Proctors' Postings

A 30 Year Old Reflects on the Flu

2012-01-26T10:13:00.000-06:00

After a week-long bout with influenza and multiple hours on my back meditating on the fleeting nature of life, I have decided to ruminate a bit:

1) A healthy, hard-working man can go from 60 to zero in short order. Life, breath, and everything else is from the LORD. I must not take for granted one day of good health.
2) Those who suffer with ongoing fatigue and illness need the love and support of friends, family, and the church. I've arrogantly assumed people could "tough it out" in the middle of illness. Now, I see how debilitating illnesses can be.
3) I should not find my identity in what I do. We are human beings, not human doings. Though my work output has been less than stellar, my humanness has not changed. Each human, no matter how sick or incapable of production, deserves dignity, love, and care.
4) Marriage and family are wonderful. I've been so blessed by my family this week through words of encouragement and many acts of love. I love you guys.
5) I long for the day when Jesus returns to consummate the new heavens and new earth. This world is broken, but I know the One who will make all things New!

How (not) to communicate

2012-01-12T13:35:00.001-06:00

God using Human Evil for Good...

2012-01-11T09:19:00.000-06:00

In preparation for this Sunday's big sermon on the origin and purpose of evil and suffering (@ Cornerstone Church at 10AM), I appreciated the insights from C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain:

In thefallen and partially redeemed universe we may distinguish (1) the simple gooddescending from God, (2) the simple evil produced by rebellious creatures, and(3) the exploitation of that evil by God for His redemptive purpose, whichproduces (4) the complex good to which accepted suffering and repented sincontribute. Now the fact that God can make complex good out of simple evil doesnot excuse—though by mercy it may save—those who do the simple evil. And thisdistinction is central. Offences must come, but woe to those by whom they come;sins do cause grace to abound, but we must not make an excuse for continuing tosin. The crucifixion is the best, as well as the worst, of all historicalevents, but the role of Judas remains simplyevil. We may apply this first to the problem of other people’s suffering. A mercifulman aims at his neighbour’s good, and so does God’s will, consciouslyco-operating with ‘the simple good.’ A cruel man oppresses his neighbour, andso does simple evil. But in doing such evil, he is used by God, without his ownknowledge or consent, to produce the complex good—so that the first man servesGod as a son, and the second as a tool. For you will certainly carry out God’spurpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you servelike Judas or like John.

This is a helpful explanation of what philosophers call compatabilism. Humans are independent moral creatures who make their own choices (whether morally good or evil), and yet these choices are all a part of God's sovereign plan to work out good according to His purposes (Rom. 8:28).

Another reason why I'm a Baptist

2012-01-05T16:13:00.000-06:00

So, today I was looking for some information on the web regarding different practices and procedures other churches use for church membership.

At one point, I came across the site of a fairly well-known Presbyterian church that included information on its policies for children baptisms. It had two sections listed. In one section it listed that any member of the church could have their "infant" baptized during an upcoming service after completing a few house-keeping details. In the next section they had information that indicated that all "older children" could not be baptized unless they had made their own public profession of belief in Jesus Christ.

Now as a thorough-going baptist (at least now, sorry Mom :), I couldn't agree more that baptism should follow after a person expresses saving faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is to be the public and outward declaration of inward faith and saving grace. I find it interesting, however, that those churches who practice infant baptism can at the same time put some sort of age restriction on when it's inappropriate or not. I see an inconsistency in saying infants can be baptized and older children cannot be. Why not? The infant has no choice whether they get splashed or not. They are making no volitional response. So, why is it inappropriate to splash water on a 10 year old? Who cares if the kid doesn't believe? His 2 week old sister doesn't beleive either. If I believe baptism is the sign of the covenant, should I really care if my 10 year old would prefer not to be marked? Isn't it the parents' decision anyway?

Baptists believe that baptism follows an individual's personal decision to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. Infants should not be baptized because salvation and entrance into the covenant community is received by faith, not through any church ritual. Repent and believe and then be baptized is the natural order (Acts 2:38). It's clean, simple, and less confusing than the practices of my Presbyterian and other infant-splashing brothers and sisters.

Note: I have a lot of love for many of the denominations and Christian traditions that baptize babies. I do not doubt their salvation and in no way doubt their sincere attempts to obey the Bible as honestly as possible. I just found the paradox in my reading today worth blogging about.

Books Finished in December

2011-12-31T08:45:00.000-06:00

"Lilith" by George MacDonald (a wild and fantastic tale with profound truths and challenging motifs)
"The Pilgrim's Regress" by C.S. Lewis (a bit harder work to understand than some of Lewis' other fiction, but I appreciated all that I could understand.)
"Miracles" by C.S. Lewis (a grand argument for God's intervention into our world for His glory)
The Holy Bible - I try to read through the Bible every other year. This year I worked through a Bible reading plan that had me read passages in somewhat chronological order. http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/readthebible/downloads/RBL-reading-plan.pdf

Seeking God's Secrets...

2011-12-30T08:45:00.000-06:00

I've been meditating on Psalm 25:14: God-friendship is for God-worshipers; they are the ones he confides in. (The Message) or as in the NIV translation...The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. I want to stand in awe of God above all else and tremble before His holy love that I might truly know Him and His rich covenant. But I'm recognizing that I don't really stand in awe of God. I stand in awe of me and stuff. I stand in awe of position and prestige. I'm unwilling to stand in awe of the Servant-Savior and thus live like Him...in the shadows, on my knees, among the outcasts. His secrets are found in service. His secrets are found not in high society, but in the back streets of Galilee. Pray for me that I'd be a friend of God who fears Him rightly and lives like Him accordingly.

On Arguments for the Existence of God

2011-12-29T09:28:00.003-06:00

"...we are totally dependent on God to make himself known to us. He cannot be grasped by scientific investigation, for he stands above our world of cause and effect. His existence and nature cannot be proven by human reason as the conclusion of a philosophical syllogism, for nothing stands behind and apart from God to explain him (footnote: 'This is not to say that arguments for the existence of God have no value. They make God's existence reasonable but not indubitable.')."

