Conduct Unbecoming

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Pete

It was a face to face stand off. In this corner, the apostle Paul formerly known as Saul . . . the least of the apostles (1Cor. 15:9) and the chief of sinners (1Tim. 1:15). In the other corner, Peter formerly Simon . . . chief among the apostles, but least likely to be voted “Most Predictable.” At stake were the implications of the gospel — good news only for “fire insurance” or life-changing truth intended to impact behavior? And so Paul confronts Peter. Opposes him to his face. And calls him out on conduct unbecoming.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, . . . when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”   (Galatians 2:11, 14 ESV)

When he first arrived in Antioch, Peter (aka Cephas) apparently enjoyed the fellowship of the saints . . . ALL THE SAINTS . . . Jew and Gentile alike. Peter had come a long way. He had grown up knowing “how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation” (Acts 10:28). But God had shown him that he “should not call any person common or unclean.” Apparently a rooftop vision of unclean food being presented for consumption and an encounter with a gentile family receiving the Holy Spirit has a way of causing someone to conclude “that God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). And so, when he came to Antioch, he ate not with Jews or Gentiles but with brothers and sisters in Christ.

That is, until “certain men came from James” (Gal. 2:12). Men of the “circumcision party.” Men preaching a “Jesus Plus” distortion of the good news. And Peter caves to the fear of man. Worried about public, and maybe popular opinion, he goes chameleon. As a “good Jew” would, he withdraws from fellowshiping with Gentiles. He sends a message that they still weren’t “clean enough” for him, as a Jew, to associate with. That though they had been washed by the blood of Christ . . . though their garments had been made white as snow . . . until they conformed to the rule of law given by Moses, their rescue and redemption was yet to be fully complete.

And so, caving to peer pressure, Peter’s behavior sends an unhealthy message concerning the gospel. A message picked up by the rest of the Jews in fellowship at Antioch . . . even derailing Barnabas, Paul’s close associate, so that they all were “led astray” by such hypocrisy.

And so Paul calls Peter on the carpet. As one steward of the gospel to another he says, “Give your head a shake!” Such is conduct unbecoming.

. . . we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.   (Galatians 2:16 ESV)

And I’m reminded that the gospel is not just some doctrinal truth that we once believed in order to “receive Christ” and “be saved.” It is an abiding truth by which we are to order our lives. Our behavior reflects the gospel we believe . . . it declares the justification we trust in.

Do we draw attention only to our successes . . . or to our failures, as well, knowing that His grace is sufficient . . . and that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2Cor. 12:9)? Are we critical of, and do we distance ourselves from, those struggling to walk in a manner worthy of their calling . . . or do we draw alongside, helping bear their load, knowing that we have fellowship with one another, not because of our performance, but because “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:9)?

Peter’s was a conduct unbecoming the gospel because he communicated that justification was dependent on something more than faith alone in Christ. And such a reflection of the “good news” is no good news at all.

Might we beware of conduct unbecoming.

Instead, might we live lives in the humility which reflects our perpetual dependency on His finished work. Might we live lives in victory, knowing that we have an Advocate with the Father who intercedes for us, even now, in our weakness and failure. Might we live lives overflowing with charity as we deal with the failures of other sinners-saved-by-grace in light of the sufficiency of the cross and the abundance of His grace.

Conduct becoming . . . by the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

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Intolerant

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Pete

There’s no messing around as Paul begins his letter to the churches of Galatia. No pleasantries. No “how you doin’?” No “here’s how I’m doin’.” But he gets straight to the point. I’m blown away. You are deserters. Doomed to destruction be anyone, man or angel, who messes with the gospel. Pretty strong language. Talk about going on the offensive. But that’s what it demanded. When it came to the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul was pretty intolerant.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9 ESV)

Not much tolerance these days for intolerance. And while that might be okay for a lot of things, not so good when it comes to the gospel. Paul wasn’t ready to show a lot of grace to those who came in distorting the good news of grace. He wasn’t ready to cut a lot of slack to those who proclaimed a “Jesus plus” salvation. Jesus plus circumcision . . . Jesus plus the law . . . Jesus plus any human efforts of righteousness. Let those who would preach such “good news,” says Paul, let them be anathema . . . let them be accursed.

