Manifested

Posted on April 26, 2021 by Pete

Since reading Rankin Wilbourne’ book, Union with Christ, I have been more mindful of the implications of “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). That not only am I “in Christ”, but He is actually living through me. That’s why I can do “all things”, because I’m strengthened by Christ who lives in me (Php. 4:13). That’s why I have a run at being holy as He is holy (1Pet. 1:15-16). Because it’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. I think, in part, that’s why these verses in 2Corinthians popped this morning. The other part, I’m sure, is because my resident Teacher loves me too much for me to think that “Christ in me” is only about what I can do and not also about what I may have to bear.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

(2Corinthians 4:7-11 ESV)

Pretty familiar with this portion of Scripture. But my focus has tended to be on being a jar of clay (4:7). Or of not losing heart when the going gets tough (4:1, 4:16). Or of the inner self being renewed though the outer self is wasting way (4:16). Or the comfort of knowing that everything this side of eternity is but a “light momentary affliction” (4:17).

But what caught my eye, and my soul, is thought of manifesting the life of Christ in our bodies. The visibility of Christ living through us in our mortal flesh. And how’s that done? By “always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake.”

Okay, so who’s looking for a premature death? Not this guy. Who naturally embraces the possibility of having to endure afflictions in life which just leave you confused? Not me. Tell me that I going to be persecuted and struck down, and do you think I’m forcing my way to the front of the line to sign up? Uh, huh! But what if, in “dying” in this way, it actually manifests the life of Jesus in me? Hmm . . .

Not crushed, not driven to despair, not forsaken, not destroyed. Only explanation? The Christ who lives in me. Being given over to death, whether literally or metaphorically, and not just surviving but actually thriving — that’s got to show the reality of the One who conquered death living in me. This is union with Christ.

It not just what we must endure for the sake of the cross, but what we get to demonstrate of the power of the empty tomb.

Jesus is alive and well and living in us through His Spirit. Wanna know how? It’s manifested every time we are tried but not defeated. Every time we take a licking and keep on ticking (older generation reference). Every time these fragile jars of clay are stressed and, though cracked, are not broken — demonstrating for all who have eyes to see that it’s possible only because of the reality that Jesus lives in us. The power belonging to God and not to us. Jesus manifested in our bodies.

Like I said, I’m not looking for trouble. I’d be happy if me and trials and sufferings walked parallel paths. But if they’re permitted by my Sovereign Father then I trust it will be to manifest, to myself if not to anyone else, the reality of my union with Christ.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Jesus Really is the Answer!

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Pete

It’s Sunday School humor 101.

“What’s the answer to every question asked in the little kids class?”

“Jesus!”

Then we chuckle to ourselves, “Ha, ha! How cute!”

Uh, no. Actually, pretty profound. An “out of the mouth of babes” thing. ‘Cause Jesus really is the answer.

But [the Israelites] minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

(2Corinthians 3:14-16 ESV)

Paul’s contrasting the old covenant with the new. The law of Moses, “the ministry of death” carved in letters of stone, which came with “such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory” compared to the “ministry of the Spirit” which gives life, imputes righteousness, and comes with far exceeding glory (2Cor. 3:6-11). And the key which unlocks the old to reveal the new? The super power which opens up hardened minds and removes the cover from veiled hearts? Cue everyone’s go to Sunday School answer — “Jesus!”

I recall an old southern gospel classic sung by Jake Hess, Prayer is the Key to Heaven (But Faith Unlocks the Door). Well, if I’m picking up what Paul’s laying down, reading and meditating and studying might unlock the door, but Jesus is the key to the Scriptures. He is the fulfillment of all that is written in what we call the Old Testament (Lk. 24:44). He unlocks the reasons, the foreshadows, and the ultimate fulfillment of everything written by Moses and the Prophets (Mt. 5:17, Lk. 24:27). He’s all over the pages of the Psalms (Lk. 20:41-44). Think Jesus as you’re reading the Old Testament and light bulbs start coming on as you’re reading the Old Testament.

Encountered that this morning as I read in Psalm 98. A call for all to sing to the LORD a new song when His right hand and holy arm is revealed. A day when His righteousness is known in the sight of the nations. A day when all the ends of the earth will have seen the salvation of God. A day when the LORD comes to judge the world with righteousness. A day when trumpets will sound, and a joyful noise is made before the King, the LORD! What’s the psalmist talking about? Who’s the songwriter singing about? Jesus!

