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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An “Either / Or” Matter of the Heart

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Pete

For Jesus it was a black and white question. There was no grey area. No middle ground on this one. It was “either / or.” Either from heaven or from man.

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer Me.”     (Mark 11:29-30 ESV)

The tensions continued to mount between the religious leaders and Jesus. Jesus had just entered Jerusalem and decided to clean house . . . literally (Mark 10:15-19). And now the chief priests and the scribes and the elders wanted to know, “Who gave You this authority?” And Jesus knew this was not sincere inquisitiveness. This was not a head issue that would be resolved by additional facts and data. This was a heart issue. And to expose it, He answered their question with a question. A black and white question. An “either / or” question.

And these self-serving, white washed tombs, tried to take a by. The wouldn’t allow themselves to be backed into a corner. They knew that admitting John’s baptism was divine had serious implications concerning the One John pointed to. And they weren’t about to bow to Jesus. But they also knew that trashing John’s ministry as something concocted by some crazy guy, who wore animal skins, ate locusts, and hung out in the desert, was to go against popular opinion. And they valued popular opinion. So they passed. They took a by. “We don’t know,” they said. They hardened their hearts to what was potentially a life-giving question if they would have dealt with it honestly. A black and white . . . “either / or” . . . life-giving question.

And the “aroma” of my reading in Mark carries over to my reading in 2Corinthians . . .

Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. . . . Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God . . .     (2Corinthians 6:1, 14-16a ESV)

I shudder at the thought of being able to “receive the grace of God in vain.” But it’s possible. And it seems, it too, is impacted by a black and white, “either / or,” question. Faithful to Christ or arm-in-arm with idolaters? Pursuing light or desiring the things of darkness? Seeking the kingdom of God or adopting the ways of this world.

And, to be clear, I am not suggesting we are not to rub shoulders with the world. We’re in it as salt and light and ambassadors for Christ. But I’m thinking it’s an “either / or” determination when it comes to embracing the world and communing with that which opposes the kingdom of heaven. I kind of hear Jesus’ question, “From heaven or from man? Answer me.”

How we, as God’s people, need to be on guard of being bound and compromised by a discordant association with those in need of the light of the gospel. How we need to beware the prevailing wisdom of man . . . thinking there’s some common ground . . . entertaining the thought that the prevailing culture’s claim to enlightenment might have something to it and that the church needs to “get with the times.”

We are the temple of God . . . we are the recipients of grace. We need to beware of receiving such amazing grace in vain. The old adage is true — we need to be in the world but not of the world. We need to pledge allegiance to the ways of heaven and not be drawn into the things of man. It’s an “either / or” matter of the heart.

“From heaven or from man?” Jesus asks, “Answer Me.”

From heaven, Lord!  By the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

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A Labor of Gladness

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Pete

Over the decades I have probably read the 100th almost a hundred times. Certainly, in the day, I must have sung the 100th at least a hundred times. Probably the first psalm I memorized because it was one of the first I learned as scripture lyrics put to what was then a modern melody. But something stood out this morning as I read through this “old time favorite.” Maybe I’ve noticed it before . . . but maybe not. Seems that worship is not just an offering of praise, as I most commonly think of it, but it is also a labor of gladness.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into His presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1-2 ESV)

Like I said, over the years I have read, said, or sung these words dozens if not hundreds of times. But I think that, most often, I may have disassociated “serve the LORD” from “make a joyful noise to the LORD” and “come into His presence with singing.” But this morning it hits me between the eyes that these are parallel thoughts. That making a joyful noise is the same as coming into His presence with singing and, in this context, is the same as serving the LORD with gladness. The NIV doesn’t force me to make this connection for, though not literal, it translates the right thought, “Worship the Lord with gladness.”

But I think there’s some value for allowing the reader to connect the dots. Or, rather, having the reader experience the Spirit’s illumination as the Holy Spirit connects the dots for them.

