tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23230939766243520002024-02-20T16:14:21.047-05:00RAGAMUFFIN: a beggar at the door of God's mercytewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.comBlogger1144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-58240318709506492702019-11-11T05:28:00.001-05:002019-11-11T08:45:03.991-05:00Be Afraid of Yourself: A Plea to Christian Men<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Shane Morris<br />
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<a href="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/703/2018/02/iStock-182442890-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/703/2018/02/iStock-182442890-300x225.jpg" /></a>Another prominent Christian leader has confessed to inappropriate behavior with two young women on his ministry’s staff, and resigned. It’s the latest stroke in a seemingly endless drumbeat of similar confessions and resignations. The list of Christian men in ministry, whether pastors or apologists or speakers or authors, who have been caught in the net of sexual sin over the last few years is dizzying. It’s nauseating. It’s a punch in the gut.</div>
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Whatever the actual statistics, the merciless repetition of pastor after author after apologist toppling for the same avoidable failures of the flesh gives the impression that sexual sin is eating the church alive. Pastors are now less trusted by the public than daycare providers, doctors, military officers, or grade school teachers.<br />
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There’s no appropriate reaction to this parade of scandals that does not start with falling on our faces before God and begging for mercy. We’re in bad shape, and we need Divine help. We’re supposed to be a “city on a hill,” but those watching the American church right now probably see a mosquito-infested pond. This is cause for grief and repentance. It may even be time to take those biblical references to sackcloth and ashes literally, again.<br />
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<b>The Enemy Is Me</b></div>
But there’s more to be said, and more work to do than just repentance. It’s time for a revolution in the way Christian men see ourselves. We’ve had our chance to prove our mettle against sexual temptation. And we’ve failed, miserably. Even though many individual leaders of integrity remain, we have collectively proven ourselves incapable of acting in private in accord with the morals we profess in public. Sin is gobbling us up at an unsustainable and unconscionable rate, and swallowing our ministries, churches, and life work along with us. Something has to change.<br />
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Here’s my modest proposal: Men, it’s time to stop trusting ourselves. Stop trusting in your integrity and strength. Stop telling yourself that you would never surrender to temptation. Stop telling yourself you are better than the scores of Christian luminaries whose lives and families have disappeared in scandal. There is no moral chasm between them and you. You are not made of finer clay. Each of us is just one bad decision away from becoming the next stroke in the nauseating drumbeat of the church’s public failures.<br />
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Let me say this dramatically to get my message across: You should get to the point where you are afraid to be in a room alone with yourself. I’m not kidding. As Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry put it, we have met the enemy and he is us. The devil isn’t chiefly responsible for Christian leaders sacrificing their witness for momentary indulgence. We give him far too much credit, here. He probably has to do very little to get us to topple. As Uncle Screwtape quipped, “It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”<br />
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And what the devil has kept out of our minds for too long is this: We are weak. We are usually no match for sexual temptation. It pummels us, especially when we’re certain we can get away with giving in. If you still think you have the integrity to deal with its onslaught on your own, I can only ask how many more high-profile resignations it will take for you to abandon your delusion and save yourself.<br />
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<b>Have the Courage to Run</b></div>
Christian men, it’s time we stopped trying to be heroes. It’s time we stopped going it alone. It’s time we recognized how muscular the monster of sexual sin really is. It’s time we had the courage to run.<br />
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That’s right–run.<br />
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Scripture says to flee sexual immorality. As in, turn tail and retreat. I don’t think we’ve spent nearly enough time considering what this might mean. We remind me sometimes of the Eloi in H. G. Wells’ “The Time Machine,”–a smiling, peaceful people whose screams fill the night as the Morlocks come to drag another one of us to their dinner table. And like the Eloi, we seem to have forgotten it all by morning. After each victim is dragged into the darkness, we go on with our lives as if nothing has happened–as if hairy, hungry monsters aren’t returning for us come nightfall.<br />
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Sexual sin derives much of its destructive power from this notion that each pastor or evangelist who falls into its clutches is a fluke–that there is no essential connection in the seemingly endless chain of moral failings by Christian leaders. “It could never happen to me,” we seem to be telling ourselves, “so I don’t need to do anything differently.”<br />
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This might be true if the enemy were out there. But he’s not. He’s in here. I am my own worst nightmare. The more alone I am with myself, the greater danger I am in. The more convinced my baser instincts become that they can enjoy one, small indulgence, the more certain it becomes that I will dive headlong into iniquity and eventually be discovered, to the ruin of the family, church, or institution I love.<br />
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<b>Don’t Try to Argue with Yourself</b></div>
Oh, I know. You think you will be able to hide it. You tell yourself, “just this once.” You remind yourself that “everybody messes up, and besides, I deserve to cut loose a little.”<br />
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You have already lost your life at this moment. Your concupiscent morlocks already have their claws in you. Before you even commit the act, or open your browser, or steal that sweet kiss, you are doomed. The act is just the terms of surrender. You are walking yourself into the death camp and choosing your guillotine.<br />
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Even your victories can turn to defeat. The battle may be going well. You may have defeated sexual temptation on your own, a few times. You may be reaping the blessings of obedience. You have the trust and admiration of those you love. They place you on a pedestal. They strive to imitate your integrity. You are a model Christian. Then you start pacing the parapets at night. A woman on her rooftop catches your eye. The next morning, it’s all over.<br />
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Defeating this inner monster and stopping or at least slowing the nauseating drumbeat means doing more than living with our shields at the ready. It means more than cultivating inner virtue and habits of the heart, though these are important. It means being able to see the beginnings of temptation, to catch its shadow coming around the corner, and run. It means recognizing that you cannot beat it. You cannot stand against it on your own. Look how many better men than you have fallen! It means fleeing to where you know there are reinforcements, where the hosts of Heaven are strongest. It means dialing up a trusted confidant in Christ the moment desire is born, before it even matures to lingering thoughts, much less into full temptation!<br />
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Don’t try to reason yourself out of your attraction to that coworker. Flee to a brother who will tell you that what you’re feeling can never be allowed to flower. Find someone who will tell you that you must not even suffer such feelings to survive–someone who will help you stomp them out without mercy. “A man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”<br />
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<b>A New Attitude</b></div>
What I am proposing is something a little more radical than accountability partners. It is a fundamentally different attitude toward ourselves, one of everlasting mistrust and suspicion. Do not trust yourself. Do not believe in yourself. Do not even turn your back on yourself. Do not dare keep a secret.<br />
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This goes against everything our culture tells us, I know. And it goes against something still stronger than our culture: our pride, as men. We want to be seen as self-sufficient and strong. We want to be immovable rocks for God. But I am convinced that any man who thinks this way will become lunch-meat for the first sexual temptation that strikes him. You cannot stand on your own. You will not. None of us can, consistently, and reliably. That’s why God gave us the Church. That’s why He gave us each other.<br />
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Run, men. You are no match for yourselves</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-86105469679180917412019-10-05T06:52:00.005-04:002019-10-05T06:52:53.600-04:00All Hail The Power of Jesus's Name:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high . . . (Hebrews 1:3)</i></div>
Imagine that moment when Jesus first sat down on heaven’s throne.<br />
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Having taken on our full flesh and blood, lived among us, died sacrificially for us, and risen in triumph, defeating sin and death, he ascended to heaven, pioneering our way, as human, into the very presence of God his Father. Then Jesus stepped forward toward the throne, all heaven captive with history’s great coronation, a ceremony so glorious that even the most extravagant of earthly coronations can barely reflect it.<br />
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Most of us today don’t even have the categories for the kind of pomp and circumstance that accompanied coronations in the ancient world. We’ve never witnessed an entire kingdom harness all its collective wealth and skill to put on a once-in-a-generation tribute to the glory of its leader. The extravagance communicates the importance of the person and his position. Royal weddings, no doubt, have their splendor, but the ascending of a new King to the throne, and that solemn moment of placing on his head the crown that signaled his power, is without equal.<br />
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And yet all the majesty of history’s most grandiose coronations now have been dwarfed by the heavenly finale to which the greatest of earthly ceremonies were but the faintest of shadows.<br />
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<b>Crown Him Lord of All</b></div>
The first chapter of Hebrews gives us a glimpse into this coronation of Christ, this moment when the God-man is formally crowned Lord of all. First, the scene is set: “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).<br />
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Then Hebrews quotes from Psalm 2, which was a psalm of coronation for the ancient people of God: “You are my Son,” God says to the new king of Israel, “today I have begotten you” (Hebrews 1:5). It was on the day of his ascension to the throne that the new ruler of God’s people formally became his “son” in serving as his official representative to his people. The coronation was the day, so to speak, that God begat the human king as lord over his people.<br />
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<b>To Him All Majesty Ascribe</b></div>
Next, verse 6 mentions “when [God] brings the firstborn into the world.” What world? This is not a reference to the incarnation, but to Jesus’s return to heaven, following his ascension. Hebrews 2:5 clarifies by referencing “the world to come, of which we are speaking.” In other words, “the world” in view in Hebrews 1 is not our earthly, temporal age into which Jesus came through Bethlehem. Rather, the world into which God brings his firstborn here is the heavenly realm, what is to us “the world to come,” heaven itself into which Jesus ascended following his earthly mission.<br />
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The setting is indeed the great enthronement of the King of kings. And as Jesus, the victorious God-man, enters heaven itself, and processes to its ruling seat, God announces, “Let all God’s angels worship him” (Hebrews 1:6). Him: God and man in one spectacular person.<br />
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Originally God had made man “a little lower than the heavenly beings” (Psalm 8:5). But now the angelic hosts of heaven worship him, “the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). So great is this man, as a genuine member of our race, that he not only eclipses and bypasses the race of angels, but in doing so, he brings his people with him. No redeemer has arisen for fallen angels. “Surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). In Christ, angels no longer look down on humanity but up. We now experience firsthand “things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12).<br />
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This new King of the universe is indeed fully man, and fully God, and addressed as such (quoting Psalm 45): “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8). Verse 12 (echoing Psalm 102) restates the glory — “Your years will have no end” — which is the climactic expression of (and even outstrips) saying, “Long live the king!” (1 Samuel 10:24; 2 Samuel 16:16; 1 Kings 1:25, 34; 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chronicles 23:11).<br />
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<b>Bring Forth the Royal Diadem</b></div>
Finally, the grand finale sounds the great oracle of Psalm 110, which has lingered in the background since the mention of Jesus sitting down in verse 3. Again the Father speaks: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (Hebrews 1:13). For generations and centuries, the people of God had waited for the day in which great David’s greater son, his Lord, would ascend to the throne and hear these sacred words from God himself. Then, at long last, captured for us in the vision of Hebrews 1, the great enigmatic dream of Psalm 110 was finally fulfilled.<br />
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Having finished the work his Father gave him to accomplish, God’s own Son (not merely David’s) has ascended to the throne — not a throne on earth but the throne of heaven. The Father himself has crowned him King of all the universe. He has called forth the royal diadem and crowned him King of every kindred, every tribe, every nation.<br />
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We who call him King and Lord will not only gather one day with “yonder sacred throng” to fall at his feet, but even now, he gives us the dignity of participating in heaven’s ongoing coronation ceremony. We crown him with our praises, both in daily lives of continual praise (Hebrews 13:15) and together in the midst of the congregation, as we gather weekly with our new kindred and tribe in worship (Hebrews 2:12).<br />
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The glorious enthronement of Christ has not ended, but continues. We see it now and experience it by faith, and participate with our praises. And one day soon, with all his redeemed, we at last will join in the everlasting song that does not end, and grows only richer and sweeter for all eternity.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-73822372150063599942019-10-05T06:49:00.001-04:002019-10-05T06:49:28.220-04:0010 Commandments For College Students:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here are the 10 commandments for college students; applied from the commandments the Lord gave Moses.<br />
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John Piper, who clearly articulates we are not under the Ten Commandments, stated, “Love God and do as you please is not bad advice if you are bent on holiness. If you are bent on love, the Ten Commandments are really important. You should hang them on your wall and live your life by them, but in a very different way than when you were under them, because they have been kept for you.”<br />
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Because Christ kept them for us, we obey out of love and gratitude. Since Christ has perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf and given us His perfect record, we are not under the Law. The Law no longer speaks against us because Christ has spoken for us. But as believers we delight in His truth and His commands, and we can look to the “ten sayings” — through the lens of the gospel — for clarity and direction on how we should now live as the rescued people of God. When the Lord gave the commandments to Israel, He gave them to the people He had liberated from slavery, the people He miraculously rescued.<br />
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<b>1. Seek Christ first (Do not have other gods besides Him).</b><br />
There is so much you can seek after in college, as a whole new world of choices is available to you. In the midst of everything you can join and all the activities that are available to you, seek Him first. Only Christ has rescued you and only He can satisfy you.<br />
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<b>2. Beware of idols, even the good ones. (Do not make an idol for yourself)</b><br />
Because, as John Calvin once commented, “our hearts are idol factories,” we have the temptation to take good things – such as grades, friends, career options, even Christian campus ministries – and bow before them. Don’t give your ultimate affections to those things.<br />
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<b>3. Study in His name (Do not misuse the name of the Lord).</b><br />
You carry His name if you are His. You represent Him to your professors and fellow students. “Do everything in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). Offer your studies to Him, as if He is your professor.<br />
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<b>4. Rest and reflect on Him (Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy).</b><br />
As His son or daughter, you are always at rest from your works to earn His favor and love. But take time each week to slow down, to rest, to reflect on His goodness to you.<br />
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<b>5. Honor those who helped you get here (Honor your father and mother).</b><br />
Many college students can point to a parent or both parents for their love, encouragement, and example in paving the way for college. Some look to a caregiver or mentor. Whoever helped you get here, honor them by giving your best while you are at college.<br />
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<b>6. Love people (Do not murder).</b><br />
Jesus said that if we hate someone we have already committed murder in our hearts. You will make a massive impact in this season in your life if you love people in Christ’s name. Love justice and offer mercy. Show hospitality to those who are lonely.<br />
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<b>7. Be wise and self-controlled (Do not commit adultery).</b><br />
Jesus said if we lust after someone we have already committed adultery in our hearts. You have grown up in an extremely challenging time, a time with unprecedented digital access to sexual images. Your freedom is going to be expanded even more. To overcome temptation will take more than willpower; it will take wisdom and Holy Spirit empowered self-control.<br />
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<b>8. Be thankful for all the Lord has given you. (Do not steal).</b><br />
The Lord has graciously given you all that you currently steward. Be thankful for what He has given you and you won’t desire to steal from others.<br />
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<b>9. Care about your character (Do not give false testimony).</b><br />
There will be lots of temptations for “small” integrity lapses – for “small cheating.” Small lapses in integrity now often turn into larger lapses in integrity later. Tell the truth. Care about your character. Guard your integrity in the small things.<br />
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<b>10. Don’t compare. (Do not covet)</b><br />
If you compare yourself to others the result will always be hubris or envy. If you don’t compare, you won’t covet. Joyfully live the life the Lord has given you.<br />
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Just as the Lord gave the commandments to a community of people, throw yourself into a community of Christ-followers. The faith is meant to be lived out in community and you need community to encourage you to live out your faith. Find a church your first semester. Throw yourself fully into that church. Attend, serve, and love that church.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-11173753205444402632019-10-05T06:45:00.003-04:002019-10-05T06:45:49.774-04:00Gray Hair and a Righteous Life:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has always been one of my favorite proverbs: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” It’s one that clashes hard with Western culture and its glorification of youth. But it’s one that is fully consistent with a biblical worldview and its emphasis on wisdom.<br />
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The book of Proverbs is meant to demonstrate two very different ways to live. It contrasts the way of wisdom with the way of folly. In this generalized view of life, the foolish make bad decisions, suffer the consequences, and die young. The wise make good decisions, enjoy the consequences, and live to a ripe old age. The Old Testament views older people not as “elderly” or “senior citizens,” but as “gray-heads.” But because gray hair is associated with long life, which is in turn associated with wisdom, this is an honor, not an insult.<br />
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Proverbs 20:29 says, “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” If you’re helping someone move furniture, you may point to your son and say, “I brought him along to be the muscle.” You are defining him by just one part of his body, but you mean it as a compliment. After all, “the glory of young men is their strength.” But as the years go by and strength fades, that great attribute is replaced by another one. Strength is replaced by wisdom, so that the glory or splendor of old men is their wisdom, which is pictured in gray hair. Young men are great in strength but small in wisdom; old men are small in strength but great in wisdom. God has a place or a role for both.<br />
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Of course proverbs are general rules for life, not universal truths. Not everyone who has gray hair is wise, just like not every young man has a glorious set of biceps. There are some weak young men and there are some foolish old men. But the point is clear. While everyone ages and while most will eventually see their hair go gray, only those who are wise—those who have lived a righteous life—are able to consider that gray hair “a crown of glory.”<br />
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We need to know that this crown is not a symbol of office but a recognition of achievement. It is not merely bestowed, but has to be earned. This isn’t the kind of crown that’s placed upon the head of a king at his coronation, but the kind of crown that’s placed upon a winner at his victory celebration. And while any crown carries authority, this kind of crown carries authority related to achievement—authority that comes when someone has proven his mastery of something.<br />
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If you want to learn chess, no one has more authority to teach it to you than a person who has been crowned a grandmaster. If you want to learn a sport, no one has more authority to teach it to you than a person who has been crowned an MVP. In this proverb, the crown has been given to a person who has mastered the art of living. He has received a crown that recognizes and publicly displays his success at living life. That’s a pretty good crown!<br />