Jesus, the One who has come as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, is the One who is coming again as the King of Kings to rule in glory over all the earth. The first time, the promised Messiah came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (read that also this morning in Mk. 10:45), but the next time He comes every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Php. 2:10-11).

Jesus really is the answer. Only through Christ is the veil removed. He alone unlocks the Scriptures.

Opening my Bible every morning there’s a sense of anticipation. Where’s Jesus? And rare is the morning when I don’t, at some point, experience a sense of exhilaration. There He is!

Unveiled by His grace. Revealed for His glory.

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Entering the Kingdom

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over the story of the rich young guy who came to Jesus in order to complete his portfolio. He already had “great possessions” (Mk. 10:22b), but wanted to know how to invest wisely so as to “inherit eternal life” (Mk. 10:17b).

But the counsel he received from Jesus “disheartened” him. It made him sad. Eternal life was going to require too much of his temporal goods.

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)

After the young man walks away, Jesus seizes the encounter as a teachable moment for His followers.

And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

(Mark 10:24 ESV)

To walk away from that which is seen for that which is unseen is difficult. To trade what’s in the bank today for treasures in heaven tomorrow is really hard. It so goes against our grain that Jesus’s disciples couldn’t help but ask, “Then who can be saved?” But praise God! “For all things are possible with God” (Mk. 10:26-27).

And while I’m no rich young man compared to others (not rich, nor so young), I do have a few possessions, a comfortable balance in the bank account and, compared to many others on this terrestrial ball, I camp on the wealthier side of the scale. And, by God’s grace, as I look back, I always have.

So, do I sit here this morning and thank God that, because He is able to do all things, this camel got through the eye of the needle (Mk. 10:25)? For sure! For I have entered the kingdom of God despite my material privilege. To God be the glory!

But something we talked about in our men’s study last night has me thinking this morning. Last night we talked about Jesus calling those who would embrace the kingdom He taught of, to “enter by the narrow gate.” And to keep entering, remaining in the way and resisting the allure of the way which is wide and easy but leads to destruction (Mt. 7:13-14). And if that’s true, the need to keep entering, then is it also true that it continues to be difficult for those who have wealth to keep on wanting to pursue and enter more deeply into the ways of the kingdom? I’m thinkin’ . . .

The more I seek first the kingdom, the more I need to be prepared to loosen my grip on the ways of this world. The deeper I desire the way of the cross, the more it’s going to cost. The more I want to store up treasures in eternity, the more I may have to let go of in this moment. Even though “I’m in”, I still need to be willing to give it all away.

Difficult? Yup. Really hard? Could be. Disheartened? No, but also not taking it lightly. Up for the trek of continuing to enter, deeper and deeper, into the economy of the kingdom of heaven? Not in my own power — but with God all things are possible.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Old and Heavy

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Pete

It’s probably not fair to compare Eli with Paul. But that’s what I did as I read this morning in 1Samuel.

During our Sunday morning preaching series we’re working our way through 2Timothy. Running, as it were, with Paul on the final leg of his last lap, ready to hand the baton of faith off to Timothy his beloved child in the faith, his apprentice concerning the gospel and contending for the faith. And I know what’s coming pretty soon. Even while Paul is being”poured out like a drink offering”, he knows that as death approaches he has fought the good fight; he has finished the race; he has kept the faith. And so, even though imprisoned, in spirit he sprints toward the finish line anticipating the victor’s crown for all who love the Lord’s appearing (2Tim. 4:6-8).

What a contrast to how Eli crosses the finish line. Unlike Paul who, I imagine, breaks the tape with arms raised in victory, Eli falls over it backwards in tragic defeat.

As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

(1Samuel 4:18 ESV)

The man was old and heavy. How’s that for an epitaph?

Now, in all fairness, the man was old. Eli was 98 years old (1Sam. 4:15). Probably in the neighborhood of 35 years older than was Paul when he was promoted into glory. And, to be clear, I’m not being critical of Eli just because he was sporting a BMI in the 40’s or higher. But that God inspires the author or 1Samuel to record this last assessment of Eli’s life I think is purposeful. And profitable if I have ears to hear.

That Eli got old wasn’t Eli’s fault. Not his call. God had determined his days (Ps. 139:16). But that he got lazy in his calling, and loose with the things of the LORD during those days? I think that’s on him. The priesthood was a mess.

