Glorious!

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Pete

One was a mountain the other was a hill. On the mountain, the commandments were given that they might be obeyed. On the hill, the price for disobedience and transgression was paid. On the mountain, God thundered, “You shall . . . You shall not!” On the hill, God cried, “Father, forgive them . . . It is finished!” What transpired on the mountain, would eventually pass away . . . what transpired on the hill remains for all eternity. The ministry ushered in on the mountain, one dependent on man’s best efforts, could only lead to bondage, death, and condemnation. But the ministry revealed on the hill, empowered by the Spirit of the Living God, results in freedom, life, and righteousness. And, while what happened on the mountain came with glory, what happened on the hill revealed the glory . . . and by it’s very nature, is much more glorious!

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.    (2Corinthians 3:7-11 ESV)

The gospel is glorious! The ministry of the new covenant is not only shrouded in glory, not only does it reveal the glory, it welcomes all who believe into His glory.

In Paul’s contrast of the old and the new, he is not declaring that what transpired on the mountain was bad . . . but that it was never intended to be the final answer. It served to reveal the problem. Given of God . . . it was accompanied by God’s glory. But, as evidenced on the face of Moses, it was a fading glory (3:13). And in comparison to the glory to be revealed in the New Covenant, its glory passes.

The glory of the “ministry of the Spirit” . . . the glory of the “ministry of righteousness” . . . the glory of the gospel, that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1Cor. 15:3-4), is a surpassing glory . . . intrinsically possessing the very essence of glory. What transpired on the hill made way for the glory to not just be evidenced on our face, but for our face, and the rest of us, to have eternal access into the glory . . . into the very presence of God . . . to boldly approach His throne of grace.

And this, my friends, is much more glorious!

Sometimes I wonder if, because what happened on the hill has become so familiar to us over the years, that  we sometimes fail to see the glory. If because of all the distractions associated with just doing life . . . . if because, in our busyness, even in our ministry within the body of Christ, that we fail to take time, sit back,  and reflect upon the ministry of the Spirit . . . the ministry of righteousness — Another’s righteousness gifted to us by grace alone . . . and, as such, we miss the glory.

Not this morning . . .  thanx to Paul’s writings and the Spirit’s leading.

Praise God for the hill . . . for the cross . . . for the empty tomb!

Glorious!

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Because Jesus Loved Him

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Pete

Hadn’t he done enough? From the time of his youth he had kept all the commandments. From all accounts you sense he was a sincere seeker of God. From all indicators he was serious about pursuing the things of God. So, when this young man of some apparent financial means hears about Jesus, and His claims concerning the kingdom, the young man seeks out the Teacher. Approaching Jesus, the young man kneels . . . again, indicating an authentic humility. Having an audience with Jesus, he asks him the one question that reveals the longing of his heart, “What must I do to inherit internal life?” BAM!!! That’s what you want! A demonstrated track record of seeking God . . . a desire to know Him further . . . asking all the right questions. Time to “sign him up!” But Jesus has a different response . . .

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”   (Mark 10:21 ESV)

And looking at him, Jesus loved him.

At that moment the Master fixed His eyes on that one soul. He knew him . . . intimately. His background . . . his sincerity . . . his heart . . . and his snares. Jesus doesn’t dispute that he sought to be a keeper of the commandments. Jesus knew that the young man could truthfully “check the box” beside each of the commands Jesus had quoted, “Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.” But what of the first commandment . . . You shall have no gods before Me? What of the greatest commandment . . . you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength? Jesus looked at him . . . knew him . . . and loved him too much not to reveal to him his lack.

One thing he lacked . . . one really big thing. His heart had made room for another . . . the throne was already occupied . . . material gain already had the seat at the table. And so Jesus says, sell it all . . . give it to the poor . . . follow Me alone . . . and you will have treasure in heaven.

Tough message. High calling. But Jesus, knowing him, loved him. And so He was straight with him.