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And the Bible calls upon each one of us to earn that crown. In one sense that crown is just given to you whether you like it or not, but in another and more meaningful sense it has to be earned. Everyone ages, but not everyone grows wise. Everyone wears gray hair, but not everyone wears the crown. That crown needs to be earned through a righteous life. And so each of us needs to ask: Am I living the kind of life that will allow that gray hair—that proof that I’ve grown old—to also stand as a symbol that I’ve grown wise, that I’ve lived a righteous life?</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-86522122581240610032019-10-05T06:43:00.000-04:002019-10-05T06:43:10.698-04:00Teaching The Gospel In A Way That Connects:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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" 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World news, national news, local news, and personal news. There is a lot of news in the world that is important to students! All of these types of news have different levels of influence on a student’ life. Still, the most important type of news is the information that has the power to save their souls. The Gospel, or Good News, is more important for the lives of students than learning about current events in Social Studies class. Only the Gospel has the power to forgive students of their sin, make their relationship with God possible, and change their eternal destination.<br />
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<b>First, teaching the Gospel in a way that connects begins with understanding the need of the Gospel.</b> The Gospel may not seem important to students, if they don’t realize that they need it. Students need to understand the doctrine of sin and the effect sin has on their lives or they won’t realize that they need to be forgiven. This is similar to a person with a sickness that will eventually kill them. If they aren’t diagnosed, then they will likely not search for a cure. Teaching students both the gravity of sin and joy of forgiveness is important in teaching the Gospel in a way that connects. An example of a verse in the New Testament that does this is Romans 6:23 that says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”<br />
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<b>Second, teaching the Gospel in a way that connects continues with understanding the power of the Gospel.</b> The power of the Gospel is God himself. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 that “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Paul new this power personally. He was changed by the power of God while he was an enemy of God. Students need to be taught the power of God and what can happen when we share this good news with others. God uses this message of good news to transform lives both now and for eternity.<br />
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<b>Third, teaching the Gospel in a way that connects progresses with the understanding of the urgency of the Gospel.</b> One of the hard realities that is often ignored in youth ministry is the Bible’s teaching of Heaven and Hell. Many people like to celebrate Heaven while skipping over the reality of Hell. One theologian, Carl F. H. Henry, once explained “The Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” This reminds youth workers the urgency of teaching the Gospel to students and equipping them to take the Gospel message to their friends. The act of sharing the Gospel is urgent.<br />
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If the Gospel really is good news, then it makes sense that we teach it in a way that connects with students. Students can share this good news with their friends as they grow in their understanding of the Gospel. May God raise up a generation of youth workers and students who understand and share the Gospel.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-55456409471006084392019-10-05T06:35:00.000-04:002019-10-05T06:35:00.350-04:00If the Bible Is Wrong, I'm So, So Wrong:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When it comes to the Bible, we’ve all got a choice to make. We can take the Bible on our terms, or on its terms. We can choose to follow it some of the way, or we can choose to follow it all the way. We can dabble in it, or we can dive deep into it. At some point we have to choose.<br />
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Many people choose to relate to the Bible like a map that offers a route, but not the route to their destination. They’ll follow it some of the way, but for at least part of the journey take what looks like an easier path. Many people choose to relate to the Bible like one item at a buffet. They’ll put a bit of Bible on their plate, then also a bit of this and a bit of that. But as time goes by and I continue to live out my little life in this world, I become more and more convinced that there’s nothing better than to go all-in with the Bible. I’ve come to realize I’m so all-in that if the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong. In fact, if the Bible is wrong, I’m so wrong, completely wrong, shamefully wrong, devastatingly wrong, and wrong about all that really matters in life and death.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the origins of this world. The Bible tells me that it was created by God over the course of six days and not nearly as long ago as the millions of billions of years other people claim. This world, this universe, was made by God and for God, an incredible ex nihilo act of creative superiority.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the origins of humanity. The Bible tells me that the first two human beings were created by God and placed on this earth as complete, grown human beings, not that they evolved slowly from lesser organisms. They were created in the image of God as the crown of God’s creation.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the purpose of humanity. The Bible tells me that mankind was put on this earth to bring glory to God. We exist to do good for others which in turn shines a spotlight on our ultimately good God. This stands in the face of a mission of personal empowerment or human achievement.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the purpose of family. The Bible tells me that marriage exists to serve as a miniature of the relationship of God to his people through the complementarity of husband and wife. It tells me that marriage exists as the context in which we have the responsibility to create more people who bear the image of God. Marriage is the founding of a new family and family is the building block of society.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the great problem and the great need of human beings. The Bible tells me our great problem is that we’ve sinned against a holy God, become rebels against him, and desperately need reconciliation. We are not good people who make the occasional poor choice, not innocent people who sometimes act ignorantly, but evil people who hate God and our fellow man. Our great need is not self-esteem or tolerance or new forms of politics or economics, but the forgiveness that comes by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the future. The Bible tells me that history will culminate in the return of Jesus Christ who will come to judge the living and the dead. The world will not end with ecological catastrophe or nuclear holocaust, but with the re-appearance of the glorious Christ. He will come as victorious King, as righteous Judge, to bring some to eternal glory and condemn others to eternal condemnation.<br />
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If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about today’s most pressing cultural issues: homosexuality, gay marriage, transgenderism, abortion, climate change. If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about today’s most pressing theological issues: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the nature of same-sex attraction, the authority and sufficiency of scripture. If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong in how I relate to money, how I honor my body, how I use my time. I’m wrong over and over, again and again, through and through. I’m poor, pathetic, pitiable, and blind.<br />
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But I’ve made my choice. I’ve examined the evidence and have chosen to believe it’s not wrong, but right. I’ve chosen to believe it’s good and pure and true, infallible and inerrant and sufficient. I’ve chosen to take it on its own terms, to believe it all the way, to live by its every word. I’ve chosen to be in—all-in</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-76085620707994940612019-10-05T06:32:00.000-04:002019-10-05T06:32:10.985-04:00Distracted by Serving Jesus:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, we see a woman who loved Jesus, but thought she didn’t have enough time to sit, listen, and enjoy Him. Luke 10:39 says Martha was “distracted with much serving.” Martha wasn’t avoiding Jesus because she was snapchatting her boyfriend that her dad didn't approve of. She wasn’t dodging Jesus because she was the kingpin of a drug empire and wanted to shirk God’s commands. She was just too busy.<br />
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If we’re honest, for most of us, it isn’t the Hollywood sins that choke out our faith; it’s all the worries of life. The daily grind and endless distractions make it too noisy for us to hear God clearly each day. It’s the urgency of every moment, the entertainment options that occupy our attention, the 24-hour news cycles we cling to. All the distractions and noise around us simply box the Spirit of God right out of our day.<br />
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What if we unplugged, changed our schedule, and decided to sit and listen to Jesus? What if we decided that enjoying time with Jesus was better than watching the ballgame or checking the news or responding to the email?<br />
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Martha was fuming when she stepped up to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” Read her rhetorical question again. Martha asked Jesus if He cared about her circumstances! She was so focused on serving Jesus that she lost sight of Jesus.<br />
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Often, we are like Martha. We lose sight of Jesus even when we’re in the midst of serving Him. What we need to do is redirect our attention back onto Jesus. In order to reorient our attention, we have to do 3 things:<br />
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<li>Create margin. </li>
<li>Choose rest in Christ over busyness.</li>
<li>Unplug from technology.</li>
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<b>First, we have to create margin so that we can be reminded often who we are and whose we are</b>. Martha was so busy that she became “anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). Her busyness allowed her to forget that Jesus cares about her circumstances and troubles. Similarly, we overschedule, say "yes" to too many things, and then technology or media eats up any other margin that we might have. We each have to create space and margin in our daily lives so that we can sit and enjoy time with God by reading His Word and praying.<br />
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<b>Second, we have to choose rest in Christ over busyness</b>. Busyness makes us feel accomplished. Busyness makes us feel needed or important. The fact is, however, busyness distracts us from the “good portion” (Luke 10:42) that Jesus offers to us. We must choose to prioritize our time with God, because, in Jesus, we find true rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29).<br />
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<b>Lastly, we have to regularly unplug from technology</b>. If you think you don’t have time to be idle and seek the Lord in some stillness, evaluate the media you have consumed in the past fourteen days. Between Netflix, social media, and cat videos on YouTube, not to mention texts, emails, and notifications, how much time have you invested in technology and media in the past two weeks?<br />
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That text message is not essential. That email is not essential. That notification is not essential. Time with the Father is essential! Enough with the excuses; we do have time. We must decide to unplug from the phone, tablet, and television and choose to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10).<br />
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Let’s not give Martha a bad rap here. Martha isn’t this sinister, selfish character in the Bible. Martha loved Jesus. This isn’t a love issue. It wasn’t that Martha didn’t want to sit and listen to Jesus, she just thought she didn’t have time. She wasn’t doing anything bad, she was just being pulled away from what is better.<br />
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tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-4141070005781449902019-10-05T06:28:00.001-04:002019-11-05T07:34:00.570-05:00The Fallacy of Full Time Christian Work:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24</i></div>
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<a href="https://todaygodisfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-03-19-were-all-in-full-time-christian-work-612x550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://todaygodisfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-03-19-were-all-in-full-time-christian-work-612x550.jpg" width="200" /></a>“I didn’t know you were in full-time Christian work,” a neighbored as we were talking. “I didn’t realize that,” she went on. I responded, “Every person who has followed the will of God in their life is in full-time Christian work.” God calls some to the mission field, others to be accountants, and others to be advertising executives, and still others to be construction workers. God never made a distinction between sacred and secular. In fact, the Hebrew word avodah is the root word having the same meaning of “work” and “worship.” God sees our work as worship.<br />
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We have incorrectly elevated the role of the Christian worker to be more holy and committed than the person who is serving in a more secular environment. Yet the call to the secular workplace is as important as any other calling. God has to have His people in every sphere of life. Otherwise, many would never come to know Him because they would be separated from society.<br />
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We are all in missions. Some are called to foreign lands. Some are called to the jungles of the workplace. Wherever you are called, serve the Lord in that place. Let Him demonstrate His power through your life so that others might experience Him through you today and see your vocation as worship to His glory.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-10250978842583441502019-10-01T11:28:00.002-04:002019-10-01T11:28:19.539-04:00October Parent Newsletter <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Upcoming Events: <span id="goog_1323066044"></span><br />
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<b>1) Dixie Classic Fair/Concert. Wednesday, October 9th 5:00-10:30 pm</b>. Cost: 5 cans of food plus money for dinner.<br />
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<b>2) Bingo at Arbor Ridge. FREE. Wednesday, October 23rd 7:00-8:00 pm</b>.<br />
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<b>3) Ridgecrest. Friday, November 22-Sunday, November 24th. Cost: $50</b>. Theme: Brokenness Restored. Brokenness is rampant in our teenagers, our world. Broken homes, broken hearts, broken communication, broken souls. It is clear to see. But there is a truth that needs to be proclaimed: The cross of Christ restores our brokenness! That is the gospel, the good news! We will use the story of Jeremiah to put on display how God can make us whole again. It is only by His power, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, His healing. Come join us as we experience…BROKENNESS RESTORED<br />
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Dear Parents:<br />
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A popular app your son or daughter is using is TikTok. Below is a tutorial to familiarize yourself with the app. Please use this information to begin a dialogue with your student.<br />
TikTok is one of the most loved apps by tweens and teens. As parents, it’s beneficial to relate with their student by understanding in which social media they participate and the people to whom they connect. So in this post, I help parents understand how to use TikTok to connect with kids.<br />
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WHAT IS TIKTOK?<br />
TikTok is a social media app that allows people to create and share content with personal friends and the TikTok Community. It first started as a simple way to share 15-second lip sync or karaoke videos in an app called Musical.ly. In 2017, a China-based company purchased Musical.ly and merged it with an existing app and renamed it TikTok.<br />
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HOW IT WORKS<br />
Music is still the base of what and how users share things. They lip-sync songs in serious or humorous ways. However, talking and sharing are also increasingly available.<br />
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An “Original Song” is simply a video featuring a user sharing whatever they want on the microphone. Although Tiktok labels the video as a song, it is still just a recorded voice.<br />
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Students enjoy this app because they find new music, watch friends, share their talents, laugh at funny content, or watch strangers do anything.<br />
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HOW TO USE IT<br />
If parents want to use TikTok to connect with kids, they need to know how to use it! Fortunately, it’s relatively simple. Just like any social media, users can create a unique account/username so that friends and peers can find one another.<br />
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Create an Account<br />
Sometimes real names are used, and other times the username is based on the type of content the person shares (i.e., comedy, singing, jokes, etc.). Once someone creates an account through an email or phone number, they will be able to add a profile photo or video to share with others.<br />
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Find Friends<br />
After creating an account, users are prompted to “Find Friends.” They can view the “Profile” tab which holds the “Settings” feature. These are useful sections for parents to check so they can see where and with whom their student is connecting.<br />
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Main Features of TikTok<br />
When a user opens the app, there are five tabs at the bottom of the screen: Home, Discover, Camera, Inbox, and Me.<br />
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Home<br />
This section is the default landing page for each time a user opens the app. There will be a “For You” string of videos waiting for the user or a “Following” string of videos that their followers/friends have posted.<br />
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“For You” supplies content based on past searches, liked songs or users, or frequently visited users. If the content in the “For You” is inappropriate, it means the user has searched for similar material.<br />
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In preparation for this post, I watched and listened to a song from Blanco Brown. When I opened the app, I saw another TikTok from a different user with the same song.<br />
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The “Following” section displays videos from people the TikTok user has followed, friends, or other accounts.<br />
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Discover<br />
This section is a familiar tab, similar to the Instagram tab with the same name, where you can discover new content, users, or categories. Search for keywords or categories of playlists that already exist. Some examples are #collegefootball, Trending Creators, Fandom, Beauty & Style, Comedy, etc.<br />
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Camera<br />
Use the camera to create a video. Add music/sound, flip the camera, change the speed of the video, add “Beauty” features to touch up or clean up the look, add filters for combined effects, set a timer, and adjust the camera flash.<br />
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Add effects to the video that fill the screen or even upload a photo from the camera roll. From here, select the length of videos, such as 15 seconds (default) or 60 seconds.<br />
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Inbox<br />
The inbox notifies the user of comments and likes from posts. It will also send notifications if someone has started following or saved/downloaded one of the videos.<br />
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Me<br />
This section is the User Profile settings and content. Add friends, see stats on followers, get details on followers, and see how many likes they have received. This area is the location for profile settings, including privacy, followers, and the Digital Wellbeing section.<br />
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In-App Purchases<br />
There is another feature that is important to understand. TikTok has a currency called “Coins.” It allows users to buy additional content like emojis or “Diamonds,” then the user assigns them to videos and other users to thank them or “like” the video.<br />
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PROS & CONS<br />
If a student has asked a parent to use the app, I encourage parents to download the app and familiarize themselves with its features.<br />
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If a student has an account, open the app on their device, and see how they are using it. There are so many creative ways people use this app, so parents and students can have a great time viewing the content. Just remember that there are no guarantees against inappropriate content.<br />
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Keep in mind that within this app, users can find and interact with other users. The danger lies in who and what they are viewing. A student doesn’t have to follow someone to watch their content, which means there may not be a “paper trail” of the viewed content.<br />
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If this is a concern for parents, one suggestion is to limit TikTok app usage to an open area within the home and turn up the sound. This option allows parents to manage the material.<br />
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PARENT ENGAGEMENT<br />
Digital Wellbeing<br />
I could not locate a feature which allows parents to manage language, but there is a section in the settings called “Digital Wellbeing.” Each of the options requires a 4-digit passcode which they can create and keep. They can give the passcode to their student when they choose.<br />
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Screen Time<br />
The “Screen Time” feature will allow you to set a daily time limit on the app with a timed “on-off” button.<br />
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Restricted Mode<br />
“Restricted Mode” will “limit the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.” This mode seems to help but is a bit ambiguous as to precisely what it filters out.<br />
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Engage<br />
Social media is a unique way for students to connect with friends, share experiences, and be creative. However, these sites can usher in other unwelcome things, such as anxiety, depression, and a dependence on the connection they receive from their screen.<br />
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By keeping an open dialogue and monitoring the time spent on the app, parents can use TikTok to connect with kids. The more opportunities they can find to engage their son or daughter on their terms, the more likely he or she will share, too!<br />