How often do I view my singing to the LORD as service to the LORD? When was the last time I considered my wonder and worship before the God in our midst as a work done in subjection to Him. When was the last time I thought of the lyrics I sing before Him to be a labor of gladness?

We serve the LORD when we make a joyful noise to Him. That service is to be one presented with joy, mirth, and happiness of heart. And that service is available to every child of God . . . no matter one’s spiritual gifting, all God’s people can make a joyful noise and humbly offer this joy-filled labor.

Kind of puts a new perspective on something which for many seems to be a tiresome activity. How many view the opening song service as the “prelims” . . . an optional part of the Sunday service. To them I say, “Serve the LORD with gladness” . . . sing the songs . . . do so with hearts of joyful gratitude . . . come into His presence with singing.

And then for those who I get to observe, week after week, who are lifting their voices . . . and lifting their faces . . . and some even lifting their hands . . . for those whose countenance offered to heaven indicates they get this work of worship . . . to them I say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Your labor of gladness is heard in heaven. Your service of song stirs the One to whom you sing.

What privilege to serve the One who redeemed us for Himself. What joy to work for Him who has made us His own for “we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (v.3). We get to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (v.4) because access has been made into the very holy of holies by the blood of His blessed Son. We are compelled to give thanks . . . for He is good . . . and His steadfast love endures forever . . . and His faithfulness extend to all generations (v. 5).

If we don’t sing . . . the rocks will (Luke 19:37-40).

Might God’s people embrace the wonder of being servants in song. O blessed labor of gladness!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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This LIght Momentary Affliction

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Pete

It was Paul’s reality. This morning it’s my promise. Reading 2Corinthians 4 this morning . . . the “jars of clay” passage. Paul’s confession that the ministry he has, “by the mercy of God,” is a hard, tough, demanding ministry. Yet, says Paul, “We do not lose heart.” He could endure what he endured for the sake of the gospel not because of his natural strength or discipline. Instead, the “treasure” of the gospel was being carried forth in “jars of clay” . . . earthen vessels . . . cracked pots . . . so that their endurance would “show that the surpassing power belongs to God” (2Cor. 4:7). And what sustained such power? Faith. Faith in what Paul believed to be his reality . . . and what, this morning, I take as my promise.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.   (2Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)

“This light momentary affliction.” That’s the phrase that jumped off the page this morning. That’s the perspective that caused me to pause and reflect.

Here’s the equation Paul presents in this chapter: “Afflicted in every way + Perplexed + Persecuted + Struck down + Being given over to death for Jesus’ sake = Light momentary affliction.” Really? The math doesn’t seem to line up. It does if you apply the faith factor.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.   (2Corinthians 4:13-14 ESV)

The faith factor reminds us that the “here and now” is IS NOT the main event. That the “here and now” will give way to a “there and then.” And, according to the promise, what awaits us “there and then” is “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

The things that are unseen will make the things we endure today fade in insignificance. The heaviness of the glory that will be ours when we see Jesus is enough to make the burdens we carry today seem light in comparison. Not to minimize the reality of the trials many of us face today. But, as did Paul, to put them in the context of the reality of the glory we will just as assuredly know in that day when faith gives ways to sight.

That’s why, despite all Paul suffered for the sake of the gospel, he was not crushed . . . he was not driven to despair . . . he was not forsaken . . . he was not destroyed . . . he did not lose heart. He had an eye to the future. Looking not only to the “things that are seen” but also to “the things that are unseen.” By faith looking past that which was “transient” and instead focusing on that which is “eternal.”

As Paul remembered the unimaginable glory that awaited him, he could consider his sufferings as but “light momentary affliction” in comparison.

That by the grace of God we might have faith like Paul. That through the promise of God’s word we too would anticipate an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. That by the sustaining power of the Spirit we might know the surpassing power which indwells jars of clay so that we too might not lose heart.

Eternal weight of glory . . . light momentary affliction. All because of grace . . . All for His glory.

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Reflecting . . . Radiating . . .