And for those who would follow such “good news,” to them Paul says, You’re traitors. You’ve turned away. You’ve transferred your allegiance from God and His unmerited, abundant grace to yourselves and your pitiful, flesh-bound acts of self-righteousness.

No middle ground, says Paul. No breadth of acceptability. It is “Jesus plus nothing” or it is nothing at all. It is the good news of Christ and the cross or it is, in fact, bad news.

Their’s was a gospel devised by man . . . Paul’s was a revelation from Christ Himself (v.11-12). At the heart of their distorted gospel was the approval of men (v.10). At the heart of Paul’s, the glory of God (v. 5). They would proclaim what men and women must do in order to merit the favor of God. Paul would proclaim what Christ had already done so that the favor of God might be freely shown to men and women who, of themselves, lacked any merit.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
 (Galatians 1:3-5 ESV)

Christ gave Himself for our sins . . . period. The finished work of the cross, and nothing more, is able to deliver us from the present evil age. It is according to the will of God and God alone . . . man brings nothing to the table but faith — and that faith is not our own doing; “it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

This is the good news. This is the gospel, the power of salvation for all who believe (Rom. 1:16). The salvation which has dealt with the penalty of sin — past, present, and future . . . the salvation which, even now, leads us in victory over the power of sin . . . and the salvation, yet to be revealed, which will deliver us from the very presence of sin. It’s this gospel and no other. His work and none other. His glory . . . and His alone.

How we need to be intolerant when it comes to the gospel.

Amen?

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Like Father, Like Daughter

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Pete

She couldn’t have imagined anything more distasteful. It disgusted her to see such behavior. She regarded her husband’s actions with contempt. The disdain for what he had done was evident on her face and dripped from her lips. And, as I hover over Michal’s reaction and response to David’s celebration before the ark of the LORD, I can’t help but think, like father, like daughter.

Bring the ark into Jerusalem . . . take two. That’s what David had determined. The first attempt had ended badly. What began with great celebration had ended in death (2Samuel 6:5-7). Mission aborted. And for three months the favor known because the presence of the glory of God was for the house of Obed-edom alone. And David knew that blessing was intended for all the people of God and so he went again to move the ark to Zion.

So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.   (2Samuel 6:12b-15 ESV)

Great celebration . . . great sacrifice . . . all before a great God. And what does the Spirit want to ensure we know about David, beyond the fact he could bust a few moves? That “David was wearing a linen ephod.” And I take note of it as I read. And so did Michal, daughter of Saul, as she watched. I wonder at why David wore it. She writhed in disdain.

And I’m thinking what was the alternative for David to wear? What else was in his closet that he could have put on that day? How about the royal robes? How about the ornate symbols of his power of Israel which was due him? How about garments that drew the right amount of attention to their king? All his to rightfully wear. His to display as the big kahuna. Garments that would draw attention to him . . . and his position . . . and his power.

But rather than wear them, he divested himself of the royal robes that were rightfully his to wear. Just like Jonathan had when he relinquished his garments of power to David (1Samuel 18:1-5). And it had choked Saul to see Jonathan bow in such humility before David. Just as it choked Saul’s daughter, Michal, to see David “uncovering himself” before the eyes his lowliest servants (6:20). “Vulgar,” she says, for a king to so humble himself. “Shameless,” she spits out, for power to acquiesce before such lowliness. Like father, like daughter.

