I think I've always felt that I've learned about what the cross of Jesus means through looking at New Testament letters and even key Old Testament passages like Isaiah 53 than through reading the gospel accounts. In some ways, the teaching of the gospels is perhaps more implicit on what Jesus was actually accomplishing on the cross. We see a factual, historical narrative with key incidents but not much narrative commentary on what the actual significance of these incidents is. The writers give you the evidence and challenge you to come to the same conclusion that they have: Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Mk 1:1). But there is a richness to the gospels especially in their biblical references and allusions, and through a close study we learn many important truths about the cross of Jesus.
1. Divine plan- the heart of the gospel is that God has designed a plan to reach and deliver the poor, oppressed and those caught in Satan's oppressive grip (Lk 4). The cross is the key to how this plan is put into action. How does Jesus release people? Through His death on the cross. The wonderful healings we see in Jesus' ministry are a foretaste of the amazing salvation He offers.
2. Part of the Messiah's role - The picture of the suffering servant from a few passages in Isaiah (eg. Isa 53) form a key backdrop to how the gospel writers understand the crucifixion of Jesus. Not just an unfortunate ending to an idealistic, heroic teacher, the cross in fact is seen as an essential part of Christ's identity and mission, to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10.45). In John's gospel Jesus often refers to his suffering and crucifixion as 'the hour' (Jn 16.32, 17.1) which would be followed by glory and turn His disciples' sorrow into joy (Jn 16.20,22). Jesus understood the cross as His mission which He had to complete before going back to His Father (Jn 16.28).
3. Promised and predicted in both the Old Testament and by Jesus Himself. In Jn 3.14-15 Jesus teaches that the Son of man must be lifted up, making a parallel with the bronze serpent Moses made and the salvation the cross would bring. The cross is there in the 'I am' sayings and images- 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.' (Jn 10:11) In the parable of the tenants, Jesus predicted Israel's ultimate rejection of their Messiah, just as they had refused to listen to the prophets: 'He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:
‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvellous in our eyes.' (Mk 12:6-11, quoting Ps 118.22-23)
In the gospels we see specific prophecies fulfilled such as Psalm 22, quoted by gospel writers when Jesus' garment is taken and lots are cast for it, and other details too like the mockery of His enemies. But also the gospels show how the whole promises of God have been fulfilled in Jesus' death and resurrection: 'Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms' (Lk 24.44).
4. Kingship. Far from being a sign that Jesus was not God's chosen king, the cross is shown as integral to Jesus' royal position as the descendant of David. This is shown on the reception of Him as the son of David when the people laid palms before him as He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Mk 11). There is the irony of sign placed over the cross calling Him King of Jews (Mt 27.37) The thief on the cross recognises Jesus has a kingdom (Lk 23.42). In Jn 18.36 He says His kingdom is 'not of this world'. Yet He is still in control even as the horrific events unfold - in Jn 17.6 the people who come to arrest Him fell to the ground. In Jn 19.30 he 'gave up his spirit' implying His death was His choice. Once He has gone through the suffering of the cross, Jesus returns in glory and splendour, and speaks of His second coming which will be glorious and universal.
5. Passover. The last supper is a symbolic presentation of the cross. Jesus sees the cross as the once-for-all fulfilment of the Passover because He is the 'lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world'(Jn 1.29). He becomes the atonement for sin. Jesus' blood becomes the blood of a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins. In Luke's account he says 'until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God' (Lk 22.6) He dies at the ninth hour, the time of evening sacrifice.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Book review: True Friendship by Vaughan Roberts
I don't know why, but when I think about Christian books on friendship I always think about flowery cards to go in your wallet or Patience Strong sayings on a calendar. Perhaps this shows that there isn't much out there that is theologically meaningful about this important topic. Vaughan Roberts' book is incisive and gets to the gospel heart of friendship: 'Just as God is love, so he commands us to prioritize love in our lives by loving him and our neighbours.. This is not something we can do by ourselves... But, wonderfully, God is determined to change us by his Spirit so that we are transformed from being turned in on ourselves to reaching out in love to him and others.'
I found the teaching in this book really refreshing, and also it really challenged me that we do need to make true friendship a priority in our busy lives and not just settle for superficial social-network-style acquaintances. The book has an honest tone with the realistic acceptance that friendship is hard, but with the gospel mandate that we need it!
Perhaps more could be said about the sanctifying aspects of friendship, whether it's non-Christian friends challenging your faith and behaviour, or fellow believers, but I did like the section on the need to be 'candid' in friendship as this is something we seem to struggle with in our culture. Or at least, it's hard to be candid without being insensitive as well.
This book could be a great one to study in small groups or maybe prayer pairs/triplets, as the questions at the end of each chapter provide good food for discussion. It would definitely be worth reading this with someone else so that you could talk more about how to put the teaching into practice and be accountable on it.
This book is a great, short read, and it could be really helpful for people at all seasons of life from teenage years to post-retirement. Thoroughly recommended!
I found the teaching in this book really refreshing, and also it really challenged me that we do need to make true friendship a priority in our busy lives and not just settle for superficial social-network-style acquaintances. The book has an honest tone with the realistic acceptance that friendship is hard, but with the gospel mandate that we need it!
Perhaps more could be said about the sanctifying aspects of friendship, whether it's non-Christian friends challenging your faith and behaviour, or fellow believers, but I did like the section on the need to be 'candid' in friendship as this is something we seem to struggle with in our culture. Or at least, it's hard to be candid without being insensitive as well.
This book could be a great one to study in small groups or maybe prayer pairs/triplets, as the questions at the end of each chapter provide good food for discussion. It would definitely be worth reading this with someone else so that you could talk more about how to put the teaching into practice and be accountable on it.
This book is a great, short read, and it could be really helpful for people at all seasons of life from teenage years to post-retirement. Thoroughly recommended!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Review of 'The Everyday Gospel' by Tim Chester
I've read quite a few of Tim Chester's books and he consistently gives good biblical teaching with a particular emphasis on how Christians should live in missional community with one another, sharing life on an everyday basis, and reaching the lost collaboratively through ordinary day by day activities. I think this book has been written to rectify the idea that 'spiritual' activity like preaching, singing hymns or praying is separate or somehow divorced from 'normal' life where we do chores.
The cynic in me sees a male writer choosing as his example chore the task of washing up - which I've heard a few male preachers refer to as well- and part of me wonders if this is the only chore that some of these men actually do! Hence why it crops up so much in illustrations. But that, as I say, is the cynic in me and probably has no real foundation! But I do think that women, who are perhaps exposed to doing more of the mundane household chores (especially if they are full time mums), see them differently to men. I'm making huge generalisations here, I know, but hear me out: don't we, as women, just tend to get on with it anyway and manage (with varying levels of success) to balance housework with our parenting, job, time with the Lord and in fellowship with other believers?
I think the need for this book lies in the sad fact that we often value our day by productivity, and often housework doesn't 'count', because our efforts are so quickly undone or replaced by a fresh load of dirty dishes. We live in a culture that seeks to define success by attainment, and if you've done the washing up it's a pretty small victory. We definitely need to re-think the way we assess our lives: are we judging ourselves and others by the values of the gospel or just the (pretty shallow) values of the world around us? If full time mums are feeling judged by people around them as 'wasting' their time and talents in the home and feeling depressed as a result then there certainly is the need for this book to reaffirm the value of doing the small things well and being diligent in your circle of influence.
I guess what I want to say to sum up is that this book is true and valid, but perhaps it needs more specific application to different people (or genders, dare I say it?) at different stages in life. Whilst it's true that all of us will have to do mundane tasks each day, for some of us this is more relevant than others! And I think this book could have had a real opportunity to speak into the situations of the full time mum, or the recently retired, as well as to the 'busy' professional.
That said, I am probably just being way too critical and I don't want to come across as negative towards a great writer who has produced some fantastic resources, many of which my own church has been really influenced by and I've seen really positive effects from. Perhaps you should buy it yourself and see what you think?