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tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-75784610525712623492019-09-22T06:02:00.001-04:002019-09-22T06:02:26.981-04:00Dads: Four Phrases Your Daughter Needs To Hear From You:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dads, we know you love your daughter. And you know you love your daughter. But you might be surprised at much she needs to hear it. In rreaing with teens and preteens for For Parents Only, I found that these four phrases have a lot more impact than you might think. And as you’ll see, they are especially powerful and important when coming from a father. Use them often!<br />
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<b>1. “I love you, sweetheart.” </b> Until she is married, you are the main guy in your daughter’s life. So this gives you a special responsibility: countering the little voice inside the head of most girls (95%) and women (80%) that secretly wonders Am I loveable? Where you as a man probably have a little voice that asks Do I measure up? you might be shocked by how much your daughter doubts whether she is worth being loved and accepted by those around her. And feeling loved by a man is one of the main ways girls tend to look for an answer to that question. So as you hug her, affirm her, and tell her just how loved and loveable she is, it is far less likely she’ll feel the need to go looking for love in all the wrong places.<br />
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<b>2. “You’re beautiful.”</b> Just as girls doubt that they are lovable, they really doubt that they are lovely. We women can be really hard on ourselves. We see all our flaws. And every magazine rack your daughter passes screams at her that how she looks is not enough. Your daughter needs to see evidence that she is beautiful, and the most healthy, human evidence of that at this time in her life is getting that verbal affirmation from you. When she comes in dressed for school, tell her she looks great. If you need to ask her to adjust her attire, make sure she knows you think she is beautiful, regardless. Even consider taking her shopping every now and then. She will love seeing you light up when she presents herself in a way that lights her up.<br />
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<b>3. “I’m so proud of you.” </b> You like to hear this phrase. Your daughter does, too. The years daughters are living at home, involve lots of hard work, growing, and trying to find their way. We found in the research that all our kids (girls and boys) don’t have a clear roadmap for who they are and how they should handle life, school, relationships and everything else. They often feel like they are flailing around trying to figure it out. And there is an immense relief when a parent says they are proud of them. Whew, I did something right! This is vital from any parent figure, but it is very clear from our interviews and surveys that God has given it a special weight of authority when coming from a father. Don’t skimp on this phrase.<br />
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<b>4. “I’m always here for you – even when you make mistakes.”</b> You may not always have to say this out loud (although you should do that too!) but you do need to show it. As noted, our boys and girls won’t always do it right. They will mess up, not work hard enough, make wrong choices, and suffer the consequences. And they need to know that you are there with them through those consequences. This is key for girls and boys, but for a girl, when a father is angry or disappointed and seems to withdraw, she emotionally translates that as if he’s saying, “I don’t love you right now.” That is not at all what you’re saying, but that is what she’s hearing. So when she drives recklessly, despite all your efforts to teach safe driving, let her suffer the consequences of having to go to court – but show her that you will stand beside her throughout it and that you are there for her no matter what.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-82773502872291436292019-09-22T05:44:00.000-04:002019-09-22T05:44:19.213-04:00Four Ways to Fight Sexual Sin:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sexual sin goes against who God created humans to be. The Bible teaches us this lesson in Proverbs 5 as the sage warns a young married man against the adulteress.<br />
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You may not be young, or married, or a man, but the wisdom of this text applies to you as much as to anyone else. Committing adultery with a woman is not the only form of sexual sin, but it follows a pattern that is common to all. Listening to this passage will help all of us. As the passage unfolds, it presents to us four steps we’ll need to take to avoid sexual sin.<br />
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1. Flee from Temptation<br />
The author begins with an exhortation to listen:<br />
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My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. (Proverbs 5:1–3)<br />
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Sexual sin is often attractive. It has a certain charm that invites and allures with seductive and smooth speech. It is also addictive: “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin” (Proverbs 5:22). Like any appetite, the more we feed sexual sin the more it grows. The more we commit it, the more we will feel we need it, the easier it will be to do it, and the harder it will become to stop.<br />
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So, we need to flee.<br />
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Now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house. (Proverbs 5:7–8)<br />
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Fleeing sexual sin means doing all we can to avoid it. For some of us, that will mean restricting what we look at online, or not watching certain TV shows, or being more careful about what social situations we place ourselves in, or breaking up with someone (even if they mean the world to us), or changing our job.<br />
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If any of this seems like an overreaction, listen again to how it all ends: “He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray” (Proverbs 5:23). Sexual sin is attractive and addictive, and this is a lethal combination. Any action and sacrifice is worth it.<br />
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2. Consider the Future<br />
The writer wants us to see what it all comes to in the end: “At the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed” (Proverbs 5:11). Sexual sin has consequences. We may talk about these things as a “fling” or “one night stand,” but the fact is, such sins are not so easily containable.<br />
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Do not go near the door of her house lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner. (Proverbs 5:8–10)<br />
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Sexual sin seems so attractive now, but fast-forward to the end and it all looks very different: “You say, ‘How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors’” (Proverbs 5:12–13). The wise consider their end before they get there.<br />
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3. Uphold Your Marriage<br />
The young man being addressed needs to see how overwhelmingly positive a thing it is to enjoy sexual fulfillment within marriage.<br />
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Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. (Proverbs 5:15–19)<br />
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The Bible is not at all embarrassed by the enjoyment of sex in marriage. Some of the imagery here leaves little to the imagination. Cistern and well are both images of female sexuality, as the fountain is of male sexuality. We shouldn’t be surprised to see such imagery in the Bible. God is the one who designed human sexuality, intending for the husband and wife to enjoy their sexual union.<br />
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It is a man being addressed in this passage (“be intoxicated always in her love”), and so this is being spoken of from his perspective. But it is equally true of how the wife is to be delighted and intoxicated by the sexual love of her husband. Paul makes this clear in the New Testament:<br />
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The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. (1 Corinthians 7:3–4)<br />
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But there is alternative intoxication offered: “Why would you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?” (Proverbs 5:20). It can feel every bit as heady and dizzying as romantic fulfillment within marriage, but we know how devastating the fallout of adultery can be. It can wreck a whole life, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and economically.<br />
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So we must work at our sex lives. And, it probably goes without saying, investment in a healthy sex life is not likely to happen without investment in the marriage relationship as a whole, building and deepening the friendship that lies at the heart of it.<br />
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What about those who are single? This kind of language can be painful. We hear of the intoxication of sexual satisfaction and it is hard to hear. We must persevere in upholding the Bible’s teaching and honor the marriage bed by living lives of purity. And we need to uphold the marriage we have together with Christ. The language of intoxication that can be so hard to hear is a picture of what we will experience in eternity with him. We are pledged to him and need to honor our relationship with him by remaining faithful to him.<br />
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4. Remember God Is Watching<br />
All that we do, and say, and think, takes place in the full view of God: “A man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths” (Proverbs 5:21).<br />
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This is a warning to us. We may be able to deceive other people; we will never deceive God. There is simply no thought he hasn’t seen and doesn’t know through and through. God sees every word we type into our search engines.<br />
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God sees our sin. But he also sees every striving to be pure and godly. He knows when we are battling; he knows what we are going through. It may well be that no one really seems to understand the kind of struggle you face or really knows the pain you go through as you fight temptation. But Jesus does. He draws near to us, as we draw near to him. Our labors for him are never unnoticed. As we fight for purity, he fights for and with us.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-76868789446388272712019-09-21T06:12:00.002-04:002019-09-21T06:12:30.672-04:00Avoiding an iChurch Mentality:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It’s 10:15am on a typical Sunday in a typical American evangelical church. The service starts at 10:30. You’re visiting for the first time. What’s on your mind as you look for a seat in the main auditorium? What are you expecting as you arrive? How do you hope to be treated? What do you hope to be treated to? What are you hoping to see and hear and feel?<br />
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For some it might be a fresh encounter with the living God. For others, it’s a dynamic worship experience in song—edgy, but not over the line. Many are hoping for a come-as-you-are atmosphere that’s casual but not crass, personable but not pushy, inquisitive but not invasive. Some would love to find a community of other believers like themselves, at their own stage in life . . . but not at the expense of diversity, of course. Many will want a message that’s just biblical enough to count as a sermon, but so relatable that it feels like a walk on the beach, and brief enough to beat the lunch rush. What about you? What do you expect and hope for when you attend church?<br />
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<b>Looking for iChurch</b></div>
The therapeutic, technological, and consumer revolutions have colluded to convince us that church should revolve around . . . well . . . me. Chances are, no matter how well-taught or well-intentioned we may be, our expectations for a church have been shaped at least in part by a consumer culture and the therapeutic ethos. It’s an iWorld. The “i” in “iphone” has always stood for “internet,” but the genius of the vowel is in its polyvalence. Re-purposing it as the pronoun “I” or an abbreviation for ‘individual’ has proven irresistible. We keep it lower case, of course, because it looks more innocent that way. But that hasn’t stopped us from looking for iChurch—church that facilitates how I already live; a church I can have in my pocket. The air we breathe compromises our lungs with hazy hopes of finding a local church that combines the shopping mall, the rock concert, the movie theater, the radio station, the coffee shop, the rom com, and the self-esteem boost, into a one-stop shop. If only the church had a drive-thru . . .<br />
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Maybe that’s painting us all with too broad a brush. There are lots of healthy churches and lots of healthy Christians visiting and joining them. Still, the self-deifying spirit of our age militates against the Spirit who exhaled the Scriptures and breathes after the glory of God in the churches. Contrary to our consumer’s intuition, the church is not about meeting our iNeeds as we perceive them. It’s about something far bigger . . . and better! God calls the church “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise,” and those “whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Is 43:21, 7).<br />
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We do not create the church for ourselves. God created the church for Himself. We don’t create ourselves for our own praise. God creates us for His praise (1 Pet 2:5, 9). Yes, He is our God; and that’s just it—He is our God.<br />
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<b>A Breath of Fresh Air</b></div>
Evangelicals need a breath of fresh air, and that may smell funny to us if we’re used to the smog. But the more we make of Christ in our churches, and the less we make of self, the more we find our contentment in God’s glory, our meaning in His significance. Jesus said in John 13:34, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus does not want them to know that we are hipster cool, or tech savvy, or culturally adept, or surprisingly tolerant, or that we are even more humanitarian than everyone else. What He wants them to know—what they need to know—is the Jesus of the Bible. We follow Him.<br />
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Paul said in Eph 3:10 that God’s design is that “through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” We’re supposed to be a display of God’s wisdom, not our own. What a vision worth living for! But when the church is bent on impressing the world by aping its franchised model and niche marketing, God’s wisdom is obscured, not displayed. Besides, the more the church looks and sounds like iCulture, the less iCulture needs to come to church. What’s the world going to learn from the church if all the church is doing is learning from the world? Sure, all truth is God’s truth; but not all wisdom is God’s wisdom (Isa 55:10–11; 1Cor 2:1–16).<br />
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Sadly, churches that mimic the world’s styles (consumerism, entertainment, self-esteem) can easily find themselves mired in the world’s problems. But is this really that surprising? iChurch sells you a commodified Christ—accessorized to your tastes—at a deep discount, usually by a pretty convincing salesman. But you get what you pay for. Repentance is swapped out for an appearance of godliness without the power. Solid faith is exchanged for a subjective feeling. Discipleship gives way to decadence. Top-grain accountability is replaced with a threadbare anonymity. Relationship is reduced to recreation. And Christ is made the head of a country club. But hey, at least you’re going to church and reaching people . . . right?<br />
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<b>The Way It’s Supposed to Be</b></div>
Tragically, many of those now disillusioned with the failings of iChurch are quitting church altogether or (just as tragic) looking for another iChurch where they will be disillusioned all over again because they’ve never been taught to look for anything else. iChurch is all they know to want. This is not the way it’s supposed to be.<br />
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But then, how is it supposed to be? Ephesians 4:11–13, 15–16 says this about Christ’s design for the church:<br />
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He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . . . Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.<br />
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There’s more to church than meets the “i.” The purpose of the church—and your purpose in the local church—is to reflect the glory of Christ back to the Father for His pleasure and out to all creation so that the earth will be filled with His glory as the waters cover the sea. That’s what God is committed to (Hab 2:14). The church serves that glorious mission by preaching His word (2 Tim 3:16–4:2), exalting Christ (Acts 2:36, 42), reading and singing and praying and obeying his word together (1 Tim 4:13; Col 3:16; Eph 5:19; Matt 6:9–13; Acts 2:42; 6:4), equipping the saints for good works (2 Tim 2:2; Ti 3:8), making disciples (Mt 28:18–20), calling the nations to repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 2:36; 17:30), helping each other grow in Christ-like character together (2 Pet 1:3–11), warning and exhorting each other (Heb 3:12–14), disciplining members who sin without repentance (1 Cor 5:1–13), and speaking the truth of Scripture to each other so that we grow up together into the maturity of Christ as His body (1 Cor 12:27).<br />
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But who exactly are we supposed to do all this stuff with? A commitment to everyone in general is a commitment to no one in particular. As profound as it sounds to talk a big game about the universal church, it means far more, and takes far more, to commit to a local church. We make these general commitments specific and meaningful by committing to do the one-anothers of Scripture primarily (but not exclusively) with the concrete “others” in our own local congregation. We commit to believing biblical doctrine (explained in a statement of faith), and we commit to living in a biblical way (specified in a church covenant)—together, with one congregation in particular. Love commits. And local church membership is how we make those loving commitments concrete, visible, and actualized. Committed membership shows us who we’re supposed to know, and who is supposed to know us. The local church is a household of faith (1 Tim 3:15), complete with brothers and sisters, moms and dads (1Tim 5:1–2). What kind of dad would I be if I didn’t know which neighborhood kids belonged at my table come supper time, or which ones should be sleeping under my roof every night? What kind of son would I be if I showed no respect or commitment to my own parents?<br />
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Christian, quit looking for iChurch. Instead of attuning your ears to soothing preaching and exciting music, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches (Rev 3:22). That is, after all, what you want to hear . . . isn’t it?</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-51319951003885438682019-09-21T06:09:00.003-04:002019-09-21T06:09:29.982-04:00The Surprising Role of Guardian Angels:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What did Jesus mean in Matthew 18:10 when he said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven”? He meant: Let the magnificence of every unimpressive Christian’s entourage of angels silence our scorn and awaken awe at the simplest children of God.<br />
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To see this, let’s clarify, first, who “these little ones” are.<br />
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<b>Who Are “These Little Ones”?</b></div>
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones.” They are true believers in Jesus, viewed from the standpoint of their childlike trust in God. They are the heaven-bound children of God. We know this because of the immediate and wider context of the Gospel of Matthew.<br />
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This section in Matthew 18 began with the disciples asking, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). Jesus answers, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4). In other words, the text is not about children. It is about those who become like children, and thus enter the kingdom of heaven. It’s about true disciples of Jesus.<br />
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This is confirmed in Matthew 18:6 where Jesus says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” The “little ones” are those “who believe” in Jesus.<br />
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In the wider context, we see the same language with the same meaning. For example, in Matthew 10:42, Jesus says, “Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” The “little ones” are “disciples.”<br />
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Similarly, in the famous, and often misquoted, picture of the final judgment in Matthew 25, Jesus says, “The King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:40; compare with Matthew 11:11). The “least of these” are the “brothers” of Jesus. The “brothers” of Jesus are those who do the will of God (Matthew 12:50), and those who do the will of God are those who “enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).<br />
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Therefore, in Matthew 18:10, when Jesus refers to “these little ones” whose angels see the face of God, he is talking about his disciples — those who will enter the kingdom of heaven — not people in general. Whether humans in general have good or evil angels assigned to them (by God or the devil) is not addressed in the Bible as far as I can see. We would do well not to speculate about it. Such speculations appeal to untethered curiosities and can create distractions from vastly more sure and more important realities.<br />
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<b>One Angel for Each Christian?</b></div>
So, our question now is this: What does Jesus mean when he says that we should not despise his childlike followers? And how is it an argument for this, when he refers to “their angels” seeing God? “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For (= because) I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”<br />
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It is possible that “their angels” refers to a specific angel assigned to each disciple. There is one other text that some think points in this direction. When the praying believers in Acts 12 could not believe that Peter was knocking at the gate, since he was supposed to be in prison, they said, “It is his angel!” (Acts 12:15). That may or may not imply that all believers have an angel assigned to them. It may only imply that in that situation God had commissioned an angel to use Peter’s voice (Acts 12:14), and perhaps awaken even more urgent prayer for him.<br />
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It is even more difficult here in Matthew 18:10 to infer that each believer has an angel assigned to him. What it says is, “In heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” The word “their” certainly implies that these angels have a special personal role to play in relation to Jesus’s disciples. But the plural “angels” may simply mean that all believers have numerous angels assigned to serve them, not just one.<br />
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<b>Calvin’s Careful Observation</b></div>
I think John Calvin’s careful observation about this text is exactly right:<br />
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<i>The interpretation given to this passage by some commentators, as if God assigned to each believer his own angel, does not rest on solid grounds. For the words of Christ do not mean that a single angel is continually occupied with this or the other person; and such an idea is inconsistent with the whole doctrine of Scripture, which declares that the angels encamp around (Psalm 34:7) the godly, and that not one angel only, but many, have been commissioned to guard every one of the faithful. Away, then, with the fanciful notion of a good and evil angel, and let us rest satisfied with holding that the care of the whole Church is committed to angels, to assist each member as his necessities shall require. </i>(Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke, on Matthew 18:10)<br />
