The central theme of Scripture is God’s redemptive purposes through Jesus Christ. From Gen. 3:15 through the end of Revelation the theme is Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament the promise of Jesus Christ was made. In the New Testament the promise of Jesus Christ was kept. In this sense all of the scriptures are Christian in that they speak of the centrality of Christ.
The primary purpose of Christ was not to give us purpose, self-esteem, or success in life. His primary purpose was to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God. This He did by a taking upon himself flesh, by living a sinless life we could not live, by dying a vicarious death in our place, by rising from the dead for our justification, by ascending to the Father to plead our case in the court of heaven, and with the Father, by sending the Holy Spirit to bring us to salvation by grace, through faith, in Christ, alone!
John Calvin once said, “We must be careful not to look for Him anywhere else, for apart from Christ whatever offers itself to us in the name of God will turn out to be an idol.”
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Our Only Foundation
Sola Scriptura has been called the “formal principle” of the Reformation. At the heart of the Reformation was the issue of authority; or, to be more specific the issue of final authority. While both Church and creed carry with them a measure of secondary authority, for the Reformers the Word of God alone was the “only rule of faith and practice” for the Christian.
After being convinced by Holy Scripture that popes, councils, and creeds do error, Luther posited the radical conviction that only the Word of God alone was without error and was the final authority on all matters on which it speaks. Charged with heresy and threatened with death, Luther stood before the ultimate “powers that be” of his day to defend his conviction that the Bible had led him to doctrinal positions contrary to the Church at Rome. When commanded to recant his convictions and doctrines Luther said,
“Unless I am convinced of error by the testimony of Scripture or by manifest reasoning I stand convicted by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God’s word. I cannot or will not recant anything. For to act against conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us.”
So strong was the Protestant conviction of the necessity of the Bible that many died in defense of the doctrine of sola Scriptura. We forget the human cost that gives us the privilege of holding in our hands an English Bible that we might hear the voice of God as we read, pray and preach the Word of God.
One of those martyrs was William Tyndale whose passion to translate the scriptures into English led him into direct opposition with Rome. In response to a challenge to the supremacy of God’s Word over both pope and church, Tyndale said, “I defy the Pope, and all his laws, and if God spares my life, I will cause the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope himself!" Charged with heresy in 1536 and sentenced to die it was recorded that as Tyndale faced death "at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice", he said "Lord! Open the King of England's eyes." He "was strangled to death while tied at the stake, and then his dead body was burned". Tyndale was martyred for the Word of God. Where is our zeal, our commitment to the Word of God in our generation?
After being convinced by Holy Scripture that popes, councils, and creeds do error, Luther posited the radical conviction that only the Word of God alone was without error and was the final authority on all matters on which it speaks. Charged with heresy and threatened with death, Luther stood before the ultimate “powers that be” of his day to defend his conviction that the Bible had led him to doctrinal positions contrary to the Church at Rome. When commanded to recant his convictions and doctrines Luther said,
“Unless I am convinced of error by the testimony of Scripture or by manifest reasoning I stand convicted by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God’s word. I cannot or will not recant anything. For to act against conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us.”
So strong was the Protestant conviction of the necessity of the Bible that many died in defense of the doctrine of sola Scriptura. We forget the human cost that gives us the privilege of holding in our hands an English Bible that we might hear the voice of God as we read, pray and preach the Word of God.
One of those martyrs was William Tyndale whose passion to translate the scriptures into English led him into direct opposition with Rome. In response to a challenge to the supremacy of God’s Word over both pope and church, Tyndale said, “I defy the Pope, and all his laws, and if God spares my life, I will cause the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope himself!" Charged with heresy in 1536 and sentenced to die it was recorded that as Tyndale faced death "at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice", he said "Lord! Open the King of England's eyes." He "was strangled to death while tied at the stake, and then his dead body was burned". Tyndale was martyred for the Word of God. Where is our zeal, our commitment to the Word of God in our generation?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Covenant Way: Provision, Protection and Instruction
In the mythical town of Lake Wobegon, “the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.” These are not the proper designations for the Christian family. In the world of Christian discipleship the men are faithful, women are godly, and the children are “the heritage of the Lord.” Consequently, the Christian man cannot be the self-centered narcissist of Lake Wobegon or of popular culture and be the man of God. The faithful man of God understands his duty to provide for the needs of his family, protect them from harm, and instruct in righteousness those under his care.