The cynic in me sees a male writer choosing as his example chore the task of washing up - which I've heard a few male preachers refer to as well- and part of me wonders if this is the only chore that some of these men actually do! Hence why it crops up so much in illustrations. But that, as I say, is the cynic in me and probably has no real foundation! But I do think that women, who are perhaps exposed to doing more of the mundane household chores (especially if they are full time mums), see them differently to men. I'm making huge generalisations here, I know, but hear me out: don't we, as women, just tend to get on with it anyway and manage (with varying levels of success) to balance housework with our parenting, job, time with the Lord and in fellowship with other believers?
I think the need for this book lies in the sad fact that we often value our day by productivity, and often housework doesn't 'count', because our efforts are so quickly undone or replaced by a fresh load of dirty dishes. We live in a culture that seeks to define success by attainment, and if you've done the washing up it's a pretty small victory. We definitely need to re-think the way we assess our lives: are we judging ourselves and others by the values of the gospel or just the (pretty shallow) values of the world around us? If full time mums are feeling judged by people around them as 'wasting' their time and talents in the home and feeling depressed as a result then there certainly is the need for this book to reaffirm the value of doing the small things well and being diligent in your circle of influence.
I guess what I want to say to sum up is that this book is true and valid, but perhaps it needs more specific application to different people (or genders, dare I say it?) at different stages in life. Whilst it's true that all of us will have to do mundane tasks each day, for some of us this is more relevant than others! And I think this book could have had a real opportunity to speak into the situations of the full time mum, or the recently retired, as well as to the 'busy' professional.
That said, I am probably just being way too critical and I don't want to come across as negative towards a great writer who has produced some fantastic resources, many of which my own church has been really influenced by and I've seen really positive effects from. Perhaps you should buy it yourself and see what you think?
Saturday, September 28, 2013
A Christian response to spiritualism: Why I wouldn't go to a medium
I've often seen spiritualist meetings advertised in theatres and around my area, but more recently it seems they've been happening closer to my home. Some of my friends are going along -you may be one of them!- and I thought I should take some time to properly write down where I stand on this as a Christian, and hopefully if you read it, it may make you think twice about getting involved with this sort of thing.
From what I've gathered, spiritualism is all about plugging into supernatural experiences. Often people are interested in what happens after death and try to contact someone they loved who has died. At the heart of spiritualism is the belief that a person's spirit is immortal and exists in a spirit world after their physical body has died. In terms of religion, spiritualism basically says that all religions hold truth and it doesn't matter which path you take because all paths lead to God. Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna and Jesus Christ were all messengers -even the same reincarnated being.
This fits with what a lot of people think today about religion, faith and spirituality. Many people will pray, and believe that there’s a supernatural world beyond this visible world. Many believe that when we die we’ll live forever and go somewhere else. And because this seemingly connects with religions like Christianity, a lot of people feel that they have their own way of 'believing' so they don't really need to look any further into it.
Let me just unpack that!
The Bible teaches that God is the ultimate One who is Lord over everything. He made everything, which includes the powers in the spiritual realm. We don't exactly get a very detailed picture of how a third of the angels rebelled and 'fell' with Satan and came under God's judgement, but we do know that God has allowed Satan and his demons to be active in the world until the day when Jesus will come back and all demonic power will finally be destroyed.
So at the moment, there are demons out there, and they have one simple mission: to take people away from the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They will do that by deception and they will do that by distraction. Spiritualism is a key tool that they use for this.
If someone goes to a spiritualist and they are not a Christian, they have some faith in God and in an afterlife, they may see things and hear things which confirm for them what they already believe. They see 'evidence' of a spiritual, supernatural realm. But they leave the meeting without any desire to know Jesus Christ. That's the key victory for the devil here! Give people something to fill their spiritual appetite, so that they won't bother with Jesus.
Demons have no problem with lying. They will tell you whatever it takes to keep you away from Jesus. Things like “I'm your Grandad, I'm in a wonderful place now, don't worry, you'll join me here one day.” It's a lie. They've told you that so that you go away with a false sense of security, and that you never bother trusting in Jesus for your salvation.
The Bible recognises that there is spiritual activity all around us. But it warns us not to just listen to anything and every 'message' that is communicated. In fact the Bible is really strong in telling us not to consult with mediums (Leviticus 19:31) because when we do, we open ourselves up to a barrage of lies and deception from the devil and his demons. The Christian standpoint is simple: if it holds up Jesus Christ as the Son of God then the spirit is from God and is good. If not, it is nothing else but demonic. Don't be deceived! Not everything in the spirit world is good. Not everything in the spirit world is connected to God.
Mark Driscoll, a pastor with a lot of experience in the area of the occult, explains the Bible's teaching: 'Don’t believe every spirit... some of you will have a supernatural, paranormal experience that is a direct unmediated encounter with the spirit world. See an angel, have a dream, something amazingly supernatural happened. For others of you, you will have your gateway into the spirit realm through a teacher, but that teacher is getting their information from Satan or from a demon, and they’re all over the place. So you got to be really careful to be critical and to distinguish and to discern that which is good and evil.'
The Bible teaches this amazing truth that Jesus Christ was fully God, yet He also came into this world fully human. Often people will say that Jesus was a great man, but He wasn't God. Others will say He is a god but He never became human and flesh. The thing is, in Christianity, Jesus has to be both so that He can mediate between man and God. He was tempted but never sinned, and He died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. He rose from the dead three days' later, and in doing so He conquered Satan and ultimately has total victory over him (Colossians 3:14-15).
Because I believe and trust in Jesus Christ, I don't need to go to a medium. I don't need to contact the dead or any sort of spirit. In Christ I am connected to God. I have assurance of eternal life. There's no way I would go along to a spiritualist meeting and plug in blindly to a supernatural world, hoping to find a good spirit or hear some message. I've got the Bible, which tells me everything I need to know about God, myself, the world, and about the spiritual realm. I've got the Holy Spirit, who is God, not a created being like Satan and his demons, and He is greater than any of those. I'm not spiritual, I'm Spirit-filled!
Mark Driscoll's advice is this:
From what I've gathered, spiritualism is all about plugging into supernatural experiences. Often people are interested in what happens after death and try to contact someone they loved who has died. At the heart of spiritualism is the belief that a person's spirit is immortal and exists in a spirit world after their physical body has died. In terms of religion, spiritualism basically says that all religions hold truth and it doesn't matter which path you take because all paths lead to God. Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna and Jesus Christ were all messengers -even the same reincarnated being.
This fits with what a lot of people think today about religion, faith and spirituality. Many people will pray, and believe that there’s a supernatural world beyond this visible world. Many believe that when we die we’ll live forever and go somewhere else. And because this seemingly connects with religions like Christianity, a lot of people feel that they have their own way of 'believing' so they don't really need to look any further into it.
The key difference with Christianity is that we know there is a spiritual reality out there, but we discern what is good and comes from God and what is evil and comes from Satan (or the Devil).
Let me just unpack that!
The Bible teaches that God is the ultimate One who is Lord over everything. He made everything, which includes the powers in the spiritual realm. We don't exactly get a very detailed picture of how a third of the angels rebelled and 'fell' with Satan and came under God's judgement, but we do know that God has allowed Satan and his demons to be active in the world until the day when Jesus will come back and all demonic power will finally be destroyed.
So at the moment, there are demons out there, and they have one simple mission: to take people away from the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They will do that by deception and they will do that by distraction. Spiritualism is a key tool that they use for this.
If someone goes to a spiritualist and they are not a Christian, they have some faith in God and in an afterlife, they may see things and hear things which confirm for them what they already believe. They see 'evidence' of a spiritual, supernatural realm. But they leave the meeting without any desire to know Jesus Christ. That's the key victory for the devil here! Give people something to fill their spiritual appetite, so that they won't bother with Jesus.
Demons have no problem with lying. They will tell you whatever it takes to keep you away from Jesus. Things like “I'm your Grandad, I'm in a wonderful place now, don't worry, you'll join me here one day.” It's a lie. They've told you that so that you go away with a false sense of security, and that you never bother trusting in Jesus for your salvation.
'Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.' 1 John 4:1-3
The Bible recognises that there is spiritual activity all around us. But it warns us not to just listen to anything and every 'message' that is communicated. In fact the Bible is really strong in telling us not to consult with mediums (Leviticus 19:31) because when we do, we open ourselves up to a barrage of lies and deception from the devil and his demons. The Christian standpoint is simple: if it holds up Jesus Christ as the Son of God then the spirit is from God and is good. If not, it is nothing else but demonic. Don't be deceived! Not everything in the spirit world is good. Not everything in the spirit world is connected to God.
Mark Driscoll, a pastor with a lot of experience in the area of the occult, explains the Bible's teaching: 'Don’t believe every spirit... some of you will have a supernatural, paranormal experience that is a direct unmediated encounter with the spirit world. See an angel, have a dream, something amazingly supernatural happened. For others of you, you will have your gateway into the spirit realm through a teacher, but that teacher is getting their information from Satan or from a demon, and they’re all over the place. So you got to be really careful to be critical and to distinguish and to discern that which is good and evil.'
The Bible teaches this amazing truth that Jesus Christ was fully God, yet He also came into this world fully human. Often people will say that Jesus was a great man, but He wasn't God. Others will say He is a god but He never became human and flesh. The thing is, in Christianity, Jesus has to be both so that He can mediate between man and God. He was tempted but never sinned, and He died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. He rose from the dead three days' later, and in doing so He conquered Satan and ultimately has total victory over him (Colossians 3:14-15).
Because I believe and trust in Jesus Christ, I don't need to go to a medium. I don't need to contact the dead or any sort of spirit. In Christ I am connected to God. I have assurance of eternal life. There's no way I would go along to a spiritualist meeting and plug in blindly to a supernatural world, hoping to find a good spirit or hear some message. I've got the Bible, which tells me everything I need to know about God, myself, the world, and about the spiritual realm. I've got the Holy Spirit, who is God, not a created being like Satan and his demons, and He is greater than any of those. I'm not spiritual, I'm Spirit-filled!
Mark Driscoll's advice is this:
'Anytime you get a supernatural experience, anytime you receive instruction, two things you need to do... Pray and test it by Scripture... Read the Bible. Pray to Jesus. Be connected to God. He will speak to you, and he will love you. You respond to him in faith. You trust him walking away from your spirituality, from your superstition, from your skepticism, and you extend your hand to the living God, who adores you and by faith, you move forward, not as a spiritual person, but as a spirit-filled person, as a Christian.'So that's where I stand. Please do let me know what you think on this! I'd love to chat more about it with you. God bless you.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
The power of a woman who says 'Yes'
I've been listening to a series of talks from Revive our Hearts about the story of Deborah from the book of Judges. It's definitely made me go back to this section of the Bible that you don't often hear much teaching on, and I've been really struck at the way the story unfolds and Deborah's role in this part of Israel's history.
The Israelites were in a very turbulent time. Because of their disobedience, God did not let them conquer all of the promised land. He did not give them rest from their enemies. He allowed them to be plundered to bring them to a point of desperation where they would seek Him again. They were under His discipline. The various judges who ruled over the people were raised up by God as an act of grace to provide deliverance, and often these judges had a military role in fighting off Israel's enemies and winning victories and peace.
At the time that Deborah judges Israel (read about it in Judges 4), it seems that Israel were under a particularly difficult time with their enemy Sisera, who had 900 chariots of iron, a powerful military advantage. We don't really know much about Deborah or other leaders of Israel at that time, but it seems that she walked closely with God because she was able to bring the word of the Lord to Barak (see v6-7). She brought a message to him that if he took 10,000 men and fought Sisera at the river Kishon, God would give him the victory. Barak's response is quite unexpected: 'If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.' (v8) Barak wanted Deborah to go with him to the battle! Perhaps this is a sign of weak male leadership at the time... but equally, it could be a positive humility on Barak's part that he wanted God's presence and knew that Deborah was a prophetess. Anyway, Deborah says 'Yes'! 'I will surely go with thee' (v9). This is the power of a woman who says 'Yes'. The result was that Barak led the army and they won a great victory (read more about it in the rest of chapter 4 and 5).
I want to apply this into our homes, our marriages and our ministries today. As wives, do we say 'yes' when our husbands have some calling on their life, or some task to complete? It may be the simple, small things, but it may also be big things like where you live, where you work, whether you are in full time ministry or not. I want to suggest that there are few men who will act upon a desire God has placed in their heart, a calling God has given them, without their wives giving an emphatic 'Yes' and a go-ahead. If you meet passion with passivity, the fire dies out. And there's nothing worse than a husband feeling he's dragging his wife along into this ministry or that town when she isn't really 100% on board with the plan.
I'm not saying let's abandon discernment; we need it! Some of us may have husbands who come up with a new hare-brained scheme every week and we need to gently offer wisdom and guidance where appropriate. But generally speaking, do we encourage or do we dampen? Do we show willingness to go where it may be difficult, where it may be uncomfortable, so that God can use our families for His glory in some task He's called us to do? Deborah made a bold decision to go into the battle, because she ultimately had confidence in the word of God. I think we need to seek God with our husbands for His plan and will for us, and at the heart of it, to do this not with the attitude of 'well if it's really clear we'll go through with it', but with the standpoint of 'unless God makes it really clear it's NOT right, we'll do it!' Think how much our churches would be transformed if we had that boldness, passion and spirit!
The Israelites were in a very turbulent time. Because of their disobedience, God did not let them conquer all of the promised land. He did not give them rest from their enemies. He allowed them to be plundered to bring them to a point of desperation where they would seek Him again. They were under His discipline. The various judges who ruled over the people were raised up by God as an act of grace to provide deliverance, and often these judges had a military role in fighting off Israel's enemies and winning victories and peace.
At the time that Deborah judges Israel (read about it in Judges 4), it seems that Israel were under a particularly difficult time with their enemy Sisera, who had 900 chariots of iron, a powerful military advantage. We don't really know much about Deborah or other leaders of Israel at that time, but it seems that she walked closely with God because she was able to bring the word of the Lord to Barak (see v6-7). She brought a message to him that if he took 10,000 men and fought Sisera at the river Kishon, God would give him the victory. Barak's response is quite unexpected: 'If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.' (v8) Barak wanted Deborah to go with him to the battle! Perhaps this is a sign of weak male leadership at the time... but equally, it could be a positive humility on Barak's part that he wanted God's presence and knew that Deborah was a prophetess. Anyway, Deborah says 'Yes'! 'I will surely go with thee' (v9). This is the power of a woman who says 'Yes'. The result was that Barak led the army and they won a great victory (read more about it in the rest of chapter 4 and 5).
I want to apply this into our homes, our marriages and our ministries today. As wives, do we say 'yes' when our husbands have some calling on their life, or some task to complete? It may be the simple, small things, but it may also be big things like where you live, where you work, whether you are in full time ministry or not. I want to suggest that there are few men who will act upon a desire God has placed in their heart, a calling God has given them, without their wives giving an emphatic 'Yes' and a go-ahead. If you meet passion with passivity, the fire dies out. And there's nothing worse than a husband feeling he's dragging his wife along into this ministry or that town when she isn't really 100% on board with the plan.
I'm not saying let's abandon discernment; we need it! Some of us may have husbands who come up with a new hare-brained scheme every week and we need to gently offer wisdom and guidance where appropriate. But generally speaking, do we encourage or do we dampen? Do we show willingness to go where it may be difficult, where it may be uncomfortable, so that God can use our families for His glory in some task He's called us to do? Deborah made a bold decision to go into the battle, because she ultimately had confidence in the word of God. I think we need to seek God with our husbands for His plan and will for us, and at the heart of it, to do this not with the attitude of 'well if it's really clear we'll go through with it', but with the standpoint of 'unless God makes it really clear it's NOT right, we'll do it!' Think how much our churches would be transformed if we had that boldness, passion and spirit!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
What is gospel community?
'They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.' Acts 2:42-47
Do you ever read this and just get this feeling: I want my church to be like this!!! Isn't it frustrating when you look at the reality and just wish we could go back to these early days, after the Holy Spirit came with power at Pentecost, and somehow recreate the amazing community that the believers had?