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Pete

A letter from Christ. Written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. Engraved not on tablets of stone. Instead, inscribed on tablets of human hearts. That is how Paul regarded the saints at Corinth (2Cor. 3:3). And, not gonna lie, that’s how I regard myself. I think it’s a safe application. Written to them, but written for me, I think it’s fair to count myself as a page in the eternal epistle God is writing through grace by His Spirit.

Not that I’m much of a letter to read. There’s a lot more editing to be done. But as I hover over 2Corinthians 3 this morning . . . and if I’m understanding Paul’s comparison of the old and new covenants correctly . . . and if I’m picking up on what Paul is laying down concerning the life giving ministry of the Spirit of God . . . then I am, to some degree, reflecting and radiating the glory of God.

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.   (2Corinthians 3:16-18 ESV)

The old covenant was given through Moses. Written on tablets of stones, it provided the means for relationship based on the letter of the law. Though Paul describes it as “the ministry of death” (v.7) and “the ministry of condemnation” (v.9) it came with glory. Such glory that it caused Moses’ face to shine. Such glory that the Israelites couldn’t look upon the face of Moses and so he wore a veil (v.7). Glorious not because it provided the means of salvation, but rather, glorious because it was God’s appointed manner to direct men and women toward the Son of salvation. Yet it was a glory that faded.

Cue the glory that surpasses it (v.10). The ministry of righteousness (v.9) . . . the glory that is permanent (v.11). Not law conveyed through a man coming down from a mountain, but life given by the Spirit come down from God Himself. The Spirit of the living God supplanting the letter of the law. The glory of the Spirit surpassing the fading shine on Moses face. The Spirit of God providing once for all, and once forever, freedom. The veil removed through Christ (v.14b). The glow of glory directly reflected upon, and radiated from within, the faces of believers.

We turn to Jesus — the veil of darkness, guilt, and shame is removed — and we behold the glory of the Lord. Literally, like looking in a mirror we reflect the glory of the risen Christ as we, by faith, are brought face to face with Him through the active agency of His indwelling Spirit. Though dimly, we mirror Christ. His majesty and radiance faintly seen in sinners saved by grace. Those once of the letter of the law now walking in the freedom of the Spirit. Those once bound by sin and death are now released by the finished work of the resurrected Christ. Those once with hearts of stone, now given hearts of flesh . . . written upon by the Spirit . . . evidencing something of the wondrous work of God’s overflowing love.

But beyond just reflecting something of the glory, we “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” The reflecting of His glory increasingly becomes a radiating of that glory. The Son’s rays not just bouncing off our faces, but emitting from within our very core. As the Spirit of life continues His sanctifying work of conforming us into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), we emanate the glory of Christ. As we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20), the mind and heart of Christ bubble to the surface manifesting the presence of God through us.

Not something we make happen. “For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Reflecting the glory of God . . . Radiating the glory of God. All by the grace of God.

Even so, blessed Spirit, keep writing the letter.

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Like All the Nations

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Pete

When he heard their demands it shook him . . . literally! His soul so vexed because of their request that he trembled. Dedicated to the Lord since birth, his life had been one of learning to hear the word of the Lord . . . of pursuing the word of the Lord . . . of obeying the word of the Lord . . . of conveying the word of the Lord. He had tried to model the right stuff . . . had sought to be the leader that would direct the hearts of the people to the LORD and to serving Him only. And now, as Samuel’s ministry wound down, they wanted this. Give us a king, the elders of Israel demanded, like all the nations.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. . . . But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.”
 (1Samuel 8:4-6, 19-22a ESV)

Unlike Samuel, God was not surprised by this turn of events. Through Moses, God had foretold of that day when the people would make this exact demand (Deut. 17:14-20). And in His grace, God would use a kingly line to establish His heavenly kingdom. But the request was born in sin and compromise. Sin, in that the sons of Samuel made for a poor alternative. To continue the line of judges through them was to entrust themselves to men who did not follow in their fathers footsteps but instead “turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice” (v.3). Compromise, in that the people, rather than trust themselves to the faithful God of their deliverance, instead devised their own “Plan B” — a king, like all the nations.

