Review of Unstoppable Gospel by Gregg Matte

In the Unstoppable Gospel, Gregg Matte joins a unique insightfulness into the book of Acts with a modern application.  By looking carefully at the life of the early church and applying descriptive principles of the early church for the church of our modern era, the reader is both challenged and encouraged about the power of the Gospel of Jesus.  Matte’s conviction of this point is expressed in the title.  The Gospel is unstoppable.  

Matte works through the first half of the book of Acts in this book.  He emphasizes the key qualities of the first Christians that led to the propulsion of the Gospel during the church’s early years.  Matte has a skill for unpacking these qualities and expounding on truth for the modern church.  Coupling those truths with testimonies from his church, Houston’s First Baptist, as well as many other powerful illustrations from history and personal perspective he communicates the power of Jesus and His effectiveness for us today.  

For Pastor and layman alike this book will provide encouragement about personal disciplines in the faith, disciplines like prayer, fasting, Bible study, and service.  Matte also emphasizes the power of influence one can have by focusing on generosity in financial stewardship, as well as investment personally in missions.  

In Unstoppable Gospel, there is a message that will encourage and motivate the reader to stronger commitment of faith, greater hope in the power of Jesus, and the importance of each person’s participation in the church’s mission. 

The Last Days According To Jesus by R.C. Sproul

The Last Days According to Jesus by R.C. Sproul

Review:

Sproul tackles the issues surrounding the interpretation of Jesus' teaching recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.  These passages reflect each of the Synoptic writer's record concerning what we call the Olivet Discourse.

Sproul addresses this section because of his concern for the chaos that abounds due to the "crisis in eschatology."  He outlines the conflicting views regarding the interpretation of Jesus' teaching by summarizing the positions.  Radical Preterism sees all of the events prophesied by Jesus as already happening, meaning the kingdom is a present reality.  Sproul explains the view of Moderate Preterism, which identifies that many of the New Testament prophecies have been fulfilled, while maintaining that some crucial prophecies have not yet been fulfilled.  The third position is that of Dispensationalism, which regards the kingdom as future.

Sproul largely addresses the writings of James Stuart Russell and his opinions regarding the Olivet Discourse.  Russell's position would qualify him as holding to Radical Preterism.   Through a careful examination of the Olivet Discourse, Sproul concludes that there are prophecies clearly made concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, as well as  about the Parousia of Christ.  They also agree that there are signs that portend these events.

In Matthew 24:34 Jesus said, "This generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled."  Sproul identifies this statement as leading to a key question: What "generation" will witness the end?  By carefully analyzing the contrasting views of Russell and Herman Ridderbos, Sproul presents the conclusion that either all of the content of the Olivet Discourse has occurred, or at least some of the events have failed to take place within the time-frame.

He questions how they could have fully taken place and what hope that leaves for Christians regarding a future return of Jesus.  Taking a careful approach Sproul considers the issues of interpretation.  The events could be interpreted in a strictly literal sense.   The events could be literally interpreted while the time frame is figurative.  Or the time frame is literally interpreted while the events are figuratively interpreted (this is the view of the Preterists.  Because of these issues, Sproul sees that there is a greater future hope outlined for the church and thus a need to distinguish Radical Preterism from Moderate Preterism.

Thus far the first two chapters are summaraized.  Sproul then spends some seven chapters addressing the nuances that distinguish the two camps.  By carefully applying the aforementioned perspectives and careful hermeneutic, Sproul works through key issues regarding eschatology.  He addresses Paul's teaching, the destruction of Jerusalem, John's teaching in Revelation, matters of the resurrection, the antichrist, and positions regarding the millenium.

Sproul certainly accomplishes what he desired when he set out to address interpretive issues pertaining to eschatology.  He does it in a concise and clear manner.  He clearly indicates the Reformed perspective on the matters while carefully addressing the various positions.  He concludes with a call to greater diligence and persistence in seeking the solution of these things that will continue to be exceedingly difficult to interpret.  The Christian reader ought to pursue this discipline to offer hope to a skeptical world that Scripture is divine authority and Christ is a credible Savior.

Book Review - The New Pastor's Handbook by Jason Helopoulos

Jason Helopoulos hits a home run in his book, The New Pastor’s Handbook.  I believe that this book should be on every reading list for Practical Christian Ministry in either College or Seminary.  It will be especially helpful for young men committing to the pastorate.  

Each chapter is full of sagely counsel that will easily direct and more importantly give practical perspective for any man (or woman) looking at serving in full-time Christian ministry.  Helopoulos begins by shaping thoughts regarding the importance of a call to ministry.  Having been in full time ministry for over 23 years now, I must concur that one’s sense of call internally and one’s confirmation of calling by a local body can together be stabilizing elements the Lord uses during difficult seasons.  Every minister of the gospel will need these elements and the ability to recall God's plans for them.  Helopoulos succinctly aids the young pastor by clarifying these elements and their significance.

Young pastors will need further counsel through the years of ministry.  That counsel extends beyond an evaluation of their calling to serve in ministry.  They will need encouragement in a number of areas.  Helopoulos considers the importance of the focus of ministry in early years, the practice of reading a variety of books, as well as one’s priority to shepherd their first flock - their family.   As I continued to read the areas of encouragement that Helopoulos addresses, I thought how carefully it seemed he had observed my own life as a pastor.  I recognized that this work contains incredibly important information for a young minister that comprehensively addresses the areas they will encounter through many years of ministry.

Helopoulos provides practical wisdom to avoid pitfalls that will be encountered at points of one’s ministry.  He addresses several specific topics that I have found to creep into the thought process and impact me negatively regarding my own ministry.  This book will help guide one’s heart and and practice in positive biblical truth.  This extends from practical preaching, the use of illustrations, disappointments in people, etc.  These chapters provide invaluable insight regarding matters every minister will face at some time.  

Lastly he concludes with a section on the Joy of Ministry.  In these few short chapters he addresses the great privilege and blessings of serving in pastoral ministry.  Though certainly not exhaustive in their content, consistent with the entirety of the book, Helpoulos succinctly highlights the greatest privileges and joys.  These highlights will serve as reminders of the specifics moments particular to you and your own ministry.  

In conclusion, I am so thrilled that this book is available.  Over the years I have ministered to several people who were called to ministry.  Unfortunately I never knew of a sufficient resource that would be empowering, practical, and comprehensive.  The New Pastor’s Handbook certainly fulfills those areas in excellence.

Self - Less Living

I am preparing for the next sermon series on Romans at church.  In my preparation reading I found some interesting comments by John MacArthur that I thought worthy for reflection.  He writes,

The ultimate goal in many lives today is little more than perpetual self- satisfaction. Every object, every idea, every circumstance, and every person is viewed in light of what it can contribute to one's own purposes and welfare. Lust for wealth, possessions, fame, dominance, popularity, and physical fulfillment drives people to pervert everything they possess and everyone they know. Employment has become nothing more than a necessary evil to finance one's indulgences. As is often noted, there is constant danger of loving things and using people rather than loving people and using things. When that temptation is succumbed to, stable and faithful personal relationships become impossible. A person engulfed in self- will and self- fulfillment becomes less and less capable of loving, because as his desire to possess grows, his desire to give withers. And when he forfeits selflessness for selfishness, he forfeits the source of true joy.