The Christian man feeds his family before himself; the Christian man places himself in harm’s way to shield those he loves; the Christian man teaches the Word of God. Too often men feel that if they are willing to provide and protect they are doing reasonably well. After all two out of three isn’t bad. But this begs the question, “If the man fails to instruct in righteousness is he fully providing for and protecting his family?”
To paraphrase R. C. Sproul, the thing that is going to cause our people to perish is not the strength of popular culture, or public education, or the decline of the American civilization, but what will cause the collapse of our families and churches is ignorance of the Word of God!
The greater duty for the Christian man is to provide for more than “the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (Jn. 6:27). The Christian husband and father protects against “this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places” by taking up the whole armor of God – truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph. 6). The Christian man must do more than put food on the table and warn his children not to play in the street.
Men of God take heed – “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isa. 66:2
The Christian man feeds his family before himself; the Christian man places himself in harm’s way to shield those he loves; the Christian man teaches the Word of God. Too often men feel that if they are willing to provide and protect they are doing reasonably well. After all two out of three isn’t bad. But this begs the question, “If the man fails to instruct in righteousness is he fully providing for and protecting his family?”
To paraphrase R. C. Sproul, the thing that is going to cause our people to perish is not the strength of popular culture, or public education, or the decline of the American civilization, but what will cause the collapse of our families and churches is ignorance of the Word of God!
The greater duty for the Christian man is to provide for more than “the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (Jn. 6:27). The Christian husband and father protects against “this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places” by taking up the whole armor of God – truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph. 6). The Christian man must do more than put food on the table and warn his children not to play in the street.
Men of God take heed – “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isa. 66:2
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
An Objective Faith
Most of American religious life encourages people to look for God within themselves; to go deeper inside until they find that experience that satisfies. When you find that subjective thing deep down inside that scratches whatever spiritual itch one may have – you have found God! This is not just the mantra of a New Age guru, it is increasingly the message of American evangelicalism. Finding that “personal relationship with God” or “making Jesus Lord of your life” has become the task of the believer on his or her spiritual journey. Two things are wrongs with this scenario – 1. Everyone already has a personal relationship with God, and 2. God has already made “this Jesus whom you crucified,” as Peter preached on Pentecost, “both Lord and Christ.”
There are only two kinds of people – those “in Adam” and those “in Christ.” Both kinds of people have a very “personal” relationship with God. Those created by God of Adam’s fallen race know Him in judgment and wrath. Those re-created by God through Christ know Him as Lord and Savior in Jesus. The people “in Christ” did not find Him within themselves. It was God in Christ who came to them, in time, in history, in flesh, on the cross, to die for their sins and be raised again for their justification; it was God who condescended to sinners to save them from the outside in by the preaching, hearing, and believing of the Gospel of God. The “Good News” is a message of what God has done to satisfy His own justice by pouring the full measure of judgment and wrath on Jesus in order to save those who were enemies and haters of God dead in trespasses and sin. To paraphrase Luther, the Gospel is outside of us!
Therefore, when you come to worship on the Lord’s Day your hope will not be found within you, within your heart or experience. The hope of the Christian on the Lord’s Day is found in objective faith in Christ through “ordinary means” apart from ourselves. Christ is our worship leader through Word and Sacrament; He speaks through ink, paper, water, bread and wine; “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone . . .” our high priest forever. Our Righteousness is in heaven!