From page 41 of Evangelical Convictions: A Theological Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Free Church of America

The Incarnation that leads to other incarnations...

2011-12-20T10:21:00.002-06:00

Pastor Tim Keller explains in apast Christmas sermon that truth without tears is cruel and tears without truthis unhelpful. What we have in the incarnation of the Son of God, however, is aperfect blending of tears and truth. Jesus came as a complete human, totallyvulnerable, subject to the same fears, pain, and anxieties as us. But, he wasnot only vulnerable, he was also fully God, full of truth, fearless in the faceof evil. An event that depicts this clearly is Jesus before the burial site ofhis friend Lazarus. In almost the same breath, Jesus proclaims to the crowd, “Iam the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Christ will live, eventhough he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26),and then just moments later he weeps before a crowd of mourners. Emmanuel,God with us, God the Son in human form, perfectly blends truth and tears. Hefaces death down and wins, and yet the reality of death breaks his heart. Thisis why Jesus took on flesh. This is why he bore our sins on Calvary. He wept atdeath, and He knew that He alone could stop to tide of death from wiping outHis people. Let us worship the God-Man this Christmas not only for His perfectpower, but also for His intimate love for us. But let our worship not only bein songs, but also in the giving of our lives for others. Let us enter intopeople’s suffering not as cold, truth-telling stoics. Let us incarnateourselves into the world we live in. We need to befriend the hurting, mournalongside the despondent, and walk with those who can only crawl. But let usalso be bearers of truth, who stand in the face of evil and proclaim that itsdefeat has been accomplish on the Cross.

You can download Tim Keller's fullsermon, "The Furious Love of Jesus" here: http://download.redeemer.com/rpcsermons/tragedy/The_Furious_Love_of_Jesus.mp3

From my recent Pastor Post forCornerstone Church.

Tim Tebow Joke and Story

2011-12-16T11:46:00.005-06:00

Tebow [recently famousquarterback for the Broncos] asks for an audience with the Pope, who grants it.Tebow flies to Rome and the Pope gives him a tour of the Vatican, the SistineChapel, everything. But it's Sunday morning and now the Pope needs to deliverMass to the 50,000 people waiting in St. Peter's Square below his window. "Comewith me to the window and see for yourself," the Pope says. The two ofthem go to the window. Down below, an Italian guy says to his buddy, "Hey,who's the guy in the pointy hat next to Tebow?"

From a fun article contrastingTom Brady and Tim Tebow (the big rivalry hits America this Sunday at 3:15CST). http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7355585/tim-tebow-tom-brady-take-your-pick

Pausing, pondering, worshipping the Christmas Child

2011-12-15T09:37:00.001-06:00

As we await the 25th of December and the culmination of all our focus on thegrand miracle of the Incarnation of the Son of God, I thought I’d let you readsome of C.S. Lewis’ thoughts on this miracle of miracles:

“No woman ever conceived achild, no mare a foal, without God. But once, and for a special purpose, Hedispensed with that long line [of generations] which is His instrument: onceHis life-giving finger touched a woman without passing through the ages ofinterlocked events. Once the great glove of Nature was taken off His hand. Hisnaked hand touched her. There was of course a unique reason for it. That timeHe was creating not simply a man but the Man who was to be Himself: wascreating Man anew; was beginning, at this divine and human point, the NewCreation of all things. The whole soiled and weary universe quivered at thisdirect injection of essential life—direct, uncontaminated, not drained throughall the crowded history of Nature.” (from the bookMiracles)

Pause now and marvel at the wordsof John 1:14: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Wehave seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father,full of grace and truth.

From the December 2 Cornerstone Church PastorPost

Christmas Eve Service (Marion and Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

2011-12-11T20:02:00.001-06:00

Each year the Cornerstone Church family and friends choose to celebrate Christmas with the residents at Cottage Grove Place. There is always room for one more...come and worship the King with us.

Where: Cottage Grove Place (2115 1st Avenue Southeast, Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
When: 6:30PM, December 24, 2011
What: Scripture readings, Christmas Carols, a Christmas meditation, and special music.

http://cornerstone-marion.org

Books Finished in November

2011-12-01T13:11:00.000-06:00

"Season of Life" by Jeffrey Marx (fantastic, quick, delightful read!!) I highly recommend this book to all sons and fathers.
"The Inheritance" by Chris Paolini (the 4th and final book of the Inheritance saga; a decent conclusion to Paolini's first series of books)
"The Message of Genesis 1-11" by David Atkinson (my go-to book this Fall while preaching through Genesis 1-11)
"Decision Points" by George W. Bush (I liked the beginning, but later I got a little frustrated with W's repeated attempts to defend himself on all accounts related to his presidency. I wish he would have confessed his faults with more candor and humility.)
"Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper (I like to reread this every 2-3 years)
"A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" by Eugene Peterson (a delightful, convicting, grace-filled second reading)

The Danger of Domesticating the Christ Child

2011-11-30T09:50:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays...er, it appears the ACLU rarely visits my webpage so I'm going to go all out and say, Merry Christmas! I think I'm safe, for now. But why do we live in a culture that tries to demystify and domesticate the reality behind the Christmas season. We cloud out Christ with presents and consumerism. We sanitize Christmas with Santa clause. We mask the profundity of the incarnation with massive malls and mail-order catalogs and Amazon wish lists.

We even turn manger scenes into something pretty. Mary is always dressed in a light blue, Joseph often has a pretty lamb over his shoulder, and even the shepherds look pretty sharp. The actual scene must have been so messy. Both Mary and Joseph would have been covered in blood and amniotic fluid, and probably a bit of animal droppings as well. The shepherds wouldn't have bathed for days or weeks. The stall would have been over-run with animals. Jesus would have been crying (fooey on the idea of "no crying he made").