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<b>Old-Covenant Ministry of Angels</b></div>
“The care of the whole Church is committed to angels.” This is not a new idea. Angels are active throughout the Old Testament for the sake of God’s people. For example,<br />
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He [Jacob] dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! (Genesis 28:12)<br />
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The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” (Judges 13:3)<br />
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The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)<br />
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He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)<br />
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Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! (Psalm 103:20–21)<br />
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“My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” (Daniel 6:22)<br />
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<b>All Angels, All Christians, All the Time</b></div>
And more important than these Old Testament references to angels, Hebrews 1:14 makes it clear that God sends angels to minister for the sake of the people of Christ. In the context of Hebrews 1, the writer is arguing that the Son of God is infinitely greater than angels. One of his arguments is that God never said to any angel, “Sit at my right hand” as he did to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:13). Instead, angels are simply God’s servants who do his bidding for the sake of those who are on their way to heaven.<br />
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To which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:13–14)<br />
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The promise here is better than the tradition that every saint has one personal guardian angel. What Hebrews 1:14 says is that all the angels — all of them — are specifically sent “for ministry” (Greek eis diakonian) — not ministry “to” Christians, but ministry “for the sake of” Christians (Greek dia tous mellontas kleronomein soterian).<br />
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This means that everything angels do, everywhere in the world, at all times, is for the good of Christians. An angel who does something by God’s assignment anywhere in the world is fulfilling the promise that God will work all things for the good of all Christians — everywhere. This is a sweeping and stunning promise. All angels serve for the good of all Christians all the time. They are agents of Romans 8:28.<br />
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<b>The Wonder That Eminent Angels Serve Others</b></div>
But as amazing as that is, it’s not the point of Matthew 18:10. The jolting point of Matthew 18:10 is not the wonder that angels serve us, but the wonder that angels serve others. Remember, the context is about how we treat other believers: “these little ones.” “See that you do not despise one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10).<br />
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The argument Jesus gives for why we should not treat other believers in belittling ways is because “in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” The point of saying that these angels “see the face of my Father” is that they have the immeasurable rank and privilege to be in the immediate presence of God. You can see that meaning in Esther 1:14 and Revelation 22:4.<br />
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<b>Having Angels Does Not Increase Our Safety or Dignity</b></div>
So, how are we to be motivated to honor the lowliest Christian (Matthew 11:11) because the angels who attend them have immeasurably high rank and privilege?<br />
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I would suggest this: Ponder first that every Christian has the Creator of the universe as his Father (Romans 8:16–17), and has the Lord of the universe as his elder brother (Romans 8:29). You cannot have a safer, more exalted position as a human being than to have God as your all-caring, all-providing Father (Matthew 6:32–33; Luke 12:30–32), and Jesus as your all-authoritative Lord (Matthew 28:18).<br />
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Having a hundred or a thousand of the highest ranking angels serving you does not increase your safety or your dignity. How, then, does the argument work? How are we motivated to treat all ordinary Christians with deep respect “because” they are served by many high-ranking angels?<br />
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<b>The Entourage of Titans Reminds You Whom You Are Dealing With</b></div>
Suppose you were going to receive the son of the greatest king this afternoon. You know that he is the son of a king. He might arrive at your estate walking with two guards. In that case, he would be worthy of the greatest respect — simply because he is a king’s son. But in fact, he is going to arrive with one hundred terrifying titans of greatest strength and beauty surrounding him on every side. These beings are the elite guard and agents of the king.<br />
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When you see this entourage, the point is not that this entourage gives the king’s son a greater glory than he already had simply by being the king’s son. Rather this is a reminder of what it is like to be the king’s son.<br />
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I think this is what Jesus wants us to think when the least impressive disciple of Jesus walks into a room. “The angels of this disciple always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” There is no counting these angels, since more or less every angel in the world serves “for the sake of” this disciple (Hebrews 1:14). And these angels always see God’s face — they have a rank and dignity corresponding to direct access to God.<br />
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<b>Hold Every Christian in Highest Esteem</b></div>
Therefore (!), don’t despise this simple, unimpressive disciple of Jesus! Let his angelic entourage remind you whose son he is. Let this angelic entourage remind you who his older brother is. Put your hand over your critical mouth, and show great esteem (Philippians 2:3) to all ordinary, childlike disciples. If having God as their Father, and Jesus as their Lord does not cause you to exchange your derision for deference, then let the terrifying advocacy and rank of their magnificent angels wake you from your stupor.<br />
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Or as Jesus says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-5143842504184481032019-09-20T05:48:00.001-04:002019-09-20T05:48:04.634-04:00The Entire OT In One Post:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Old Testament narratives tell the story of God’s desire to dwell with humanity. This narrative revolves around human rebellion and God’s longsuffering, faithful, covenant love for humans. The Old Testament tells the story of how humans once dwelled with God, rejected that sweet relationship, and how God relentlessly pursued his creation. It speaks of love and judgment, hope and patience, heartbreak and joy. It speaks most of all of God’s outrageous plan to send a head crusher who would defeat the serpent who tempted our ancestors. Christians today can read this story with the benefit of hindsight—knowing who Jesus is and living in right relationship with him. But our ancestors could only look forward longingly to that day when the head crusher would come and finally restore right relationship with God. This is the story of that hopeful, dreadful time between sin’s entrance and Christ’s conquest.<br />
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<b>God’s Garden</b></div>
Our story begins in the garden of Eden, where humans dwelled with God and with each other in perfect harmony. Of course, this right relationship would not last, as Adam and Eve quickly succumbed to eating the fruit that shall not be eaten. And while there are all sorts of theories as to what original sin is, the eating of the fruit ultimately represented the temptation that faces us all—to exalt oneself above God. Because of Adam’s and Eve’s decision to disobey the command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God issues a series of curses: the serpent would be cursed above all animals, being destined to slither along on its belly; the woman would have intense labor pains and a constant power struggle with her husband; and the ground would not easily yield its produce and the man would struggle to provide for himself and his family and would be forced to deal with the anxiety that comes along with such struggle: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground” (Gen 3:19 NIV).[1]<br />
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Buried in the midst of these curses is the ray of hope—the protoevangelium that drives the remainder of God’s revelation in the Old Testament—“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen. 3:15). Of course the Hebrew text has no capitalization, and the original readers/hearers of the Pentateuch would not have associated this passage with Jesus the Christ. Nevertheless, the original audience—indeed, even Eve—did associate this passage with the promise of a coming Messiah who would restore the relationship with God that Adam and Eve had broken. Thus begins the narrative arc that carries readers throughout the entire Old Testament and into the New. Who would this head crusher be?<br />
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<b>East of Eden</b></div>
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Heading east from Eden, our ancestors made good on God’s directive to be fruitful and multiply. With that first child Eve exclaimed, “I have acquired a man from the Lord” (Gen. 4:1). If Eve thought this man she’d acquired would crush the serpent’s head, she was soon sorely disappointed. Readers find out quickly that Cain’s heart is not for Yahweh, as he brought “an offering.” Yahweh rejected this offering while accepting Abel’s, which was “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock” (Gen. 4:3–4). Readers are further troubled to learn that Abel will not be the head crusher for his own head is crushed by his brother. Humanity’s first two hopes for redemption are gone, and the narrative soon recounts that Seth, Eve’s third son, also dies. Enoch is a bright spot for he “walked faithfully with God” (Gen. 5:22), but again disappointment mounts when readers learn that “God took him away” (Gen. 5:24).<br />
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Genesis 5 ends by telling us about a certain Noah, who features prominently in the following several chapters. Will he crush the serpent’s head? It certainly appears so. In the midst of rampant immorality Noah stood tall. He builds an ark according to Yahweh’s specifications, loads up his family and all those animals, then waits for the coming deluge. This must be the head crusher. And yet our longing for redemption is again unfulfilled when Noah exits the boat, plants a vineyard, and gets blackout drunk. Though this man had “found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8), he would ultimately fall prey to temptation as well.<br />
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<b>The Patriarchal Narratives</b></div>
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Our hope disappointed by Noah’s drunkenness, we now hear of another potential head crusher—Abraham. Chapter 12 opens with a stunning extension of grace:<br />
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"Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 'I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'" (Gen. 12:1–3)<br />
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Abram responds positively and “went, as the Lord had told him” (Gen. 12:4). The narrative tension heightens now as we wonder whether Abraham will crush the serpent’s head and restore right relationship with humanity. And though Abraham demonstrates great faith in the near-sacrifice of Isaac (see Gen. 22), he also commits his own share of missteps, such as attempting to hurry along God’s plan of redemption (see the account of his relationship with Hager in Gen. 16; 21:8–21) and lying (twice!) about his relationship with Sarah to protect his own life (see Gen. 12:10–17; 20:1–18). Each of these actions endangered the promise that Abraham would father many nations at the behest of God himself. No, Abraham would not crush the serpent’s head and therefore free humanity from the curse entangling us.<br />
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Isaac holds promising potential, particularly given that the biblical text makes no indication that he protested his father’s plan to sacrifice him to Yahweh and Yahweh later appears to Isaac twice (Gen. 26:1–6, 23–25). Yet readers are again disappointed as Isaac follows in Abraham’s deception. Just after Yahweh appears to Isaac and reaffirms the Abrahamic promise the first time, Isaac endangers said promise and compromises his integrity in hopes of preserving his own life (see Gen. 26:7). Isaac will not crush the serpent’s head.<br />
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Jacob’s story seems doomed from the start, as his name indicates something about his character that is borne out in the following narrative of his life. This man clearly does not possess the qualities of one who would conquer sin and death. Rather, his story highlights the wonders of God’s grace in choosing sinners to live in relationship with him. Jacob first convinces his brother Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. Of course we are quick to fault Esau for his lack of foresight and slavery to his stomach, as the author of Hebrews points out in warning to his present and future audiences (Heb. 12:16). Yet Jacob himself is also to blame, for he knowingly took advantage of Esau’s weakness in an effort to elevate his own position in the family’s power structure. Not only that, but Jacob later followed Rebekah’s lead in intentionally deceiving his father Isaac into bestowing Esau’s blessing onto him.<br />
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As Jacob grows older he continues to demonstrate lack of character: he deceives Esau a final time (Gen. 33), favors Rachel over Leah (Gen. 29–30), and favors Joseph and then Benjamin over his other sons with disastrous results (see the Joseph narrative). In the midst of all this, Yahweh appears to Jacob not once but three times—twice at Bethel and once at Peniel, where Jacob wrestled God into the early hours of the morning. Jacob certainly seems to be the least likely candidate to restore right relationship with God, and yet God repeatedly seeks him out for a covenant relationship. What is therefore most clear from our journey with Jacob is that God “will have mercy on whomever [he] will have mercy, and [he] will have compassion on whomever [he] will have compassion” (Rom. 9:15).<br />
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As Jacob’s narrative ends, it appears that Joseph may be the promised redeemer, as Genesis closes out with the lengthy narrative describing his tumultuous relationship with his brothers (caused in no small part by Jacob himself), which results in the “saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20). Joseph rescues Abraham’s seed from certain starvation, but even he dies, though not before affirming his trust in God’s promise to his fathers (Gen. 50:24–25). And so the patriarchal narratives conclude. God’s people are far from the land he promised to Abraham, and each person in the narrative has proven not to be the head crusher that Genesis 3:15 promised. Nevertheless, readers have learned a valuable lesson about God’s grace and humanity’s utter dependence on it. If Genesis 3:15 is to be fulfilled, it will only be by his great grace and mercy.<br />
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<b>Wilderness Wanderings and the Promised Land</b></div>
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The book of Exodus opens with God’s people in slavery in Egypt, their leader having gone to the fathers, and the rise of a new pharaoh “to whom Joseph meant nothing” (Ex. 1:8) and who, therefore, ruthlessly oppressed the Hebrews. The outlook is bleak, even though God has been faithful to multiply Abraham’s descendants (Ex. 1:7, 12). Exodus 2 introduces us to the next potential head crusher, “a fine child” whose mother kept faith with Yahweh by hiding her son from the pharaoh’s genocide (Ex. 2:1–4). This baby grows up in the Egyptian king’s household, but eventually murders an Egyptian and flees the country. Moses, it turns out, is not the promised head crusher. He proves this further by striking a rock when Yahweh commanded him to speak to it (Num. 20). Despite his relationship with Yahweh—who spoke to him “face to face” (Ex. 33:11)— and along with his faithfulness in leading God’s people out of Egypt, overseeing the tabernacle’s construction, and receiving then communicating God’s law to Israel, Moses could not crush the serpent’s head. He could only typologically foreshadow the one to come (Deut. 18:15). Nevertheless, Moses was instrumental in Yahweh’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt and in the new way Yahweh would communicate with them—through dwelling among them in the Tabernacle. This was the first step after the exile from Eden toward the tabernacling of the Messiah with his people and the forthcoming indwelling of the Spirit in his people.<br />
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Deuteronomy closes with the death of Moses and the passing of the mantle onto Joshua. The tension rises again as readers wonder whether Joshua, slated to lead the people into God’s promised land and thus fulfill another aspect of the Abrahamic covenant, will crush the serpent’s head. Yahweh grants Joshua great success in leading the people to conquer the land and establish Israel in Canaan. Joshua is even the first significant figure in the Old Testament not to have committed sins such lying, murder, theft, and idolatry. Yet his story likewise ends on a somber note:<br />
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Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.” Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Josh. 24:19–23)<br />
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Great leader that he was, Joshua was yet unable to sever the people’s bondage to sin, and he himself remained subjected to death.<br />
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<b>The Monarchy</b></div>
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Upon Joshua’s death the national leadership transitions to a model of successive judges whom God raises up to deliver his people after a period of rebellion and divine punishment. God’s people devolve to the point that by the end of the book of Judges, Israelites are raping and murdering one another—the natural outworking of everyone doing “as they saw fit” (Judg. 21:25).<br />
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As the biblical narrative transitions to the monarchy, Yahweh’s last appointed judge functionally transitions the nation from a strict theocracy into a monarchy. The people had grown weary of Samuel’s sons’ amorality, and so with much fanfare, the Israelites demand that Samuel “appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (1 Sam 8:5). At Yahweh’s behest, Samuel does just this, making Saul the king over Israel. It doesn’t take long to realize that Saul will not crush the serpent’s head, and Yahweh ultimately deposes Saul after a series of sins that demonstrated Saul’s unfaithfulness to Yahweh (see 1 Sam. 13–15).<br />
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David’s story is woven into the fabric of Saul’s narrative. He slays Goliath, plays a harp to soothe Saul’s anxiety, and Samuel anoints him as king over Israel (much to his own father’s surprise!). The narrator’s depiction of David is at first unsettling. Will this young boy, who is not even big enough to wear Saul’s armor, really be the next king of Israel? Surely this anointed one would not crush the serpent’s head. Indeed, we will learn that David is not the promised Messiah—he murders Uriah, uses his power to bed Bathsheba, and refuses to execute justice when his son rapes his daughter—but he is a key figure in the unfolding of God’s plan to save humanity.<br />
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Yahweh secures David’s reign over the twelve tribes of Israel and gives him military victory over the enemies surrounding Israel. David is at rest, and now he wants to build Yahweh a house in which to dwell. Yet Yahweh demurs, stating instead that Yahweh will build David a house, that is, a dynasty. And despite David’s catastrophic failings to come just a few chapters later in 2 Samuel, Yahweh makes a covenant with him that marks the most significant Christological development since Yahweh promised a seed who would crush the serpent’s head:<br />
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When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:12–16 NIV)<br />
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This Davidic covenant promised first that David’s son, Solomon, would indeed build that house that David wanted to build for Yahweh. Second, and most importantly, this covenant assured David that a ruler from his lineage would forever reign over Israel: “Your throne shall be established forever.” Further, while God promises to judge those Davidic rulers who sin against him, he also promises that “My mercy shall not depart from him.” The term that NKJV translates as “mercy” is hesed, the Hebrew term for covenant loyalty. Thus, Yahweh is promising to remain in covenant relationship with the Davidic line for all time.<br />
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Solomon comes to power upon David’s death, is granted supreme wisdom, builds the temple, and promptly violates the Deuteronomic ideals of kingship (compare Deut. 17:14–20 with 2 Chron. 1:14–17). He is not the head crusher. With the death of Solomon and fragmentation of his kingdom upon his son’s ill-advised decision to reject the people’s request that he treat them better than his father Solomon had, the reader is thrust again into the Old Testament’s messianic tension. Who will crush the serpent’s head? It wasn’t David, it wasn’t Solomon, and certainly it won’t be Rehoboam or any of the kings of the renegade northern kingdom of Israel. And while we catch glimpses of hope in a few of the kings of Judah—Josiah, Hezekiah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jotham—none of these conquer sin and restore humanity’s right relationship with God. As in the book of Judges, the narratives of God’s people during the divided monarchy (the period during which Israel and Judah were separated) record a downward spiral into sin, with a few moments of obedience here and there. This spiral culminates first in Israel’s exile and then in Judah’s exile. <br />
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<b>Prophetic Witness</b></div>
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Before, during, and after the divided monarchies of Israel and Judah, prophetic voices continually called God’s people to covenant faithfulness to him. They spoke boldly about the importance of keeping Torah and walking in right relationship with Yahweh, along with the covenant curses that Yahweh would bring for the people’s failure to heed their voices. They also spoke of a time when a Davidic ruler would come and reign in justice and righteousness. These prophecies described and pointed forward to the head crusher, the one in David’s line who would finally fulfill the promise of Gen 3:15. D. G. Firth organizes the prophetic witness to the head crusher under five categories: “restored/renewed Davidic kingship,” “justice and righteousness,” “security,” “restored creation,” and “promise of the Spirit.”[2] No single prophet paints a full picture of the head crusher, but taken together, it is clear that they point to someone far above any of the figures we have seen thus far. A full survey of the prophetic witness to Christ is beyond the scope of this essay, so the following focuses on the messianic portrait developed by Isaiah.<br />