Our church has recently moved to a more central location and encouraged everyone to be part of a 'gospel community' which meets in their local area. I've been trying to get my head around what gospel community actually is. It's got to be more than just a home group meeting mid-week for Bible study and prayer, though that is really vital. As I was reading 'Connecting Your Heart to Others', there's a short section at the beginning of the book that really captured to me what gospel community is meant to be about:
- Fellowship - opening up your heart with other Christians and genuinely connecting on a deeper level, listening carefully to each other
- Discipleship - growing to be like Jesus, exploring God's Word and applying it specifically to your lives
- Ministry - serving others in love using the spiritual gifts God has given you
- Evangelism - sharing your story and God's story, getting out there together so your group doesn't become a clique but reaches outwards to unbelievers
- Worship - surrendering your life to honour God and spending time in God's presence together.
I found that a really helpful description, breaking down all the different aspects of life as a gospel community. Spending time with some friends recently who are part of The Crowded House church network was really inspiring and challenging to me, because they just seem so much more consciously on mission than me in so many ways! In their gospel community, they may all agree to bring to the table their weekly schedule, to try to look for overlap so people can join together as much as possible. They may bring their financial budget sheet for accountability and transparency. The picture was given of a wheel, where the hub in the centre of the wheel is the gospel community. The spokes of the wheel are all the other aspects of life - and they come from the G.C. as the centre. In other words, you are asked to put your gospel community first. Make it your top priority. That's a challenge! I came back just wanting to be more on mission, more eager to show hospitality and with a much stronger desire to create gospel community where we are.
But also, I was reminded that it's only through the Holy Spirit that this gospel community can happen and succeed. It's not natural to want to live like this! When sinful humans get together, there is much danger of offence, annoyance, frustration and worse. We need to Spirit to guide us, to change us, to help us live together in the way God wants us to. We need a spiritual revival to give us the zeal the early church had to spend their lives together not as individuals with a passion for God. I want to not just be figuring out practical stuff to do, but getting more serious about praying for a changed heart in myself.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Accountability Questions
I read this in 'Connecting your heart to others' by Fields & Eastman and thought it was really helpful for giving structure to prayer pairs/small groups when talking through the week and what to pray for.
The Wonder Question
1. Have you maintained an attitude of awe and wonder toward God?
...or have you minimized him, placed him in a box, failing to contemplate his greatness?
Key issue: awe, wonderment, and WORSHIP versus ordinary, usual, and IDOLATRY.
The Priority Question
2. Have you maintained a personal (quiet) time with God?
...or have you allowed yourself to become too busy for God? Have you exchanged a vibrant, tender relationship filled with rich communication for a superficial acquaintance with God?
Key issue: time with God versus time without God.
The Morality Question
3. Have you maintained integrity with the way you live out your faith?
...or have you compromised what you know to be true with your actions?
Key issue: integrity versus compromise.
The Listening Question
4. Have you maintained a soft heart, sensitive to the things of God?
...or have you chosen to remain on the easy path, refused to be challenged to move out of your comfort zone?
Key issue: uncomfortable versus comfortable
The Relationships Question
5. Have you maintained peaceful relationships and resolved conflicts to the best of your ability?
...or have you caused conflict or offense?
Key issue: peace versus conflict; resolution versus ignored.
The Wonder Question
1. Have you maintained an attitude of awe and wonder toward God?
...or have you minimized him, placed him in a box, failing to contemplate his greatness?
Key issue: awe, wonderment, and WORSHIP versus ordinary, usual, and IDOLATRY.
The Priority Question
2. Have you maintained a personal (quiet) time with God?
...or have you allowed yourself to become too busy for God? Have you exchanged a vibrant, tender relationship filled with rich communication for a superficial acquaintance with God?
Key issue: time with God versus time without God.
The Morality Question
3. Have you maintained integrity with the way you live out your faith?
...or have you compromised what you know to be true with your actions?
Key issue: integrity versus compromise.
The Listening Question
4. Have you maintained a soft heart, sensitive to the things of God?
...or have you chosen to remain on the easy path, refused to be challenged to move out of your comfort zone?
Key issue: uncomfortable versus comfortable
The Relationships Question
5. Have you maintained peaceful relationships and resolved conflicts to the best of your ability?
...or have you caused conflict or offense?
Key issue: peace versus conflict; resolution versus ignored.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Unlocking Isaiah
I've heard the book of Isaiah described as the key to the Old Testament, and it is one of those beasty books that is pretty hefty and takes up a lot of Bible space! If you've been put off reading it before, then I really want to encourage you to try reading it from beginning to end, systematically, to really get the sense of the whole book. I think that the book of Isaiah really shows vividly the story of God's salvation, so hopefully this post will give you some helpful handles to grasp onto as you read the book.
1. Creation
The fact that God is the LORD and Creator of everything is emphasised repeatedly in this book, and for good reason! Israel were in a time of chaos and disobedience, and God's judgement was coming upon them; they were going into exile. But Isaiah's message to them as God's prophet in this time was a message of ultimate hope, because they were not simply flies to be squashed, but God's own chosen people whom He was planning to redeem. With big super-powers like Egypt and Babylon looming over them, the Israelites lost confidence in God. Isaiah reminds them that the reason these foreign nations have power over them is because of their sin, and that God is in control behind the human military events that were taking place. Instead of being afraid of other armies, they should be more afraid of God!
2. Sin
Isaiah points out to the people the problem of their sin, from fake religion (trying to impress God with rituals yet not really, in their hearts, loving and trusting Him) to open corruption. The first 39 chapters are pretty hard-going, because there is a constant emphasis on Israel's sin and how God's judgement is coming. But these chapters are in our Bibles for a reason. They show us how seriously God takes sin. They show us that God sees our hearts and motives, and that's what matters more than any outward appearance:
Note that Jesus Himself quotes this passage in Matthew 15 and Mark 7 when teaching and warning people about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The more you get familiar with Isaiah, the more you can see the connections with the ministry of Jesus.
3. Saviour
There are several key passages in Isaiah about a 'servant' of God, who will be instrumental in bringing salvation to His people. These are clear prophecies about Jesus Christ, and Jesus Himself was very aware of them, and how He fulfilled them in His own person and ministry. Read Isaiah 42 and 52-53 and I'm sure you won't need to look too far to see the clear parallels. If you've got a reference Bible as well, look at how the New Testament uses Isaiah's prophecies and teaches that they are about Jesus (eg. Mt 8:17). In fact, the account of Jesus praying in Gethsemane 'remove this cup from me' (Lk 22:42), doesn't make sense if you don't know the picture in Isaiah 51:17 of the 'cup of His fury' (that is, God's wrath against sin and His judgement upon it). Jesus knew that on the cross, He would drink that cup, fully bearing the punishment for our sin, so that we could be restored to God. The picture in Isaiah of a Saviour help us to love and worship Jesus with more richness and depth than ever before.
4. Restoration
There are so many wonderful passages in Isaiah about a forthcoming time of blessing and peace:
1. Creation
The fact that God is the LORD and Creator of everything is emphasised repeatedly in this book, and for good reason! Israel were in a time of chaos and disobedience, and God's judgement was coming upon them; they were going into exile. But Isaiah's message to them as God's prophet in this time was a message of ultimate hope, because they were not simply flies to be squashed, but God's own chosen people whom He was planning to redeem. With big super-powers like Egypt and Babylon looming over them, the Israelites lost confidence in God. Isaiah reminds them that the reason these foreign nations have power over them is because of their sin, and that God is in control behind the human military events that were taking place. Instead of being afraid of other armies, they should be more afraid of God!
'who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die... And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth' (Isa 51:12-13)
2. Sin
Isaiah points out to the people the problem of their sin, from fake religion (trying to impress God with rituals yet not really, in their hearts, loving and trusting Him) to open corruption. The first 39 chapters are pretty hard-going, because there is a constant emphasis on Israel's sin and how God's judgement is coming. But these chapters are in our Bibles for a reason. They show us how seriously God takes sin. They show us that God sees our hearts and motives, and that's what matters more than any outward appearance:
'this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men.' (Isa 29:13)
Note that Jesus Himself quotes this passage in Matthew 15 and Mark 7 when teaching and warning people about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The more you get familiar with Isaiah, the more you can see the connections with the ministry of Jesus.