Most people are not surprised that God showed up the first Christmas. Of course he did. He is supposed to like us, save us, serve us, make us happy, well-fed, and good-looking. But the problem with this way of thinking is all backward. And the first Christmas hints at the foolishness of this concept. Jesus came to be with the dirty, smelly, and unkempt. Jesus came to those outside of the social hierarchy. The King of Kings didn't arrive with typical fanfare. Later the King of Kings would die just the way he came--almost entirely alone, rejected, unpopular, and surrounded by blood, dirt and stink. This is why we domesticate Jesus and demystify Christmas...because it is the reality that shames us, humbles us, points a finger are our deep need for salvation, hope, cleansing from the grime and filth of our sin. These truths must not be domesticated; rather, they must move us to profound worship, love, and surrender.

I appreciate Soren Kierkegaard's reflections: "Woe to the person who smoothly, flirtatiously, commandingly, convincingly, preaches some soft, sweet something which is supposed to be Christianity! Woe to the person who makes miracles reasonable. Woe to the person who betrays and breaks the mystery of faith, distorts it into public wisdom, because he takes way the possibility of offense...Oh the time wasted in this enormous work of making Christianity so reasonable, and in trying to make it so relevant."

Do these numbers lead you and me to action?

2011-11-29T09:14:00.001-06:00

For the world’s poorest people, misery and death are the norm – and the numbers are staggering.
Imagine, Stearns asks, that a jetliner full of American travelers crashes, killing all aboard – not once,
but three times in the space of a month. There would be an outcry, investigations, a mobilization of
tremendous resources to prevent further tragedy. Yet, the equivalent of 100 planeloads of children
crash every day, killing all – that’s 26,500 children, first suffering, and then dying, each and every
day of the year – from entirely preventable causes due to their extreme poverty.
Over 1 billion people (about 15% of the world’s population) live in extreme poverty. In monetary
terms, they live on less than $1 per day.... for reference, the average American income is $105 per
day. Try to imagine living on less than 1% of your current income, day after day, month after month,
year after year! The harsh reality for these people includes:
o 9,000,000 die each year from hunger related causes; a child dies every 5 seconds
o 5,000,000 die each year from water related illness; a child dies every 15 seconds
o millions more die from AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; millions of children are orphaned each year
o millions of children grow up mentally impaired, handicapped due to malnutrition and unsafe water
o 200 million man-hours of work are spent every day in the Third World just hauling water
o despair gnaws at the hearts of helpless parents as they watch their children suffer and die
Hunger, thirst, and disease combine to make work, education, and community improvements all but
impossible. For many living in this grinding poverty, desperation and hopelessness rule. Even with
hard work, determination, and ability, they know they have no real choices, no way out of the trap....
--summary thoughts by Wayne Snider from Richard Stearns book, "The Hole in Our Gospel"

Take a listen...

2011-11-14T22:06:00.001-06:00

If you'd like to hear a great song sung by Luther's Norsemen (including my baby brother!), go to the following page and click "listen".

http://www.morningstarmusic.com/viewitem.cfm/item_id/50-3076

Our little thinker

2011-11-11T19:11:00.001-06:00

This video does a nice job showing off our inquisitive thinker. It's a joy to watch these boys grow up.

God preserves His children - Genesis 4-5

2011-11-10T11:15:00.001-06:00

Through the first 24 verses of Genesis chapter 4, evil seems to have the upper hand. Abel dies like a silent sheep before the slaughterer. Cain escapes to raise upgodless progeny, culminating in the sexualized-bully Lamech (4:23-24). And yet,in the midst of a degraded society, God’s people call out to Him in worship(4:25-26). They choose faith over fear in the face of evil. Today, we havesimilar fears. Maybe we’re afraid we won’t be able to hack it this week. Wethink we are one step away from going over the edge. But I hope you see that (for all time!) God is in control. Abel is the man of faith who diedserving the LORD. There will be many men like Him, many women too. But the seedof the church is the blood of the martyrs. Sure, there will be many martyrsalong the way. Sure, there will be great pain. But God knows all aboutpain. God came as the person of Jesus Christ. Who lived a perfect lifeamong corrupt people. Though he was guiltless, he died for the guilty. Hesuffered at the hands of wicked men. But, that was not the end of the story.Three days later Jesus rises victorious over sin, death, and hell. He promisesthat all who trust in Him are free from sin, death, and hell. Now we press onin faith, knowing that ultimate victory is just around the corner. And we carrywith us promises like 1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who isin you is greater than he who is in the world.

From the October 27, 2011 Cornerstone Church Pastor Post

A few snapshots

2011-11-09T09:32:00.002-06:00

So here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks. Elias and daddy (this might have been as much as a month ago - Elias looks so tiny!!) hanging out together. Then the big boys in their jammies, with Caleb adding daddy's stocking cap for effect. Also, here's one of Elias in a cute little outfit from his Aunt Jessica from just this morning. At his 2 month check-up he was 14lbs 8oz and 25 inches long. That's the 93rd percentile in weight and the 99th percentile in height. He's going to be our BIG boy! Also, Halloween was fun for our little ninjas and they are still reaping the sugary benefits. :)

Books finished in October (well through yesterday actually)

2011-11-05T14:36:00.001-05:00

Finished:
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders (classic book; my third reading)
Brisingr by Chris Paolini (Book 3 of the Inhertiance series; I reread #3 in preparation for #4's release)
A History of the American People by Paul Johnson (wonderful; highly recommend)
To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World by J.D. Hunter (a bit complex at times, but overall a helpful read on understanding our culture and responding with a faithful presence rather than with a blind acceptance or self-righteous withdrawal)

In progress:
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson (a second time through this discipleship modern-day classic)
Lilith by George MacDonald
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper (My 4th or 5th reading of this short and simple, but profound book)
A few others at a much slower pace...