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Isaiah contains what are probably the most well-known prophecies of this coming one. He would be born of a virgin and named Immanuel (Isa 7:14). He would “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” (Isa 8:14). He would be a Davidic ruler who reigned in justice and righteousness:<br />
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LordAlmighty will accomplish this. (Isa. 9:6–7)<br />
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And yet he would also suffer greatly: “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain…took up our pain and bore our suffering…punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted…crushed for our iniquities…oppressed and afflicted…a lamb to the slaughter…cut off from the land of the living” (Isa. 53:3–8). All this so that “my [Yahweh’s] righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:11). This one, this one would crush the serpent’s head and set right what was made wrong in Eden.<br />
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<b>The New Testament Hope</b></div>
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The Protestant Christian canon ends with Malachi, the final writing prophet in the line of people who spoke about the coming Messiah, who would finally crush the serpent’s head. Malachi concludes with a final word about this coming one:<br />
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Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction. (Mal. 4:4–6)<br />
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Turning the page in your Bible brings you to Matthew’s Gospel, which opens with the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew starts with Abraham to confirm Jesus’s Hebrew lineage, then traces Jesus’s family down through David to confirm his Davidic descent. Here, finally, is the head crusher. Several chapters later, Jesus confirms that John the Baptist, who opens his ministry in Matthew 3, is “the Elijah who was to come” (Matt. 11:14 NIV). The Gospel writers take great care to confirm repeatedly that Jesus Christ is indeed Messiah, the one prophesied so long ago in Gen. 3:15 (see, e.g., Matt. 2:4–6, 14–15; 4:12–17; 13:13–15, 34–35). With the Gospels having established that Jesus is the Messiah, the rest of the New Testament develops a full Christology. <br />
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Reader, rejoice! After a long line of people who failed to deliver God’s people from bondage to sin and death, Christ has come to set his people free from the curse that Adam brought upon the world so long ago in God’s garden. Readers now can look back on the Old Testament narrative through a Christological lens, but God did not grant this to the original readers. They expectantly awaited what we have now experienced. Let us worship God for his goodness, faithfulness, and his crushing defeat of the serpent! </div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-22162575441826289652019-09-20T05:44:00.004-04:002019-09-20T05:44:37.024-04:007 Common Traits of Gen Z:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Seven things we need to know about Gen Z in their own words:</b></div>
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<b>Gen Z want to be seen as people, not projects:</b> If the main drive of the church is to reach students so that pews will be filled or that your church or student ministry will be seen as cool, trendy, or relevant, then you’re completely missing the point. Often, the number one reason churches say they want to reach the next generation is because, “if we don’t then our church isn’t going to exist in ten years.” I understand the fear and sincerity there. However, even that is not the right view to have. The main purpose for reaching Gen Z cannot be to prolong our local church’s name or logo. Instead, it must be a desire to reach students because they are made in the image of God, have souls, and matter to the kingdom of God. No one wants to be someone’s project, and neither do students.<br />
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<b>Gen Z want more out of church than potluck dinners:</b> This generation wants to be a part of “doing” something. They’ll want more out of their church than sitting on a pew, listening to sermons, going to pot-luck dinners, while waiting on the Rapture Bus to swoop down to pick them all up. They are not scared to die young; however, they are terrified to die at a ripe old age while not having done anything significant with their lives in their own eyes. They are not typically impressed by a church’s size or budget. They’re more interested in being noticed relationally and in what the church is doing outside the walls of the building. Let’s mobilize a generation. They will fail, but so do we. That’s why grace is so amazing.<br />
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<b>Gen Z are not ageist:</b> People tend to think that students don’t want to have anything to do with the older generation. However, this Gen Z is in desperate need for older generations to invest in them. This is largely a fatherless generation. They often seek out or are more open to discipleship or mentorship than we tend to believe. But, they won’t know how to ask for it, so they may ask you to “hangout” by using some other word that sounds like gibberish to you. Nevertheless, if this generation wants to spend time with you, then they are giving you the most valuable thing they have to offer – time.<br />
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<b>Gen Z largely value the “why” over the “what”:</b> Students do not typically want to do something just because it’s the way it’s always been done or because it’s what their family has always known. They are not driven by heritage. For example, a student is not going to grow to be Southern Baptist just because his parents were. If we can’t answer their “why” questions or we get defensive over their questions, we’ll lose them. Be ready to answer their honest questions with love, patience and kindness. Their experience with something or someone will often dictate their views more than history will.<br />
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<b>Gen Z don’t want to be seen as the future of the church:</b> Remember, the younger generation is not the future of the church—if they’ve been redeemed with the blood of Jesus, then they’re the church right now. So, let them have some ownership of the ministry, and be patient with them when they mess up … possibly a lot. A great way to keep students engaged in the ministry is by constantly communicating, illustrating and empowering participation in the vision and mission of the church. Sometimes, we’ll schedule an event to reach Gen Z using all older generations to plan it, then plead with students to bring their friends. Then, we get upset when they show up. Want them to show up? Want them to invite their friends? Then, let them have a voice in planning it.<br />
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<b>Gen Z want authenticity and transparency: </b>Nearly all students grow weary of gimmicks and ‘sleek presentations’ very quickly. The more transparent and vulnerable a communicator is, the more students connect. There was a time when speakers/teachers were told not to use themselves in personal illustrations; however, this generation wants to hear those personal stories. As adults, if we act as those who have it all figured out and not in desperate need of God’s grace daily ourselves, we’ll lose their attention because they won’t believe that we’re “being real” and that our faith is unattainable for them.<br />
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<b>Gen Z know brokenness at an earlier age.</b> They are exposed to more violence, graphic images, and evil at an earlier age. Internet exposure, media coverage, and broken homes are unfortunately the norm for far too many. They don’t know a world without the fear of mass shootings, and terrorism. This is also pornography-saturated generation—the average age of first exposure is 11. The fastest growing consumer of Internet pornography is girls 15–30; 70% of guys admit to interaction with Internet pornography, and 50% of girls. This generation is looking for solutions at a much earlier time in their lives. They know they’re broken.Thank God for the gospel, because it is mighty to save Gen Z. Share it with them, because they’re starving for it, whether they know it or not.<br />
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I’m personally encouraged by this generation of students. Even as an adult, I resonate deeply with their views. According to a recent Wall Street Journal survey, 30% of Gen Z says, “religion is very important to them.” (lowest in U.S. history). But, 78% says, “living a self-fulled life is very important to them.” This should be extremely eye-opening to us. That’s the threshold to cross in communicating to Gen Z – help them see that a “fulfilled life” only comes from Someone outside of “self”.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-33108761415020448332019-09-20T05:39:00.004-04:002019-09-20T05:39:50.758-04:003 Characteristics of A Christian Man:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What is a Christian?<br />
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In spite of the New Testament’s clarity, if you were to ask a dozen self-identified evangelicals about their Christian identity, you’d get a dozen, mystifying, disparate answers.<br />
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Some would reject the label “Christian” in favor of a deconstructed term like “Jesus-follower” with presumably less cultural baggage. Some would add a slew of denominational or confessional labels, while those on the opposite side of the spectrum would add the obligatory “spiritual but not religious.” Others might even classify themselves with monikers like “born again” or “daughter of the King.”<br />
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The biblical identity of the Christian goes deeper than the labels that fall in and out of vogue. At root, we are in Christ. Our old, sinful, hell-deserving self is counted dead with Christ on the cross, and our new selves are counted as righteous before God and raised with him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Colossians 3:1-3). Oceans of ink have been spilled on explicating these concepts alone.<br />
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But more specifically, where does this leave the Christian man?<br />
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Most of the popular identifiers reflect, together with our romantic praise choruses, the heavily emotive, feminized state of evangelical subculture. We live in a cultural moment in which a phrase like “You’re worth it” works as well for the next Christian conference as for L’Oréal. This pattern of cognitivist, self-affirming spirituality, by its own nature, appeals only to a certain segment of the population and thus accounts for the conspicuous statistical underrepresentation of men in the average evangelical congregation.<br />
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Men in particular must recover a formulation of Christian identity that is not only biblical and practical but sufficiently masculine. Christian men need convenient handles with which to grasp the enormity of their identity in Christ.<br />
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Conveniently, the Apostle John gives us three. In 1 John 2:12-14, believers are addressed by three familial terms that carry of significant application for men.<br />
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<b>1. You are children</b></div>
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake… I write to you, children, because you know the Father” (vv. 12-14, ESV).<br />
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Our rebirth into the family of God is the genesis of our new identity.<br />
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“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)<br />
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“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3)<br />
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“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him… For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:1, 4)<br />
In regeneration, we receive a new nature with godward affections, enabling us to cast ourselves upon Christ and receive forgiveness of sin. The train of new birth, faith, justification, and adoption stampedes into the believer’s life in rapid succession. Our entrance into God’s family as children is the key that unlocks the rest of the Christian life.<br />
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In his first epistle, John employs this metaphor twice in parallel construction to emphasize two realities: (1) the believer’s cleansing pardon from sin and (2) his newfound relationship of intimacy with God the Father.<br />
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Though John is speaking to all believers, the application of these points is particularly relevant to men.<br />
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You may feel hardened. You have regrets. You raise children who reflect all your foibles and sins as a mirror. You recall your upbringing, only to find yourself simultaneously resenting your father and becoming more like him. But in Christ, your natural, hereditary record of sin is expunged and your guilt is decisively removed. You are freed to live above the accusing voice of your inner demons.<br />
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Now, your father—the figure who shapes you, models manhood, and passes on to you his very own nature—is the supreme, loving, all-powerful God of the universe, not just another flawed male. This Father calls you by his own name, looks you in the eye, and is present.<br />
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Christian men must begin to build their self-conception on their status as sons of God.<br />
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Of course, that is not to say that we are mere juveniles.<br />
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<b>2. You are fathers</b></div>
“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning… I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning“ (vv. 13-14).<br />
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To be a child of God is, in part, to be a passive recipient of God’s grace and paternal affection. But Christian men are also to be fathers—active workers in other’ lives, not merely in the physical sense but in the sense that their firsthand knowledge of God qualifies them to influence others.<br />
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The Reformation Study Bible explains in its comment on 2:12–14: “[T]he recipients of the letter… are ‘fathers’ because their knowledge of God in Jesus Christ qualifies them to hand this knowledge down to future generations.” This comports with John’s use of filial metaphors throughout his epistles, such as in 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (the recipients of his ministry) are walking in the truth” (emphasis added). In 1 John, the apostle himself fills the role of a spiritual father, passing along his personal testimony of Christ for the joy and maturity of his beloved audience (vv. 1-5). The Apostle Paul also employs this language with the Corinthians: “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15b).<br />
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Just as with mature manhood comes the longing to impart to a son the wisdom, skills, and values gained along one’s journey, so with Christian manhood comes the desire to plant a spiritual legacy in others. In our youth, God graciously adopts us into his family and gives us a new name; in our maturity, we call others to receive that same adoption, and we cultivate a new generation as his namesake.<br />
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Such paternal oversight, in a small way, reflects God’s paternal ownership of us. In disciple-making, we sacrifice ourselves, taking on a measure of responsibility for the eternal welfare of others.<br />
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Spiritual fatherhood is also a sign and seal of our right standing with God. In making disciples, we prove to the world and ourselves that we indeed possess the faith we profess, shaping others into the image of Christ even as we ourselves are being shaped. We assure ourselves that we are more than idle consumers of spiritual blessings but also real contributors—an investment which, like physical parenting, pays rich dividends. We do not need to wait until we “arrive” on a certain plane of piety before we can invest in the next spiritual generation. We have something worth giving now because we know God.<br />
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And not only do we raise others to fight; we’re engaged on the frontlines ourselves.<br />
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<b>3. You are young men</b></div>
“I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one… I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:13, 14).<br />
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“Young men” are marked by vitality, fervor, and drive. We draw our identity from Christ, the divine warrior whose crushing victory promised in Eden was fulfilled when he came to destroy the works of the devil (Genesis 3:15, 1 John 3:8). In Christ, we too overcome the evil one who holds the entire fallen cosmos in his sway (5:5, 19), joining our commander-in-chief in stomping the serpent’s head into the dust (Romans 16:20). Our victory against our ancient celestial enemy is already a done deal because of Christ (note v. 14: “you have overcome the evil one”).<br />
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We are victors, not victims. We are more than conquerors, not merely the conquered. Our standing in Christ strengthens us to crucify our tendency to pout, sulk, and bemoan the wrongs done to us. We annihilate self-pity and fight for joy, holiness, and self-discipline with all the grit of one whose very bones are indwelt by God Almighty. Day by day, we pommel our blood-bought bodies to win the prize (1 Corinthians 6:20, 9:27).<br />
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Note also verse 14: we are strong. We are not just wanderers a in some spiritual journey of self-discovery, just “trying to figure out life” with the rest of the lost masses. We have more to offer the world than dainty Socratic dialogues over spirituality in coffee shops, devoid of any real conviction; we preach Christ and him crucified to the dying and damnable. We are soldiers drafted into a cosmic battle for truth and honor by the God whose decree writes reality itself. We don’t just deconstruct; we build.<br />
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<b>Conclusion</b></div>
If the state of the culture both within and without the church proves anything, it’s that we need mature, fighting, manly Christian men. While John’s metaphors, of course, have vast spiritual import for believers young and old, male and female, the implications for men should not be lost on us. We must lay aside our cultural baggage and recover the biblical foundation on which to build a masculine, Christ-centered self-conception.<br />
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What is a Christian man? More than a product of his environment, a struggling sojourner, or a religious conversation partner. He is a son of God, a spiritual father, and a fierce fighter.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-35906183641152026552019-09-18T05:33:00.004-04:002019-09-18T05:33:41.688-04:00Go Big OR Go Home:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In 1517, three ships under the command of Hernández de Córdoba sailed west and explored the Yucatán peninsula. Upon arrival, the soldiers disembarked but were attacked at night by Mayans armed with arrows and spears. Twenty soldiers died, including de Córdoba himself. The surviving crew faced a choice: stay and complete the exploration, thereby gaining historical renown and reward from their governor, or get back on their ships and hightail it out of there. They chose the ships and sailed home in a hurry.<br />
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Two years later the expedition was attempted again, this time commanded by Hernán Cortés. He was so committed to the mission that he sold everything he had to finance it. He sailed with 11 ships, manned by 100 sailors and 500 soldiers. Legend has it that when he landed at Veracruz, Mexico, he told his crew to offload everything they had brought with them. He then set fire to all 11 ships.<br />
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Imagine the 600 men standing on the beach watching their only way back home burning to ashes. No matter how fierce the fighting would be, retreat was not an option.<br />
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Jesus calls us to burn our ships. He wants the same dedication and unflinching commitment to all who call themselves his followers. When you turn to Christ you set ablaze the boats that could take you back to your old life. With that in mind, let’s consider Luke 9:57-62Open in Logos Bible Software (if available).<br />
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3 Ships that Prevent Commitment to Christ<br />
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1. Personal Comfort<br />
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Luke 9:57-58Open in Logos Bible Software (if available) As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”<br />
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This guy is low hanging fruit, ripe for the plucking. He doesn’t even wait for the gospel presentation. But instead of saying, “I see that hand, praise God, hallelujah…” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”<br />
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In other words: “You’re signing the dotted line without reading the contract.” Jesus discerns this man’s heart and knows that there’s a certain level of basic comfort that he feels is needed for life. So Jesus picks at that loose end to unravel his half-hearted commitment.<br />
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Jesus wants followers with their eyes wide open. Look at Luke 9:23Open in Logos Bible Software (if available) And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”<br />
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Comfort is one of the most common reasons people won’t commit to Christ. They want enough Christianity to feel saved, but just ask them to serve, to give financially, to change the way they use debt and what they do with their time… they will hit the eject button.<br />
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But there are only 2 categories: fanatic follower or fake follower.<br />
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2. Priority Confusion<br />
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Luke 9:59Open in Logos Bible Software (if available) To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”<br />
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This time Jesus initiates. He commands this man to follow him. And he agrees….on condition: (vs 59) But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”<br />
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But… (vs 60) Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”<br />
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Wow, this seems a bit harsh, doesn’t it?<br />
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In those days the Jews didn’t have morgues with refrigerators. So when a person died the burial happened that day. From this we surmise that this man’s father had not died yet (or he would be at home burying the him). In all likelihood “bury my father” was a euphemism for “get my inheritance.”<br />
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So this guy is saying to Jesus, “I do want to commit to you, but I have one higher priority: to see my share of the wealth allocated to me.”<br />
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Expecting an inheritance isn’t a sin. But it’s a confusion of priorities.<br />
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Our top priority is always to obey Jesus. And this guy has a direct command from the Lord: follow me! But his response is “Okay, but on one condition.”<br />