Selfish greed progressively alienates a person from everyone else, including those who are closest and dearest. The end result is loneliness and despair. Everything that is craved soon yields to the law of diminishing returns, and the more one has of it the less it satisfies.

Reading this made me think about the number of people in churches today who seek only what can lead to their own satisfaction.  This is nothing more than a modern day idolatry.  How the Lord desires for us to serve Him and others at the core of our hearts and with the fruits of our lives. 

A few weeks ago I challenged that church should not be about "what I can get," nor should it be about "what I can give," instead it should be about "what others can gain."  The others to whom I am referring are two audiences.  The first audience is the Lord, for He gains our worship and adoration.  The second audience is the world around us, whether that be our church community or the community in which we live and work.  This fulfills the two greatest commandments.  Love the Lord your God and Love your Neighbor as Yourself. 

Selfishness will only prohibit the best worship and service from happening.  There is a return when we get this right and it is directed at ourselves, it is joy.  This joy is truly bound in our relationship with Jesus as we steward the grace we have discovered in Him.  MacArthur concludes that there is a law of diminishing returns when we crave the wrong thing. So the question for every one of us is: By what are you satisfied?

Accountability

I am still working through Hioliness by Grace, by Bryan Chapell.  He was talking about mercy in the chapter I am in, and interjected a unique experience that reminded me of the values of relationships in the church, especially personal relationships that may know the intimate details of our lives.

He writes (referring to a conversation he had with another pastor), "He said he had discovered that his own walk with the Lord could be charted according to his level of accountability to other Christians. He said, “I have discovered in the Christian life that you are moving either toward or away from accountability.” Very few healthy things in the Christian life happen in secret. If you cannot or will not tell your spouse, your peers, or your superiors about something, then accountability falters. Our immersion in and integrity with these patterns of Christian association and accountability are ordinary means by which we grow in godliness."

When I read this, I am certainly reminded of the ebbs and flows in my own life in relationship with Christ.  The moments that I seem to have the greatest level of intimacy with him are certainly identified when I am at my most transparent moments, vulnerable, and honest with others in my life.

For over a year now I have been working hard to maintain an accountability relationship with a mentor of mine from my early days of becoming a follower of Jesus by grace through faith.  This friendship provides encouragement, stability, strength, and helps to prevent me from wandering away from the Lord into sin.  Between my friend, my wife, and my attempts to be transparent with my fellow elders (other peers) I a convinced the flow is in the greater, growing level of intimacy with Jesus.  These are the people who have spurred me on to a better relationship with Jesus.  I am more inclined to wrestle against my flesh, more resolved to battle every day, and intentional in my efforts for sacrificial living.

I trust that you wil consider your own life, specifically whether you are moving toward or away from accountability.  I hope that you will make any necessary steps to instill accountability in your life to afford the means to grow in godliness.

Eyes For You

I was reading a devotion by C.H. Spurgeon and was reminded of the phrase, "I only have eyes for you.". You might have heard some young man say that to the girl he is courting or to his wife.  I have been around a few people in my life who live in such a way with their wives.  My Grandfather exhibited that kind of love with my Grandmother, it was incredible to watch.   What is more telling though than any earthly relationship though is what the Lord does for us His bride.  Spurgen was commenting n a verse in the Song of Solomon, which is a book that many believe is an allegory of the Lord and the church, His Bride.  Song of Solomon 4:7 reads, "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."

The reason it can be said that the bride is altogether beautiful, and there is no flaw is because the Lord is at work in His Bride.  Spurgeon gives reason why . . . 

He views her in Himself, washed in His sin-atoning blood and clothed in His meritorious righteousness, and He considers her to be clothed in comeliness and beauty.  No wonder that such is the case, since it is but His own perfect excellency that He admires; for the holiness, glory, and perfection of His Church are His own glorious garments on the back of His own well-beloved spouse.  She is not simply well proportioned; she is altogether beautiful!she has actual merit! Her deformities of sin are removed; but more, she has through her Lord obtained a meritorious righteousness by which an actual beauty is conferred upon her.

You see, the Lord only has eyes for us, His bride.  No matter the flaw of sin, or the deformity we may have, it is covered by his righteousness imputed (conferred upon) to us.  With this in mind, I sense that I should respond more as he sees me, I should look down at the garments of grace and see myself as he sees me.  It should cause celebration, it should transform living, habits, and thoughts, so that the garments are not dirtied by further disobedience and sin.  

As a husband, this picture also makes me think about my call to love Katie as Christ loves the church.  My calling is to have eyes only for her so that she fee altogether lovely; that her glory and satisfaction would be secured by godliness in me as I imitate Jesus and His love for His bride.  When she finds her beauty to be superlative because I have made much of it (not just outward, but her character as much), I trust that she will find greater strength and be assured of her beauty and our love for one another will be evident to all.  So I encourage you, to find yourself with the eyes of the Lord upon you and know His perception of you, and then, live a life that is pleasing to Him for the work He has secured, for you are altogether beautiful and you do have merit and you are priceless to Him.

Across the Bow

I love movies like Master and Commander, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Mutiny on the Bounty.  The impressiveness of the ships holds my attention easily, but even with awe when the battle scenes occur.  One of the things that I have learned watching these movies is the proximity that is required when the battles ensue and I am often reminded of that phrase, "fire a warning shot across the bow."

In my studies of Genesis I believe that we "find a warning shot being fired across the bow" for parents.  In chapter 34 we have the account of Jacob's sons and daughter.  In verse 1 we read, "Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land."  Unfortunately, the next verse expresses a tragic outcome to the visit.  Scripture says, "When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of the area, saw her, he took her and violated her."

This situation sheds light on a variety of principle issues that families face everyday.  The first principle is that God's people should make their dwelling where the Lord is, obediently pursuing his plans.  Jacob failed to do this for his family.  Earlier the Lord had instructed Jacob to go to Bethel (the House of God), but Jacob stopped short, settling in the neighborhoods of Succoth and Shechem.  Jacob should have settled where the Lord called him, especially in a location that would have offered the security of God's presence.  Jacob wasn't going to serve effectively in a place God had not called him to.

Settling in the wrong place impacts the family in another way, because there is another principle violated. Evidently Dinah was lonely, needing female companionship.  Who could blame her, she was very likely the only daughter among 11 boys.  She was probably in her early to late teens and thought she was going to be able to handle the world.  However unfortunately, she was allowed to go into the world unchaperoned.

Before we are too quick to jump to any conclusions about Dinah's character let's note a couple of things about Jacob at this point.  As you continue to read this chapter you will notice that Jacob is very indecisive, he is invisible when decisions are enacted, he is concerned about his reputation rather than his daughter's and he abdicates the responsibility of justice.  James Montgomery Boice writes the following in regards to this, "I do not know the source of Jacob's failures (spiritual poverty, weaknesses of character, or something else).  But I do know where the failures of many of today's fathers come from.  They come from being "too busy" or from being afraid that their children will hate them if they establish discipline and set household laws.  If you are a father and have been failing in this area, reverse that failure, whatever your children may think."