The loss of trust leads to the loss of life

2011-10-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday I looked at the first half of Genesis 3, showing that the Fall of humanity into sin came about because of a failure to trust God. This loss of trust led to the loss of life. We are to live by faith, but to make decisions apart from faith, apart from God’s Word and will, leaves only death and judgment. It makes me think of a story…Tom was approaching the first hole one day at the golf course. The 1st hole was a long par 3, that required a 200 yard drive over a large lake, to a green surrounded by water. He had just been given some brand new golf balls (Titleist ProV1, approximately $4/ball) for his birthday. Being a Christian man, he bowed briefly for a word of prayer and asked God if he should use a new ball or one of older, scuffed up balls that could be hit into the water with less grief. Just then Tom heard an inaudible voice, “Use the new ball.” In faith, he walked up to the tee, teed up the new ball, and then heard from above once again, “Take a practice swing.” Tom obeyed. Immediately, the voice spoke again, “With a swing like that, use the old ball.” (source unknown)

Admittedly, the story is corny, but it does give a good picture of what it means to heed God’s Word in our lives. God’s plans and commands are never arbitrary. They are for our good. They are for our life. We keep ourselves from life, when we keep ourselves from God’s Word. We keep ourselves from life when we fail to obey God’s Word. Deuteronomy 32:47 reminds us of the surety of God’s Word for us: “They are not just idle words for you– they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

(From the Cornerstone Church Pastor Post on October 12, 2011)

The Electric Guitar and the Local Church

2011-10-27T09:30:00.001-05:00

Drew Hill, a friend doing church and parachurch ministry in North Carolina, had me offer some thoughts on YoungLife and parachurch ministry as it relates to the Church. Drew, thanks for the chance to be a guest on your great blog!

You can read the post here: http://younglifeleaders.blogspot.com/2011/10/7th-c-electric-guitar.html

My post is one of many this week on the interaction between the local church and parachurch ministries like YoungLife. I encourage you to check out the other posts in the series.

Glorious Ruins - Genesis 3:1-24

2011-10-17T11:03:00.001-05:00

A number of people from Cornerstone Church asked for the manuscript and audio files for my 2 sermons in Genesis 3. So, I've combined all the sermons into one pdf document that you can download by clicking this link: DOWNLOAD

You can also download audio files for each of these sermons by right-clicking and saving link as:
PART 1 - http://www.cornerstone-marion.org/sermons/11-1009_Glorious_Ruins_1_Genesis_3--1-13_Matt_Proctor.mp3
PART 2 - http://www.cornerstone-marion.org/sermons/11-1016_Glorious_Ruins_2_Genesis_3--7-24_Matt_Proctor.mp3

These sermons show how the Fall of humanity into sin came about and the ramifications for such a rebellion.

Big idea in sermon #1: The loss of trust is the loss of life.
Big ideas in sermon #2: Humanity was created to have significance from and access to God. To lose these in the Fall has sent us spiraling downward...Lord willing. to a place of desperation for God.

Becoming Human through Christ

2011-10-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

From a recent mediation (9/30/2011) for my church family in the Pastor Post:

The Big Idea of last week’s sermon was simply this: Humanity, as male and female, are created to worship God. This concept is picked up a bit in Margery Williams classic children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit. A book that chronicles the journey of one stuffed, toy rabbit who becomes a real, heart-thumping and leg-jumping hare. It’s about being real, having a true identity…and may I suggest becoming fully human. The Velveteen Rabbit’s journey is like our own, a journey from being confused, broken and distorted humans into those who are meant to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives. The process is slow; the process if painful, but slowly as we believe in Jesus Christ and learn to walk in relationship with Him we become what we were meant to be all along: humans created to know, love, and serve God. Let me share with you one paragraph from this great book:

The Velveteen Rabbit turned to the old wise experienced Skin Horse in the nursery, and asked ‘What is real? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stickout-handle?’ The Skin Horse replied: “Real isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child really loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real. ‘Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘Does it happen all at once, or bit by by?” ‘It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse, ‘You become. It takes a long time…Generally, by the time you are Real most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get very shabby..but once you are Real you cannot become unreal again. It lasts always.

God uses all of the ups-and-downs of life to make us who we are meant to be. Every wound has a purpose; every trial a plan. God works good for His children that they might be conformed to the image of His Son. We can rest in God’s transforming love.

Fight the good fight of faith

2011-10-11T09:41:00.000-05:00

We can learn something from the Confederate military hero, Stonewall Jackson. He once remarked, "My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my own death." This man spoke of physical battles, but how much more so can Christians fight the good fight of faith, knowing they are secure in the arms of God. There need be no fear (2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews. 12:2, Romans 8:31ff). Fear does not come from God but from the Enemy.

WE love you Great-Grandma Betty

2011-10-07T16:45:00.003-05:00

While mom is off loving Grandma Betty in South Dakota, the boys wanted to send their love her way as well.

Samuel hard at work!

Caleb a "bundle of joy" after his nap :)

Why did God allow evil?

2011-10-06T22:57:00.000-05:00

Pastor John MacArthur speculates:

Now the question then comes up...why would God allow sin? Come on now, I...I...I can only speculate. There's no specific statement but I think you can make a fairly reasonable speculation beyond which I cannot go and don't find any value in tempting to go. And it is this, what did sin...what did sin coming into the world bring about? Well it brought about, I would say, three things. And these are the three reasons why I believe God allowed evil.

Number one, it brought about the salvation of sinners, right? God had to allow sin, God had to decree sin in the plan though never the author of it, in order that He might save sinners.
Well why did God want to save sinners? To put on display attributes that otherwise never would have been manifest, right?

How is God going to show grace if there aren't any sinners? How is God going to show mercy if there aren't any sinners? That was a part of God's nature that God wanted to display for His own glory throughout all eternity. So God provided a means by which He could demonstrate grace, demonstrate mercy. He also wanted to show love, love that is so far reaching that it can reach even His own enemies who hate Him. How is He going to show that if He doesn't have any enemies?

So God allows evil in order that He might demonstrate grace and mercy and forgiveness and salvation. Secondly, He allows evil in order that He might display His wrath...in order that He might put His wrath on display, His anger on display, His judgment on display. How would God ever reveal that part of His true and eternal nature if there were not an opportunity to judge sinners? And so, all you can do is look at redemptive history and you see the salvation of sinners and the damnation of sinners and that is what goes on and you see ultimately a place prepared for those who are damned and a place prepared for those who are saved and you must conclude then that the eternal purpose of God was to save some and judge some in order that He might demonstrate both His grace and His wrath.