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You might fill your life with neutral things like games and gardening, or even good things like chauffeuring your kids around and working hard. These are good priorities.<br />
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But do they crowd out your devotions, your church attendance, your home group participation?<br />
Do you live as if there is something more important in this life than Jesus?<br />
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Don’t get busy with good things and ignore the best thing.<br />
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3. Postponed Commitment<br />
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Luke 9:61-62Open in Logos Bible Software (if available) Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”<br />
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This applicant makes a commitment on the spot. But he sneaks a timing clause into the contract. “I will follow you in the future, but not right now.”<br />
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Another reasonable request, you may say. But it betrays a principle that is unacceptable to Christ: a timing condition.<br />
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Many people stumble over the procrastination hurdle. You want to be committed, just not today.<br />
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Very few would say “I reject Jesus,” so instead they say “I will commit later.”<br />
I’ll commit when I’m out of university. I’ll give financially when I’m out of debt. I’ll serve in the church after this busy season in my career.<br />
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What does Jesus think of that? (vs 62) Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”<br />
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A hesitant disciple is a non-disciple.<br />
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It’s never too late to commit. But make sure when you do, it’s complete and unflinching. If you are backslidden in your walk, repent today, not tomorrow. And never look back.<br />
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Go big or go home.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-89598614669016714142019-09-18T05:29:00.000-04:002019-09-18T05:29:31.425-04:00Why Christians Oppose Abortions:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I believe that discussion—true discussion—begins by understanding the position of those with whom you dialogue. If media—broadcast, print, and social—are any indication, then our nation is in a dialogue crisis, for we do not understand the position of the other. This is no more obvious on any issue than that of abortion. Public debate regarding abortion policy has devolved into a name-calling match. Opponents of abortion are “closed-minded,” “religious nuts,” or “misogynists.” Proponents of abortion are “murderers,” “baby killers,” or “anti-child.” With recent political events in New York, Virginia, and the attempted passage of the “Born-Alive Bill” in the Senate, it seems a good time to remind why Christians have held this historical position.<br />
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Perhaps such a task is fruitless, but I want the discussion to move forward. So, if you are willing to read without taking offense, I am going to attempt to explain the basic Christian position regarding abortion.<br />
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I do so in order to allow those outside of the Christian faith the opportunity of understanding a group of citizens within the state.<br />
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I will do so in two parts. In part one, I will provide the basic theological and Scriptural reasons that Christians have historically opposed abortion. In part two, I will provide a few sociological reasons that Christians do so, as well.<br />
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Before I begin, I want to state that while my convictions are firm on this matter, I do not write in order to attack or badger another. I hold to the teaching of Jesus that I am to love my neighbor as myself. Therefore, I hope that my writing will convey that spirit of love. If I veer into condescension or mindless attack, I hope you will point that out. Secondly, this essay is not a condemnation of any woman who has chosen to have an abortion—more on that in a moment—but is instead intended to explain why Christians have argued for other options.<br />
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With those things in mind:<br />
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Part One, Theological and Scriptural Reasons:<br />
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1. Christians believe in the sanctity of human life. This belief is, ultimately, the cornerstone of all orthodox Christian responses to abortion. The ancient Jewish community (the theological predecessor to the church) held to this conviction as well. These convictions begin with a reading of the Bible, the book that Christians hold to be sacred.<br />
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The Christian conviction that human life is sacred comes from multiple portions of Scripture, but it springs initially from the opening chapters of Genesis: the creation narrative. Throughout the creation account, the Lord claims that creation is very good. However, after creating humankind in His image (Genesis 1:28), the Lord says that humanity is VERY good. The poetic and structural work of Genesis is not accidental. The Lord has said creation is good five times, but here, the sixth time, he says the work is very good. This is not accidental. He says it is very good, for humanity is the cornerstone and climax of creation.<br />
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When Christians oppose abortion, they are beginning with the fundamental belief that humans are the capstone of creation, created in the image of God, and therefore ought to be preserved.<br />
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2. Christians believe life begins prior to birth.<br />
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The first conviction—the sanctity of human life—is not all that surprising. The rub begins with the second conviction that human life begins prior to birth. (For those who watched the debate surrounding SB5, much of the discussion regarded whether a fetus at 20 weeks could experience pain; while much research suggests the answer is yes, Christians do not believe pain determines personhood.)<br />
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This conviction is formed from two places: the reading of Scripture, and the intention of heterosexual intercourse. If you are not a Christian, Scripture will not matter much, but let me list a few of the Scriptures Christians have held to in their understanding of human life beginning prior to birth.<br />
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The Psalms declare that those in the womb are being formed by the Lord: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).<br />
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Jeremiah 1:5 states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”<br />
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Job 31:15 says, “Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?”<br />
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There are other Scriptures, as well, but you see the point of them: human life is not only the capstone of creation, but it is formed intentionally in the womb. (Side Note: This is why Christians have supported giving birth to children that are diagnosed with special needs or deformities prior to birth. They believe that even the most deformed of humans are intended by God to honor Him. While over 90% of Down’s Syndrome babies are aborted due to concerns of care and cost, Christians support giving birth to those children because they are still created in God’s image and can show us His image in their lives.)<br />
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Beyond Scripture, Christians believe that sex is not merely an act for pleasure, but also for reproduction. In other words, Christians believe that when they engage in sex, they are prepared to welcome and care for any children that may result from that sexual activity. This conviction, of course, affects the way they view sex. As a Christian father, I teach my children that sex is to be reserved for marriage. This is not because I am anti-sex. I am actually pro-sex. But I am pro-sex within marriage because I want any children that result from sexual intercourse to be welcomed into that relationship. (I will talk about sex and children outside of marriage in a moment.)<br />
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Consequently, Christians believe that if a woman is pregnant, a life has begun and it must be cared for and preserved. (Side Note: There is debate within the Christian community whether life begins at a) conception, b) the formation of a heartbeat, or c) the beginning of brainwaves. I tend towards a), but will save that discussion for another time.) Therefore, the termination of a pregnancy is tantamount to murder to many Christians, for they see the pregnancy as a human life. This mindset is not a recent development. The word “fetus,” for example, while often used to mean “something not quite human” is actually Latin for “offspring.” The ancients saw the pregnancy as the beginning of human life and named it as such.<br />
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Other Christians have stated the same more eloquently than I, but I will quote one of my theological mentors, Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Destruction of the embryo in the mother’s womb is a violation of the right to live which God has bestowed upon this nascent life. To raise the question of whether we are here concerned already with a human being or not is merely to confuse the issue. The simple fact is that God certainly intended to create a human being and that this nascent human being has been deliberately deprived of his life. And this is nothing but murder.” (DB, Ethics)<br />
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3. Christians believe children are a blessing. Convictions #1 and #2 then lead to #3. If humans are the capstone of creation, and if life begins prior to birth, then a child is not a liability or a problem, but a gift from God. This is a great dissonance to our culture, particularly in the West. If we are honest with ourselves, we are rather selfish creatures. We want what we want, and we want it as soon as possible. Children often prevent us from this process of self-actualization, and, consequently, our culture has viewed them as obstacles to overcome, for anything that prevents my self-actualization cannot be good.<br />
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I could wax eloquently about how Ben (my oldest son) was an unplanned pregnancy while I was a full-time graduate student and diagnosed with heart failure and my wife was completing her teaching certification leaving us broke, sick, and with child. I could tell you that he and Andrew are the greatest delights in my life.<br />
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But such a story is not an argument. It is simply my experience in light of my walk with Jesus. Again, Scripture:<br />
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Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)<br />
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Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,<br />
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the fruit of the womb a reward.<br />
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Like arrows in the hand of a warrior<br />
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are the children of one’s youth.<br />
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Blessed is the man<br />
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who fills his quiver with them!<br />
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He shall not be put to shame<br />
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when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5)<br />
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Christians believe that when God gives a child, he gives a blessing, and therefore, that child should be cherished.<br />
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4. Christians believe the prior convictions are higher than personal rights. Many questions arise when an unplanned pregnancy occurs. What if I don’t want to have a baby? What if I can’t provide for this baby? What if the parents will treat this child badly?<br />
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Much of the political debate surrounding abortion centers on an issue typically phrased as “woman’s reproductive rights.” Those who believe women ought to be able to terminate a pregnancy argue that limiting that right interferes with personal rights and a woman’s right to control her own body. As I’ve already demonstrated, the Christian conviction that this child is a human life comes into direct contradiction with this opposing conviction of personal rights. Consequently, Christians have argued that the child should be carried full-term while those who support abortion argue that the fetus is not a fully-formed human life and can be terminated.<br />
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For example, a New York Times editorial from 2004 about a mother who selectively reduced her pregnancy with triplets to a single pregnancy focuses on individual rights. Her decision is driven by career, lifestyle, etc. Proponents of abortion would support such reasoning; historic Christianity would argue the rights of the unborn children are human rights on the same level as that of the mother. Both sides appeal to human rights. Proponents appeal to rights of freedom; opponents appeal to rights to live.3<br />
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5. Consequently, Christians are advocates for alternatives to abortion. In his book, The Rise of Christianity, Rodney Stark shows how first-century Christians would rescue unwanted babies from the dump. When pagan Roman families would discard children (usually girls), the Christians would offer to take them in, to adopt them. Christians have always held to a culture of life.<br />
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Christians not only argue against abortion, but they also argue for fostering and adopting, because they believe that the best path for every child is into a home. Right now I have numerous Christian friends adopting children of all backgrounds, nationalities, and races, because those children are without parents. These friends take seriously the command of James: “True religion is this: to care for widows and orphans.”<br />
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I do not have statistics available at this moment, but Christian adoption is on the rise, primarily because Christians feel it is the most effective way to stem the tide of abortion. Such a movement is not without issues, to be certain, but when I talk to friends of mine like the Chappells, I am encouraged that adoption is a beautiful way to demonstrate the love of Jesus to those without parents. (Side Note: I once heard a study claiming that if every church in the United States adopted one child, there would be no need for foster care. I’m grateful to pastor churches with multiple adoptive families.)<br />
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Part Two, Sociological Reasons:<br />
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I will avoid tired “conservative” or “political” arguments. I am a pastor, so I want to talk about three particular social issues I find troubling with the issue of abortion, for I think these affect the spirit of humans, and consequently, should be considered by people, even those who are not people of faith.<br />
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1. Minorities are affected disproportionately by abortion. There is a legion of reasons why this is the case, but the African-American community is most adversely affected by abortion. Forget about the sinister beginnings of Planned Parenthood being designed “to exterminate the Negro population.” Whether that is intended today or not, abortion terminates pregnancies of minority women at three times the rate of non-Hispanic, white women. In other words, a smaller percentage of the population uses abortion at a higher rate, preventing the expansion and flourishing of that race.<br />
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2. Women are affected disproportionately by abortion. I’m not talking about sex-selective abortion, although worldwide more girls than boys are terminated. That is certainly tragic. But I am talking about the post-abortive depression and guilt that thousands of women experience every year, as discussed in this Atlantic monthly article from last week. When women like “Jane Roe” (Norma McCorvey) end up being pro-life by the end of their lives due to the overwhelming feeling that they are killing, this seems to be a sociological phenomenon that ought to be investigated.<br />
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3. The majority of Americans oppose late-term abortion. This is not some closed-minded theocracy, as many proponents of abortion would claim. As The Huffington Post reports, Americans overwhelmingly support a ban on late-term abortions: 59% to 30%. If public opinion matters in other social issues (i.e., same-sex marriage) in the eyes of Congress and the courts, shouldn’t such support matter in this social issue?<br />
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Postscript: Are You Condemning Women?<br />
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One night as part of a church home group, we took turns sharing our story of coming to faith. One of the women in our group confessed that years earlier she had become pregnant and chosen to have an abortion. She broke down into tears, almost hysterical with guilt. And our group modeled Jesus well, in my estimation. We each hugged her. We told her that the Lord had forgiven her through the grace of Christ. And we told her that we each loved her. To this day she is a committed Christian and a close friend.<br />
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This essay is not intended to condemn any woman that has chosen to have an abortion. Many Christians have done that in the past. I am so sorry that has taken place, and I wish I could take away the hurt they have caused. Guilt, manipulation, and anger are not the tools of Jesus. This essay is instead intended to demonstrate why Christians feel strongly about this issue, and it is intended to hopefully change some hearts.<br />
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If you are a woman who has had an abortion, or if you are friends with a woman who has made such a choice, I hope you will understand the desire of the church is this: To share the Scripture, to pray with you, and to offer you a hug.<br />
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I hope you will not hate Christians because they want to see abortions reduced and, one day, eliminated. We believe we are preserving human life, that portion of creation most treasured by God. And I hope you have not felt attacked. Instead, I hope you have understood our position, and I hope you will respect us as we speak into the democratic public square of our nation, a place where all voices can be heard, including those that belong to people of faith.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-90065640005587953382019-09-17T11:57:00.000-04:002019-09-17T11:57:01.624-04:00Families Paint A Beautiful Picture of God:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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God uses family as a means of providing pictures that can teach crucial truths to humanity. There are things we cannot easily understand if we do not understand family. On the other hand, there are things we are well on our way to understanding when we understand family. When God wants to teach us certain truths, he essentially says, “picture a father and a son, or picture a wife and a husband, or picture a brother and sister.” Because he made these family relationships to be universal, he can use them as pictures in every context and in every age. He begins with what we know, then uses that knowledge as a bridge to what we don’t know.<br />
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So if we understand family, we have language and concepts that help us understand certain truths about God and his works and his ways. But if we lose family, or redefine it, we begin to lose that language and lose those concepts.<br />
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Let me give you four important pictures God uses that depend upon family.<br />
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<b>Family Pictures the Trinity</b></div>
First, family pictures the Trinity. If you don’t understand family, you can’t understand God himself. Why? Because God reveals the first person of the Trinity as God the Father and the second person of the Trinity as God the Son. Of course this Father-Son relationship is not identical to our father-son relationships, but it does help us understand that they relate and interact as Father and Son.<br />
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Imagine there was a place with no fathers and sons. In that place you would have trouble explaining John 3:16: “For God [the Father] so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” If you don’t understand the powerful, natural love and protection of a Father for his Son, how could you understand what it cost God to provide his beloved Son as a sacrifice?<br />
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This is one reason fatherlessness is harmful—it removes the point of comparison between our fathers on earth and our much greater Father in heaven. This is one reason why fathers who abuse their children are committing a terrible offence—they are giving a false picture of the way God the Father relates to God the Son—No one would ever accuse God of cosmic child abuse if there wasn’t the reality of human child abuse. This is why we need to be concerned about same-sex relationships—in a partnership where there are only two mothers, the picture of God as Father is negated.<br />
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<b>Family Pictures the Gospel</b></div>
So family pictures the relationship of the Trinity. It also pictures the relationship at the heart of gospel. The good news of the gospel is that God has a family, and we are invited to become part of it. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are adopted by the Father and become his children.<br />
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Ephesians 1:4 says, “In love, he [the Father] predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace…” How can we understand what it means to be welcomed as sons of a loving father if we don’t know anything about family?<br />
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Imagine that place where there are no families, where perhaps government raises children itself. In a place like that, you would struggle to explain the intimacy of the relationship we enjoy with God as his children. When we’re saved by God, we aren’t registered into an institution by a bureaucrat, but welcomed into a family by a Father. God gave us family so we would know what it means when he offers us the great honor of becoming his beloved sons and daughters.<br />
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<b>Family Pictures Christ</b></div>
Then, family also pictures Christ and his church. In Ephesians 5 we learn that the relationship of a husband and wife has always served as a picture of the relationship of Christ and his people. We are meant to say, “You know how a husband loves his wife and would sacrifice himself to save his bride? That’s how Jesus loves his people. You know how a wife responds to her husband’s love and joyfully follows his leadership? That’s how the church is to respond to Jesus.”<br />
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In a place where there is no marriage, you would struggle to explain how much Jesus loves his church and how the church is to respond to that love. This is why the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex unions is harmful. Christ and the church are pictured through the complementarity of a husband and wife, not the uniformity of two husbands or two wives.<br />