Though the young man was disheartened by the saying, though he went away sorrowful, I like to think it was because he recognized truth when he heard it. That he was, in fact, an idolater. That he wanted to serve both God and mammon. That he desired the treasure of heaven, but he also delighted in the riches of earth. That though he sought the kingdom, he also loved the world. That, while wanting to think that he was good, he had to acknowledge Jesus’ revelation that “no one is good except God alone” (10:18).

And I like to think that he left with a “godly sorrow that leads to repentance” (2Cor. 7:10). And that because Jesus looked at him . . . and loved him . . . and called him on the thing he lacked . . . that the seeds were planted that led the young man to repentance. That by the grace of God, and the convicting and courting agency of the Spirit, the young man eventually released his grip on his “great possessions” and gave himself fully to following his great Redeemer.

Because Jesus loved him, Jesus challenged him. And though it initially saddened him, I wonder if it didn’t ultimately save him.

That Jesus would so love me . . . revealing my lack . . . not that I might be saved . . . but that I might be sanctified.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
   Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting!    (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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The Growing Up Days

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Pete

There’s something about the early life of Samuel that stirs me. Maybe because I see in Samuel’s experience something of a pattern which I think might be true of all believers. Maybe because, in a sense, though not similar in any circumstance to Samuel’s, I can relate to the stages Samuel seemed to go through. And maybe because having been given an insider’s view of how God calls someone to Himself and to His purposes, I’m stirred to wonder and worship. There’s something that encourages the heart through “the growing up days.”

And the young man Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD. . . . Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. . . . And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.   (1Samuel 2:21, 2:26, 3:19 ESV)

That the child Samuel grew is evident. An answer to prayer . . . literally . . . he was given by his mother to the Lord’s work shortly after he was weaned. His early life memories would be that of assisting with the work of the tabernacle . . . the place where the glory of God dwelt. Though as a child he would not fully understand the significance of what he was doing, he grew in the presence of the Lord. And I can’t help but think of how many testimonies I have heard were the testifier recalled, “I can see now how, before I knew Him, God’s hand was upon me. Looking back, I can see that His presence shaped my life even before I knew there was a God who had gone to such great lengths so that I might know Him.”

Beyond Samuel growing in the presence of the LORD, he also grew in favor with the LORD. The young man, by God’s determined grace, responded well to the influence of the tabernacle. Faithful in service, fruitful in understanding of the tabernacles great meaning, he grew better and better while Eli’s other sons grew worse and worse. You sense that with his faithfulness in little, he was being given increased capacity to appreciate and pursue the ways of God. The seed planted, having been watered with obedience, was bearing increasing fruit.

And yet, though he grew in the presence and favor of God, “Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word the LORD had not yet been revealed to him” (3:7).

Though He knew much of his God and of His ways, the young intern had yet to know that the same God desired to reveal Himself to men . . . he had yet to know revelation from the LORD . . . he had yet to recognize when it was the LORD’s voice speaking to him. And so God, in His predetermined purposes, reveals Himself to Samuel in a yet more intimate way. They engage in one-on-one communion. The mind of God revealed to the child of God. The Master calls, and the maturing young man responds, “Speak, for your servant hears” (3:10).

And so, Samuel continues to grow. Growing in God’s presence . . . growing in God’s favor . . . growing to hear God’s voice . . . Samuel matured and the LORD was with him. The context of presence becoming the reality of abiding. The shadow of the glory on the other side of the curtain, giving way to the light of glory of God as it abided within. The LORD was with him.

And I think such are the intended “growing days” for all those called of God. What starts as a simple act of faith desiring the ways of God is nurtured by His presence and His favor such that it grows into the reality of knowing what it is to hear the voice of God . . . matures into the confident assurance that God is with us.

Not sure that the growing days ever stop. By the grace of God may we continue to seek His glory . . . and to know His presence, His favor, His voice, and His sweet communion.

Amen?

Posted in 1Samuel | Leave a comment

Shout!