3. Saviour
There are several key passages in Isaiah about a 'servant' of God, who will be instrumental in bringing salvation to His people. These are clear prophecies about Jesus Christ, and Jesus Himself was very aware of them, and how He fulfilled them in His own person and ministry. Read Isaiah 42 and 52-53 and I'm sure you won't need to look too far to see the clear parallels. If you've got a reference Bible as well, look at how the New Testament uses Isaiah's prophecies and teaches that they are about Jesus (eg. Mt 8:17). In fact, the account of Jesus praying in Gethsemane 'remove this cup from me' (Lk 22:42), doesn't make sense if you don't know the picture in Isaiah 51:17 of the 'cup of His fury' (that is, God's wrath against sin and His judgement upon it). Jesus knew that on the cross, He would drink that cup, fully bearing the punishment for our sin, so that we could be restored to God. The picture in Isaiah of a Saviour help us to love and worship Jesus with more richness and depth than ever before.
4. Restoration
There are so many wonderful passages in Isaiah about a forthcoming time of blessing and peace:
'For the LORD shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.' (Isa 51:3)When Jesus returns and God's people are raised to life in the new creation, we will experience Eden restored, a closeness with God that we could never have on earth, and a joy of forgiveness knowing that Jesus drunk the cup for us, and has won for us an eternal salvation.
'My righteousness shall be for ever, and My salvation from generation to generation.' Isa 51:8)
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Rest in time of need- some more thoughts
I'm coming back to this theme of rest; I looked up all the times 'rest' is mentioned in the KJV and I was really struck at the story of God and God's people it showed me. From the rest of God in Genesis 2:2 to the pattern of rest He created for His people as shown in the Law (Ex 20:11, Deut 5:14), God knew that man would always be searching for rest. One of the biggest things that stood out to me is that biblically, rest is not found in not working per se, but in God Himself. So in the laws and commands about keeping the Sabbath, the reason for those commands was so that people could take time to draw near to God, rather than simply stop working and put their feet up. Look at Ex 33:14:
As Moses communes with God, whose holy presence has filled the tabernacle, God gives him this assurance of His ongoing presence with Israel even though they are a 'stiffnecked people' (v5). This promise is fulfilled as in Numbers it says 'At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents' (Num 9:18). They physically rested from travelling when God's presence filled the tabernacle, but I wonder if that is also a picture of a spiritual rest. They knew God was close to them; they had nothing to fear.
What went wrong?
The writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:
Rest was only to be found in God, but instead of drawing near to Him and listening to Him, they grumbled and let their hearts grow hard against Him. They were denied rest, because they would not find it in God. They wanted just to have their temporary needs met of a varied diet and a permanent home (see Numbers 11).
The writer of Hebrews argued that since Israel failed to enter God's rest, then there 'remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.' (Heb 4:9) How do we enter it? He then goes on to write about our 'great high priest... Jesus the Son of God' (v14). Jesus was a man who entered the rest of God and so could offer it to others (Matt 11:28-29). He kept the Sabbath in the way it was intended, by using it to draw close to God and others rather than simply following some legalistic rules about not picking corn (Luke 6). Isaiah prophesies about a Branch, a root of Jesse, who will come and 'the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him' (v2). This seems to be shown in John 1:32 when the Spirit rests on Jesus at His baptism, and Jesus Himself referred to similar prophecies in Luke 4:18 (Isa 61) and said they were fulfilled in Him.
Isaiah 11 goes on to talk about the new creation where the wolf shall dwell with the lamb (v6), and it says that 'in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.' (v10). So this must refer to Jesus, standing as a flag or banner of God's people, the One the Gentiles seek, and His rest shall be glorious because He has brought salvation to the nations. And this will be our rest too!
What about now?
Well, going back to Hebrews 4, after pointing us to Jesus as our high priest, the writer reminds us that he was 'in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' (v15) What deprives us of rest in God? Sin. But if we come to Christ, we can share in His perfect rest in God, because He was sinless.
This is the real key for us as Christians. There will be times of trouble for us, sometimes because of our sin and mess-ups, but also from sickness, or persecution, or other factors beyond our control. How do we find rest in all these circumstances? By going to the throne of grace, seeking God for His mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. The answer to our frantic busy-ness, to our despair, to our desperation, is found not in retreats, finishing tasks, new possessions, relationships or entertainment, though I know I have tried to find it in all of these things. It's only in God Himself that we can find the rest we crave.
'...My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.'
As Moses communes with God, whose holy presence has filled the tabernacle, God gives him this assurance of His ongoing presence with Israel even though they are a 'stiffnecked people' (v5). This promise is fulfilled as in Numbers it says 'At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents' (Num 9:18). They physically rested from travelling when God's presence filled the tabernacle, but I wonder if that is also a picture of a spiritual rest. They knew God was close to them; they had nothing to fear.
What went wrong?
The writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:
'Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.' (Heb 3:7-11)
Rest was only to be found in God, but instead of drawing near to Him and listening to Him, they grumbled and let their hearts grow hard against Him. They were denied rest, because they would not find it in God. They wanted just to have their temporary needs met of a varied diet and a permanent home (see Numbers 11).
The writer of Hebrews argued that since Israel failed to enter God's rest, then there 'remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.' (Heb 4:9) How do we enter it? He then goes on to write about our 'great high priest... Jesus the Son of God' (v14). Jesus was a man who entered the rest of God and so could offer it to others (Matt 11:28-29). He kept the Sabbath in the way it was intended, by using it to draw close to God and others rather than simply following some legalistic rules about not picking corn (Luke 6). Isaiah prophesies about a Branch, a root of Jesse, who will come and 'the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him' (v2). This seems to be shown in John 1:32 when the Spirit rests on Jesus at His baptism, and Jesus Himself referred to similar prophecies in Luke 4:18 (Isa 61) and said they were fulfilled in Him.
Isaiah 11 goes on to talk about the new creation where the wolf shall dwell with the lamb (v6), and it says that 'in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.' (v10). So this must refer to Jesus, standing as a flag or banner of God's people, the One the Gentiles seek, and His rest shall be glorious because He has brought salvation to the nations. And this will be our rest too!
What about now?
Well, going back to Hebrews 4, after pointing us to Jesus as our high priest, the writer reminds us that he was 'in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' (v15) What deprives us of rest in God? Sin. But if we come to Christ, we can share in His perfect rest in God, because He was sinless.
'Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.' (Heb 4:16)
This is the real key for us as Christians. There will be times of trouble for us, sometimes because of our sin and mess-ups, but also from sickness, or persecution, or other factors beyond our control. How do we find rest in all these circumstances? By going to the throne of grace, seeking God for His mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. The answer to our frantic busy-ness, to our despair, to our desperation, is found not in retreats, finishing tasks, new possessions, relationships or entertainment, though I know I have tried to find it in all of these things. It's only in God Himself that we can find the rest we crave.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Comfort in suffering: 2 Corinthians
Going through suffering is never easy. I've found it so helpful to find books to navigate my way through it: what to think, what to pray, what to sing. Matt and Beth Redman's 'Blessed be your name' (the song and the book) have been very helpful but today I'm going to focus on one of my favourite Bible books: 2 Corinthians.
I've been reading a book of daily devotionals called 'Contentment' by Lydia Brownback. Again, this is an amazingly concise but incisive book that has really challenged me. She wrote today's devotion on Paul's experience of 'the thorn in the flesh' as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12. We don't know what it was, but Paul was experiencing some form of suffering and asked God three times to take it away. Instead, the words Christ spoke to him were:
That verse really kicks against what we want to believe. Surely not, God? Surely I'm more useful to you when I'm 'sorted', when I've got it together? But that's not what Jesus says.
Brownback puts it this way: 'Our thorns are opportunities to cling to Christ... There are things about our union with Christ that we just cannot know apart from the thorns that spear our lives. You'll never know Christ's sufficiency if you spend all your energy seeking to pull the thorn out of your flesh.'