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This is why it is so damaging that more and more people are choosing to cohabitate instead of marry. Christ and his church are pictured in the covenantal permanence of marriage, not the temporary convenience of cohabitation. The covenant, the public promise before God and man, makes all the difference.<br />
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<b>Family Pictures the Church</b></div>
Family pictures the Trinity, the gospel, and Jesus Christ. It also pictures the church and the relationship between Christians. Spend time around Christians and you’ll soon hear someone speak of “brothers and sisters.” That’s not just a charming little quirk, but a spiritual reality that follows from our adoption into the family of God. Think of 1 Timothy 5:1 where Paul tells Timothy, “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”<br />
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If you found that place where there are no fathers, mothers, brothers, or sisters, how would you explain how church members are to relate to one another? Or if you found a place where fathers are dishonoured, mothers are forsaken, brothers are resented, or sisters are taken advantage of, it would be difficult to explain. Why? Because we are to relate to one another like a family!<br />
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<b>Conclusion</b></div>
Here’s what we need to see: God has given us family as a way to picture other things, a way to understand other realities. And the more our families look like God’s design for families, the clearer those pictures will become, the closer people will be to understanding.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-32926901731618968162019-09-17T07:46:00.002-04:002019-09-17T07:46:53.155-04:00Student Ministry & Jonathan Edwards:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Youth ministry is hard work. Culture is in a constant state of change, and these changes are always widening the gap between younger and older generations. As a result, the vast array of youth ministry literature is constantly reinventing itself to meet the evolving needs of a rapidly changing culture. What worked for Gen Y ten years ago does not work for Gen Z today.<br />
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If this is true, what tips can we possibly learn from a wig-wearing pastor who lived 300 years ago? Believe it or not, Jonathan Edwards might be able to teach us a thing or two about youth ministry. That’s because the strategies he implemented are based on timeless biblical truths and not just on recent trends of contemporary culture. Here are three things that we can learn from Edwards about youth ministry.<br />
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<b>Preach: both depravity and grace</b></div>
What adolescence would be complete without a bit of rebellion? In Edwards’ time, teenage rebellion reached new heights as a result of the Enlightenment. Many people defined the “self” according to inherent human goodness, assuming that we are somehow worthy of God’s love.<br />
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Edwards’ strategy was to bring young people back to a true understanding of the “self” that recognised its inherent sinfulness and need of saving grace. He pursued this through what became known as “terror preaching” which emphasised the fear of God and awareness of the horrors of sin. As harsh as his methods may seem to us today, Edwards always followed his “terror news” with the gospel message: salvation by the grace of God toward each individual. Through this strategy, he aimed not only to bring young people back under the moral authority of the church but also to the enjoyment of God.<br />
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While Edwards vehemently opposed the idea that humans are worthy of God’s love, he was not completely against an idea of self-love—but only in relation to God’s benevolence. For Edwards, self-love outside God’s grace is not only sinful but also illogical; for if not children of God, we are but utter sinners. Real self-love can only be grounded on God’s love towards his children.<br />
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Today we can imitate Edwards, not necessarily through constant “terror preaching”, but through the faithful preaching of biblical truths about human depravity and more importantly, God’s grace. As I observe, many young people in this generation sense that they can never be as high and lofty as the world says they are. And this realisation can bring them to the beauty of grace; that in Jesus, God loves them unconditionally not because of their glory but because of Christ’s.<br />
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<b>Discipleship: both head and heart</b></div>
During Edwards’ lifetime, the Great Awakening significantly affected young people but not always in godly ways. Those involved in the revivals emphasised an emotional religious experience which at times became disorderly and rebellious. They rejected rational preachers and sermons lacking emotional hype. Students rebelled against their tutors, children their parents and congregations their pastors.<br />
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Edwards embraced the revivals’ emphasis on the affections, while also prioritising biblical truth. He believed that God’s work in discipleship touched the whole soul—both the understanding and affections. Edwards may have judged the genuineness of a conversion by the convert’s subjective sense and enjoyment of God’s beauty. But this experience stemmed from the objective revelation of God’s word and itself produced objective fruit. Although he was open to subjective signs, “such as tears, trembling, groans, loud outcries, agonies of body, or the failing of bodily strength,” he also considered objective changes as signs of true conversion: reluctance to sin, greater love for Scripture, and love toward God and others.[1]<br />
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It is easy to see the impact of the Great Awakening on evangelicalism today. Pastors from more conservative backgrounds are often hesitant to embrace subjective experiences or emotionally-driven worship. However, the gospel penetrates the heart not only the mind, and the Holy Spirit enables us to worship God with a new heart. On the other hand, it is important not only to embrace subjective experiences of the Holy Spirit but also the objective fruit that He bears. This means that discipleship is crucial for youth ministry. It is not enough for us to serve teenagers a diet of emotional highs. They need the deep knowledge of God’s beauty found in his word that carries them through the ups and downs of the Christian life.<br />
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It is not enough for us to serve teenagers a diet of emotional highs. They need the deep knowledge of God’s beauty found in his word<br />
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<b>The Church: both children and adults</b></div>
In Edwards’ time, children were considered less capable of spiritual maturity than adults. But Edwards’ emphasis on the conversion of the whole soul—not the mind alone—made spiritual equality possible. Because of this conviction, he made it his mission to preach the Scriptures to children and young people in plain, accessible language.<br />
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Unlike his predecessors, he allowed repentant children and teenagers to partake in communion, treating them with the same respect as adults. He also designed sermons specifically addressed to children and young people. For example, Edwards preached a sermon titled “Children Ought to Love the Lord Jesus Christ Above All,” which was directed entirely to children, ages one to fourteen, with only a nod to the rest of the congregation.<br />
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Despite his insistence to treat young people as spiritual equals, Edwards also put them in their rightful place—that is, under the nurturing care of their parents. He always saw parental authority as a crucial cornerstone for youth spiritual development. He reminded parents that they were the means through which God brought their children into being, so if they cared about their children’s material fulfillment, they should care “infinitely more” about “the welfare of their souls”.[2]<br />
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Today, many parents and pastors are quick to offer their advice to young people. We love to say, “In my day…” Edwards teaches us to serve young people first by listening to them, their needs and feelings. Today’s youth feel excluded from the wider church family because of our focus on the spiritual discipleship of adults. We will do well to imitate Edwards by taking care of our youth, listening to them and presenting the gospel in a way that is accessible and relevant to them in the digital age. At the same time, we need to realise that as pastors and churches, we are merely partners with parents in the discipleship of their children.<br />
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Edwards may have lived over 300 years ago but his three-fold approach to youth ministry is relevant as ever. The sinfulness of humanity might not change but neither does the saving grace of God.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-38903108314164824102019-08-29T14:26:00.001-04:002019-08-29T14:26:34.320-04:00Perseverance in Pastoral Ministry:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It’s common wisdom among pastors that no important decision should be made on a Monday. Especially a Monday morning. The nature of pastoral work causes the Lord’s Day to be a day that typically requires a great expenditure of physical, emotional and spiritual energy for a man who gives himself to regular pastoral preaching. Standing before a church that is gathered together with unbelievers, knowing that they expect and need to hear the Word of God accurately and helpfully proclaimed is a weighty responsibility. Preaching is spiritual warfare and it is a rare Lord’s Day that I do not go home painfully aware of the attacks of our enemy that have come before, during and after my efforts in preaching. I suspect that most preachers know something of what I am talking about.<br />
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The result is that most pastors are not at their fighting best on Mondays. I have probably resigned my pastorate a hundred times in my mind…on Mondays. Fortunately, it only takes a little experience to recognize this pattern and to guard against putting too much stock in Monday-morning contemplations of life-decisions.<br />
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But trying to decide whether to stay or to leave at other times can be just as emotionally and spiritually taxing on a pastor–especially during times of conflict in the church. When the conflict in any way centers on him, the trial is compounded all-the-more. It is not unusual from time-to-time for there to be people in the church who want the pastor to leave. Perhaps as a result of a difference of opinion or a doctrinal disagreement, although too often the reasons are not nearly that noble.<br />
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While no one can authoritatively say that it is never right for a pastor to leave a church as a result of opposition, my own opinion is that too many pastors tend to leave too quickly when tensions arise in among the congregation. I understand the temptation and even the rationale that often enters into the pastor’s thinking. “I don’t want the church to be split.” “I don’t want to be the cause of such fighting.” “If I leave, then fewer people will be hurt.” These and other motives can be humble and testimony to great love for the people.<br />
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However, if the issues at stake are not moral or doctrinal—that is, if the pastor is not guilty of violating his pastoral vows—then the fact that the Lord called him to serve the church for that particular time should also weigh heavily on any decision that he might take. In fact, I believe that it is extremely valuable, if not essential, for a pastor to accept a call to serve a church with a willingness and desire to spend his life in that place. This is not to say that the Lord will never move him to another place, but such an attitude will always put the burden of proof on the move. And controversy in and of itself, is rarely a sufficient reason for a pastor to move on.<br />
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When Paul told to the Corinthians that he was planning to stay in Ephesus a while, he explained it like this: “for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). He gave them two reasons. He had a wide open door for ministry there. And he had many adversaries there. It seems that Paul was of the mind that God’s ministers should be willing to “ride toward the sound of the guns.”<br />
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Again, I do not want to suggest that a man should never leave his church nor that he should never leave during times of controversy. But the burden of proof should be on side that says, “go.”<br />
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I love the spirit that Charles Spurgeon had about this in his own life and ministry. He once expressed his intentions stay to his church during a worship service at the Metropolitan Tabernacle.<br />
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I do not think that anything but death would get me to go away from this spot. I hardly agree with ministers, when they get beaten, showing the white feather, and resigning their charge. I feel that I am captain of a vessel; and if there should be a Jonah in the ship, I shall, as gently and in as Christian a spirit as possible, pitch him out; I shall not think, because Jonah is there, that therefore I ought to leave, but I will stand by the ship in ill weather as well as in sunshine.<br />
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I love his pastoral resolve. No doubt it comforted the church as much as it troubled the would-be “Jonahs” among the congregation. Such determination is essential for persevering in pastoral ministry. And often it is only by persevering through severe trials that divine blessings come to rest on a pastor’s labors.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-5185941502850864712019-08-29T14:10:00.001-04:002019-08-29T14:10:28.063-04:00Are Mormons Heretics?:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The young man shifted nervously on my doorstep, his cheerful face belying his anxiety. He wore the customary white short-sleeved shirt and black tie and carried a backpack. He had just knocked on my door and just discovered that I was a pastor.<br />
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“Oh good!” he said. “It’s always great to meet fellow Christians.”<br />
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He was a young man on his requisite mission, the rite of passage of sorts for the LDS Church.<br />
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This is new, I thought. I had not heard Mormons call themselves Christians before.<br />
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“Why do you call yourself a Christian?” I asked.<br />
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“Because we follow Jesus Christ, the son of the heavenly Father.”<br />
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“Have any of the Mormon beliefs changed in the last several years?”<br />
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“No,” he said, “not really.”<br />
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“Then I don’t think you’re any more Christian than you used to be.”<br />
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“Well, we believe the same things other Christians believe.”<br />
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He began to list out some bullet points of the Christian faith, things nearly every evangelical would agree with—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are all real persons, for instance. That Jesus died on the cross to atone for sins and rose again and ascended to heaven.<br />
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For a moment, I was sort of shocked. Maybe things actually were changing in the Mormon church. The desire to be considered evangelical seemed new, but maybe it brought with it some theological reforms, as in the apparent turnaround in the formerly heterodox Worldwide Church of God.<br />
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You may be inclined to think so too. Today in the evangelical marketplace, Mormon figures sometimes play subtle yet significant roles. Christians share videos of Mormon singers and teaching on social media. Mormon families participate in local Christian organizations (there are several Mormon kids in the “Christian youth theater” with which my daughter used to perform shows). And many Mormons, of course, stand side by side with Roman Catholics and evangelical Protestants in opposing many social ills like abortion and pornography, etc.<br />
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The push to be considered evangelical is a real push. But it comes at the cost of some doctrinal obfuscation. So are Mormons becoming evangelical Christians? What do we make of those sweet folks across the street with the awesome kids and neighborly spirit? If anybody is a Christian, wouldn’t they be?<br />
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I decided to go deeper with my LDS visitor, asking him pointed questions about distinct beliefs that have historically defined evangelical Christianity. Here are significant things Mormons have always and still believe:<br />
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<b>1. Jesus isn’t God.</b><br />
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Mormons call Jesus the Son of God and say lots of things about him that the Bible says – that he was born of a virgin, that he died to atone for sins and rose again, etc. – but they also say he is a created being, directly contradicting biblical orthodoxy. They also say that he “inherited divine powers” from the Father. Mormons deny the historically Christian teaching that Jesus Christ is equal with the Father in essence and substance. On that note . . .<br />
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<b>2. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit aren’t equally one God.</b><br />
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Mormons affirm a conception of the Trinity – what they typically call the Godhead, interestingly enough – but deny the traditional understanding of God’s triune nature. They say that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share one purpose or will but do not share the same essence or substance. They say the three persons of the trinity are “separate personages” that share divine attributes, but deny that they are co-equally and simultaneously distinct persons who are together one God. Mormons believe God literally birthed the “spirit-children” Jesus and the Holy Spirit.<br />
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<b>3. God was created.</b><br />
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You have to dig a bit deeper into their doctrine to get to some of the stuff they don’t widely publicize, like this key teaching for instance: the God we worship as our heavenly Father is not an eternal, uncreated being. Mormons believe God was once a man of flesh and blood, a created being, who ascended to divinity. Joseph Smith taught that there was even a “God” above the God we know as God the Father, who created the man who eventually became the God we know as Father. This is obviously in direct opposition to historical Christian orthodoxy, which affirms the Bible’s claim that there is no God but God and that before anything else ever existed, the great I AM existed.<br />
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<b>4. Christ’s atonement redeems everyone and grace is a reward for those who obey him.</b><br />
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In a kind of strange two-part confusion about Christ’s atoning work on the cross, Mormons believe in a kind of universalism in which everyone who dies will be “saved” by Christ’s work, although they do teach that there are also four different eternal destinies for resurrected persons—godhood for faithful Mormons, a kind of lower heaven for unfaithful Mormons and people who only accept God after they die, a temporary place of suffering for wicked people who reject Mormonism, and an eternal place of suffering for the devil and people who received the Holy Spirit but then denied it. If you find that difficult to follow, you should consider what they teach about salvation. Mormons superficially affirm salvation by grace but how they define grace (and faith) muddles the biblical and evangelical understanding. 2 Nephi 25 (in the Book of Mormon) says that “we are saved by grace, after all we can do.”<br />
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In other words, for the Mormon, grace is a reward for faithful effort. For the biblical Christian, however, grace that is deserved is not grace at all. Grace is given to the undeserving, those who could never earn God’s favor or rewards. Grace empowers faithful obedience, yes, but grace also precedes it. Mormons get the gospel/law distinction wrong.<br />
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There are other interesting departures from orthodoxy to be found in LDS teaching—what they believe about the Bible and ongoing revelation, what they believe about pre-existing human beings, about Jesus coming to North America to minister to the Native Americans, etc.—and lots of questions to suss out about Mormonism’s prophetic and historiographical claims. (The historical record is not kind to the former, when you begin to honestly appraise the character of Joseph Smith in particular, and the archaeological record is not kind to the latter.) But the bottom line is that on four very key points of Christian orthodoxy, Mormonism utterly fails the test.<br />
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After I quizzed my new missionary friend on these key tenets and finding that we believed some very, very different things about them, he still wasn't willing to admit Mormonism should not be considered Christianity in any theologically meaningful sense of the word. He wanted to call his companion (who was stationed at the front porch of the house next door) for backup. I encouraged him to do so. Because I knew if these Mormons were to be considered Christian, they'd need to believe the biblical gospel, and I was eager to share it with them both.<br />