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Pete

This past resurrection Sunday was great! Not just because it was a nice day . . . or because we were able to chill out with some friends over dinner. But it was the gathering of God’s people to celebrate the empty tomb that made it great. More people in our gathering than usual . . . songs celebrating the truth and implications of the risen Christ . . . God’s word preached on the difference a living Christ makes. Yeah, it was great! Added bonus? Our kids sang with the worship team for a couple of songs. About twenty, from 5 to 5th grade, singing at the top of their lungs “He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!” And then they sang a song they had been working on for our Easter service, Sing and Shout by Matt Redman. So how come we don’t shout more?

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!
For the LORD is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!       (Psalm 95:1-3, 6 ESV)

Twice the songwriter exhorts, “Make a joyful noise!” Both the NASB and NKJV translate it “Shout joyfully!” Literally . . . raise a sound . . . give a blast . . . cry aloud. Figuratively . . . it has the idea of “to split the ears.” Sounds like shouting to me.

So how come we don’t shout more? Why don’t we view it as a command to obey? To read the Psalms you’d think it was a normal reaction to the greatness of God . . . so, why don’t we shout more?

I know that we’re all wired differently . . . some more emotional, some less . . . some more comfortable with “letting go”, some who naturally keep things pretty subdued . . . I understand all that. But shouldn’t there be times when being in the presence of a supernatural God trumps our natural tendencies? I know that we are to do things “decently and in order” but, from time to time, doesn’t that “order” demand that we sing to the Lord, and “raise a sound” . . . that we should “give a blast” joyfully to the Rock of our salvation . . . that we should strain our voices and lift them to their max volume capacity in order to “split an ear” with His praise? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Maybe the issue isn’t so much about what comes natural to us . . . but the degree to which we pursue and enter the supernatural presence of God . . . the degree to which we truly quiet ourselves and remove the distractions and work at considering Him. Maybe the issue is that we really can’t stop focusing on ourselves and what we’re comfortable with . . . instead of being totally captivated with the LORD’s grandeur, greatness, and glory.

Now don’t get me wrong . . . I’m not advocating an “anything goes free-for-all” . . . just a bit of joyful shouting once in awhile. Not manufactured . . . not staged . . . not Sunday-in-and-Sunday-out . . . but birthed in the depths of souls freshly touched by the great King who is above all gods . . . freshly aware of the One who declares His glory through creation . . . freshly blessed by Him who continues to shower amazing grace through the blood of Jesus. Shouldn’t this be enough to garner a bit of shouting?

Ok . . . so maybe this doesn’t cut it with you . . . “I’m not the shouting type,” you say. So, why don’t we bow down? . . . why don’t we kneel? . . . why don’t we do something that physically indicates our pleasure in worshiping Him . . . something that demonstrates how blown away we are by our indescribably great God? After all . . . it’s biblical . . . and don’t we want to be biblical?

Anyway . . . this little “rant” isn’t intended to judge anybody . . . really more questions to myself as I read Psalm 95 this morning. Oh, that I would view my singing . . . my worship . . . my praise . . . less about what I’m comfortable doing and more about what He is worthy to receive. That I would be so consumed with His magnificent presence that thanksgiving would overflow . . . that worship would be the only “natural” response . . . that I’d refuse to let the rocks have the pleasure (Luke 19:37-40) . . . that my voice would be compelled, from time to time, to lift up with joyful shouts of praise . . . that the song would be as if it were the first time sung . . . that the ears of God would be my target . . . that He would be worshiped in a manner worthy of His majesty.

“We will sing and shout, yeah, sing and shout . . . Open up our hearts and pour Your praises out!” (Matt Redman)

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Scandalous Grace

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Pete

Such is the nature of the Scriptures . . . that they can be a “quick meal” in the morning to fire up one’s “spiritual metabolism” for the day or, they can be a feast of such sustenance that they can be consumed and chewed on over hours and hours of instruction, exploration, and meditation. Such is the case with the book of Ruth.