The third principle that failed to register for Jacob is to remember that the world is wicked.  You might want to argue with me at this point, but I would simply remind you of this truth.  We fail to recognize that the evil of "good" people might be even worse - worse because we fail to recognize it as evil and we deny that it is evil.  We become much like the frog in the kettle, when placed in when the water is cool it will stay all the while when the water is turned to boiling and it will die.  Let us not allow our children to be brought up with this kind of environment, instead let us alert them to the dangers of the world.

Finally, the religious practices of Jacob's sons was not one of devotion to relationship with the Lord, but one of mere practical purposes.  You see they abused their neighbors in Shechem by misusing the religious practices of their day.  Sometimes we need to be cautious with those who claim to be of God because they can abuse those around them by false understanding and practices.  This means that we need to be people who study the Word with care and discuss it with our children so that they possess the truth themselves and will not be abusive as they live out their faith.

I hope that this is a warning shot to all of us who are parenting so that we are committed to, courageous for, careful in, contrasting the world and communicative about our faith with the Lord Jesus so that our children will be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

More Than Gold

I received an encouraging comment this week from a friend in our church. They referenced the passion I had while communicating a specific point of the message this week. In particular it was the remarks Job made regarding meeting his redeemer (Job 19:25). In thanking them for the encouragement I realized something that I hadn't consciously considered before. My response to their email was this, "I hope that what Job must have felt at that statement was captured a bit. It is one of the most remarkable declarations in Scripture!"

Now I know there is not much in that statement that is very profound, but as I typed it out I began to realize that oftentimes I approach the reading of Scripture without attempting to understand the lives, emotions, and soul impact of the moments that the writers and/or characters must have been experiencing. For Job, the depth of his conviction and his zeal for the LORD in the midst of failing health, friends who condemned, and a contentious wife, must have driven him to be extremely clear. They demanded this clarification, a bold statement, no more than a mere statement, it is a definitive declaration for his commitment to God. It is bold in many ways, theologically (which is where I always focused first), emotionally, relationally, rationally, and philosophically. I really get the sense that it consumed all of Job's being in that moment.

There is a song by a band named the Swift titled, More Than Gold, that captures what I am trying to express, maybe it will help you too. Here are the lyrics.

I heard Your word.
I crossed over to the holy side and saw what You can do.
But now I'm feeling like I could just die.
Seems it takes so long to get it right.

(Chorus)
More than gold, I love Your word. It speaks to me.
More than gold, I love Your word.
More than gold. I want to sing.
You know I do, but I can't sit still and just be in awe of You.

It seems like my fire always dies.
Why does it take so long to get it right?

(Chorus)

Let me draw near to You, then You draw near to me.
I need Your word more than gold.
Because I consider Your word, I hate everything that is without You.
(Chorus)


Surely Job, must have this same thought in mind, that if he had all of his possessions and all of his children but was without the person of God, his kinsman Redeemer, he would have been empty. Thus this unprecedented expression burst forth declaring his alignment, his allegiance, his answer, and his assurance. I hope that this is an encouraging example of how we can read the Word of God and be transformed as it speaks to us in a powerful way because it is alive and active and sharper than a double-edged sword. May the Lord bless you in the reading of His Word!

Reading With Your Children - More Than Reading

At Christmas time last year Katie and I gave two books to our oldest children (Rebecca and Christian). They are the first two of four in the Wingfeather Saga, a series written by Andrew Peterson. I actually had the privilege of meeting Andrew several years ago when I was doing youth minister in East Tennessee. He is an incredible musician and I was excited to learn about these books from Jonathan Taylor Martin of Mosaic.

Unfortunately our kids didn't decide to jump into the books and even after some encouragement to read them. One of them actually began reading the first book and started complaining about the character development with great frustration. I waited to see if the book would be given a chance only to find it back on the shelf where it had sat for a few months. At that point I got my dander up a little bit and decided I was going to read the series and see if I could build a little encouragement and momentum.

Jonathan was absolutely correct in his recommendation and I was thrilled to be reading the series. I quickly finished the first two only to wait on the release of the third (yes now I am waiting on the fourth too, with eager anticipation). As great as the books are, what I noticed was very interesting as I began to drop comments about my enjoyment of Andrew's writing and the story line. Christian began to ask me questions and was amazed that I had finished them so quickly.

He had been dragging his feet to complete the reading I had assigned for the summer (Treasure Island), so I didn't anticipate the response when he picked up the first book and started into it. After about 2 days, maybe 8 chapters in he was coming to me and reporting on his progress in the story and started asking questions about the future of specific characters and trying to make guesses in the outcome of particular circumstances. Never did I give away anything in the story line, but I would drop some hint to cause him to think or just return his question with a raised eyebrow (at least raised to the best of my ability) which would drive him mad with intrigue at the future events for the characters.

He has almost finished the third book in the 4 weeks (Treasure Island took him about 8), and we had an incredible discussion about the characters, their flaws, their likenesses to real people. We discussed the hints of redemption that Andrew brings out through the story and enjoyed a great conversation about the benefits of this in our own lives. It brought a great spiritual lesson home to me.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." My son, Christian, caught the excitement of reading the books after I modeled excitement before him. He started understanding the symbolism and deeper matters of the books when we talked together. This made me realize that the manner in which our children will grasp the Gospel (Good News of Jesus Christ and all that it entails) is for us, as parents, to engage in a walk with Jesus which models the significance of the Gospel. As we are transformed by our friendship with Jesus, by our prayer life with the Father, and by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, our children will see this and most likely model Christ because of the value He holds for us. One day they will possess their own faith, but for now, I sure want to set Christ before them as I imitate Him. That doesn't happen merely by reading a book, but it happens by embracing them in relationship as Christ has embraced us.

So What About Love?!?

It has been a long time since my last blog and I can't seem to get this topic of Love off of my mind. It has been resonating with me for several weeks and God has me circling the issue during these weeks. I want to share a brief outlook on 1 Corinthians 13, but don't think it will be a typical approach and so tune out.

A few weeks ago while at Student Life Camp, the Lord addressed me about a specific attitude that was becoming a source of contention between me and Him. Obviously I was the one who was having the problem and needed the correction. On Monday night 1 Corinthians was read and the Lord subtly said to me, "This is where you are struggling and need to correct a matter in your heart." I was immediately shocked and began taking inventory of some things that I was dealing with.

What struck me is found in verse 7, which describes 4 things that Love does in relationships. First let's look at love bearing all things. The word bears (ESV), can mean to "cover" and when it is used without an object it means to endure. However, because endure occurs later, that is an unlikely interpretation of Paul's intent. Most likely that intent emphasizes the importance of keeping silent about unfavorable matters. That means that when a matter may prove embarrassing or someone is belittled by their actions, our actions should not accentuate and bring notice to it. When the action may prove to be harmful or be habitual sin that indicates hardening should we engage in some manner of public notice to bring amends, providing forgiveness and reconciliation.