The way of the peoples around them . . .the way of the world . . . that was their answer. God’s chosen people wanted to be like those outside the promises and covenant. God’s special people looked to the grass on the other side of the fence and decided it was greener. Those who had received the word of God, instead thought the answer must lie in the wisdom of men. And while Samuel trembled at their arrogance and insolence, God says, Let it be . . . “for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them” (8:7).

And maybe I might pause and say, “Really? Is it that black and white? It is really either embrace the ways and wisdom of God or reject Him? Isn’t there some middle ground? Take some Word of God and mix it with some wisdom of men, like all the nations, and you have the perfect solution? . . . the best of all worlds?” Short answer? Thinkin’ not.

First, the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s economy (1Cor. 3:19). Second, to embrace the ways of the world is to set our faces in opposition to God (James 4:4).

To be sure, wholehearted devotion to the Word and ways of God can be a scary path. Beyond times when, as with Samuel’s son, the way seems flawed and to have broken down because it’s been affected by the ways of the flesh, the increasing gap between us and the world by going “counter culture” creates intense pressure to to take an easier path and be more “conformed to the world” and a little less “transformed by the renewing of the mind” (Rom. 12:2).

I guess that’s where faith is drawn upon. Believing in God’s wisdom . . . trusting in God’s word. Setting our minds on things above and not on earthly things . . . seeking “the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1-2) and not the things below . . . like all the nations.

O that, because of the gospel, we might be a people who own Him, and no other, as King. That, through the illumination and power of the Spirit, we would seek His ways and wisdom, and not the nations, and walk according to them.

All because of grace. All by grace. All for His glory.

Amen?

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He is a Great God . . . He is Our God

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Pete

For those who have followed these morning ramblings over time, you know that as I read in the morning I’m on the lookout. I have my colored pencils at hand and as I ingest the Word I also take note of certain themes. One of those themes, underlined in navy blue, is what the Word says about God the Father. That colored pencil tends to get a lot of use. This morning was no exception. But this morning, after reading Psalm 95, I sat back looked on the blue on the page and was struck with fresh wonder. As I looked back on what the songwriter had to say about God, I was a bit overwhelmed to be reminded again that not only is He a great God . . . but that He is also our God.

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.   (Psalm 95:3-7 ESV)

That God is Maker should be enough, in and of itself, to break forth in praise. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1) . . . “His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Rom. 1:20). For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, creation itself primes the pump of wonder and worship directed to the One who made all things.

Surely the God who made all things is above all gods. The God whose fingertips are all over that which has been made, from the macro of the universe to the micro of the smallest of creatures, is to be revered and exalted as in a category all His own. Infinite creativity evidenced . . . unimaginable engineering apparent . . . breath-taking beauty and earth-shaking power on display for those who pause to consider it. The LORD is a great God! Ya’ think?

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

And this same God is our God. Far from being an unknown force, His existence hinted at by the wonders of creation, He has determined to be known, and in a sense owned, by those who respond to His invitation of relationship. The Great God has entered into covenant relationship with a people He has claimed as His own. Those people, then, knowing Him as “our God.” They are the people of His pasture, the sheep of His hand and He is their Great Shepherd. The great God is our God.

And you don’t have to noodle on it very long before awe and appreciation kick in. How did He become our God? What was necessary for people who were naturally in rebellion to their Maker, and were first and foremost focused on themselves, to enter into an “owning relationship” with the God of creation?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.   (John 3:16 ESV)

God so desired relationship that He gave His Son as the once for all sacrifice for all that separated men and women from God, namely their sin. Not some passive God who left us to our own devices to try and figure out how to connect with the eternal. But an active, intervening God who has made possible and made known the way to life eternal. The way opened through the finished work of the cross . . . and the declared victory of the empty tomb . . . and the saving ministry of the eternal Son of God, Jesus the Christ.