The book of Ruth as been part of my “morning meal” for two days now . . . two short readings yesterday and today, amidst three other readings as part of my reading plan. Reading Ruth, but for just a few minutes, has again captured my imagination and provided a glimpse into the sovereign workings of God. But my daughter has been studying Ruth for weeks now as part of her course work at university. This past Saturday we sat at the table and, with contagious enthusiasm, she poured out just a small sampling of what she’s been discovering as her professor plumbs the depths of this short love story with her and her class. Talk about drinking out of a fire hose!

And so, I know that what has caught my attention this morning, is but a scratch on the surface of all that is contained in this portion of Holy Writ . . . and that it is of such an elementary nature when compared to what’s been going down in my daughter’s class. But again, such is the Word of God, even as a “taste test” it nourishes the soul. And this morning it reminded me of God’s scandalous grace.

Love that term . . . not my term . . . encountered it in the notes of my Bible. Not my term . . . oh, but my reality.

As part of Boaz redeeming Ruth and taking her to be his wife, he calls upon those gathered at the gate of the city to be his witnesses. And after expressing his intentions, the witnesses respond:

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman.”    (Ruth 4:11-12 ESV)

Tamar! That’s the name that seemed out of place in this idyllic love story. You read her name and the sordid details of Judah impregnating his widowed daughter-in-law, as she disguised herself and sold herself to him as a harlot, comes to mind (Genesis 38). But from that “one night stand” were born twins . . . one of those being Perez . . . through whose lineage was born Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, Boaz.

At first her name seems out of place . . . but then you realize how appropriate her mention is here. Tamar knew scandalous grace and, through the son she bore, it begat more scandalous grace. Eventually in the line would be born Salmon . . . who would marry not a “one night” harlot, but a career prostitute, Rahab (Matt. 1:5), who, by faith, hid the spies that she might be associated with God’s covenant people (Heb. 11:31). And of Salmon and Rahab was born Boaz . . . the one who would redeem a Moabite woman . . . a woman of a nation historically at enmity with God’s people . . . a woman who, by faith, desired the God of Israel as her God . . . and God’s people as her people.

And then, of Boaz and Ruth would be born Jesse . . . and of Jesse, David . . . and through the kingly line of David, and by the sovereign determination of God, and according to the eternal promises of Him who so loved the world, God determined to provide the greatest of all redemptions through another Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.

That’s the nature of grace . . . calling the foreigner into the family . . . wooing the sinner towards the sanctuary . . . drawing enemies into eternity . . . sending a Redeemer to pay the price for our sin, inviting us to be counted among the righteous of God, through the finished work of the cross.

O praise God for scandalous grace!

Amen?

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It Makes a Big Difference!

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Pete

What we believe should impact how we behave. Thus, we seek to “rightly divide the word” so that we can rightly navigate the world . . . we commit to sound doctrine, not to boast in what we know, but to bring glory to God in all that we do. So, as part of my reading, I’m on the look out for the “so what?” So what does this portion of Scripture mean for how I live? So what are the implications or this truth on how I do life? So what’s the impact of this teaching on my values, my priorities, my pursuits? Sometimes you need to dig a bit . . . or noodle a while . . . before the “so what” becomes evident. Other times, as in one of my readings this morning, it’s kind of delivered to you a on silver platter.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.   (1Corinthians 15:58 ESV)

It doesn’t get much better than the fifteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. I read the first half of the chapter on Friday . . . finished it this morning . . . what a great way to “bookend” Easter weekend.

Christ is risen! As such, the Scriptures are fulfilled . . . our preaching is not in vain . . . our faith is not futile . . . and our hope extends beyond the few years we live on this terrestrial ball. Christ is risen! And thus, He is the firstfruits of others who will be raised to immortality . . . raised imperishable . . . raised in glory . . . raised in power . . . raised a spiritual body (15:42-44). Christ is risen! And now waits for the day when He will deliver His kingdom to the God the Father . . . the day when He rules and puts every enemy under His feet . . . the day when all things will become subject to Him . . . that God may be all in all (15:24-28).