This really ties in with the whole letter of 2 Corinthians. Paul's message to the church is that suffering isn't some inconvenient truth which just has to be avoided so we can look like 'real' Christians. Actually, God uses suffering in our lives: to comfort us Himself in a way that no one else can, and to equip us to comfort others (see chapter 1 v4).
Suffering makes us see ourselves for what we really are: jars of clay (chapter 4 v7), so we trust in God not ourselves (chapter 1 v9).
We know God's salvation as a present reality, but also as a future one too:
We hang on to the physical historical reality of Christ's resurrection as the source of our hope in our own eternal future:
Suffering reminds me that I haven't got it all together. I haven't figured out answers to all of life's questions. But what I do know, and what I have come to know more in suffering, is that God's promises of comfort are true. May you know His comfort today whatever your suffering is.
I've been reading a book of daily devotionals called 'Contentment' by Lydia Brownback. Again, this is an amazingly concise but incisive book that has really challenged me. She wrote today's devotion on Paul's experience of 'the thorn in the flesh' as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12. We don't know what it was, but Paul was experiencing some form of suffering and asked God three times to take it away. Instead, the words Christ spoke to him were:
'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' (v9)
That verse really kicks against what we want to believe. Surely not, God? Surely I'm more useful to you when I'm 'sorted', when I've got it together? But that's not what Jesus says.
Brownback puts it this way: 'Our thorns are opportunities to cling to Christ... There are things about our union with Christ that we just cannot know apart from the thorns that spear our lives. You'll never know Christ's sufficiency if you spend all your energy seeking to pull the thorn out of your flesh.'
This really ties in with the whole letter of 2 Corinthians. Paul's message to the church is that suffering isn't some inconvenient truth which just has to be avoided so we can look like 'real' Christians. Actually, God uses suffering in our lives: to comfort us Himself in a way that no one else can, and to equip us to comfort others (see chapter 1 v4).
Suffering makes us see ourselves for what we really are: jars of clay (chapter 4 v7), so we trust in God not ourselves (chapter 1 v9).
We know God's salvation as a present reality, but also as a future one too:
'we trust that He will yet deliver us' (chapter 1 v10)
We hang on to the physical historical reality of Christ's resurrection as the source of our hope in our own eternal future:
'knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus... we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.' (chapter 4 v14,18)
Suffering reminds me that I haven't got it all together. I haven't figured out answers to all of life's questions. But what I do know, and what I have come to know more in suffering, is that God's promises of comfort are true. May you know His comfort today whatever your suffering is.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Finding rest in troubled times
We had a church day out to the beach the other weekend, and back when I was asking Glyn Blaize to come to speak, I thought the idea of 'rest' would be a good theme. It proved to be a very timely message as we went through a really difficult time of loss just before the day. Originally I had envisaged receiving the message from a perspective of busyness, and actually I found myself hearing it from a place of grief and trouble.
I am really thankful for Glyn's message. You can hear it here but these are my thoughts and what I took from it.
The passage Glyn chose, Matthew 11:25-28, had been sent to me by a friend a few days before who knew I was going through a tough time. Jesus' promise of rest is so vital to us at any time, but especially when you feel weary in your spirit. Glyn encouraged us that rest is holding onto God, knowing that He provides. In the story of creation in Genesis, God makes rest a priority for us. He fits it into our natural rhythm of life. Yet in our culture, we seem to binge-work and then binge-rest (I got that from Tim Chester's book on Busyness which again is massively helpful). We think somehow that to achieve rest we need to find a very quiet place of solace and just escape from everybody. But realistically, how often can we do that in a year? Whether you're a full time professional or a busy mum, there isn't much time in the day when you don't have demands upon your time. If we wait for that time alone in solitude before we can achieve rest or even just time with God, then it just isn't going to happen. We'll be frazzled and we will never feel the rest that God intended.
We need to get our rhythm of work and rest right, as a basic discipline, and then whenever sorrow or trouble comes along, we already have some space in the day or the week where we can cast it back onto the Lord. We need to take God's command to rest as seriously as we take the other commandments not to murder or steal.
Ultimately we can rest because we know that Jesus has won for us a great and eternal salvation. We can rest because we know that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21). We can rest because we know that whatever we go through now is a light and momentary affliction which achieves for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17).
I am really thankful for Glyn's message. You can hear it here but these are my thoughts and what I took from it.
The passage Glyn chose, Matthew 11:25-28, had been sent to me by a friend a few days before who knew I was going through a tough time. Jesus' promise of rest is so vital to us at any time, but especially when you feel weary in your spirit. Glyn encouraged us that rest is holding onto God, knowing that He provides. In the story of creation in Genesis, God makes rest a priority for us. He fits it into our natural rhythm of life. Yet in our culture, we seem to binge-work and then binge-rest (I got that from Tim Chester's book on Busyness which again is massively helpful). We think somehow that to achieve rest we need to find a very quiet place of solace and just escape from everybody. But realistically, how often can we do that in a year? Whether you're a full time professional or a busy mum, there isn't much time in the day when you don't have demands upon your time. If we wait for that time alone in solitude before we can achieve rest or even just time with God, then it just isn't going to happen. We'll be frazzled and we will never feel the rest that God intended.
We need to get our rhythm of work and rest right, as a basic discipline, and then whenever sorrow or trouble comes along, we already have some space in the day or the week where we can cast it back onto the Lord. We need to take God's command to rest as seriously as we take the other commandments not to murder or steal.
Ultimately we can rest because we know that Jesus has won for us a great and eternal salvation. We can rest because we know that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21). We can rest because we know that whatever we go through now is a light and momentary affliction which achieves for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Lessons from Psalms #6 - A family that follows the Lord
There are some beautiful pictures in the Psalms of what it means to just love God and build a home around serving Him as a family.
Psalm 127 opens with 'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it'. We do spend most of our lives creating our own home and family, but we have to recognise that everything we have comes from God. Our children are 'a heritage of the Lord' (v3), not one of our achievements. The question the Psalms often seem to ask is: what are you doing with the gifts God has given you?
Psalm 128 gives a picture of gospel prosperity (not prosperity gospel!!). 'Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.' (v1-2) It's a principle, rather than a promise, that those who love God will live a life of blessing, though not one free of suffering. It's interesting that the picture of the godly family and their blessing is not one of isolation, but one that is part of the community of God's people: 'May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.' (v5) We're not meant to hide away trying to create the perfect home and family; we're meant to live out the gospel in community together, teaching our children by practical example of what it means to love God and others.
Psalm 1 is often described as the key to the Psalms, and the message is clear: following the Lord brings true joy and prosperity, whereas wickedness leads to judgement and destruction. I love the picture in verse 3 that the righteous person is 'like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither'. I've planted some trees in my garden recently and I was told that the main reason young trees die is lack of water. I am constantly amazed that I can pour basinfuls of washing up water on those trees and they soak it all up and seem thirsty for more! Good job I live in Wales where it rains all the time. But it made the picture in the Psalms more real to me, that if a tree is planted by streams of water, it never dies, because it always has replenishment. If we are truly going to live righteous lives and build godly families, we will constantly need refreshing from the Lord to do that. We will be constantly giving to others, so we need to be finding our nourishment in God. We can't follow God's ways and be good parents without completely relying on His strength and power. Ask God to bless your home and family, and then be prepared to obey Him.
Psalm 127 opens with 'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it'. We do spend most of our lives creating our own home and family, but we have to recognise that everything we have comes from God. Our children are 'a heritage of the Lord' (v3), not one of our achievements. The question the Psalms often seem to ask is: what are you doing with the gifts God has given you?
Psalm 128 gives a picture of gospel prosperity (not prosperity gospel!!). 'Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.' (v1-2) It's a principle, rather than a promise, that those who love God will live a life of blessing, though not one free of suffering. It's interesting that the picture of the godly family and their blessing is not one of isolation, but one that is part of the community of God's people: 'May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.' (v5) We're not meant to hide away trying to create the perfect home and family; we're meant to live out the gospel in community together, teaching our children by practical example of what it means to love God and others.