Read the first four chapters of 1Samuel and you’ll find that Eli’s sons, the priests in charge of day to day operations in the tent at Shiloh, were out of control. Hophni and Phineas were running amok as they served their own sensual desires rather than their sacred calling. In fact, the holy record declares they were “worthless men. They did not know the LORD” (1:12). They ate what should have been the LORD’s, treating the offering of the LORD “with contempt” (2:12-17). What’s more, they abused their power and slept with women who were at Shiloh to serve the LORD (2:22). And while Eli protested the actions of his sons (2:25), he seems to have retired from protecting the name of the LORD.

That Eli was overweight wasn’t necessarily a problem in and of itself, either. Unless of course it was because, along with his sons, he ate from the temple sacrifices the fat which should have been the LORD’s. He may have protested their inappropriate behavior, yet he participated in the contempt they showed for the LORD’s sacrifice. We know that’s the case as the LORD calls Eli on it through prophetic voices.

“I gave to the house of your father all My offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn My sacrifices and My offerings that I commanded for My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of My people Israel?”

(1Samuel 2:28b-29 ESV)

“And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.”

(1Samuel 3:13 ESV)

Paul was much younger than Eli. Paul was probably a lot leaner than Eli, but that may have been simply because you can’t bulk up too much when, if you’re not on the run from rioting mobs, you’re in a Roman prison. Nevertheless, Paul was running the race and fighting the good fight until the end. Eli, on the other hand, as much spiritually as physically, was old and heavy.

Not judging him. Learning from his tragic finish.

I don’t want to cross the finish line old and heavy. I want to be on my feet leaning into it, not on my rear falling backwards over it.

Only by God’s grace. Desiring God’s glory.

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Relying on God — Always a Good Thing

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Pete

Utterly burdened. Completely overwhelmed. Beyond strength. Way past the ability to endure. Despairing even of life. Thinking this is it, it’s over, not going to make it!

That’s the situation Paul describes in the opening chapter of 2Corinthians (vv. 8-9a). For as many bullets as Paul had dodged throughout his ministry, the affliction they experienced in Asia seemed to carry with it “the sentence of death.”

So what do you say to Paul & Co. in the midst of that? Suppose that somehow you’re permitted to walk alongside these servants of God as they are run through the wringer, not sure they’re gonna come out the other side — what do you say to them? Quoting Romans 8:28, “that for those who love God all things work together for good”, doesn’t quite seem to fit, perhaps comes across a bit trite. Or does it? After all, it was Paul who came up with it (well, actually it was God via the Holy Spirit as He moved Paul to write it). But what possible good could come from such a desperate state? This morning, I’m chewing on Paul’s implicit to that question.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

(2Corinthians 1:8-9 ESV)

Paul was at the end of himself, it forced him to look beyond himself. His strength was gone, he needed to draw on some other power. Nothing left in the gas tank, had to trust in another kind of fuel. I smile at the way Peterson puts it:

As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally–not a bad idea since He’s the God who raises the dead!

(2Corinthians 1:9b MSG)

Isn’t that the ultimate good in any desperate situation, that it compels us to rely on the Lord? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ . . . that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death . . .

(Philippians 3:8, 10 ESV)

Isn’t it the opportunity in any suffering situation, to have to rely on Him? To be compelled to trust in Him? To be cornered into experimentally knowing Him and the truth of His ever-present help in time of need? A help sourced in the power to raise the dead? Yeah, I’m thinking that’s always the opportunity.

If no other good comes from a desperate season of life, the good of having had to draw near to God so that we might know the supernatural dynamic of God drawing near to us (James 4:8) is of eternal worth. We can know God in our sufferings in a manner less accessible to us in our self-sufficiency.

Then, when deliverance is realized, we reap more than just an escape from a particular situation. We harvest the fruit of a built up faith — more convinced than ever that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Possessing a firsthand knowledge that His grace really is sufficient and that His strength really is manifest in our weakness (2Cor. 12:9).

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.

(2Corinthians 1:10 ESV)

He delivered us. He will deliver us. He will deliver us again!

Thus, on Him we have set our hope. A more sure hope. A tested hope. A hope based on the experience of being comforted by the God of comfort. And having known up close and personal His supernatural presence and power, we not only survive but, in fact, we thrive. Because relying on God is always a good thing.

Easier to say than to actually step through. But true none the less. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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This Kind

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Pete

There’s different kinds. I guess that’s not too surprising. It’s just not something I’ve really paused to noodle on. There’s different kinds of demons, different types of evil spirits.