Christ is risen! So we are sure of that day when “shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'” Because of the resurrection we give thanks to God as we’ve been given “the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:54-57).

So what does all this mean on the Monday morning after the Sunday before? After such a glorious celebration yesterday, what about today? As I think about what’s ahead of me this week, what difference does it make that I know what’s ahead of me for eternity? It makes a big difference!

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.
(1Corinthians 15:58 MSG)

I head to work this morning as a follower of the risen Christ first and as an employee of my Company second. Today, my work is not just another day of “working for the man” but another opportunity to stand firm and seek to glorify the Master. It’s believing that my nine-to-five job is not the main event, but the means by which my real work, my labor for the Lord, is made possible. A labor which is not in vain . . . but is tied to the very purposes of the kingdom of God itself.

Christ is risen! And because He lives I can head into another routine day with anything but routine expectations.

By His grace, steadfast . . . by His abiding presence, immovable . . . by His power, always abounding in the work of the LORD.

For His glory alone! Amen?

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His Blessed Appearance

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Pete

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
     to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
to declare Your steadfast love in the morning,
     and Your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
     to the melody of the lyre.
For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work;
     at the works of Your hands I sing for joy.                     (Psalm 92:1-4 ESV)

It is good to give thanks to the LORD . . . so pens the psalmist . . . to make music with gladness and sing with joy at the works of His hands.

And is there any more magnificent work than the work we remember and celebrate this weekend? I think not! So let’s give thanks . . . let’s be glad and make music . . . let’s sing with joy to God Most High.

Reading in 1Corinthians this morning, I was captivated by the reminder of His blessed appearance.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.   (1Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV)

Tonight, our fellowship of believers will gather to reflect on His death and the power of what was accomplished through His work on the cross. It will be somewhat somber as we remember that our Good Friday was His day of great shame and pain. He who knew no sin, became sin for us. He who knew intimate Triune fellowship with the Father and the Spirit would be forsaken of God for us. He who is the Beginning and Sustainer of all things would cry, “It is Finished!” . . . for us.  And we will reflect . . . and we will remember Him as we take of the bread and of the cup. But under-girding our remembrance will be the knowledge that Sunday’s coming!

I anticipate that on Sunday we will “sing and shout!” That we will proclaim, “He arose, hallelujah Christ arose!” . . . that we will affirm that because He lives as conqueror over sin and death, that we too are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). And we will sing for joy at His works . . . evidenced by an empty tomb. We will celebrate the stone rolled away . . . we will gasp in fresh amazement at the empty grave clothes . . . and we will rejoice that “He is not here, for He has risen” (Matt. 28:6).

But I’m reminded that we will do all this because He appeared to men. The power of the cross has no power at all lest we meet Him who suffered on the cross. The sure hope of the empty tomb is not sure at all without encountering Him who was in the grave three days and then rose victorious. Oh, that He should appear to men . . . that He should appear to me . . . what amazing grace!

To be sure, I have not seen Him (yet) as did Cephas . . . nor observed Him as did the five hundred. I have not physically been one-on-one with the risen Christ as was James . . . nor was I blinded by Him as He stood before me on the road to Damascus as was Paul. Yet, He has appeared to me.

Introduced first to me through the Scriptures . . . shadowed in the believers who testified to me of the Light of the world . . . and then revealed to my heart and soul by the blessed Spirit of God. At first my blind eyes saw but faint images of the risen Christ . . . but as seeds of faith took root, the active agency of the Spirit of God opened my eyes, by faith, to know His appearance. O’ what a blessed appearance!

Saint, let us rejoice this weekend. He who died to redeem the lost is alive! He is risen! And, in His wonderful grace, He has appeared!

To Him be all glory . . . now and forevermore . . . amen!