There are only two kinds of people – those “in Adam” and those “in Christ.” Both kinds of people have a very “personal” relationship with God. Those created by God of Adam’s fallen race know Him in judgment and wrath. Those re-created by God through Christ know Him as Lord and Savior in Jesus. The people “in Christ” did not find Him within themselves. It was God in Christ who came to them, in time, in history, in flesh, on the cross, to die for their sins and be raised again for their justification; it was God who condescended to sinners to save them from the outside in by the preaching, hearing, and believing of the Gospel of God. The “Good News” is a message of what God has done to satisfy His own justice by pouring the full measure of judgment and wrath on Jesus in order to save those who were enemies and haters of God dead in trespasses and sin. To paraphrase Luther, the Gospel is outside of us!
Therefore, when you come to worship on the Lord’s Day your hope will not be found within you, within your heart or experience. The hope of the Christian on the Lord’s Day is found in objective faith in Christ through “ordinary means” apart from ourselves. Christ is our worship leader through Word and Sacrament; He speaks through ink, paper, water, bread and wine; “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone . . .” our high priest forever. Our Righteousness is in heaven!
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Covenant Way: Reforming The Christian Family
Consider the family life of this generation. When you can find the intact family with a dad, a mom and children, you often discover both parents working outside the home with demanding work schedules and precious little time for each other, the children, or God. For single parent homes it’s even more challenging. What’s a parent to do?
Parents work hard to provide the necessities of shelter, food and clothing. Most fathers and mothers cannot imagine doing much more, so they convince themselves that “quality” time with the family is more important than “quantity” time. To fill the parenting void, parents seek out other people and programs in an effort to give their kids a quality education, good personal character, and meaningful achievement. This, of course, justifies working harder to pay others to do what God ordained the family to do.
Why not take advantage of public schools, non-profit organizations, and community activities designed with children in mind? In fact, why not find a church that will take the kids off your hands for a couple hours a week so both dad and mom can have a meaningful worship experience while the children color Bible figures, enjoy a puppet show, and eat snacks? This is simply not God’s best for you or your family.
This is not to say that to take advantage of a community sports program, an artistic learning experience, or even belonging to good social organization is wrong. It is not. But these things cannot take the place of godly fathers and mothers as the primary care-givers and spiritual leaders in the lives of their children. The covenant family united to a larger covenant church family is God's best for us and our children.
Consider these things:
1. Who spends the most time with your children?
2. Who is the primary teacher of spiritual things to your children?
3. Where and how do your children spend their leisure time?
4. What are your children involved in apart from you that you know is your responsibility?
What were the answers to these questions? Who is at the center of your children’s lives? The problems of family are easily diagnosed but difficult to cure. We get accustom to those ways that make life easier for us but are not better for the heritage of God under our care as fathers and mothers. Pray diligently for God to give you the faithfulness to do your duty as covenant parents to His covenant children.
There will be no 2nd Reformation of the Church without a new Reformation of the family.
Parents work hard to provide the necessities of shelter, food and clothing. Most fathers and mothers cannot imagine doing much more, so they convince themselves that “quality” time with the family is more important than “quantity” time. To fill the parenting void, parents seek out other people and programs in an effort to give their kids a quality education, good personal character, and meaningful achievement. This, of course, justifies working harder to pay others to do what God ordained the family to do.
Why not take advantage of public schools, non-profit organizations, and community activities designed with children in mind? In fact, why not find a church that will take the kids off your hands for a couple hours a week so both dad and mom can have a meaningful worship experience while the children color Bible figures, enjoy a puppet show, and eat snacks? This is simply not God’s best for you or your family.
This is not to say that to take advantage of a community sports program, an artistic learning experience, or even belonging to good social organization is wrong. It is not. But these things cannot take the place of godly fathers and mothers as the primary care-givers and spiritual leaders in the lives of their children. The covenant family united to a larger covenant church family is God's best for us and our children.