Psalm 1 is often described as the key to the Psalms, and the message is clear: following the Lord brings true joy and prosperity, whereas wickedness leads to judgement and destruction. I love the picture in verse 3 that the righteous person is 'like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither'. I've planted some trees in my garden recently and I was told that the main reason young trees die is lack of water. I am constantly amazed that I can pour basinfuls of washing up water on those trees and they soak it all up and seem thirsty for more! Good job I live in Wales where it rains all the time. But it made the picture in the Psalms more real to me, that if a tree is planted by streams of water, it never dies, because it always has replenishment. If we are truly going to live righteous lives and build godly families, we will constantly need refreshing from the Lord to do that. We will be constantly giving to others, so we need to be finding our nourishment in God. We can't follow God's ways and be good parents without completely relying on His strength and power. Ask God to bless your home and family, and then be prepared to obey Him.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Lessons from Psalms #5: Creator
'Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens...
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?' Ps 8:1, 3-4
'The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.' Ps 19.1
The Psalms are full of praise for God as Creator. There is such a sense of awe when the writers look around them, look up at the stars, and just see God's fingerprints. In Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, you can see the influence of Genesis 1-2 on the way he looks at God and on man's place in creation:
'Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.' Ps 90.2
That's what creation does: it shows us God's infinite greatness and puts us in our place. So often I feel like I'm running the show, and it's all about my plan, my progress and my achievements. But I'm missing the bigger picture.
'Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away...
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.' Ps 90.10-12
Our lives are so fleeting in comparison with eternity, yet so often our hearts are rooted to this world instead of the next. This Psalm is a great reminder that though our lives are plagued with the restrictions and realities of death and time, we can find true satisfaction in receiving His mercy and plough our energies into work for Him that has value when done with the right motives: to serve.
'Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days...
establish the work of our hands for us –
yes, establish the work of our hands.' Ps 90.14,17
In the image of our Creator, we too can create. We can enjoy permanence through His everlasting nature. If I'm looking for my meaning and value in my work (whether in my job, or as a parent, or any other capacity), I'm never going to be satisfied. I'm never going to rest. But if I find my meaning in being a child of God, I can give my work 100% and then rest, knowing that He is God, not me.
When writing to the Corinthians, Paul tells them 'Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.' (1 Cor 15:58). He doesn't promise that we always get the results we want, but he tells us that it's worth giving God our best, because He sees and values a humble spirit that longs to please Him. So much of finding earthly contentment lies in seeing ourselves as God sees us, and not judging ourselves by the world's standards. Only then can we find the peace we crave.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Lessons from Psalms #4: God is Enough
'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing...
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.' Ps 23:1,5-6
'I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.’
...Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance...
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.' Ps 16:2, 5-6, 11
Do we really believe that God is enough for us? That's the challenge of the Psalms for me. Time and time again, the different writers lift their eyes from circumstances that are less than ideal (in fact, mostly times of rejection, political instability and turmoil), and find in God a stability and fortress. They find in Him all they need. Can I say the same? How much am I content with God as God? Or do I just feel content in God when He gives me a nice house to live in, a happy family, a good job?
Psalm 84 is all about longing for the courts of the Lord. The stand-out section for me reads:
'Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.' Ps 84:5-7
Baka, or Baca, is 'the thirsty valley'. It's like a desert place where only a certain type of balsam tree will grow. God's people make it a place of springs - they show faith which dares to dig blessings out of hardship. It's not that the place itself magically transforms when they get there.
I can see the spiritual barrenness around me and pray for streams of living water from on high to refresh the land, but sometimes I feel that challenge from the Psalmist: I need to start digging deeper. When I'm finding deep refreshment in the Lord, that will flow out to others around me.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Lessons from Psalms #3: History
You can't read the Psalms without getting a real sense of history. From the account of creation in Genesis, to the story of God's dealings with the descendants of Jacob, leading them out of Egypt (as recorded in Exodus), even up to the exile of Israel to Babylon, all of these historical events inspire the psalmists to write songs of praise to God and to warn God's people to obey Him and remember all His deeds.
Psalms 77-81 feature elements of Exodus and Deuteronomy as they recount God's dealings with Israel to explain their current situation and provide hope for the future. Psalm 77 is a personal cry to God, remembering His promises and works:
The Exodus from Egypt is one of the biggest, most significant events which the Psalmist remembers (see v15-20), as this was in many ways a definitive act of salvation in which God set apart Israel as a people for Himself. Continuing with this focus, Psalm 78 gives a long history of Israel, teaching lessons from it, to evoke praise and faithfulness in God's people in the present:
The main lesson to be learnt from the history of Israel, it seems, is that we need to have real faith in God, a faith that is willing to trust Him and not constantly look for something better elsewhere. The psalmist's main judgement on Israel is that 'they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.' (Ps 78.22) They occasionally had moments of revelation and repentance, but often they paid God lip service whilst their hearts were not loyal to Him (v36-37). This is one of those times where Scripture just cuts right to the heart of the matter and exposes our so-called good intentions as merely playing at being good to try to get away with as much as possible. It doesn't work with God! He sees our every thought. And this is where the history in the Psalms is so valuable for us today as Christians. It's our history too. If we're honest, we have exactly the same tendencies as Israel did, to go along to church and sing all the songs, but then to desire the same things as everyone else. We may not do anything visibly wrong, but we're just kidding ourselves if we think God will be satisfied with anything less than our whole devotion, love and obedience.
Where is the hope in this sorry history then? Ps 78:68-72 talks about God choosing Judah, and raising up David to lead them. The hope has to be in God's persistent goodness, despite His people's disobedience and lacklustre faith. Psalms 79-80 lead us in crying out to God for restoration, healing and forgiveness:
Finally, Psalm 81 reiterates many of the key points of the Law from Exodus and Deuteronomy, to remind God's people that He has infinite grace and infinite resources to satisfy them. We don't need to look elsewhere!
Psalms 77-81 feature elements of Exodus and Deuteronomy as they recount God's dealings with Israel to explain their current situation and provide hope for the future. Psalm 77 is a personal cry to God, remembering His promises and works:
'I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds' Ps 77:11-12
The Exodus from Egypt is one of the biggest, most significant events which the Psalmist remembers (see v15-20), as this was in many ways a definitive act of salvation in which God set apart Israel as a people for Himself. Continuing with this focus, Psalm 78 gives a long history of Israel, teaching lessons from it, to evoke praise and faithfulness in God's people in the present:
'so that the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.' Ps 78.6-7
The main lesson to be learnt from the history of Israel, it seems, is that we need to have real faith in God, a faith that is willing to trust Him and not constantly look for something better elsewhere. The psalmist's main judgement on Israel is that 'they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.' (Ps 78.22) They occasionally had moments of revelation and repentance, but often they paid God lip service whilst their hearts were not loyal to Him (v36-37). This is one of those times where Scripture just cuts right to the heart of the matter and exposes our so-called good intentions as merely playing at being good to try to get away with as much as possible. It doesn't work with God! He sees our every thought. And this is where the history in the Psalms is so valuable for us today as Christians. It's our history too. If we're honest, we have exactly the same tendencies as Israel did, to go along to church and sing all the songs, but then to desire the same things as everyone else. We may not do anything visibly wrong, but we're just kidding ourselves if we think God will be satisfied with anything less than our whole devotion, love and obedience.
Where is the hope in this sorry history then? Ps 78:68-72 talks about God choosing Judah, and raising up David to lead them. The hope has to be in God's persistent goodness, despite His people's disobedience and lacklustre faith. Psalms 79-80 lead us in crying out to God for restoration, healing and forgiveness:
'Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
Help us, God our Saviour,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.' Ps 79.8-9
Finally, Psalm 81 reiterates many of the key points of the Law from Exodus and Deuteronomy, to remind God's people that He has infinite grace and infinite resources to satisfy them. We don't need to look elsewhere!
'I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it...
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.’ Ps 81:10, 16
Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Saturday, April 20, 2013
Lessons from Psalms #2: The Messiah
The idea of the Messiah is a massive concept in the Psalms. As I've been reading them, I see so many glimpses of Jesus Christ. It could be in the form of prophecies which were fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Or it could be pictures, ideals which were only made reality in Him.