David’s response? “It was before the LORD.” David put on a linen ephod — the simple, unpretentious garments of the Levites who gave themselves to the service of the tabernacle — because, while he might have been a king of men, he knew he was nothing more than a servant of the Most High God. Only one spotlight to be shone on that day they moved the ark, and it would be upon God alone. Only One worthy of honor and glory, and it wasn’t the guy dressed in the linen ephod. In fact, says David, “I will yet make myself more contemptible than this.” You ain’t seen nothing yet. He must increase . . . and so I will decrease. He deserves all the glory and honor and I’ll just dance in worship induced celebration with the crowd.

And Michal the daughter of Saul looked upon the ephod dressed king and she “despised him in her heart.” Just as Saul’s anger had burned against Jonathan. Like father, like daughter.

But I look over the shoulder of the stripped down king of Israel and behold the One David sought to exalt . . . the King of kings . . . the LORD of heaven. And, if not with my feet, I dance before Him with my heart. He alone is worthy of unreserved praise.

Michal was like Saul . . . might I be more and more like David. By the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

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Vain is the Salvation of Man

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Pete

That David had great responsibility for ensuring an able-bodied army was ready to take on the enemies of God’s people is a given. That, as commander in chief, he needed to have a plan for taking down the city at Edom was to be expected. That, when the time came, it would be he and his men who were sword to sword in battle was understood. But what David also knew, beyond any shadow of doubt, was that regardless of the preparation . . . no matter how good the planning . . . even if, on paper, they possessed the greater power . . . vain is the salvation of man!

Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.    (Psalm 108:12-13 ESV)

Kind of captivated by the progression in this song of David. It would seem that not all has been going well on the military front . . . that recent defeat has been known(v.11). And yet David’s song begins with praise . . . “I will sing and make melody with all my being . . . I will give thanks to You, O Lord . . . I will sing praise to You among the nations” (v.1-3). Though things have not been going well of late, David still knows that God’s “steadfast love is great above the heavens” and that His “faithfulness reaches to clouds” (v. 4).

And then praise is followed by prayer. “Give salvation by Your right hand and answer me!” pens the songwriter. And David seeks such favor that God might be exalted and that His glory would be over all the earth (v.5-6). The battle ultimately was the Lord’s because at stake was the reputation of the Lord. And so after praises and prayer, David recalls the promise.

God had “promised in His holiness” to divide up the land and portion it out among His people (v.7). David had made great preparation for the battle because God had given great promises concerning His people. And though the battle had not being going well, David knew that God’s promises would stand . . . and so he prayed for God’s presence . . . and he praised God for His steadfast faithfulness.

And David did this because, despite his great army of men of valor, without the presence and power of God in the midst of battle, they battled in vain. They were prepared, they had a plan, they were purposeful as to entering the fray. But useless are people’s attempts at their own deliverance.

Note to self: that includes me. In my own strength, by my own determination, through my own wisdom, empty is the prospect of any real victory. At best, fleeting will be the moment of triumph. Any mountain top I scale will shortly be followed by a valley that consumes me. At worst, I walk away bruised, battered, and bewildered.

But with God we shall do valiantly (do I get an “Amen!” from the people on that?). Only with God in our midst will we do mightily. The army we prepare, the plans we put in place, the purpose with which he move forward only have strength as they are infused by the presence and power of the God who promises.

Oh I know that lesson . . . but how I need to learn that lesson.

Hear it again Pete:  Needful are the praises, the prayer, the promises, and the power as we head into battle.

Vain is the salvation of man. Great is the victory through God.

For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let Your glory be over all the earth!      (Psalm 108:4-5 ESV)

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Stay Awake

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Pete

Some passages you just need to hover over for awhile to try and get what it’s saying. Others I need to do some quick study work with my online Bible tools. Others still, I pull out my William MacDonald commentary to help me navigate what’s being said. And then, there are those passages that spell it out clearly. And in some, like today’s reading in Mark, it’s shouted out unambiguously: Stay awake!

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning–lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”    (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

Jesus had told His disciples that there would be a time when the great buildings of Jerusalem would be thrown down . . . not one stone left upon another. And some, when they were alone with Jesus, asked privately, “When will these things be, and what will be the sign?” (13:1-3). And so Jesus tells them about the signs of the times before the coming of the Son of Man in great power and glory. But, He makes clear, it’s not so they can chart His return on a calendar.