I am sure that you have observed someone become exacerbated as their mistake was announced by the bullhorn of someone with little discretion. There was most likely damage done in relationships, hindrance in sanctification, and ultimately harm done to the individual and possibly in a corporate setting as well (either family, church, group, club, etc.).

Then Paul says that love believes all things. allow me to quickly state that this belief is grounded in the context of the truth, mentioned in verse 6. It doesn't afford a license to believe whatever you want, like Oregon was the best football team in 2011, despite their loss to Auburn in the National Championship game. Believing all things means that the one who loves is apt to make the best of things. I must confess that often there are events that have tainted my faith in people and my first inclination is to assume the worst and reluctantly think the best might ever happen. The part that makes this difficult is the candor that is required in relationships. I can only say that the proverbs remind us that the wounds of a friend can be trusted and enemies will multiply kisses. We need to be able to speak with candor, but it must be done gently and with the motivation of love, this biblical love.

The third quality of love is that it hopes all things. This means wishing the best for all men, not seeking vengeance, nor wishing ill or harm. Instead hoping for all things has an eternal perspective and presents an eternal power that they will be offer reconciliation to Jesus and peace among people. This is truly the reward of love.

The final quality that love exemplifies is its ability to endure all things. This means that love holds fast, sustaining injury and ill usage. As a parent this really spoke to me for loving our children often means we have been injured emotionally by their disobedience, our advise misused, our preparations and efforts discarded in their selfishness. In the midst of those moments we may not always appropriately express the love we possess for them, nonetheless the love remains and it is extensive.

In ministry (or the church) these matters can really be overlooked and only maintained as the status quo. I would hope that we, as Jesus' followers, would love like he loved us. I recently taught on the meaning of servanthood. In Galatians 5:13-14 Paul tells us to serve one another through love. He then repeats the command of Jesus to love your neighbor as yourself. Genuine biblical servanthood will exhibit the love of Christ to one another because we are His slaves, obedient to Him (Romans 6), producing an incredible fellowship among believers, which is attractive to those not knowing Jesus.

Mutual Respect Affords Peace and Potential

In Genesis 21 we discover an interesting encounter between Abraham and Abimelech. Hopefully you recall the earlier meeting between these two in Genesis 20. Abraham had left the area of Mamre and gone to the territory of Negeb, where Abimelech, the king of Gerar lived. Abraham, fearing the heathen king and his people once again presented Sarah, his wife to be his sister. God punished Abimelech during this time for he had taken Sarah to be his wife, However, Abimelech had not consummated the marriage and when the Lord issued a warning Abimelech repented and restored Sarah to Abraham.

So in Genesis 21 when the two have an encounter over a stolen well, there is a potentially volatile situation these men are facing. As followers of Jesus we can learn some valuable lessons as we also relate to people who do not fear the Lord and hold different values from us. We should intentionally engage in relationships with a short-term goal for peace and a long-term goal for the glory of God and the transformation of lives by Him.

First note that these two men possessed a mutual respect for one another. If you read Genesis 21:22-24, you will see that Abimelech acknowledges Abraham's faith in God and approaches him based on that faith. Abraham senses that respect and he responds accordingly. This is especially interesting when we consider the predicament that Abraham placed Abimelech in when he lied about Sarah in their first encounter. Abimelech obviously gained respect for Abraham and the God that he served, despite Abraham's lack of faith and compromise. Evidently despite Abraham's struggle he also gave enough evidence of his faith and the power of God to impact Abimelech. I am sure that people today witness the struggles followers of Jesus experience. One challenge is for us to express the might of our God in a way through our lives that we build respect amongst men.

How we build this respect when we also struggle is key. First it is built through the establishment of peace. Too many times people, especially Christians, want to establish hard and fast boundaries that often times offend. Abraham could have done this very thing with Abimelech. He could have attacked Abimelech for a number of reasons, his lack of leadership, allowance of rebellion, and potential flattery. Instead Abraham takes Abimelech's offer and fortifies it by his declaration to the Lord and further commitment by the covenant he initiates.

I wouldn't always suggest going into a serious agreement with an unbeliever, but this obviously affords a distinct opportunity for the influence of Godliness in Abimelech's life. Abraham seizes the opportunity and openness of Abimelech to engage in the covenant. Can you imagine the further explanation and reasoning Abraham had opportunity to give as they participated together in this ceremony of commitment. He would have had the privilege of sharing the moment that he experienced the covenant with God. He would have discussed the justice that was required to maintain the peace. He could have talked of the child of promise found in Isaac and the future of hope.

I believe that in our culture today there is a greater need to model this type of behavior to gain influence. I am convinced that it will be far more effective than becoming separatists or constantly protesting the ills of the world. Remember, Jesus was accused of eating with tax collectors and sinners. And when approached about it he said that he "came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13)."

So today, might you consider the opportunities that you possess to build relationships with those in need of Jesus. How is it that you can present situations for peace and secure opportunities for justice and righteousness to influence, not in condemnation or judgment through conflict, but in the mark of merciful peace and mutual respect for people created in the image of God?

Nehemiah's Adversaries

I often visit the book of Nehemiah when considering matters of leadership. This Old Testament account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem provides great insight into what leadership requires, the necessity of clear vision, the accomplishment of the vision and the investment and requirements on people employed in the work of God. As I have revisited the book in light of our church life I asked a question that took a bit of research and growing understanding of the context of Nehemiah. My question is this, why did Sanballat, Tobiah and the Arabs who came against Nehemiah when he began building the wall, not do so before reconstruction began? I think I found the answer.

Nehemiah was the cupbearer for Artaxerxes the King of Persia. The historical context is that Nehemiah was returning to Jerusalem when the land was under the rule of Persian Empire. This was after the rule of the Assyrians and Babylonians, which as you may recall were under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Persian Empire was the largest of these empires historically, ruling as far north east as modern Turkey (even into portions of Greece), as far south as Northern Egypt, and as far west as Iran, encompassing Iraq as well.

Sanballat was a Samaritan, a mixed people group of northern Israelites and foreign nationalities. The people of Tobiah were known as Ammonites. These were the descendants of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his youngest daughter. So I believe the reason they weren’t attacking Jerusalem was because they were simply content with her state of destruction. As long as the walls of the city lay in disrepair, it was a victory to them. They were conquered people just as the Jews were, but their status was improved by the shear ruin of Jerusalem. We know that the Samaritans were a people group of mixed nationality, and their religious views were very similar to the Israelites (for a good understanding of this you can read John 4:1-45 to understand Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well). Historically the Ammonites sought to gain strength over the Israelites. Though their worship was vastly different (they worshiped Molech), they were intent on overpowering the Israelites to possess the best portions of land. It is no surprise that they would join forces with Sanballat and others to oppress the Jews.

