is to pray, “Lord, give me the meaning and spirit of your word, while it lies open before me; apply your word with power to my soul, threatening or promise, doctrine or precept, whatever it may be; lead me into the soul and marrow of your word.”

Also, it is not the form of prayer, but the spirit of prayer that shall truly benefit your souls.
That prayer has not benefited you, which is not the prayer of the soul.

You have need to say, “Lord, give me the spirit of prayer; now help me to feel my need deeply, to perceive your promises clearly, and to exercise faith upon them.”

In your private devotions, strive after vital godliness, real soul-work, the life-giving operation of the Spirit of God in your hearts.

From Charles Spurgeon’s 1867 sermon “A Song at the Well-head” (emphasis added).

HT: JT

Don't Feel Like Reading Your Bible Today?

J.C. Ryle has something to say to you: 

You live in a world where your soul is in constant danger. Enemies are round you on every side. Your own heart is deceitful. Bad examples are numerous. Satan is always laboring to lead you astray. Above all false doctrine and false teachers of every kind abound. This is your great danger.

To be safe you must be well armed. You must provide yourself with the weapons which God has given you for your help. You must store your mind with Holy Scripture. This is to be well armed.

Arm yourself with a thorough knowledge of the written word of God. Read your Bible regularly. Become familiar with your Bible. . . . Neglect your Bible and nothing that I know of can prevent you from error if a plausible advocate of false teaching shall happen to meet you. Make it a rule to believe nothing except it can be proved from Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible. . . . Do you really use your Bible as much as you ought?

There are many today, who believe the Bible, yet read it very little. Does your conscience tell you that you are one of these persons?

If so, you are the man that is likely to get little help from the Bible in time of need. Trial is a sifting experience. . . . Your store of Bible consolations may one day run very low.

If so, you are the man that is unlikely to become established in the truth. I shall not be surprised to hear that you are troubled with doubts and questions about assurance, grace, faith, perseverance, etc. The devil is an old and cunning enemy. He can quote Scripture readily enough when he pleases. Now you are not sufficiently ready with your weapons to fight a good fight with him. . . . Your sword is held loosely in your hand.

If so, you are the man that is likely to make mistakes in life. I shall not wonder if I am told that you have problems in your marriage, problems with your children, problems about the conduct of your family and about the company you keep. The world you steer through is full of rocks, shoals and sandbanks. You are not sufficiently familiar either with lighthouses or charts.

If so, you are the man who is likely to be carried away by some false teacher for a time. It will not surprise me if I hear that one of these clever eloquent men who can make a convincing presentation is leading you into error. You are in need of ballast (truth); no wonder if you are tossed to and fro like a cork on the waves.

All these are uncomfortable situations. I want you to escape them all. Take the advice I offer you today. Do not merely read your Bible a little—but read it a great deal. . . . Remember your many enemies. Be armed!

As quoted by J. I. Packer in 18 Words: The Most Important Words You Will Ever Know, pp. 40-41 (emphasis added).

HT: JT