No one knows the hour of Jesus’ return. No one on earth. Not the angels in heaven. Not even Jesus Himself. Only the Father knows. So why bother with knowing the signs of the time of His return if it’s not going to help you schedule His return on your calendar? Three times Jesus clearly states why, “Keep awake . . . therefore stay awake . . . what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” So what’s the point? Stay awake!

The Son of Man is coming. Stay awake. Just as Jesus ascended from earth in a cloud to heaven, so He will descend from heaven in the clouds and return to earth (Acts 1:9-11). Be alert. If Jesus said (and He did), “I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3), then He will. Watch for it.

Nothing worse than the master returning only to find his servants asleep at the switch. And we don’t know when our Master will return. Could be “in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning.” But return He will.

And that He has asked us, until then, to engage in the business of His kingdom is clear (Luke 19:13). That He has asked us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) . . . that He wants us to live with, and love greatly, the people of God so that others might know Him through His disciples (John 13:35) . . . that His desire is that we bear much fruit through abiding in Him (John 15:1-8) . . . is all communicated in the Word He has left us. This and much more. We are not left to our own wisdom and opinions as to what the Master has asked of His servants while He is away.

The question that remains is, “Will He return only to find us asleep?” Or, because we know the signs of the times, will we have our head in the game and an “eye to the sky?” Will we be busy with kingdom work and heavenly pursuits because we see the signs and know that His return is imminent?

We don’t know when. But we know He’s coming again. Therefore, says the Lord, stay awake.

O, that we might be found busy for the Master on that day when the clouds part and we see Him face to face.

That we would stay awake . . . enabled by His grace . . . active for His glory.

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Divine Jealousy

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Pete

Why bother? Why keep contending for them? There were many other churches that would have benefited from his time and attention. Many other groups of believers who had not taken to these “super-apostles” who were proclaiming another Jesus and a different gospel. Even at their best, the problems within this fellowship were many and complex. So why did Paul bother? Why write another letter? Why contend for this flaky flock? Short answer: divine jealousy.

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
 (2Corinthians 11:1-3 ESV)

Paul, as a faithful steward of the ministry given him, had brought the two together. Jesus, meet the Corinthians . . . you in Corinth, may I introduce you to Jesus. A matchmaker of sorts, commissioned by the Father to help provide a bride for His Son, Paul bad been there from the beginning. And for Paul, while the salvation of souls was of eternal importance, the bringing together of a Bridegroom and His bride was his driving passion.

“I promised you as a pure bride to one husband–Christ” (NLT). Why are you even entertaining others? Give your head a shake! I am boiling in that you have eyes for someone else? I am so zealous that you would know “a sincere and pure devotion in Christ” that I am making every effort to encourage you . . . to rebuke you . . . to persuade you to return to your first love. I am jealous.  In fact, I feel a divine jealousy for you.

And it’s that word, divine, that stands out this morning. Paul wasn’t upset because it impacted his numbers or the reputation of the effectiveness of his ministry or follow-up. But Paul’s jealousy was a theos jealousy. His burning and zeal was Spirit-induced . . . reflecting the heart of the Son . . . motivated solely for the glory of the Father.

Paul’s persistence in urging the body at Corinth to be faithful to Jesus was but an echo of Jesus’ plea, “Be faithful to Me!”

Our God is a jealous God . . . He says so Himself (Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 4:24, 5:9, 6:15). The Father is jealous for His people . . . the Son is jealous for His bride . . . the Spirit is jealous for those He has sealed. And fueling divine jealousy is the anticipation of a “pure virgin” being presented to Christ.

Not that she can clean herself up and make herself pure. Not that she can, of herself, regain the innocence lost. But that, through “a sincere and pure devotion,” she might faithfully cling to the One who “loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

That’s why Paul bothered. That’s why he contended. That’s why he bared his heart and soul before them, pleading with them to be faithful. Because he had in mind a wedding day.