Read the Scripture found in Nehemiah 4 and notice the attitude of these critics of the Israelites. “Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”” (Nehemiah 4:1–3 ESV)

Later in the same chapter of Nehemiah we discover how Nehemiah's plan to have every work employed with spear and trowels thwarted the enemies. “When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.”
(Nehemiah 4:15–23 ESV)

Why is this significant for us today? I believe that if we are going to accomplish the purposes of God in the life of Coopertown Community Church, doing our part in God's Kingdom work, we too are going to face similar persecution. We are going to face enemies who are going to attempt to undermine the work of the Lord in His church. They will do whatever is in their power to deter the work of His Kingdom. I would venture to say that the enemies are not going to be formidable foes, like the mighty Persian Dynasty. Rather the enemies will appear to be similar to us in a lot of ways (possessing some of the same religious views and claiming some of the same heritage), yet they will critical of our work, elevating their own purposes. They may possibly promote some of the same values and goals as we have, but it will only be on the surface.

Here is my great concern, as long as we are in a state of complacency, contentment, or ease, we will find our efforts unopposed. However, when we move in line with God’s plan we must anticipate opposition and we must be prepared to labor with one hand at the task and ready with weapons of war in the other.

Therefore, it is appropriate for us to put on the full armor of God to stand firm in these situations. It is neccessary to put our hands to the work engaging in all that the Lord has in store for us in the year 2011. The things that we have celebrated, God's working in our past, and the matters we have proposed for tomorrow, cannot, and will not be sustained if we fail to commit to service together in prayer, in work, in rest, and in the efforts of Christ's Kingdom. My friends and family, may we follow the example of commitment found in the life of the Israelites as they grew in obedience to the Word of God with committed lives to the LORD. By doing this may it be said of us, "the work had been accomplished with the help of our God." (Nehemiah 6:16b)

Patience- It's Not Just Being Still

Today I began preparing for my next message in the series, Watch for the Light, and in my studying began looking more specifically at Romans 8:24-25. I want to share some of the things I was impacted by as I read Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones commentary on the passage.

The Scripture reads, "For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (ESV) This is a passage which you are probably familiar with to some degree. It addresses the matter of hope consisting of that which is not seen, for if it were seen then it would be actual and not something in the future. Hope is about the promise of something coming to fruition. This means that hope is sustained by employing patience.

Most followers of Jesus don't like talking about patience because we think that some test will be quickly upon us. However, I think we are missing the best lesson from the topic. So, allow me to attempt to reshape your thinking.

First here is a definition of impatience. Impatience is expecting the real thing to happen somewhere else - therefore it means to go somewhere else to have that expectation fulfilled. I like this because it reminds me that God has given a multitude of promises in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, yet I often rely on some other means (usually my own plans or schemes) to see that those promises are fulfilled. That can be observed in the lives of Abraham and Sarah as they acted impatiently for God to provide the promised offspring, Isaac, by Abraham procreating with Hagar, the Egyptian servant.

Here is a definition of patience. Patience is nurturing the moment because it is the moment. When referring to Rom. 8:25, Lloyd-Jones says, "If we hope for what we do not see then we eagerly wait for it." What impressed me is that the outlook of patience is not a mere bored waiting, but an active eager anticipation of the promised to be fulfilled. It is finding that moment we are in and making the most of it with eager expectation.

Lloyd-Jones points to the consistency of patience being exemplified by Paul's statements in Philippians. In chapter 1:21ff Paul writes, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (the battle is clear between impatience and patience). If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor form me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the tow. My desire is to depart and be with Christ , for that is far better
(hope), But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account (patience). Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again (THE moment).

Now when you read chapter 3:12-16 let this formative thought on patience help you understand that patience is the pressing toward the mark (the upward call of God in Christ Jesus) while refraining from being captivated by the world. Remember that patience is aligning your affections on the things of the Lord and living out those affections to change the world when the moment presents itself.

I trust that as believers we will practice patience instead of just talking about it as a virtue of our faith. For it is far more than a virtue, it is an aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which means we should be engaged in the living of it.

I encourage you to be patient, not bored, not simply waiting, but eagerly pressing toward the hope of who you are in Christ Jesus to make it your own.

Radical - Reading That Challenges

It has been a long time since I last posted, you know life gets busy and I have always said that I can't allow my blog to something that wags my life. But now I have a few minutes extra and want to write on a book I am reading, titled, Radical, by David Platt.

I must admit that overall the majority of what he writes are things that I have considered before. However, there are definitely some things that he remarks on that are poignant for the church of America today. One such statement is found at the end of chapter three.

He writes, "Think about it. Would you say that your life is marked right now by desperation for the Spirit of God? Would you say that the church you are par of is characterized by a sense of desperation? Why would we ever want to settle for Christianity according to our ability or settle for church according to our resources?"

This resonated with me when I read it. I have been in ministry for 20 years in some manner, most being full-time vocational ministry; and I must confess that too many times we (both believers individually and churches corporately) are not marked by desperation for the Spirit of God. Instead we are marked by despondency, debasement, distortion, deception, and denial.

Platt writes, "Our great need is to fall before an almighty Father day and night and to plead for him to show his radical power in and through us, enabling us to accomplish for his glory what we could never imagine in our own strength."

In John 15:5, the Apostle John recorded Jesus saying, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." You are probably familiar with that, but sometimes our familiarity leads us to passivity. Instead this familiarity ought to lead us to radical faith in the one who abides and empowers us.

I encourage you to join me in praying. Pray that those who claim Jesus as Savior and Lord will live abandoned to God's purposes; and in that abandon, they will be open to permanent change because of the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26).

6 Principles to be More Effective Fathers

Sunday we looked at Genesis 16 and 21 considering the transformation that had occurred in Abraham's life as he grew in his faithful obedience to God. From this message I want to remind you about 6 principles from Gordon MacDonald's book, The Effective Father.

1. Sharpen your sensitivity to your family’s needs by committing your inner being to God’s laws, fixing a foresightful eye on opportunities and hazards ahead. Doing so, enables you to make sure that every experience builds up your family and matures them.

2. Be devoted to become an instrument and model of the redemptive experience to your family.

3. Fill your families lives with perspectives and patterns that produce wisdom. Exemplify this by lovingly purging your lives (and theirs) of unwholesome influences and tendencies that impede their progress toward maturity.

4. Deliberately set as one of your life’s highest priorities the creation of conditions in your home that will stimulate the growth of your family to their full potential.

5. Accept and affirm your family for who they are while appreciating them for what they are accomplishing, all the while covering them with affection because they are yours.

6. Always be aware that you live on the edge of ineffectiveness and must continually reach out to God for wisdom and skill to accomplish His purposes.

I pray that Fathers and mothers as well will apply these principles to the parenting and relationships that godliness will increase now and in future generations.

Melchizedek, Jesus of that order

One of the thoughts entering my mind as I have contemplated writing this blog on Melchizedek is, “Why do we need to carefully consider something in Scripture that gets just a small amount of attention? The name only occurs 10 times afterall.” My answer is that though there is relatively little information on Melchizedek, and though he is mentioned only 2 times in the Old Testament, his person relates to Jesus. Assuming we all want to know Jesus more intimately, understanding more about this Melchizedek who Jesus is connected with, will only help us know Jesus more intimately.

Let’s begin by examining the man Melchizedek as he is introduced in Genesis 14. First we discover that he is the King of Salem. We cannot be sure that his personal name was actually Melchizedek, it may have been a descriptive title given to him. We do know that the name is formed from two Hebrew words, “melek” meaning kings and “zedek” meaning righteousness. Second we find, Melchizedek recognized as a priest of God Most High. Note as well, that this is the first mention in Scripture of anyone being a priest, and in particular the priest of God.