And then I like to throw a third thought in there. I believe that God allowed sin in order that He might forever destroy it. As long as His creatures have any measure of freedom, as long as His creatures have intelligence, that is they can know and reason, that is they can process that knowledge toward behavior, and choice, that is they can choose what to do, as long as they have that capacity there is a potential for them to fall short of the standard. Right? To make the wrong choice. Well it didn't take long for them to do it. We don't know how long it was before Lucifer made the wrong choice before God. We don't know how long it was even in the Garden before Adam and Eve made the wrong choice, but it was certainly before they had any children. They had their children probably around the age of a hundred or a little more.

So there is choice and the potential of a wrong choice is there. A measure of freedom is given to the creatures by which they can choose to honor God, by which they can choose to dishonor. As long as that is there, then the reality, the potential reality of evil exists when the wrong choice is made. And I believe that once the wrong choice is made, then God goes into action and one, He can demonstrate His grace and salvation; two, He can demonstrate His wrath in judgment; and three, He can then finally destroy evil. It's almost as if God wanted evil to come to the surface so that He could excise it. That's what's going to happen when the whole of redemptive history is complete, when all the saved are saved and all the lost are cast into the lake of fire, then death and hell are thrown into the lake of fire. What does that mean? No more death and no more hell and no more judgment. Why? Because there won't be anymore sin. And when you go to heaven, there's nothing there that smacks of a sinful world, right? There's no more sorrow, no more sadness, no more sin, no more dying, no more death.

From his 2000 sermon - "The Origin of Evil"

Pastor Matt Proctor Sermons and Sermon Podcast

2011-10-04T15:31:00.002-05:00

With my church's new website (http://cornerstone-marion.org), we now have a regular podcast.

So for my mom and the other 2 of you who are interested in my sermons, you can use this link to get regular downloads of my sermons: http://cornerstone-marion.org/category/sermon-audio/feed/

You can see the majority of my sermons at: http://cornerstone-marion.org/category/sermon-audio/

We keep older sermon mp3s on file if you are looking for a mp3 we've pulled off the web.

Theological Truism - Salvation by grace through faith...

2011-10-04T14:41:00.001-05:00

The assurance of salvation from sin, death, and hell is only through faith in Jesus Christ.
NIV 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
ESV Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

The assurance of faith is works (that is, real faith works).

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Works do not save.
ESV Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Implications:

1) A person who claims to be a Christian but lives like the devil is probably a the son of the devil rather than a son of God.

2) A person who does all kinds of good works might not be saved from sin. No one is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). Our righteous deeds are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). All good deeds which attempt to put God in our debt are rubbish/dung compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8).

3) God's children will reflect His character. ESV John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
4) The proper response to a life without works is to deal with faulty faith. We are justified and sanctified by faith (see 2 Cor. 3:18). Turn to Jesus Christ; look to Him for salvation; rest in the salvation that he purchased on Calvary, dying for our sins and ultimately resurrecting victorious over sin, death, and hell.

Books read in September

2011-10-01T16:09:00.012-05:00

Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald: possibly the best book I've ever read. I only wish there were English translations of the hard to read Scottish dialect.
I Married You by Walter Trobisch (short/profound book on marriage)
The Once and Future King by TH White (Arthurian legend retold; I got bogged down in the middle, but really liked the final 100 pages or so)
The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation by John Sailhamer (finally finished this helpful book, but disappointed this long book had to be so repetitive. It could have been reduced to 1/3 its final length and saved this and other readers a lot of time). In fact, I think if you read this helpful published essay, you could skip the book-length version, http://www.ibr-bbr.org/IBRBulletin/BBR_2000/BBR_2000_1a_05_Sailhamer_CreationCanon.pdf

Currently Reading:

A History of the American People by Paul Johnson (a wise Brit speaking truth about the founding and progression of this fascinating country)

Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis (read aloud book with Carrie)

The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings from C. S. Lewis (I have been going through Lewis' daily readings since March...great great snippets for thought)

The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative by Chris Wright

Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders (reading this a few chapters a month with my mentor)

Keeping Our Eyes on the Guide, Not on the Giants

2011-09-30T09:24:00.000-05:00

From the Cornerstone Church Pastor Post (September 14, 2011):

As Cornerstone Church celebrates its 10 year anniversary, I am drawn to the story of the Hebrew people in the wilderness as recorded in Numbers 13-14. These are the chapters that show 12 spies in the Promised Land, assessing God’s provision and strategizing on how they will take the land God has promised. At some point in their tour of duty, 10 of the 12 spies become petrified. They fear the giants and quit trusting their Guide. They are so scared that they’d rather go back to the chains of Egypt than proceed in faith to fight with God for the Land.

How foolish this sounds to us? What Jew would choose to go back to the horrors of German concentration camps? What African-American would choose to go back to the cotton fields of the pre-Emancipation Proclamation South? Oh, but are we that different? I’ve known churches that feared the unknown so much that they never tried anything different. They played the same songs, preached the same sermons, offered the same Vacation Bible Schools, kept the same carpet, and even kept the same leaders for decade after decade.

Do you know what happens to churches like that? The ones that fear the unknown so much they fail to hear God’s future plans for them . . . One of two things happens: 1) Nothing remarkable ever happens and everyone leaves and goes to the church that is trying new things or 2) Everything horrible happens and everyone leaves and goes to the church trying new things. In many ways at this 10 year celebration we can celebrate God’s faithfulness and victories. But we are only partway on the journey. We must not fear and run back to familiar territory. God has even greater things in mind for this church if only we walk out in faith. May we be a people who keep our eyes on the Guide and not on the giants.

New Church Website

2011-09-24T16:16:00.000-05:00

A big thanks to several members of Cornerstone Church and our designer Chris Hubbs on getting our new church website up and going.

Check it out: http://cornerstone-marion.org

While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and become a subscriber (a.k.a. "like us"):
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornerstone-Church-Marion/263189963453

How to throw the church under the bus...

2011-09-23T15:07:00.001-05:00

What a pastor says: "The church is hurting my family." What a congregation hears: "You are not worth sacrificing for."

What a pastor says: "I sense the Lord moving us elsewhere." What a congregation hears: "God is not moving here."