Eternal life. Real, abundant life. That we might know Him. Not generically as Maker, but intimately as Shepherd.

He is a great God . . . and He is our God. Wonder of wonders.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation!
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!   (Psalm 95:1-2 ESV)

All because of grace . . . all for His glory!

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On Being Addicted ( A 2009 Rerun)

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Pete

Looking back on my journal, it’s apparent that I’ve been repeatedly drawn to a certain family mentioned in the closing thoughts of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Here’s the passage that consistently jumps off the page . . .

Now I urge you, brothers–you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints–be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.   (1Corinthians 16:15-18 ESV)

This morning I thought I’d share some thoughts on this passage that I wrote back in 2009. Got me thinking again about be wholeheartedly focused on what God’s called each of us to do within the Body of Christ. Here’s how the thoughts rolled out on April 22, 2009 . . .

Ok . . . so I know you need to be careful about “shopping” through different versions of the Bible to find the word or phrase that captures what you, in advance, want to get across. But I do think there is some value in reading a number of translations in that different translators will emphasize different nuances. Such is the case this morning as I wrapped up my readings in 1Corinthians . . . I found an “emphasized nuance” that I wasn’t necessarily looking for . . .

Often you read the last verses of the last chapters of Paul’s letters kind of like the credits rolling by on a screen after a movie . . . you see the names, but they just flash by and you barely take notice. But these “end-of-letter” credits are God-breathed too, and so, it might make sense once in awhile to slow down and take note of who God has determined should be mentioned by Paul. May I introduce to you, Stephanas and his household. Mentioned only in this letter, it appears that they were among Paul’s first converts in the region (1Cor. 1:16) . . . and it appears they had a pretty cool “addiction.”

Yeah . . . so this is where I pull out the old King James Authorized Version translation . . .

” . . . ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” (1Cor. 16:15b AV)

Stephanas and his family had “addicted themselves” to serving God’s people! Most of the other translations say, “they devoted themselves” to the service or ministry of the saints. But, I have to admit, when I came across the AV translation it grabbed me . . . the whole idea of being addicted to God’s call on our lives . . . and even more the idea of being addicted to helping out God’s people! What an “addiction” to feed!

The Greek word behind the translation is only found 8 times in the NT . . . only once translated “addicted” or “devoted” . . . having the idea of “to assign a place” . . . “to set oneself” . . . “to appoint oneself” . . . basically it’s about determining to “give ‘er!” And what more noble pursuit than serving God’s people. Tending fellow sheep . . . helping out the under-shepherds . . . caring for one another . . . meeting needs . . . providing encouragement . . . building up others . . . practicing hospitality . . . what an addiction! Such was the focus and pursuit of the household of Stephanas.

And the fruit of their labor? Refreshed spirits! “For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.” (1Cor. 16:18) Yup, enter weary and beaten up saints . . . exit rested and revitalized children of God . . . batteries re-charged . . . bounce back in their steps. Paul, the frontline warrior, was boosted by these “back office” ministers of God’s grace . . . and not him only, but, it seems from Paul’s letter, many of the saints in Corinth had benefited from Stephanas’ addiction. “Such men deserve recognition!” Amen . . . good on you, Stephanas . . . and your household!

Oh, that we as His people would all have a ministry to weary saints . . . it’s part of the body building thing. But even more, that we as His people would know the particular service He has called us to and that we would be addicted to it . . . devoting ourselves toward it . . . focused and purposefully fulfilling our sphere of service by His grace and for His glory. That we would all be addicts! Gotta’ like the Authorized Version this morning . . . amen?

Father, thanks for allowing my eye to catch this reference to Stephanas in my reading this morning . . . thank You for refreshing my spirit through Your word . . . and encouraging me on being addicted . . . to pursue my “addiction” for Your glory . . . amen!!!

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