Martin Luther suggests that the blessing given by Melchizedek recorded in the Scripture is only a short record of a much greater message. Luther believes the audience was reminded of the false inferior gods they served and then they were challenged to consider the God Most High, who alone does great wonders (in this instance the wonder was the victory secured for Abram and his 318 men over 4 kings joined in a military alliance).

So as a priest we find Melchizedek performing a blessing, emphasizing the superior nature of God, initiating worship, providing peace by his righteousness. James Montgomery Boice writes, “The trouble with so many people is that they want peace without righteousness. That is they want their sin, but they do not want to be troubled by its consequences.” It must be that peace can only occur when righteous offering is made. When we consider the offering Melchizedek brings, an offering of bread and wine, we ought to begin to understand the great provision that comes from this priestly order. Jesus identified these same elements as he instituted the Lord’s Supper. He told his disciples that the bread represented his body and the wine represented the blood that established a new covenant. Therefore we have in this priestly order a continued offering based on righteousness.

Now Melchizedek’s priestly order is clarified when we read Hebrews 7. The writer of Hebrews identifies similarities found in Jesus and the Melchizedek priesthood. First any priest from the Levitical priesthood is inadequate. It is inadequate because it was inferior to the priestly order of Melchizedek. By Abram, recognizing Melchizedek as priest of God Most High, acknowledges his inferiority. By Aaron and the Levites being offspring of Abram, they by nature are inferior to Melchizedek as well. Second, the Levitical priesthood is inadequate because it was perpetuated by “bodily descent” (Heb. 7:16). Jesus is superior in the line of Melchizedek because he is established as a priest in this order by the promised word of the Lord as recorded in Psalm 110, quoted here in Hebrews 7. The Levitical priesthood was inadequate as the priests were prevented from continuing in their office because of death. Jesus holds the priesthood permanently because he continues forever. Finally, because he is able to continue forever performing his priestly duties, those who draw near to God through him will find that Jesus, as Priest, continually makes intercession for them. Jesus, being without sin, was able to offer himself as a sacrifice once and for all. Through his holy, unstained, innocent and sanctified offering that sacrifice of his life was made, distinguishing him from the Levitical sacrifices and establishing that which is superior.

Finally, I want you to see ways in which Christ ministers like Melchizedek that impact us as believers. First Christ comes to us when we are weary. Can you imagine how weary Abram must have felt after the pursuit and battle with the kings. We too should remember that Christ comes to us and says that his yoke is easy and his burden light. I believe Melchizedek also appeared to encourage Abram to remember the victory is the Lord’s not his (Abram’s) own. We often cry out to the Lord in the midst of the chaos and then when the victory is realized we may forget that he was the source. Paul possessed a thorn in the flesh that was a reminder of his weakness and constant need to depend on Jesus for his strength. For every one of us, there is also more temptation and trial that we will face. Just like Melchizedek fed Abram the bread, Jesus should be our sustenance daily, for without him, we will surely fail. By Abram taking the bread and being strengthened, he was prepared to withstand the temptation in Bera’s offer of worldly success. Finally, Melchizedek offered peace to Abram. Jesus, being of the same order, offers us the same peace.

Grasping a bit of this rich background, we ought to worship differently, and live differently. The priesthood of Christ impacts our salvation primarily, because he secures it. It impacts our prayers, establishing effectual prayer because Jesus is the mediator of those prayers, enabling us to approach God with boldness. Jesus priesthood changes us, because we are now in line with him as his followers to be of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9ff). As Abram was impacted in his encounter with Melchizedek, we too should be impacted to worship with renewed fervor glorifying God.

I pray that you consider Melchizedek and the wonderful principles that can be gleaned as we study the Scripture and gain understanding to the beauty and full measure with which God reveals his nature, character, purpose, and power. For this are most definitely principles here that give us encouragement, peace, and daily provision allowing us to draw near to our God through Jesus our Lord.

Call Upon the Name of the Lord

As I pointed out briefly on Sunday, In Genesis 4:26 there is this hopeful and redemptive statement that should secure our attention. The Scripture reads, “To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.”

As I was sharing some of my preliminary thoughts on what God is communicating in this passage with a friend he asked an interesting question and began a dialogue that was really exciting, and one I have been most eager to share with you. It began with a comment about the significance of “firsts” in the Bible. And we need to identify that this is the first place it is ever mentioned in Scripture of men’s recognition for the Lord’s intervention in their life.

First let’s notice something about the names of the two characters involved. Seth, the third born of Adam and Eve, means “set in place of.” It affirms the recognition of his parents of the Lord’s sovereign provision for a son to renew the lineage that would provide a lineage of godliness. Then we see that Seth gave his son the name Enosh, which means “frail one,” or “mortal.” This indicates that Seth recognized the weaknesses of humanity. And unlike his distant cousin Lamech, who grew in his pride, arrogance, and self-sufficiency, Seth wanted to emphasize his deep understanding of the insufficiency of man and the all-sufficiency of the Lord. Boice writes, “The line of Seth had recognized that sin was no mere imperfection of human nature but something destined to destroy both the individual and culture unless it should be overcome by the grace and power of almighty God. So these new individuals now threw themselves on God and trusted him wholly for their physical and spiritual salvation.” (James M. Boice – Genesis Vol. 1 pg 275.)

Martin Luther and John Calvin both recognized this as the initiation of the church. Calvin calls it “a miracle, that there was at that time a single family in which the worship of God arose.” (John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis pg. 144.) He further describes it by saying, “the face of the Church began distinctly to appear, and that worship of God was set up which might continue to posterity.” (Ibid) And Luther remarks, in this was “a small church . . . in which Adam, as high priest, rules everything by the Word and sound doctrine.” (Luther’s Works Vol. 1 pg. 327) So we might consider a very unique matter introduced in Genesis 4, the church of the living God is established when people call upon the name of the Lord.

The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, employs a word here for the word “called,” which is epikaleisthai. This word occurs in the New Testament only one time in this exact construct. It is in Hebrews 11:16, which says, “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” If you remember Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the “Faith Chapter,” for in it the writer identifies the heroes of faith from the Old Testament accounts who followed after God in faith and obedience. I find it very interesting that this same construct is used to describe the promise of a prepared place for these faithful people.

So let’s do a little word study on the root of epikaleisthai. It comes from the root word e˙pikale÷w – epikaleo, which means to call on; to attach or connect a name, Acts 15:17; James 2:7; to attach an additional name, to surname, Matt 10:3; pass. to receive an appellation or surname, Heb 11:16; mid. to call upon, invoke, 2 Cor 1:23; to appeal to, Acts 25:11, 12, 21 – taken from The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament, n.p.