What a pastor says: "I don't see God blessing this church until..." What a congregation hears: "God won't use this groups of sinners; He prefers the group of sinners in (often the fancier) church building X down the street."

What a pastor says: "God has opened a door that we shouldn't turn down." What a congregation hears: "God has closed the door on this church."

What a pastor says: "God has used this time to prepare me for the next season of ministry." What a congregation hears, "You were my stepping stone to bigger and better things."

Some of these statements arise from honest intentions. Others are cruel shots across the bow designed to sting or to lay blame on someone or something else rather than shoulder personal responsibility. I really don't like it when we pastors spiritualize our lives so much that it comes across as throwing the church under the bus. Can't we be honest sometimes that the reason we are leaving is because there's some issue with us (good, bad, or otherwise)? We're struggling spiritually and we hope a change of venue might help. We are having issues with certain people. We want a new adventure. The pay isn't meeting family needs. We've dug a hole we can't get out of. I'm not sure where God is leading me, but I thought I'd give something new a chance. I'm not fulfilled. Maybe there's a better way...

How not to throw your church under the bus:

We know from the example of Moses in Exodus that God sometimes opens doors that people are NOT supposed to walk through. After the doubters grumble and refuse to enter the Promised Land, we read in Numbers 14:11-12, "The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they." If this isn't a clear opened door by God, I don't know what is. But Moses cared more about God's glory than His own. He'd rather stick with his grumbling church than start over with a new crowd. He was willing to be run under the bus so that the people were not (not the only time he ever did this, btw).

Moses did, however, flounder in his own faith (cf. Numbers 20). He wasn't a perfect leader. He's just a guy like most pastors I know who are in need of forgiveness and grace. But there was a shepherd who remained faithful even unto death. This is the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). We can find life in believing in Jesus Christ. Then, as we gaze on Christ Jesus, and are changed more and more into His image, I think we'll take a few more buses for our people rather than throw them under so we can move on to greener pastures. SDG

This was inspired last Tuesday when I was reading about the dangers of ambition in Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

This Little Baby is 4 Weeks Tomorrow!

2011-09-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

My three sons!

Elias wonders, "Who are these yahoos?"

Serious look

NFL Player says no to millions for something better...

2011-09-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

Jason Wright (running back for Arizona Cardinals) is saying no to a 2 million dollar contract and yes to pursuing a graduate degree and improving the lives of inner-city children. A leader on and off the field, Wright has chosen what's the best over what the world says is the good.

Check out the whole article here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-9159265

I love this part of the article:

As a testament to his leadership, Wright would call running back and special teams only meetings Friday afternoons, and he'd answer any questions the young players - including first-round pickBeanie Wells (notes) - might have, ones they might be too embarrassed to ask a coach.

"He was the most unselfish guy I've been around," Cardinals running backs coach Tommie Robinson says. "He knew every position, and he made sure the guys in front of him knew everything.

"When you say Jason Wright, the vast majority of fans wouldn't recognize the name. But he brought intangibles you just can't coach. Either you got it, or you don't. Kids like that come along once every blue moon."

Added special teams coach Kevin Spencer, "When you walk out of the tunnel with him, you're a better football team."

Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald (notes), whom the club signed to an eight-year, $128.5 million contract in August, says Wright was beloved and respected in the locker room.

"He's one of the best teammates I've ever had," Fitzgerald says. "But Jason has a higher calling, and he goes by the Lord's plan. As a friend and a Christian, I admire his courage.

Wise words on marriage...

2011-09-20T09:46:00.000-05:00

Stanley Hauerwas, an ethicist at Duke, says that we always marry the wrong person. The sooner young couples can understand that, the better off they'll be. I hear young couples say, "You mean you don't want us to be soul mates?" But nobody marries his or her soul mate. You become soul mates by living life together through those years.

So often cohabiters are looking, in the first year, for what comes only after years—decades!—of life together. You are setting yourself up for dramatic disappointment if you think life works that way.

From:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/september/science-of-cohabitating.html

The Twists and Turns of Parenting

2011-09-15T16:32:00.000-05:00

Carrie and I recently read thearticle, "How to Land Your Kid in Therapy" byLori Gottlieb (warning profane language in the article). This article suggeststhat involved, caring parents can often create kids who cannot cope with reallife and end up in therapy. The author of the article (a therapist herself)observed time and time again that adult "kids" from "goodhomes" seemed to be struggling in life. She writes, "Here I was,seeing the flesh-and-blood results of the kind of parenting that my peers and Iwere trying to practice with our own kids, precisely so that they wouldn’t endup on a therapist’s couch one day. We were running ourselves ragged in aherculean effort to do right by our kids—yet what seemed like grown-up versionsof them were sitting in our offices, saying they felt empty, confused, andanxious. Back in graduate school, the clinical focus had always been on how the lack ofparental attunement affects the child. It never occurred to any of us to ask,what if the parents are tooattuned? What happens to those kids?"

This article came to me thesame week I heard a Christian pastor lament that too many Christians are nothelping their kids live by faith. These Christians (like me!) protect theirkids at all costs from popular culture, secular schools, and heterodoxbeliefs. As a result, these kids live lives without needing God to get themthrough the day. Who needs God when Mom and Dad are around to keep the devilaway?

This article and the wise wordof caution from my pastor friend have me asking, What does it mean to raise akid who lives by faith in the Son of God? How do I help them learn not tomerely cope with life, but to live with and by the power of Jesus? How do theyhandle the horrors of reality without abandoning the God of all creation whowill one day redeem all of that fallen reality? How do I keep my kids fromfighting against the world or running from it, but instead to love theculture-makers, to love their schools, teachers and classmates, and to lovethose with heterodox beliefs? Isn't love the most powerful force in the world?Isn't faith in God the key to the abundant life? O, God help this parent.