Consider these things:
1. Who spends the most time with your children?
2. Who is the primary teacher of spiritual things to your children?
3. Where and how do your children spend their leisure time?
4. What are your children involved in apart from you that you know is your responsibility?
What were the answers to these questions? Who is at the center of your children’s lives? The problems of family are easily diagnosed but difficult to cure. We get accustom to those ways that make life easier for us but are not better for the heritage of God under our care as fathers and mothers. Pray diligently for God to give you the faithfulness to do your duty as covenant parents to His covenant children.
There will be no 2nd Reformation of the Church without a new Reformation of the family.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thoughts On The Church
Most people I know don’t love the Church. I’m speaking of people who love God and who love some people, but they don’t love the Church. Many feel this way because of past hurts, broken promises, and unfulfilled expectations. Frankly, this side of heaven we should learned to expect that people will fail God; that some people if I given the chance will walk all over our hearts again and again. Yet, we are called to love those who Jesus died for, we are called to fellowship with some people we may not even like, we are called to worship every Lord’s Day with the corporate Body of Christ, and we are called to do it all, faithfully, and with a right heart, because of Jesus!
I once heard a preacher say, “I love the Church. Its people I can’t stand.” Too bad! God didn’t gather to Himself the wise, the powerful and the noble. “God chose what is foolish . . . what is weak . . . what is low and despised . . . so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (I Cor. 1:27-31).
So, before I pick up a rock to throw it at anybody, I’m reminded of the words “The seed of every sin known to man is in my heart” Robert Murray McCheyne. I not only need a Savior, I need a church where I can hear the gospel preached, where the sacraments are administered, and where good and godly elders watch over my soul.
I once heard a preacher say, “I love the Church. Its people I can’t stand.” Too bad! God didn’t gather to Himself the wise, the powerful and the noble. “God chose what is foolish . . . what is weak . . . what is low and despised . . . so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (I Cor. 1:27-31).
So, before I pick up a rock to throw it at anybody, I’m reminded of the words “The seed of every sin known to man is in my heart” Robert Murray McCheyne. I not only need a Savior, I need a church where I can hear the gospel preached, where the sacraments are administered, and where good and godly elders watch over my soul.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Word, Sacrament and Prayer
No matter how much a pastor prepares, how much he prays, or how sincerely he loves God, without people it’s hard to have church. Mission developers in particular are obsessed with the thought of “How do we get people to come to church?” With all good intentions the mission pastor will attempt to figure out some common denominator between the church and the un-churched. This usually results in ministry programs that conforms the church to the demands of the marketplace.
The secret to drawing a crowd is easy – make it about them! Give them music that excites, talks that encourage, and principles for living a victorious life and they will come. On the contrary, give them hymns rich in the theology of the faith, Christ-centered sermons, and a cross driven life and you may have a small crowd. Yet, the ministry whereby Christ communicates His mediation to His people is through Word, sacrament and prayer. It is through these “ordinary means” that God enlightens, convicts and humbles sinners; “driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ . . . ” (WLC, Q. 155).
I’m aware of the pressures pastors feel to bend under the weight of cultural demands in ministry. I understand well the drawing power of programs that appear relevant to the “felt needs” of people. Drawing a crowd is easy. Doing ministry God’s way is hard. In fact, building a church is impossible apart from the miracle that happens when ministers are faithful in proclaiming the Word of God.
The secret to drawing a crowd is easy – make it about them! Give them music that excites, talks that encourage, and principles for living a victorious life and they will come. On the contrary, give them hymns rich in the theology of the faith, Christ-centered sermons, and a cross driven life and you may have a small crowd. Yet, the ministry whereby Christ communicates His mediation to His people is through Word, sacrament and prayer. It is through these “ordinary means” that God enlightens, convicts and humbles sinners; “driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ . . . ” (WLC, Q. 155).
I’m aware of the pressures pastors feel to bend under the weight of cultural demands in ministry. I understand well the drawing power of programs that appear relevant to the “felt needs” of people. Drawing a crowd is easy. Doing ministry God’s way is hard. In fact, building a church is impossible apart from the miracle that happens when ministers are faithful in proclaiming the Word of God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