The root word in the Greek is the word kaleo. This word is also the root for the word ekklessia, which is translated “church.” If we were to consider a few instances where this word is used in Scripture we would find the following. The word is used in Acts 15:17, a quote of Amos 9:11-12. It describes people who are identified as being the Lord’s. And in 1 Corinthians 1:2 we see the root used in three formations, once for the church, once for the gospel call, and the other to emphasize the calling on the Lord. Let’s look at this passage a bit more carefully. It reads, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.” (italics mine)

When we see this word utilized in three different ways in this passage we can begin to get a sense of a comprehensive work of God in redemption. First, let’s deal with the word “church.” We know this to be a group of people believing in and trusting on Jesus death, burial and resurrection for the redemption of their lives. The church is a body of people who have responded in repentance and faith to the redemptive work he accomplished. This is clarified by the terms sanctified and saints, words that are derived from the root word, hagios, which literally means holy or set apart. The use emphasizes people set apart for God’s purposes. God is accomplishing his effectual work in the lives of those who are called to respond.

Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30? It reads, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Wayne Grudem summarizes it this way, “When the New Testament talks about people coming to salvation it speaks in terms of a personal response to an invitation from Christ himself. That invitation is beautifully expressed . . . in the words of Jesus.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology pg 694.) Can there be any greater “call” than that extended by Jesus? Can there be for us any greater privilege than to extend that call to any man to “come unto Jesus.”?

So we have seen that calling refers to the church, and calling refers an invitation to respond in repentance and faith to Jesus. Let’s look at the final aspect of calling. This is the calling that extends from men to the Lord. In Romans 10:14 Paul asks a few rhetorical questions, “But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” The answer is he gives is “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

It is important to consider the greater context of these questions and the final answer. If we look back at verses Romans 9-13 we gain that. The Scripture reads, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” (Rom 10:9–13 ESV)

The last verse is a quote of Joel 2:32, which emphasizes the Old Testament view that calling upon the Lord would bring salvation to men. So we can understand this in summary by seeing that the called out ones are the ones who called out. What an amazing truth that saturates all of Scripture! So will you extend the message and call for men to be saved, echoing the words found in Revelation 22:17, “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Rev 22:17 ESV)

And if you are that one, who has never responded to the call of Jesus to come, should you desire to do so now, come, turn from your sin, your self-sufficiency, and your pride and doing so instead turn to God (this is repentance). In repenting, then call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, confessing your belief in him as Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Friend, thus acknowledging his life, death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). When you do, you will be saved, and he will bestow his riches upon you.

Therefore, may it be our legacy, that in our time, and because of our influence, men called upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4

Studying Genesis continues be a rich challenge. It is challenging for a number of reasons, the most significant being the implications for our lives that are evident in the text. These practical lessons are often discovered in obvious ways, at other times they come in some of the most subtle ways through meditation and thorough research (which I really wish I was better at doing).

In the teaching I have prepared this week I noted a progression of sin’s pattern in the generations of men. If you read Genesis 4:17-22 you will find the generations of Cain. In this text there are some subtle, yet important lessons for us to grasp.
If you recall, in Genesis 4:12, the LORD curses Cain for the sinful act of murder. In that Curse he tells Cain, “You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” I have always imagined that Cain wandered throughout the land, a nomad, having no place to call home, having no permanent place that his children could be raised.

However, as I have realized, my understanding was incorrect. The wandering that Cain experienced was one of spiritual wandering, in which the emotional and physical impact emphasized the alienation he experienced when he rebelled against God’s earlier warning (see Gen. 4:6-8). Upon examination of Cain’s dialogue with the LORD we find that Cain admitted understanding that he would never again see the face of the LORD. This may have been an admission of his enmity with God and his continued unwillingness to repent. Logically, if one is at enmity with God, there is a removal of His protective care. Thus, Cain’s concern for his safety was as much a result of his spiritual condition as the physical living conditions he would face.

When we carefully examine Cain’s reaction to the curse he earned by his rebellion we should note that he did everything he could to overcome the consequences of the curse. Notice that it wasn’t as if he merely resigned to nomadic living. Instead we find that he attempted to overcome the curse he faced by physical means. First, Cain moved and settled in a land called “Nod,” which literally means, “wandering.” It is almost as if he called the land he settled in “wandering,” as a sarcastic attempt to dismiss the curse. Second, Cain “knew his wife.” By engaging in this physical relationship, it is possible that he was attempting to prove that he was able to circumvent God’s curse. Not that God said he couldn’t marry, but taking a wife and conceiving a child is an attempt to avoid loneliness and isolation. Do you recall that phrase, “misery loves company?” I believe that this summarizes Cain’s attitude as he leverages his family in denial of his curse.

To further understand his attempts to overcome the curse, consider what Cain names his first son. We read that he gives him the name Enoch, which means “consecration.” One commentator suggests that is “because he regarded his birth as a pledge of the renovation of his life.” Thus he names the city after his son. It is the place in which he will “neutralize the curse of banishment” by settling his family and building a unified people attempting to compensate for the loss of God in his life.

Before we judge Cain too harshly, we should be quick to weigh our own thoughts, hearts, and motives, for we aren’t really very different. In an age of technology, where Facebook and Twitter reign (don’t get me wrong each of these have redemptive purposes when used properly), are we really all that different. We want connectivity in relationships. We think busyness will provide community. We want to surround our lives with people. Let’s face it, if you have a Facebook account, you know you keep track of the number of friends you have, it means something to you. So don’t aim at Cain too quickly with any stones, or any finger pointing, because none of us are really all that different. We all want security from the relationships around us and oftentimes we replace God with imitations though we don’t admit to or recognize them as replacements.

You might be saying to yourself, “This assessment is a bit critical of Cain’s spiritual condition.” Please read a little further and allow me a chance to express why I believe my assessment is right on about his continued attempts to overcome the curse, revealing his spiritual condition and enmity with God as his motivation for his actions.

About 5 generations later in Cain’s lineage the Bible tells us about a man named Lamech. The account first identifies him as a bigamist (evidently uncommon at this time for it is noted and must be an exception to what is right norm). Both of his wives, Adah and Zillah, were evidently very beautiful (evidenced by the meaning of their names, Adah – pleasant, ornament, or beauty; Zillah – shade – perhaps for her lovely hair; even his daughter Naamah, means loveliness). It is prideful community focused on vanity of outward beauty, for inwardly they were promoting sin and vain religion.

Lamech commits a crime that he boasts of by writing a song or poem to memorialize the action. I imagine that he had heard the accounts of Cain’s acts, had seen his ancestor, and possibly as a young boy even asked Cain about the unusual mark that kept him safe from harm. When he did he probably heard the account of the cursing followed by Cain’s assessment of his ability to overcome the LORD’s promise of curse. Lamech lived in a city that was an ongoing attempt to establish the goal of Cain’s overcoming life according to a worldly plan.

And so, Lamech, raised to believe himself invulnerable, just as his ancestor, murders a young man who wounded him, possibly as they were wielding the weapons fashioned by Lamech’s own son. And in testament to his lineage, Lamech boasts of his ability in a song, most likely played on the instrument his son fashioned. Do you sense the pride of this man? Can you sense his denial of the sovereign God? Do you understand how he all but establishes himself as a god?
Thus ends the account of the lineage of Cain. The Lord evidently wants us to understand the disparity between ungodliness and godliness. For Scripture introduces us to a new son of Adam, Seth, and a phrase that describes Seth’s heritage, “At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” This phrase quickly distinguishes the two men and their progeny.