How to become a Christian (via Charles Spurgeon)

2011-09-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

From: Charles Spurgeon's Sermon #654 "Memory—The Handmaid of Hope" www.spurgeongems.org

III. I must have a few words with SEEKERS. Always in this congregation we have some who are seeking the Lord—would to God we had many more! It were glorious preaching if all were either seeking or had found. If it were not for the mixed multitude who neither seek nor find, our work were easy work, indeed. Some of you are seeking God today and you are very much troubled with the fear that you cannot be saved. I will have a few words with you to recall to mind some common-place Truths of God which may give you hope. First of all some of you are troubled about the doctrine of election. I cannot, this morning, explain it to you. I believe it and receive it with joy! And you may rest assured, however much it troubles you, it is true. Though you may not like it, it is true! And remember it is not a matter of opinion as to what you like or do not like— as to what you think or do not think—you must turn to the Bible and if you find it there you must believe it.

Listen to me. You have got an idea that some persons will be sent to Hell, merely and only because it is the will of God that they should be sent there. Throw the idea overboard because it is a very wicked one and is not to be found in Scripture! There could not be a Hell inside the man’s conscience who knew that he was wretched merely because God willed he should be—for the very essence of Hell is sin and a sense of having willfully committed it. There could not be the flames of Hell if there were not this conviction on the mind of the person suffering it, “I knew my duty but I did it not—I willfully sinned against God and I am here not because of anything He did or did not do, but because of my own sin.”

If you drive that dark thought away you may be on the road to comfort. Remember again, that whatever the doctrine of election may be or may not be, there is a free invitation in the Gospel given to needy sinners, “Whoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Now you may say, “I cannot reconcile the two.” There are a great many other things that you cannot do. God knows where these two things meet though you do not. And I hope you do not intend to wait till you are a philosopher before you will be saved—because it is likely enough that while you are trying to be wise by persistently remaining a practical fool you will find yourself in Hell where your wisdom will not avail you. (my favorite part!)

God commands you to trust Christ and promises that all Believers shall be saved. Leave your difficulties till you have trusted Christ and then you will be in a capacity to understand them better than you do now. In order to understand Gospel doctrine you must believe in Christ first. What does Christ say, “No man comes unto the Father but by Me.” Now election is the Father’s work. The Father chooses sinners. Christ makes the Atonement. You must go, then, to Christ the atoning Sacrifice before you can understand the Father as the electing God. Do not persist in going to the Father first. Go to the Son as He tells you. Once more, remember that even if your own idea of the doctrine of election were the truth, yet if it were so, you can
but perish should you seek the Lord—
“I can but perish if I go, I am resolved to try; For if I stay away I know I must forever die. But if I die with mercy sought, When I the King have tried, That were to die, delightful thought, As sinner never died.”

Trust Christ even if you should perish and you shall never perish if you trust in Him! Well, if that difficulty were removed, I can suppose another, saying, “Ah, but my case is of great sin.” Recall this to mind and you will have hope, namely, that “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom,” Paul says, “I am chief.” “I am chief.” Paul was the chief of sinners and he went through the door of Mercy. And now there can be none greater than the chief, and where the chief went through you can go through! If the chief of sinners has been saved, why not you? Why not you?

Week 2 Pictures...

2011-09-11T14:38:00.001-05:00

Mommy likes my feet; do you?

Busy day at the office.

Bedtime!

Fancy new duds thanks to Auntie Carmen.

These are my brothers...I kinda like 'em.

Thanks for coming Grandma Carol and taking my picture.

Summary of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible)

2011-09-06T16:16:00.000-05:00

John Sailhamer writes:
1) The author of the Pentateuch wants to draw a connecting link between God's original plan of blessing for mankind [Genesis 1-2] and his establishment of the covenant with Israel at Sinai [Exodus 19]. Put simply, the author sees the covenant at Sinai as God's plan to restore his blessing to mankind through the descendants of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; Exod 2:24).
2) The author of the Pentateuch wants to show that the Covenant at Sinai failed to restore God's blessing to mankind because Israel failed to trust God and obey his will.
3) The author of the Pentateuch wants to show that God's promise to restore the blessing would ultimately succeed because God himself would one day give to Israel a heart to trust and obey God (Deut. 30:1-10).

From a good article by Sailhamer in Trinity Journal: "Exegetical Notes: Genesis 1:1-2:4a"
http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/OTeSources/01-Genesis/Text/Articles-Books/Sailhamer_Gen1_TJ.pdf

Elias' first week of life in the outside world...

2011-09-03T21:20:00.000-05:00

Here we have our sweet Elias Jay getting ready to go home from the hospital on Monday. Does he have any idea what he's getting himself into??

Being born is hard work!!

The whole family when we first arrived home.

Bedtime reading with Samuel and Daddy. They have a lot of literature to get through (see stack of books next to Sam)!

Day 5 of life.

Books Read in August

2011-09-01T09:10:00.001-05:00

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by CS Lewis (read aloud book with Carrie)
A Treatise on Good Works by Martin Luther (Kindle Book)
The Message of Colossians & Philemon (Bible Speaks Today) by Dick Lucas (my favorite commentary while working through Colossians this summer)

Currently Reading:

A History of the American People by Paul Johnson (a wise Brit speaking truth about the founding and progression of this fascinating country)
The Once and Future King by TH White (Arthurian legend retold)
Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald (fantastic tale)
Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis (read aloud book with Carrie)

The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation by John Sailhamer

The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings from C. S. Lewis (I have been going through Lewis' daily readings since March)

The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative by Chris Wright

Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders (reading this a few chapters a month with my mentor)

Elias Jay is here! 8.56 lbs. 20 inches

2011-08-27T22:02:00.001-05:00

Elias is the Greek spelling for Elijah, a name meaning "My God is Yahweh."

Matt was able to deliver Elias...head, shoulders, legs and all!

Good set of lungs...

Beautiful...

An unforgettable meeting!

Happy boy!

Happy, big, boy.

Baby Proctor #3 --- Today's the day???

2011-08-27T12:31:00.000-05:00

Carrie has been admitted and it looks like the baby should arrive today.
Pray for healthy baby, safe delivery for Mom and baby, and God's peace.
Pray also for Samuel and Caleb as they get ready to welcome a new baby brother.

Here we let the boys know that we're off to the hospital...

Here's the happy patient ("Yay...he's coming!!)

