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).
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Prayer: Following Message on Sunday, August 24th
The goal of this blog is to expand the thoughts about praying by the Holy Spirit. Sunday I referred to the "How" of praying being built on the relationship to the divine. That we pray to the Father, through Jesus, the Son, by the Holy Spirit.
The question arose in my mind, "What does it mean to pray by the Holy Spirit?" I am going to answer this but will use some terms interchangeably: "by the Holy Spirit" and "in the Holy Spirit." Here is a brief summary statement of the meaning of this term, "to pray in a manner that the Holy Spirit is the moving and guiding power. In other words, when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is "moving" you to pray. That is, He is the one who motivates and enables and energizes your prayer. And when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is "guiding" how you pray and what you pray for. We pray by His power and according to His direction."1
In Ephesians 6:18 Paul concludes the teaching on the armor of God by saying that all prayers should occur by this method, "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." (ESV). Therefore, praying by the Holy Spirit is not one method among many, it is the essential form or means for every prayer.
Sunday I referred to the necessity of prayer being done in faith. Romans 8:26 further emphasizes this dependency on our part in the area of prayer. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." It is because of this verse that we must admit that without the help of the Holy Spirit we could not pray as we ought to. This emphasizes the earlier point about the necessity of the Holy Spirit guiding us in our prayers as well.
In Galatians 3:1-5 Paul addresses the conflict of the flesh versus faith. "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?" It is easy for us to identify from this passage the need for us to respond in faith in what God is doing through the person of the Holy Spirit, rather than build our prayers with an an attitude of independence, trusting our own abilities. The flesh will leave us wanting.
There is one final encouragement that I want to share about praying by the Holy Spirit. It is essential to pray in conformity with the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit inspired. So the goal is to meditate on the Word of God, day and night, memorizing portions so that you can carry it with you all day. This affords the Holy Spirit the opportunity to shape your thoughts by that Word, moving you and guiding you. Then when we find this economy at work in our lives we take what we know of God's will from the Word and saturate our prayers with it.
So my appeal to you is this. In your prayers, wherever you are, pray by the Holy Spirit, counting on His help as you live out the teachings of the Bible. It means you will need to stay in study of the Bible and time in prayer.
Thanks for checking out my blog! Know that I love you all and look forward to the next time we are together.
1. John Piper, January 7, 2001: Learning to Pray in Spirit and the Word - Part 2
The question arose in my mind, "What does it mean to pray by the Holy Spirit?" I am going to answer this but will use some terms interchangeably: "by the Holy Spirit" and "in the Holy Spirit." Here is a brief summary statement of the meaning of this term, "to pray in a manner that the Holy Spirit is the moving and guiding power. In other words, when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is "moving" you to pray. That is, He is the one who motivates and enables and energizes your prayer. And when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is "guiding" how you pray and what you pray for. We pray by His power and according to His direction."1
In Ephesians 6:18 Paul concludes the teaching on the armor of God by saying that all prayers should occur by this method, "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." (ESV). Therefore, praying by the Holy Spirit is not one method among many, it is the essential form or means for every prayer.
Sunday I referred to the necessity of prayer being done in faith. Romans 8:26 further emphasizes this dependency on our part in the area of prayer. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." It is because of this verse that we must admit that without the help of the Holy Spirit we could not pray as we ought to. This emphasizes the earlier point about the necessity of the Holy Spirit guiding us in our prayers as well.
In Galatians 3:1-5 Paul addresses the conflict of the flesh versus faith. "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?" It is easy for us to identify from this passage the need for us to respond in faith in what God is doing through the person of the Holy Spirit, rather than build our prayers with an an attitude of independence, trusting our own abilities. The flesh will leave us wanting.
There is one final encouragement that I want to share about praying by the Holy Spirit. It is essential to pray in conformity with the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit inspired. So the goal is to meditate on the Word of God, day and night, memorizing portions so that you can carry it with you all day. This affords the Holy Spirit the opportunity to shape your thoughts by that Word, moving you and guiding you. Then when we find this economy at work in our lives we take what we know of God's will from the Word and saturate our prayers with it.
So my appeal to you is this. In your prayers, wherever you are, pray by the Holy Spirit, counting on His help as you live out the teachings of the Bible. It means you will need to stay in study of the Bible and time in prayer.
Thanks for checking out my blog! Know that I love you all and look forward to the next time we are together.
1. John Piper, January 7, 2001: Learning to Pray in Spirit and the Word - Part 2
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