For us the question remains; do we pattern this same behavior and attitude that Cain possessed? Does pride get the best of us? Or, do we call upon the name of the LORD in humility, acknowledging the point that sin lies in our heart, so that we repent and rely on the cleansing work of God in our lives. As a parent, I sure hope that I train my family in godliness so that the severity of sin’s progress doesn’t impact more generations.

Stay Tuned … the next blog installment will be an examination of the meaning of this phrase and its significance for us today.

Thoughts on Genesis 1

I am currently studying the book of Genesis and teaching through this book on Sunday mornings at Church. I must say, as excited as I am at this opportunity, so am I equally overwhelmed at the incredible responsibility, and intricacies of the book. The greatest solace in my conflict comes in the fact that we serve a sovereign God who knows my inadequacies and I simply trust that in His presence through the person of the Holy Spirit, those inadequacies will not be hindrances to people’s faith and maturity.

That is not a cop-out in any way, rather it is a motivation to pick up my blogging efforts once again, because I believe it necessary to improve my stewardship over the information that I believe necessary for you my church family, and any one else interested in the Word of God.

This week I will be teaching on Genesis 1. As I was studying I turned to Wayne Grudem’s book, Systematic Theology to see what he has written about creation. Interestingly he quoted Francis Schaeffer, a theologian and philosopher of the early 20^th Century. This caught my attention and I believe it will benefit believers to consider his statements (unfortunately I do not yet possess Schaeffer’s work and am trusting the quote from Grudem’s work).

Grudem quotes from Schaeffer’s book, No Final Conflict and says:

Regarding questions about the creation of the universe, Schaeffer lists several areas where, in his judgment, there is room for disagreement among Christians who believe in the total truthfulness of Scripture:

1. There is a possibility that God created a “grown-up” universe.

2. There is a possibility of a break between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 or between 1:2 and 1:3.

3. There is a possibility of a long day in Genesis 1

4. There is a possibility that the flood affected the geological data.

5. The use of the word “kinds” in Genesis 1 may be quite broad.

6. There is a possibility of the death of animals before the fall.

7. Where the Hebrew word bara is not used there is the possibility of sequence form previously existing things.

Now why do I draw attention to this? I believe that Schaeffer has succinctly and effectively identified areas of conflict that confront Christians today when we engage in discussions, study, and comparison to modern science. Unfortunately, I believe that the conflicts are even more tedious to navigate in our day than in Schaeffer’s. Of the possibilities that are identified by Schaeffer there is none that he claims to be his own. And though you may possess reason for your position developing deep convictions, it is important to acknowledge that there is not one of us as humans who will definitively possess the certainty when Scripture is unclear, though we also must come to an interpretation. Grudem concludes, “But we can approach both scientific and biblical study with the confidence that when all the facts are correctly understood, and when we have understood Scripture rightly, our findings will never be in conflict with each other: there will be “no final conflict.”

As Christians we must not fear to investigate creation scientifically, nor fearful that scientific evidence will somehow contradict Scriptural revelation. Let us therefore continue to be people of faith, for “by faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” For, as people of faith, we serve a sovereign, omniscient, ominipotent God who is able to do as he pleases. The wonderful news is that Genesis 1 conveys that he did that very thing and he “saw that it was good . . . And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good. (Genesis 1:10,13, 18, 25, 31).

Covenant-Keeping Marriages

Last Sunday I referred to the need for married couples to focus on the necessity of covenant-keeping should they keep their marriage healthy. It is that covenant that is the foundational element for keeping their marriage strong, healthy, and vibrant. We don't often tend to talk about covenant anymore, because the concept has been supplanted by that of contract. So today I want to share some thoughts on the essential aspects of the covenant so that we are encouraged to consider the Biblical principles of relationship over the cultural aspects.

A covenant consists of several elements. 1) A clear definition of the parties involved. 2) a legally binding set of provisions that stipulate the conditions of the relationship. 3) the promise of blessing for obedience. 4) the condition for obtaining the blessings. (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)

The covenant of marriage is a unique covenant in that it is entered into by three parties. The couple themselves engage in covenant together, and as Christians the covenant is entered into with God. We find in Scripture the statement by Jesus in Mark 10:10, "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." This emphasizes the relationship of the Lord as a party in the marriage covenant.

The word "chesed" is used in the Old Testament to describes God's loyalty to his covenant obligations. That word is often translated "lovingkindness," "mercy," and "love." However, this word carries some specific theological implications. First it emphasizes fidelity to covenental obligations. Second it includes the element of love. This love is not only emotional, but contains the elements of grace, mercy, kindness and is descriptive of the acts of love, not just the attribute.

When we refer to God's love, it should be noted that there is nothing in and of us that demands His love. No amount of work, no amount of goodness, no amount of self-righteousness can qualify us to be deserving of His love. We are loved simply because of His grace and His mercy out of His goodness, and His will. This means for couples, there will be moments, maybe even seasons, when the loveliness of your spouse is not so great. Can I encourage you, love because He first loved you. Make every effort to imitate this covenant-keeping God we know.

Covenant also consists of a third element, the element of freedom. It is the freedom of all parties when the covenant is entered into that makes this such a wonderful commitment. When reciting vows during a wedding, the groom and the bride each covenant to keep their relationship inviolably with one another before the Lord. The vow may go something like this, "I, Matthew, take you, Katie, to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. To love, to honor, to cherish, in sickness, and in health, 'til death do us part." When that vow is entered into, it is done so freely by each person, and done so with a commitment to maintain. The covenant is then what binds them together, never to be free from one another, but free with one another.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:

God makes your marriage indissoluble, and protects it from every danger that may threaten it from within and without; he will be the guarantor of its indissolubility. It is a blessed thing to know that no power on earth, no temptation, no human frailty can dissolve what God holds together; indeed, anyone who knows that may say confidently: What God has joined together, can no man put asunder. Free from all the anxiety that is always a characteristic of love, you can now say to each other with complete confident assurance: We can never lose each other now; by the will of God we belong to each other till death.

As God is effectually involved in every marriage (Mark 10:10), He is the only one who has the right to break a marriage. He does this by death. (I also recognize that there are exceptions to this statement when unrepentant people, specifically unbelievers, pursue the specific action of infidelity and seek divorce). For married couples our greatest desire should be to build every aspect of our relationship on this foundation of covenant. It should be at the core of our communication, our friendship, our conflicts, and our intimacy. As we accomplish this, the testimony of a covenant keeping God is displayed for a weary, weakened, worried, wondering world to see.

And as couples emphasize this covenant-keeping attitude with one another, the blessings of your married life will increase. Katie and I have learned in 16 years of marriage, that we will have conflict, stress, struggles, doubts and questions. But, we have also learned that the commitment to our covenant together and covenant with God enables those moments and circumstances to be redeemed for our sanctification. Therefore we have peace, joy, contentment, happiness, hope, laughter, and love. May you find this same type of economy as you elevate your covenant of marriage.