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I know too many Christians are prone to throwing around the "heresy" word in a willy-nilly fashion at anyone who disagrees with them. Preachers who talk about social justice or have rock-and-roll worship on stage are called "heretics." But the word has an historical legitimacy. It does apply to some beliefs that depart from the faith once delivered. And the historical record of creeds and councils of the Christian church is clear, as is the word of God from which they are deriving their theological guardrails: if you deny the traditional doctrines of the deity of Christ and of the triune Godhead and mess with salvation by grace, you are indeed a heretic.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-65263057395497188972019-08-18T20:46:00.001-04:002019-08-18T20:46:44.883-04:00Love Your Wife:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 data-linkify="true" id="ten-christlike-loves" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 33.75px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ten Christlike Loves<div class="linkified-heading active" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -41.5px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#ten-christlike-loves" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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As I have scoured the Scriptures, year after year, looking for ways that Jesus loves the church, ways that he calls me to echo his love for me in my love for my wife, I have found ten great loves. As a husband, God calls you to love your wife like Jesus loves her, so meditate on his deep, complex, and unparalleled love.</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="1-stubborn-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. Stubborn Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#1-stubborn-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus won’t ever leave his bride. He says to her, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matt 28.20" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2028.20" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Matthew 28:20</a>). His love for your wife is based not on her performance, but on his covenant love for her. When we keep our marriage covenants through all of the challenges and changes over years of married life, we reflect his kind of stubborn, delight-filled love. May our wives know the comfort of love that says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Heb 13.5" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2013.5" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:5</a>).</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="2-hopeful-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. Hopeful Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#2-hopeful-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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When Jesus looks at your bride, he sees her as already sanctified. This hope is anchored in the power and promise of the gospel. Paul writes to believers, “You were washed, you <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">were</span> sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Cor 6.11" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%206.11" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:11</a>). In fact, he sees her not only as already sanctified, but as already glorified (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 8.30" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%208.30" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Romans 8:30</a>). How often would your wife say that your love for her “hopes all things” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Cor 13.7" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%2013.7" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:7</a>)? By keeping eternity in mind, you can have patience with your wife, just as Jesus does with her — and you.</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="3-pursuing-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. Pursuing Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#3-pursuing-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus never takes a break from pursuing your wife’s heart, not romantically but persistently. In fact, he cares not only about her devotion, but also her affection (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Ps 37.4" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2037.4" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 37:4</a>). He is the tireless Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to seek after the one (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Luke 15.4–7" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2015.4%E2%80%937" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Luke 15:4–7</a>). In a similar way, God is glorified when a husband continually seeks a deeper relationship with his wife. A husband who has been captured by Jesus’s love is an incurable romantic toward his wife.</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="4-forgiving-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
4. Forgiving Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#4-forgiving-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus gives your wife grace when she doesn’t deserve it. It may be that the most Christlike thing you can do is offer your wife forgiveness on a daily basis, remembering that you too are in need of forgiveness. The picture of forgiving love that every husband should seek to emulate is Jesus making breakfast for Peter, who had sinned against him, denying him three times at his crucifixion (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="John 21.12–15" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2021.12%E2%80%9315" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">John 21:12–15</a>). Is it you or your wife who is usually the first to begin to move toward reconciliation when it’s needed? </div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="5-joyful-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
5. Joyful Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#5-joyful-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus doesn’t just put up with your wife or grudgingly but persistently love her — Jesus <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">loves</span> to love her. He delights to be with his bride. He receives joy by giving us joy (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Heb 12.2" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2012.2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:2</a>). Wives who are loved this deeply, who know their husbands love to love them, are often an even greater blessing to others. Love your wife so joyfully that it’s obvious to her and others.</div>
<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Merriweather Web", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 22.4px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px;">6. Serving Love</span></div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="6-serving-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#6-serving-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus served her in life and death. There is nothing — <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">nothing</span> — that God can call you to do for your wife that would be too much! Jesus “gave himself up for her” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Eph 5.25" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.25" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:25</a>). Many husbands think of themselves as kings to be served, but you and I are called by God to be the chief servants in our homes. The way to Christlikeness in our marriages is through joining Jesus in taking up the towel and the basin (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="John 13.12–17" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2013.12%E2%80%9317" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">John 13:12–17</a>).</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="7-sanctifying-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
7. Sanctifying Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#7-sanctifying-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus loves your wife by helping her to grow in holiness and by being her advocate before the Father (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 John 2.1" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%202.1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 John 2:1</a>). Do you encourage your wife to go to Bible study, even if it means you have to care for the kids by yourself for the evening? Do you regularly bring your wife before the Father in prayer? Work hard to help your wife blossom spiritually.</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="8-leading-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
8. Leading Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#8-leading-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus leads us to what is good for us. Jesus not only loves your wife with a leading rather than a passive love, but he also leads her toward what is good (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Ps 23.2" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2023.2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 23:2</a>). It is impossible to lead our wives spiritually if we ourselves are not being led by God through the word and prayer. One way you can lead her well is by seeking her input and then making big decisions (and accepting the consequences), rather than allowing the decisions and consequences to fall to her.</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="9-providing-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
9. Providing Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#9-providing-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus provides your wife with all that she needs. Do you notice your wife’s needs, even beyond physical provision, and do something about it? Christ nourishes her, providing an environment for growth and flourishing. The apostle Paul explains to us that “in the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Eph 5.28" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.28" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:28</a>). It made a marked difference in my marriage when I realized that it was my responsibility to do what I could to fill my wife’s sails.</div>
<h3 data-linkify="true" id="10-knowing-love" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Balto Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.19499999284744263px; line-height: 30.360000610351563px; margin: 2em auto 0.8em; max-width: 700px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
10. Knowing Love<div class="linkified-heading" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: -40px 0px 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px; position: absolute; right: 345px; transition: all 75ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-wife-like-jesus-loves-her#10-knowing-love" style="align-items: center; background-color: #333333; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px; color: white; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 50px; justify-content: center; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; width: 50px;"><svg height="20px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 20 20" width="20px" xmlns:sketch="http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch/ns" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" sketch:type="MSPage" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#ffffff" sketch:type="MSArtboardGroup"><path d="M1,7 L1,14 L2,14 L9,14 L9,12 L8,12 L8,13 L2,13 L2,8 L8,8 L8,9 L9,9 L9,7 L1,7 L1,7 Z M19,7 L19,14 L18,14 L11,14 L11,12 L12,12 L12,13 L18,13 L18,8 L12,8 L12,9 L11,9 L11,7 L19,7 L19,7 Z M6,11 L14,11 L14,10 L6,10 L6,11 L6,11 Z" sketch:type="MSShapeGroup"></path></g></g></svg></a></div>
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Jesus knows your wife better than she knows herself. He has an informed love for her. He knows her strengths, her weaknesses, and he acts on her behalf (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Eph 5.29–30" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.29%E2%80%9330" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:29–30</a>). While we will never know our wives like God knows them, he wants us to know them as well as we can. Our prayers for them will always be hindered if we fail to know them (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Pet 3.7" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%203.7" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: all; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Peter 3:7</a>). Our wives know they are cherished when we make an effort to really know them.</div>
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tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-7422346847443646482019-08-15T10:19:00.003-04:002019-08-15T10:19:52.247-04:00Beware of Sin:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Don’t coddle it.<br />
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Don’t tell your conscience, “It’s not that big of a deal. Confessing it openly is turning something small into something major.”<br />
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Don’t tell yourself, “I’ve got this under control. I’ll simply stop; no need to confess.”<br />
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Don’t tell yourself, “They don’t need an apology, that’s too dramatic.”<br />
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Don’t tell yourself, “OK, from this moment on, I’ll be real and thorough; the next time I commit this sin I’ll confess.”<br />
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This bargaining will not do, and it betrays a view of sin that is far too naïve and a view of God that is far too tame. That unconfessed sin is what lies between you and the joy of fully wrapping your arms around the gospel you know to be true.<br />
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Many of us find ourselves in spiritual ruts. You may feel a complete lack of zeal for the things of God that once marked your Christian life. Among the plethora of possible reasons that one finds oneself in a season of spiritual dryness, unconfessed sin is often the culprit.I will not presume to tell every rut-constrained Christian how to climb out of the pit to feel the warm rays of God’s presence on your face again. It’s not so simple as that.<br />
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But, I can promise you this: there is no climbing out for the one who refuses to let go habitual, unconfessed sin. You can try as hard as you may, clawing at the mud and gravel and tree roots with a free hand—as long as the other hand clutches onto that sin, the ditch is your home. You can’t have both. You can protect your image and refuse to confess your sins openly if you wish, but it comes at the cost of deep and abiding communion with God. That is what you have to sacrifice on the altar of pride in order to “save face.”<br />
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Not only that, but unconfessed sin will not behave itself or content itself with the margins of your life. We cannot tame unconfessed sin, and we’re fools for thinking we can. Like a blackhole, it will suck every bit of you into nothingness until there is nothing left. All too often, we believe the lie that the damage of confessing sin will be greater than simply trying to keep it under control; as if we have any ability whatsoever to control its blast radius to only hurt a “small part of our souls.” What lunacy!<br />
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To change the metaphor in a slightly more gross direction, unconfessed sin resembles the properties of a leech: rather than shrinking overtime or simply “going away,” it gets fatter and deadlier. Our lifeblood is its food—the one diminishes as the other grows. The Puritan pastor, Ralph Venning, said it well when he said, “To be merciful to sin is to be cruel to yourself; to save the one alive is to put the other to death. Therefore do not spare it, but repent unfeignedly from the bottom of your heart.”[1] Don’t soften the blow of conviction you receive when you read God’s word and feel convicted—when the Law acts as a mirror to show you all of your blemishes and stains. Don’t look away. Take note of what you see: those sins are the sins you grieve over and confess to God in prayer. Those are the ones the Son of God took on flesh to deal with. Let him.<br />
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“For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:13-14).<br />
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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2323093976624352000.post-23584297353928042652019-08-15T10:16:00.004-04:002019-08-15T10:16:59.545-04:005 Resolutions for Pastoral Ministry:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Around the age of nineteen, perhaps the greatest American theologian who has ever lived began recording what would eventually amount to seventy resolutions that would define the rest of his ministerial career. Indeed, the “Resolutions” of Jonathan Edwards are among the most intrepid personal intentions ever written and were merely the prologue to Edwards’ future foray into doctrinal and ecclesiastical writing. Though I will never equate the theological prowess or eloquence Edwards displays throughout his evangelistic life, I am, nonetheless, determined to resolve myself to the Lord’s Spirit and grace for the duration of my ministry. As I embark upon the calling to which God has given me, I am, therefore, personally proposing and publicly proclaiming the following resolutions, which, under the grace and faithfulness of God, I hope to maintain and execute for the sake of his name.<br />
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<b>I resolve to zealously resist the temptation to resort to a gimmicky presentation of God’s good news</b>.<br />
There are a lot of aphoristic sermons tendered nowadays that do nothing but demean and debase “the glorious gospel of the blessed God,” with which the church is entrusted. (1 Tim. 1:11) By diminishing the glory and grandeur of God’s news of deliverance with a mawkish and saccharine approximation of its implications, the gospel is robbed of its severity and urgency. It is no light matter to preach God’s Word. There is no occasion in the pulpit for cutesy presentations of the only news that can rescue men’s souls. Scottish divine Patrick Fairbairn, in his Pastoral Theology, asserts that the pastoral office “has to do with the oversight and care of souls” (39). Everlasting life is at stake. This does not mean that the delivery of sermons must be inundated with verbose exposition and pietistic jargon. However, it does mean that I am not at liberty to play with the message of redemption and reconciliation through Jesus’s blood by being cute or quaint or pithy in its proclamation when the eternity’s of men and women are in the balance.<br />
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<b>I resolve to intentionally construct my ministry on the metrics of grace, which are difficult, impossible even, to measure, but are nonetheless the grounds for all true and lasting spiritual and ministerial growth</b>.<br />
Coupled with the syrupy presentations of the gospel is the felt need to “bulk up the numbers” of those attending church each week. Laconic preaching and blatant marketing hold hands to lead many into the shallows of biblical discipleship and have them stay there. In a growing number of venues, the church service has become a production — and I’m not even referring to the Hillsong-Bethel-entertainment-style of production. There is a burgeoning pastoral sense that every weekend at church has to be memorable, has to be experienced, has to be sold. I get the feeling that many ministers across these United States have been misled into believing that the “old pathways” of “sound doctrine” aren’t good enough to build a church around, especially if you want to not only attract but keep the millennial visitors. Glancing at the modern landscape of church growth philosophy and church-planting methodology would likely make you believe that in order to grow your church, you should operate all its functions more businesslike. However, the longer you run your church like a business, the sooner you will find yourself running a business and not a church. Policies and procedures are good to have; an attitude of excellence should, indeed, define all the activities the church governs. But God’s rubric for ministry efficiency doesn’t always follow our affinity for metrics. This is precisely because the metrics of grace aren’t always seen, they’re felt — which makes them terribly hard to quantify.<br />
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<b>I resolve to determinately fight the urge to define the success or failure of my ministry on the amount of congregants or “Amens” in each service</b>.<br />
I pray that my soul would not be so fickle as to rely on man’s acclaim or applause or attendance as validation of my ministerial efforts. There is, perhaps, no more slippery or more seductive slope on which a minister can find himself than that of chasing the approval of his peers and identifying the quality of his ministry on the measure of his influence. Preachers are no more immune than anyone else to the fallacy of equating one’s identity with accomplishments. A pastor can all too easily succumb to the deceptive and degenerative behavior of quantifying his worth on the scale of his achievements. Ministers, young ones especially, quickly drown themselves in schedules and calendars and meetings and appointments all in the pursuit of making sure their résumé of doing bolsters their identity. But Jesus preaches a different message. In him, I am made to see that the significance of my life has no bearing on who I am. In the final analysis, the only title that carries weight in the courtroom of identity is not the one I make for myself but is the one that’s given to me by Christ himself. Jared Wilson, nearly echoing Dr. Fairbairn, writes in The Prodigal Church that “pastoral ministry is about souls, not stats.” As a minister of the gospel, I am not called to please people, usher in a realized utopia, or fix everyone’s lives. (Gal. 1:10) I am called to point people to their only true salvation in the bloodied hands and side of the Savior. My commission is to “hold on to the pattern of sound teaching” and “guard the good deposit” (2 Tim. 1:13–14) regardless of the results. And though I will struggle and strive for the sake of the gospel with my life, God is always sovereign over the results. (1 Cor. 15:10) The fruits are in his hands. Though my flesh might desire to incessantly look at the numbers and the stats to ensure I’m getting a good ROI on my ministry investment, it is the grace of God alone that precisely liberates me from worrying and stressing over the outcomes, giving me the ability to be faithful in the moment. The energy I expel for the sake of the gospel is reward enough in itself.<br />
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<b>I resolve to stubbornly exposit the Scriptures with an ethic of the gospel in which the sinner is utterly exposed and the Savior is forever exalted</b>.<br />
As not only a believer of the Word but a student of its message, and a student of the art of proclaiming its truth, I affirm the seminal need for the right interpretation and propagation of “sound doctrine.” That is, it is undeniably necessary for the passion and death of the Lord Jesus to be the sum and substance of every sermon — for it is in that passion and death that all life, hope, and peace are found. To uphold the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as exceedingly expedient and necessary is to exalt all that encompasses the name of the Lord Jesus, the one who “will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) He is the reason. The rationale for laboring after the work of the ministry is found in Jesus’s scars. The lashes which heal are those that support, sustain, and strengthen also. (Isa. 53:5) If I am not speaking the words of Jesus’s life and death then I am merely wasting everyone’s time. I’m giving them platitudes that can be heard elsewhere, and probably more eloquently and professionally at that.<br />
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<b>I resolve to faithfully and fervently unfold the Word of Jesus’s pardon for sinners because sinners are all that there are. And I am chief among them</b>. (1 Tim. 1:15)<br />
I cannot lose sight of who I am amid all the biblical and theological vocabulary I intake. At the end of the day, notwithstanding the doctrinal insights I have made, I am still just as desperate as everyone else, perhaps even more so, for the glad tidings of God’s deliverance. I am such a sinner who has been exposed and who, indeed, is in dire need for the grace which he himself tenders. The passionate proclamation of God’s message of redemption only results from a heart that is cognizant of his own need for redemption. As Paul Tripp writes in his book, Dangerous Calling, “You simply cannot be a good ambassador of the grace of the King without recognizing your need for the King in your own life. Public ministry is meant to be fueled and propelled by private devotion.” (197) It is, therefore, unequivocally necessary that I never forget who I am: a sinner saved by grace. I am my own most desperate congregation. And so it is that in every venue, regardless of audience, my aim ought to be to exalt the bloodied God by whose stripes I am healed, I am exonerated, I am saved.<br />
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I am not naïve enough or brash enough to believe that the foregoing resolutions will be executed in their entirety at all times. I know my heart and I know for certain that I will break these intentions at some point. I pray to God along with the psalmist, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant.” (Ps. 119:176) I pray for God’s Spirit to empower and embolden me to live in them longer than those made at the turn of every new year. It is my chiefest desire to resolve my life to these ends, that the power of Christ may rest upon me and flow through me, and shine onto those around me.</div>
tewelchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03298965400878514807noreply@blogger.com0