And when [Jesus] had entered the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And He said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

(Mark 9:28- 29 ESV)

This wasn’t the disciples’ first encounter with demons. Jesus had given them “authority over the unclean spirits” and they had previously exercised that authority. They had already “cast out many demons” (Mk. 6:7b, 13a). So why not this one? Why couldn’t they cast this one out?

Since childhood this man’s son had been demonized. In bondage to a spirit that had stricken him mute and had repeatedly seized him, thrown him to the ground, and caused him to foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid. It might have looked like epilepsy, but evidently what the boy suffered from was anything but natural causes. His was not a battle against flesh and blood. He was wrestling with “cosmic powers” of darkness and “spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12). And whatever it was that owned the boy, it wasn’t your run of the mill demon, it was this kind. The kind that could only be driven out by prayer.

Though Jesus’ disciples had experience with dispossessing demons, they had failed to recognize that not every kind was the same kind. Perhaps they thought they had the casting out demons thing down pat. Just place your hand here, give an authoritative command there, top it off with “in the name of Jesus” for good measure, and, “Presto!”, demon be gone. But apparently that’s not how it works.

The disciples failed to discern. Perhaps they had become over-confident. Eventually, it seems, they became desperate. Wonder if they also weren’t doubting, thinking somehow they had lost the “magic touch” (in the Matthew 17 parallel count, Jesus says their failure to cast out the demon was “because of your little faith”).

I guess I’m thinking there may be a broader application beyond casting out demons. We can’t rest on past victories. We can’t allow ourselves to go on auto-pilot thinking that because we figured out something once, we’ve got the next thing in the bag. Can’t be lulled into a complacent stupor which fails to recognize that today’s battles with the flesh, the world, and the forces of darkness may not be the same as they were yesterday. Rather, we need to be awake, alert, and ready of this kind. A new kind that requires new dependency, new humility, and new importunity through prayer.

Don’t know what needs to be “cast out” today. But I’d be foolish to think it’s the same as yesterday. Even more foolish to coast into today thinking that the skirmishes won yesterday guarantees victory in the battle today. That I’m up for whatever. That I’ve got it.

“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Father, help me to be awake, alert, and ready for this kind no matter the kind. Let me enter today’s battle against the flesh in the power of the Spirit. Let me engage the things of earth with my mind set on things above. And, along the way, whether I encounter this kind or that kind, help me to do so in dependent, believing prayer without ceasing.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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He Appeared!

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Pete

Okay, so I’m thinking a rewrite of the old Easter hymn may be in order. Instead of “He Arose!”, perhaps it should be “He Appeared!”

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)

You think Paul’s trying to make a point with that repetition? Me too!

Being a Christian in Corinth wasn’t a gimme. Talk about swimming upstream. But then to have this teaching infiltrating the church that the idea of a resurrection from the dead was but a fanciful myth? Talk about discouraging. No point swimming upstream if your carcass is just going to end up rotting away on the bank like everybody else’s.

So Paul comes out with his “reminder” (15:1) to the brother and sisters with guns a blazing. If there’s no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen then the whole deal is useless. Preaching the gospel is in vain. Believing in the gospel is in vain. Deliverance from sin is a joke. The hope of life beyond this life but a pitiable promise (15:17-19).

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

(1Corinthians 15:20 ESV)

And not only did He “arose,” He appeared!

Jesus was seen. He was beheld. He was optanomai (I’m no Greek guy, but that opta in the original word looks like it might be tied to optical).

Stared at. Gazed upon. Observed with eyes wide-open.

By Cephas (aka Peter). By the twelve. Then out in public — on one occasion, by a crowd of more than five hundred. By James his brother. By all the apostles. And by the least of the apostles, Paul himself.

He appeared!
He appeared!
Hallelujah, Christ appeared!

I know we walk by faith and not by sight, but praise God for those who sighted Jesus. Eyewitnesses of His resurrection from the dead. Kind of an important thing to have in those days following His death and burial. Crucial corroboration that the tomb was empty not because His body was taken and hidden somewhere to perpetuate some scam, but because He was up and around and really was the Author of Salvation, the Conqueror over sin and death.

He appeared, you Corinthians. Don’t fall for anything that leads you to believe otherwise. Consider the eyewitnesses. And keep on keepin’ on.

How important is that witness for our endurance? I’m thinking, “Pretty important!”