God made a covenant with King David that He would 'raise up (his) offspring to succeed (him)', and that He would 'establish the throne of his kingdom forever.' (2 Samuel 7) The various writers of Psalms, including David and his son Solomon after him, consider this promise of God and depict a king who rules with justice over Israel, but also beyond Israel too. The Psalms delight in God's particular choice of Israel:
But the Psalms also look forward to a day when God will place a king to rule with His justice and righteousness over the whole world:
These two aspects of truth find unity in Jesus because He is the messianic descendant of David, king of Israel and His rule is universal:
It's amazing the way the Psalms unite the idea of one perfect king whose rule extends beyond Israel to the other nations too. Look at Psalm 2:
And the picture of the Christ, God's chosen King, is a beautiful one which we can clearly see fulfilled in Jesus:
In verse 17, God's covenant with Abraham ('I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you' (Gen 12:3) is shown to be fulfilled in this Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. How amazing the unity of Scripture is! How wonderful is our King Jesus!
God made a covenant with King David that He would 'raise up (his) offspring to succeed (him)', and that He would 'establish the throne of his kingdom forever.' (2 Samuel 7) The various writers of Psalms, including David and his son Solomon after him, consider this promise of God and depict a king who rules with justice over Israel, but also beyond Israel too. The Psalms delight in God's particular choice of Israel:
'He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
city of God' Ps 87.1-3
But the Psalms also look forward to a day when God will place a king to rule with His justice and righteousness over the whole world:
'May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.' Ps 67.4
These two aspects of truth find unity in Jesus because He is the messianic descendant of David, king of Israel and His rule is universal:
'He made known to us the mystery of His will... to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.' (Eph 1:9-10)
It's amazing the way the Psalms unite the idea of one perfect king whose rule extends beyond Israel to the other nations too. Look at Psalm 2:
'“I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.' Ps 2:6-8
And the picture of the Christ, God's chosen King, is a beautiful one which we can clearly see fulfilled in Jesus:
'May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth...
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.' Ps 72.4-8, 17
In verse 17, God's covenant with Abraham ('I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you' (Gen 12:3) is shown to be fulfilled in this Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. How amazing the unity of Scripture is! How wonderful is our King Jesus!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Lessons from Psalms #1: Zion
I've been really digging into the Psalms as one Bible book I want to get to know a lot better this year. So often I dip into Psalms here and there, but I hadn't really systematically gone through the whole book before. I've always been fascinated at how rich and deep these poems are, and I particularly wanted to look more at how Christ features in the Psalms, as a Messiah and a King.
But the first thing I really want to write about is the theme of Zion - partly because I remember being asked by a friend at school what the word 'Zion' meant. I had no idea. And to be honest, I don't think I really understand this word properly now. I've had a look in the New Bible Dictionary and a few other places, and I've been gleaning from the Psalms more about what Zion is and what it means for us as Christians.
Zion as a place where God dwells
When David captured the city of Jerusalem and made it Israel's capital, the ark of the covenant was installed in a tent shrine on Mount Zion. So, in a strict sense, Zion means that place in Jerusalem where the ark was, and so where God's presence dwelt in a special way.
But it comes to symbolise God's earthly dwelling amongst His people in a broader way - especially when Jerusalem is plundered and God's people are taken off to exile in Babylon. Zion becomes this centrepoint of longing for the faithful remnant of God's people who are waiting to see God return to His people and lift the curse upon them for the nation's disobedience.
Zion as a place God loves
Prophets like Isaiah spoke of a day of future salvation, when the people would be restored to God as their true husband. Zion would be rebuilt and God's blessing on it would extend to bless the nations of the world. God's relationship to Zion is compared to marriage. His love is unchangeably set upon the people of Zion, and His righteousness guarantees her liberation.
The challenge of Zion to us
So here's the challenge for us as Christians:
- Do we long for God?
- Do we see our home as the heavenly city we wait for?
We can thank God that we no longer need Jerusalem, Mount Zion in an earthly sense. We don't need a special temple to go to meet with Him, because Jesus has torn down the curtain and made the way for us. By His Spirit He dwells in us! (2 Tim 1:14, 1 Jn 3:24)
We feel the weakness of our flesh every day, the struggle we have to connect with God because of all the sin and distraction that threatens our intimacy with Him. Let's not forget that the day is coming with all those barriers will be gone forever. (Rev 21)
I was thinking of how, when my husband goes away, I am so excited for his return. That's how I should feel about Jesus' second coming! Let's live in eager expectation for that day!
But the first thing I really want to write about is the theme of Zion - partly because I remember being asked by a friend at school what the word 'Zion' meant. I had no idea. And to be honest, I don't think I really understand this word properly now. I've had a look in the New Bible Dictionary and a few other places, and I've been gleaning from the Psalms more about what Zion is and what it means for us as Christians.
Zion as a place where God dwells
When David captured the city of Jerusalem and made it Israel's capital, the ark of the covenant was installed in a tent shrine on Mount Zion. So, in a strict sense, Zion means that place in Jerusalem where the ark was, and so where God's presence dwelt in a special way.
But it comes to symbolise God's earthly dwelling amongst His people in a broader way - especially when Jerusalem is plundered and God's people are taken off to exile in Babylon. Zion becomes this centrepoint of longing for the faithful remnant of God's people who are waiting to see God return to His people and lift the curse upon them for the nation's disobedience.
'By the rivers of Babylon we sat and weptPs 137:1
when we remembered Zion.'
Zion as a place God loves
Prophets like Isaiah spoke of a day of future salvation, when the people would be restored to God as their true husband. Zion would be rebuilt and God's blessing on it would extend to bless the nations of the world. God's relationship to Zion is compared to marriage. His love is unchangeably set upon the people of Zion, and His righteousness guarantees her liberation.
'as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you... You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.'Isa 62:5-7
The challenge of Zion to us
So here's the challenge for us as Christians:
- Do we long for God?
'How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!Ps 84:1-2
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.'
- Do we see our home as the heavenly city we wait for?
'There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,Ps 46.4
the holy place where the Most High dwells.'
We can thank God that we no longer need Jerusalem, Mount Zion in an earthly sense. We don't need a special temple to go to meet with Him, because Jesus has torn down the curtain and made the way for us. By His Spirit He dwells in us! (2 Tim 1:14, 1 Jn 3:24)
We feel the weakness of our flesh every day, the struggle we have to connect with God because of all the sin and distraction that threatens our intimacy with Him. Let's not forget that the day is coming with all those barriers will be gone forever. (Rev 21)
I was thinking of how, when my husband goes away, I am so excited for his return. That's how I should feel about Jesus' second coming! Let's live in eager expectation for that day!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The hope of the gospel
'Once you were alienated from God... But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.' Colossians 1:21-23
I was really struck by this phrase today 'not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.' I don't know about you, but I often feel discouraged by lack of progress. When I examine my behaviour over the week, I see myself falling into the same old sins. For every small victory, there are so many defeats. It's tempting to think that I'm stuck in bad habits forever!
But this passage brings an amazing truth: in Christ we ARE reconciled to God and holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. When we walk in faith, we are walking boldly in that truth that we are forgiven through Christ's death on the cross. If we are going to be people of faith and continue as established and firm believers, we have to be sticking to the hope of the gospel.
What is the hope of the gospel? It's that sinners can be washed clean through the blood of Jesus. It's that enemies of God can become His children. Our whole identity can and will change!
My character hasn't undergone any immediate quick-fix transformations or solutions, but day by day in His grace I AM changing and my behaviour is conforming to my status as a child of God. What an encouragement!
I also feel this is a massive encouragement when we are discipling others. Sometimes we can see brothers and sisters in Christ fall into sticky patches. They may be getting tangled up in sins from their past, or new temptations. But this is the hope of the gospel, that they CAN be forgiven, they CAN be restored to God, if they will continue in FAITH.
I need to stop crushing the hope of the gospel with cynical attitudes towards whether people can really change, because in the power of the Holy Spirit and walking by faith, they CAN!
How desperately our world needs to hear about this hope of the gospel. Let's pray for opportunities to share it and stand firm on it this week!
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