And that’s why grace abounds from heaven’s throne. Why the Father patiently waits while Christ is formed in us. Why the Spirit tirelessly works within us. Why the Son endlessly intercedes for us. Because of a wedding day. A day when, to one Husband, the church is presented as a chaste bride. Marked by a purity and righteous not of our own making but imputed to us through the finished work of the cross. Not decked out in a wedding dress of own design, but robed in garments of righteousness of His making. Not that we might look good . . . but that He might be exalted.

Divine jealousy. Might that be our jealousy, as well.

All because of grace. All for His glory.

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He Remembers His Covenant Forever

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Pete

It is a fuel for praise. It is a catalyst for giving thanks. To think on these things, is to be moved to sing to Him. To remember these things is to want to bless Him. To meditate on these things is to glory in His holy name. And what are “these things?” They are the wondrous works that He has done. They are the mighty deeds performed by an Almighty God on behalf of His people. They are the things the songwriter sings about in Psalm 105.

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
(Psalm 105:1-3 ESV)

For the heart set on seeking the LORD, there is cause to rejoice when we consider His wondrous works.

So the psalmist writes of God’s protection of Jacob the sojourner, and of His provision through Joseph, the one “sent ahead” to Egypt so that Israel might find refuge there from famine. In that land, the songwriter reminds us, “the LORD made His people very fruitful” . . . and made them “stronger than their foes,” so that they hated God’s people and oppressed them.

And the song continues. God sends Moses. Through him and Aaron, God performs signs in “the land of Ham.” Skies made dark . . . waters turned into blood . . . infestations of frogs and flies . . . hail for rain . . . vines, fig trees, and other trees struck down . . . the remaining vegetation devoured by locusts . . . and finally, “He struck down all the firstborn in their land.” Give thanks to the LORD . . . make known His deeds among the peoples!

And the ballad goes on. Brought out of the land with silver and gold . . . covered with a cloud by day . . . led by the light of a pillar of fire by night . . . fed with quail out of nowhere, and with bread from heaven, and with water from the rock. Sing praise to Him . . . tell of His wondrous works.

But what grabs me this morning is that it’s not just about the works, but about the why.

For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham, His servant.
(Psalm 105:42 ESV)

His works were because of His word. The power He demonstrated due to the promise He determined.

He remembers His covenant forever, the word that He commanded, for a thousand generations . . . (Psalm 105:8 ESV)

My God is a God or promise. And He is the One who remembers His covenant forever . . . acting and intervening in order to bring about what He has determined.

And so, every remembrance of what He has done in the past . . . every song sung in praise of the signs He has shown to evidence His presence . . . every meditation focused on that which we have known of His mighty works in our lives . . . it all serves as surety of what lies ahead. That God does not forget or give up on what He has covenanted to do. That if He says He will save to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25), He will. If He declares His purpose is to form the very nature of His Son in us through His Spirit (Rom. 8:29), He will. If He covenants to build a home and provide a treasure in heaven for us and promises to take us to be with Himself (John 14:1-3), it’s gonna happen.

He remembers His covenant forever. Sing to Him!

Every evidence of His faithfulness a reminder . . . every experience of His grace a surety . . . every whisper of His voice a mighty sign to bestow confidence.

Oh give thanks to the LORD . . . Sing to Him, sing praise to Him . . . tell of His wondrous works . . . for He remembers His covenant forever.

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A Confession of the Gospel

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Pete

That it was a big deal for Paul is evident by the amount of “real estate” it occupies in his letter. That it should be a big deal for me is evident in that it was God-breathed. The Spirit of God moving Paul to write to the Corinthians . . . and to keep writing . . . concerning “the ministry for the saints.” God determining to preserve these practical details of an ancient time for my instruction. And while, most often, I just skim over 2Corinthians 8 and 9, for some reason (I’m thinking a Spirit influenced reason) Paul’s determination to make sure the Corinthians were fully engaged in meeting the financial needs of the saints in Jerusalem has captured my attention. And this morning I’m struck by the phrase, “your confession of the gospel of Christ.”