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The Purpose of Our Gathering

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Pete

Little is the time I spend these days trying to come up with the definitive position on whether or not the spiritual gift of tongues is for today. But there was a time when I was on the verge of obsession as I sought to wrestle this topic of some controversy to the ground. Those days come to mind as I read the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. Seems back then, as I wrestled with the place of sign gifts in the church, I found myself more often than not in chapter 13 trying to figure out what “the perfect” was that would cause “the partial” to pass away (1Cor. 13:10). But I really should have been spending more time in chapter 14 . . . focusing less on the practices of our gathering and more on the purpose of our gathering.

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.   . . . What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.   (1Corinthians 14:12, 26 ESV)

In chapter 14, Paul’s breaks down the relative merits of one who speaks in a tongue vs. one who prophesies . . . of one who speaks in an unintelligible language (v.9) and one who declares “some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching” (v.6) . . . of one who utters “an indistinct sound” (v.8) with their spirit for their own benefit (v.4) and one who clearly speaks, if only “five words,” with their mind “in order to instruct others” (v.19).

And the “rhythm section” of this mini opus . . . the underlying back beat of Paul’s argument, is that the purpose of our gathering is for edification . . . the building up of each other.

If repetition is the Scriptures megaphone . . . if recurrence is the Spirit’s way of saying, “Listen up!” . . . then, if there’s anything definitive I take away from my reading today, it’s that the church is to come together for building up. Six times Paul says that when we come together it should be for edification . . . for the building upon of a foundation . . . for promoting “another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, and holiness” (from my online Greek dictionary).

The “what’s” of our church practices are less important than the “why’s.” Let all things be done for building up.

Everything we do, when we come together as the family of God, should be run through this filter. How easy it is to program for program sake . . . to put things in place to satisfy individual preferences . . . rather than purposefully practice that which our local gatherings of believers are uniquely equipped for so that our local gatherings might result in believers maturing in their most holy faith . . . so that our church bodies might grow up into our exalted Head (Eph. 4:15).

And we aspire to such not so we can be like those professional body builders who develop muscle for the sole purpose of parading themselves. But we desire “muscle” so that “the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known” (Eph. 3:10) . . . we desire built up bodies so that a lost world might be drawn to a loving Savior.

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.     (1Corinthians 14:24-25 ESV)

Tongues or no tongues? I don’t think that’s really the question. But is God really among you? Isn’t that the desire for our gathering? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Might our churches be body builders in all we do together . . . by His grace . . . for His glory!

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Heat in the Heart

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Pete

In many ways, he had it all. If there was ever a child of privilege . . . a man of heavenly calling . . . someone who had been given all the tools to succeed, then it was him. But in the end, his life was pretty much a train wreck.

Though he was announced by the angel of the LORD at his birth, called to be a child of promise and destiny . . . he concluded his life mocked by Philistines, an object of trite entertainment. Though he was raised in the context of a vow of dedication and consecration . . . the allure of the world was what ultimately compelled him and eventually consumed him. Though he had the strength of a dozen men . . . though he could take out a battalion of men with but the jawbone of a donkey . . . he could not stand against a lone woman. Though he was blessed of God from birth . . . he died blind and in bondage.

And as I noodle on the life of Samson this morning, I can’t help but ask again, “What went wrong?”

Sure God’s purposes concerning the Philistines were accomplished through Samson . . . but you gotta know this wasn’t “Plan A.” Not saying that God was caught off guard and had to figure out a way to make lemonade from the lemons of Samson’s life . . . God is sovereign, knowing the end from the beginning. But I have to wonder how the story might have played out if Samon’s Nazirite vow had come down to something more than just the hair on his head . . . if, instead, it had been more of a heat in his heart.

And she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.” . . . And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.”   (Judges 16:15, 17)

When Samson finally revealed his heart to the persistent and treacherous Delilah, he talked about his head. When pressed to declare his inner soul, he confessed a strength dependent upon his hair. That’s what the vow had essentially become for Samson . . . a set of rules manifest in outward appearance. Hair on his head . . . but no heat in his heart.