That’s why we need to be in fellowship. And I’m not just talking about going to church once a week, two or three times a month. But hanging with believers on a regular basis throughout the week. Regular interactions with others who have encountered the risen Christ, are abiding with the living Lord, and testify to His palpable presence.

I think back over this past week and the number of brother and sisters in the faith who I have been with. With some talking “business.” With others talking about suffering. With others still, talking about struggling. And as I think back I realize that in each and every case, regardless of the nature of our conversation, while these folks may not have been eyewitnesses of the living Christ, they are all faith-witnesses. Each having experienced the reality of a risen Christ. Each able to speak of the evidences of walking with Jesus, whether that encounter of the divine kind was being led by Him, comforted by Him, or convicted of sin by Him.

You ask me how I know it’s real? I see it. I behold it. He appears in every brother, and through every sister, I rub shoulders with throughout the week. And it helps me keep on keepin’ on as I strive to swim upstream. Because this week, He appeared to me.

That’s why small groups are so important. Why having coffee, breakfast, or lunch with other believers on a regular basis is important. Why practicing hospitality is so important. Why we need to be with believers on a regular basis is important. So we can be reminded of the reality of our faith.

He appeared!
He appeared!
Hallelujah, Christ appeared!

Now, through eyes of faith. Soon, face to face. Even so, Lord Jesus come!

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Done! Let’s Move On!

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Pete

Wrapped up Judges this morning. What a tough journey it has been. Tougher this year than in past years for some reason. Perhaps because over the past year we’ve had a ringside seat as to what it kind of looks like when “everyone does what’s right in their own eyes.”

And what a gong show — in the worst, most depraved sense — these last chapters have been. Gibeah, a town in Benjamin, has gone full on Sodom and Gomorrah and an innocent woman dies because her “husband” hands her over to a lust-filled, out of control mob. Then in “righteous indignation” he takes her corpse, dismembers it, and sends it throughout Israel evoking national outrage. For all the evil that Israel had fallen into by wedding themselves to the culture around them, Gibeah had crossed the line of whatever the prevailing moral standard of the day had been determined to be.

Then extreme cancel culture kicks in. 400,000 soldiers from the tribes of Israel rise up to go act as judge, jury, and executioner as they purpose to wipe off the map Gibeah and its army of 700 fighting men. But then tribalism rears it’s head. The people of Benjamin muster a combined military force of 26,000 to come to the defense of wicked Gibeah.

Bottom line? Three battles and over 65,000 battlefield deaths later, not only is Gibeah erased from the map, but the entire tribe of Benjamin is decimated.

Situation status?

And the people of Israel had compassion for Benjamin their brother and said, “One tribe is cut off from Israel this day. What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them any of our daughters for wives?”

(Judges 21:6-7 ESV)

Some remaining consciousness of Jehovah? Good. Compassion for Benjamin? Good. “What shall we do?” Hmm, not so good for a people who are accustomed to doing what’s right in their own eyes.

This sordid tale gets more bizarre as they decide to destroy another city of Israel and “harvest” virgins to be wives for the Benjamin survivors. But that doesn’t fill the quota and so they devise a plan whereby, although they can’t voluntarily “give” their daughters to the men of Benjamin because of an oath, they can set up a scenario whereby the remaining bachelors of Benjamin can forcibly “take” some of their daughters. O’ brother!

Honestly, if I was authoring Christianity, I wouldn’t include any of this in my holy book.

Unless, of course, I wanted to illustrate the depths of depravity and destruction which are the logical, eventual outcome of a people who remove God from their collective conscience and default to everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Warning, warning, warning!

Like I said, I’m glad my readings in Judges are completed for another year. Hard, hard journey. Too close for comfort as I look out at the trajectory of our prevailing culture. Done! Let’s move on.

For joy comes in the morning. Light shines in the darkness. Beauty comes from ashes. The futility of man’s self-righteousness sets us up for God’s grace and the true righteousness which is from faith and for faith through the gospel.

Even as I wrap up Judges and process these final depressing thoughts, I know that, Lord willing, tomorrow I start in on the book of Ruth — an oasis in the desert of everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. A reminder is coming that God’s redemptive story is not derailed. A foreshadowing with be seen of a Kinsmen-Redeemer who is able, ready, and willing to pay the price to deliver the world from sin and death. The Deliver who is ready to shepherd men and women in a way that is right in their Creator’s eyes — leading them in a manner which enables those created in the image of God to thrive as they follow Him, and not just survive as they rely on their own wisdom.