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
 (2Corinthians 9:12-15 ESV)

Those who understand grace demonstrate grace. Those who really get God’s unmerited goodness are marked by free-flowing generosity. Those who, by God’s illuminating Spirit, have some appreciation for the “inexpressible gift” revealed to them in the gospel, confess that good news every time they give willingly.

“God is able,” writes Paul, “to make all grace abound to you” (9:8a). Grace that saves. Grace that sustains. Grace that supplies. Grace that abounds . . . grace that is abundant . . . grace which exceeds measurement. The grace demonstrated in the giving of God’s Son as payment for our sin. The grace experienced when, by faith, men and women once driven by the flesh are infused with the Spirit who brings life and gives freedom. And out of that grace which abounds to us, the Father would have His children “abound in every good work” (9:8b).

To know grace is to know the gospel. And to show grace through our generosity is one way to confess the gospel.

As it is written, “He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”   (2Corinthians 9:9 ESV)

In that He has given, we are to be characterized as givers. In that He has distributed freely, we are to share liberally that which God has given us to steward. As His grace demonstrates His eternal righteousness, our generosity is evidence of that same righteousness which has been imputed to us through Christ’s risen life and is being formed in us through the Spirit’s sanctifying work. Our giving, our meeting the needs of others, is a demonstration of the dynamics of the gospel.

And, like the gospel, it’s not just about meeting needs of people. At its heart, it is about giving glory to God. This service, as Paul calls it, “overflows in many thanksgivings to God.” It is the Father who meets the needs of His children. And often He will do that through the family of believers. Those who have known the riches of heaven, sharing something of their riches on earth, so that the God of heaven might be praised by His people on earth.

And thus, those who have known the gospel of abundant grace, confess the gospel of abundant grace through their generosity. And that, to the praise of God who gives freely.

O to be a cheerful giver (9:7). For the benefit of others. For the sake of the gospel. For the glory of God.

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A Famous Nobody

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Pete

The need in Jerusalem was great. The saints there were under the heavy hand of persecution. And their persecution created among them a great poverty. The churches in Macedonia, though not the wealthiest of believers themselves, “overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (2Cor. 8:1-3). They begged for the opportunity to extend such grace (8:4) to those in need in Jerusalem because they had themselves known the over-the-top generous grace of the Lord Jesus who “though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (8:9). And so Paul sought to encourage the Corinthians to also provide financial assistance to the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and thus participate too in “this act of grace” (8:6, 7, 19).

And Paul, ever mindful of wanting all things to be done above reproach and beyond any accusation, arranges for a team of men, led by Titus, to handle the collection, the delivery, and the distribution of the funds. And it’s in reading the details of this practical arrangement that my attention was grabbed by a famous nobody.

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our good will.    (2Corinthians 8:16-19 ESV)

Titus was well known as one of Paul’s closest associates and fellow laborers (8:23). And he was asked of Paul to take charge of the gift for Jerusalem. But in order that there be no hint of any mishandling of the funds, Paul asks two other men to work with Titus. One of them is described by Paul in 8:18 as “the brother who is famous among all the churches.”

All the churches praised him as a preacher of the Good News (NLT). A dynamic speaker, I imagine. When this brother proclaimed the Word, the Spirit showed up. An itinerant preacher whose reputation preceded him. I’m guessing he drew big crowds. Paul didn’t even have to name him in writing to the Corinthians. He was just “the brother who is famous.” And that, apparently, was enough for them to know who Paul was talking about.

But the fact that he is not named causes me to pause. Though Paul would not have understood that this second letter he was writing to the Corinthians would eventually become Holy Writ and part of the Canon of Scripture, the Spirit who inspired Paul to write was well aware of it. And so you might think that the Spirit would have ensured that Paul named this brother so that those through the ages would know who this famous preacher was. Evidently not.