And it causes me to praise God for the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I too am a child of promise . . . a man with a heavenly calling. Blessed with every blessing in heavenly places, I too have been given all the tools to participate in the divine nature. But apart from a dynamic which goes beyond a head knowledge of these things, blindness and bondage are just as likely an outcome for me as it was for Samson. Apart from a new heart as a result of rebirth . . . apart from an inner heat generated by the life giving power of the Spirit . . . I’m just as likely to embrace the enemies of the world around me . . . just as prone to follow the lustful drive of the flesh . . . just as likely to end up blind and in bondage.

But in the gospel there is power because it goes beyond what I know in my head and is manifest in what God has done in my heart. It is the power to overcome the world . . . to finish well . . . to stand with eyes wide open in freedom as we anticipate resurrection victory. It is the power of One who has defeated sin and death . . . a power not found in head knowledge but in changed hearts . . . a power not manifest in the external, but evident in what compels the inner man.

Praise God for heat in the heart.

It is found in Him alone . . . through Him alone . . . and by His grace alone.

To Him be all glory . . .

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Lessons From A Sad Song

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Pete

Despondent. No other word better describes the tone of the psalm written by Heman the Ezrahite. I don’t think this song went to the “top of the charts” . . . thinkin’ that it wasn’t played incessantly on NT Radio . . . wasn’t gonna be on anyone’s workout playlist. But these desperate lyrics of spiritual depression were taken and added to the Psalter . . . the sons of Korah engaged the choirmaster and thus this tune of apparent abandonment was added to the songs of God’s people. That it is part of the canon of Scripture indicates that, though the reality was Heman’s, the words were breathed of God Himself as the Spirit of God moved the anguished songwriter to put emotion to paper. And, as such, Psalm 88 was written for me.

So what do I glean from a song birthed from a soul full of troubles? What’s the purpose of entering the darkened world of a man who has no strength . . . who feels as though the wrath of God lies heavy on him . . . who is overwhelmed by the waves of trouble he experiences? Where’s the “building up” in the dirge of a man shunned by his friend . . . and preyed upon by those who were once his companions? Why meditate on the story of one who feels as though the LORD has cast away his soul . . . as though God has hid His face from this guy in such desperate need? What are the lessons from this sad song?

Well, I guess a couple of things.

First, I notice that in this short song, if nothing else, the songwriter is determined to pray . . . to cry out to God 24/7.

O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry! . . . Every day I call upon You, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You. . . . But I, O LORD, cry to You; in the morning my prayer comes before You.   (Psalm 88:1-2, 9, 13 ESV)

Though feeling like a man with one foot already in the grave, with whatever breath he has left, he will use it to cry out to His God. Day and night he seeks the LORD’s ear . . . a day not passing where, like a small child stretching out his hands to his mother as he cries, the songwriter so lifts his hands towards his heavenly Father in earnest desire of heaven’s embrace. Though his world is dark, by God’s grace he never stops seeking the light . . . though he feels near death, the life of faith remains strong as he continues to prevail upon the God of His salvation.

God’s people pray. Prayer is the evidence of Spirit generated faith . . . and “without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

And second, though you know that Heman is looking for reprieve from his enemies and for relief from his deteriorating condition, there’s a sense that, when all is said and done, it’s because he wants God to be glorified.

Do You work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
Is Your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
Are Your wonders known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
(Psalm 88:10-12 ESV)

How the psalmist desires that his mourning would turn to dancing so that the God of deliverance might be praised for His wondrous works. It is the voice of those who have come through the storm which declares the steadfast love of an unfailing God. It is the testimony of the weak which attests to the power of sustaining grace . . . and of a faithful and righteous God. The songwriter prayed so that he might praise.

Yeah . . . not exactly a pick-me-up tune, this eighty-eighth psalm. But a song of encouragement nonetheless. My God hears the prayer of the afflicted (Ps. 10:17). My Savior entered our world of despondency . . . in the garden (Matt. 26:39) . . . and on the cross (Matt. 27:46) . . . that He might sympathize with our weakness (Heb. 4:15) . . . and mercifully and graciously intercede on our behalf (Heb. 7:25).

That in all things, He might receive the glory . . .

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