Can’t wait for tomorrow morning.

Because of God’s grace. Only for God’s glory.

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The Purpose of Our Gathering (A 2014 Rerun)

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Pete

Late night last night. Kind of foggy this morning. Difficulty getting the old pump primed. So, went through the archives.

Surprised that I haven’t written anything on 1Corinthians 14 since 2014. This morning it came alive as (I think for the first time) I underlined every use of the word “prophecy” or “prophesies” in orange, the color I use to mark references to the Word of God. Prophesy as in “forth-telling” not “foretelling.” As in declaring divine revelation, not predicting future events. Paul exalts this spiritual gift over tongues because prophecy “builds up the church” (14:3, 4, 5). And we are to “strive to excel in building up the church” (14:12). So, how big a deal should the Word of God — divine revelation — be when we gather? Pretty big.

I think 1Corinthians 14 resonates as well this morning because the late night last night was spent at our monthly deacon’s meeting. While we covered off the status of what was going on presently, we talked a lot about future direction and some potentially pretty significant ministry decisions. Our deacons discussed at length “the whats” last night. This morning 1Corinthians 14 grounds that discussion in “the whys.”

Here’s a rerun of my thoughts from 2014.

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 “whats” of our church practices are less important than the “whys.” 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.

By His grace. For His glory.

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When There’s No King . . .

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Pete

Continuing to read in Judges this morning. And encountered the first of four repeated strikings of an ominous gong.

In those days there was no king in Israel.

That gong sounds in Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, and 21:25.

Implication? It echoes out twice from this repeated warning — “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jud. 17:6, 21:25).

Modern day translation? Things were out of control!

If Samson’s story hinted at how out of control things were when it came to the sensual, the story of Micah demonstrates how out of control things were when it came to the sacred.

A mom blesses the LORD when her son confesses he stole 1,100 pieces of sliver from her. And the way she responds in gratitude for her son’s repentance is to “dedicate” the silver to the LORD. How does she do that? She takes 200 pieces of the returned silver and sends it to the silversmith “to make a carved image and a metal image” (17:3-4). She makes an idol! What?!?

Micah takes it home and adds it to his collection. He already has a homegrown shrine, so he takes the idol, adds an ephod, supplements it with some additional household gods, and then ordains his son as a priest over it all. Viola! A DIY worship center.

That’s when enough is enough and the gong sounds for the first time.

And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

(Judges 17:5-6 ESV)

Eventually Micah will make the whole set up “legit” when he hires a traveling Levite to be his “real priest.” (Though the Levite probably wasn’t of the Aaron’s priestly line, it was close enough).

And lest we think this is totally a pagan pursuit, as Micah stands back, beholds his shrine, bows to his carved image, and reveres his personal priest . . .

Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.”

(Judges 17:13 ESV)

You know the LORD will prosper you now?!? O brother! Micah, give your head a shake!

It’s not like he had forgotten God, or even thought he had abandoned God, it’s just that God got all mixed in with his worldly, culturally influenced ways. Just like everyone else, he was making it up as he went along. Somehow thinking that if it looked like something sacred, and it operated like something sacred, and it used the language of something sacred, then it must be bona fide sacred. That’s kind of what happens when there’s no authority outside the individual to hold them to account.

There was no transcendent authority — they had in effect made God in their own image. There was no written authority — you got to think that no one was reading the Word, or if they were, no one felt compelled to submit to it. There wasn’t even any peer pressure, or community authority, from hanging with others who had determined to walk in the ways of Jehovah. No longer a team sport, it was now an individual’s game. Everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.

I can’t help but see a warning here for God’s people today. We live in a culture where self rules. Where to be “authentic” is to go with what you feel inside. A culture that has cut ties with the transcendent and therefore has no ethic anchor to be tethered to, and no moral compass, beyond their own calloused conscience, to navigate with. A culture which is happy for us to bring in our God language and our God practices as long we don’t speak of them as having any God authority over our culture.

A culture which can lull us into a DIY approach to the sacred. Self determining to what extent the Word of God will have authority over our lives. Self picking and choosing how often to gather with the people of God and what level of accountability that holy community will play over the whole of my life. Self creating the manner in which I worship God, the way that works best for me and my family.

When there’s no king, we kind of end up doing what’s right in our own eyes.

O King of Heaven, call us back to Yourself. Rule in our hearts. Reign in our lives.

By Your grace. For You glory.

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