And I’m thinking that the fact that this guy was a famous nobody is instructive.

This well known, but unidentified itinerant had been called to “carry out this act of grace” not to enhance his resume, but “for the glory of the Lord Himself” (v.19). Just as he had preached the gospel, not for his prestige but because it was the power of God for salvation, he would serve in this act of grace so that others would know that the Great Shepherd cares for the needs of His people. The only name that needed to be remembered by anybody was that Name Above All Names, Jesus. This brother who was famous would gladly be a nobody, if through his faithful service, Jesus might be introduced to somebody . . . and His name exalted by everybody who had been called to be saints.

And how I need to be content to be a nobody . . . famous or otherwise. To be like John the Baptist, ever mindful that Christ must increase “but I must decrease” (John 3:30). To rest in the fact that, while no one else might know my name, Jesus does — both the name by which He called me to Himself and the new name which He will give to me in that day (Rev. 2:17, 3:12). To know that, should no one sing my praise or remember my name, just to hear the risen Christ say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” will be more than enough . . . and that, all because of His abundant grace.

To Him be the glory . . . now and forevermore!

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A People Yet To Be Created

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Pete

It is a “prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.” So reads the subtitle of Psalm 102. “Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!” begins the songwriter. And we writes of desperate days and desert-like depression. Of bones clinging to his flesh . . . of days that are more like evening shadows . . . of intense loneliness. Yet he addresses his “complaint” to the God of promise. And in that, he is confident of a future day of great joy. For his God is a faithful God and is mighty to rescue and to save. In that He is the God promise, there is a sense of anticipation even amidst desperation. And I’m captured this morning by the psalmist’s consideration of “a people yet to be created.”

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that He looked down from His holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem His praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.    (Psalm 102:18-22 ESV)

While the psalmist may have had another “generation” in mind, I’m identifying this morning with that “people yet to be created.”

The songwriter is focused on the LORD again building up Zion. Of His glory appearing such that the kings of the earth submit themselves to Him in fear (v. 15-16). He thinks of those held captive by a physical enemy . . . and anticipates the groans of these prisoners eventually leading to their liberation so that they might again declare the LORD’s praise on the holy hill.

But I’m thinking of a people who were held captive by a different enemy. An enemy not content with just physical oppression, but one who vies for the very souls of men. And I think of a people who were enslaved by sin, death, corruption, and darkness. Such darkness that they were unaware of the depths of their bondage. Such oppression that they would stand with their oppressor to defy the living God. Such corruption that they, themselves, became enemies of God and children of wrath.

But just as the psalmist pleaded for his people and that “next generation,” I hear the greater Songwriter intercede for “a people yet to be created.” His song also asking that God would, in His mercy and grace, look down from His holy height and intervene in the lost estate of those doomed to die. And intervene He does.

The Father, who longs to share the love He has known from before the foundation of the world (John 17:24), sends His Son to rescue the prisoner. The Son, in full obedience to the Father, taking up a cup of suffering and shame so that the chains of sin and death might be broken–victory declared through the empty tomb. And the Spirit, perfectly one with the Father and the Son, drawing men and women out of the pit as they, by faith, look to the Son for deliverance.

And this “people yet to be created” is born. They are the redeemed. They are prisoners set free. They are the church . . . the bride of Christ . . . that they might declare amidst a heavenly Jerusalem the name of the LORD. That they might be fashioned into a holy temple . . . a dwelling place for God by the Spirit . . . where praise is sung to a victorious King. That they might form a body of those called to gather together to worship the LORD.

As I read the words of this ancient songwriter I image the lyrics being sung by the greater Psalmist. He who sends His Spirit to woo the prisoner to Himself. He who intercedes for those rescued that they might grow in likeness to Himself. He who desires this people, “yet to be created,” to sing His praises for all eternity.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are Gods people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.   (1Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

A people created through His grace. A people created for His glory.

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