Seeking a Life of Substance

2011-08-24T09:37:00.000-05:00

In the pursuit of success, our striving often takes a toll on our character. That is, outward "success" often causes us to overlook inward "success." Outward success has a myriad of definitions depending on your sphere of influence. Success could be financially evaluated or maybe in accomplishments in your children's lives. Success could be based on recognition received or "goods" rendered. But God looks not to man's outward adornments; God looks at the heart. Dallas Willard writes, "Power without Christ's character gives us our modern-day Samsons and Sauls." Samson was a sexualized bully. Saul was a psychologically disturbed hothead. Both failed to deal with their inner battles; instead they were consumed with outward appearances and accolades. Ultimately, the failure to tend to their inner world brought death and judgment to themselves and others in their sphere of influence.
Tending to the soul seems to have a slower output, and thus is often neglected at great expense. But for those who wait for the harvest that comes from real inward spiritual transformation experience righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:11). Maybe today, we pause and take a hard look at our hearts and make sure we are finding real rest, forgiveness, life, hope and love from God above. For remember, God tells us in Proverbs 4:23, "But above all else guard your heart, for from it springs waters of life."

Enjoying food, drink, sex, and play...

2011-08-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Who does not rejoice in a good meal?
How is it that a cold drink after a long day brings refreshment?
Why are all thoughts forgotten in the pleasure of love-making?

These blessed moments have always been key in my belief in Divine goodness. Why would God make such activities so wonderful? How is that humanity's most natural functions to sustain life come to be so enjoyable?

And yet all of God's gifts can easily be distorted. C.S. Lewis writes (in "First and Second Things"), "By valuing too highly a real, but subordinate good, we have come near to losing that good itself."

If we make children, alcohol, jobs, etc. our chief good we not only miss out on higher goods (or the Highest Good), the lower good itself loses its opportunity to bring delight. We have terms for those who make secondary goods the highest good: workaholics, alcoholics, nymphomaniacs, gluttons and the like. The question then is what Supreme Good exists which serves to subordinate all lesser goods and put them into proper orbit or relationship around the Chief Good. It has to be a Chief Good that values and gives place to these secondary goods. The Chief Good would not want to deny these goods, but would want them to be used in their proper place. The Chief Good would then at the same time bring a rapture of delight in and of Itself/Himself that would improve the secondary goods and yet be sufficient in and of Itself/Himself.

May we find the One who brings sufficient peace and yet one who delights in letting us delight in lesser things as well (and yet at the same time prevents us from letting lesser goods become tyrants).

Missing the Big Picture - C.S. Lewis

2011-08-09T08:42:00.000-05:00

Sometimes people run across intellectual "stoppers." An intellectual stopper is an idea or pattern of thinking that does not jive with the way they understand the universe. For many, divine miracles are an intellectual stopper. If God exists and all physical properties flow from His existence, it would seem unnecessary if not a breakdown of His divine self-existence to even allow such miracles. From this conclusion, it isn't far at all to then suppose to begin to see God's existence as unnecessary altogether, for surely there are natural explanations for all phenomena. And if we don't know now, we will later (this is the postdated check of scientific naturalism..."we don't know, but surely we'll know later.")

C.S. Lewis' book Miracles goes a long way to address this faulty "intellectual stopper," as well as a myriad of others. Lewis writes, "If you have hitherto disbelieved in miracles, it is worth pausing a moment to consider whether this is not chiefly because you thought you had discovered what the story was really about?--that atoms, and time and space, and economics and politics were the main plot? And is it certain you're right? It is easy to make mistakes in such matters."

Lewis observes that the miracles of Biblical revelation are not anomalies within the space-time universe as such, but rather they are the precise moments in history on which all of God's grand story turns. The grand story begins with the Divine speaking life into darkness. The plot thickens when the Hebrews have the sea parted so they can be delivered out of Egypt. The story climaxes when the divine-Son rises from the dead, victorious over sin, death, and hell. And the story will close when all of creation (heaven, earth) is redone into the glory it was meant to have from the beginning. These miracles are not blips on the radar to distort God's established order; these miracles are the grand story itself.

Maybe the science of atoms, space, and the human world is not the grand story . . . maybe we aren't so brilliant and bright after all. Maybe humans need to quit writing their own story and read one written by Another.

Denver Seminary Expanding Its Ministry Capacity!

2011-08-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

How can you help invest in future Christian laborers? Here's one way:

Great video regarding my Alma mater:

Books read in July 2011

2011-08-01T13:41:00.000-05:00

Genesis in Space and Time (Bible Commentary for Layman) by Francis Schaeffer

A Wind in the Door (Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet) (read aloud book with Carrie)

The Mortification Of Sin by John Owen (classic Puritan text on growing in godliness...short but profound; first Kindle Book finished)
A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield by JC Ryle (2nd Kindle book finished - short and sweet)
What the Spirit Is Saying to the Churches (LifeChange Books) by Henry Blackaby - another short work

The Last Battle (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 7) by CS Lewis (via the Focus on the Family reader's theater CD collection).

Currently Reading:

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by CS Lewis (new read aloud book with Carrie)

A History of the American People by Paul Johnson (a wise Brit speaking truth about the founding and progression of this fascinating country)

The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation by John Sailhamer

The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings from C. S. Lewis (I have been going through Lewis' daily readings since March)

The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative by Chris Wright

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders (reading this a few chapters a month with my mentor)

Naked by David Sedaris - modern, secular writer/comedian dealing with the humor/complexities of life. Recommended by sister-in-law and boyfriend. Looking forward to talking with them about the book when completed.

Martin Luther on the Gospel - Commenting on Galatians 1:7, 16

2011-07-29T09:30:00.000-05:00

VERSE 7. And would pervert the gospel of Christ. To paraphrase this sentence: "These false apostles do not merely trouble you, they abolish Christ's Gospel. They act as if they were the only true Gospel-preachers. For all that they muddle Law and Gospel. As a result they pervert the Gospel. Either Christ must live and the Law perish, or the Law remains and Christ must perish; Christ and the Law cannot dwell side by side in the conscience. It is either grace or law. To muddle the two is to eliminate the Gospel of Christ entirely." It seems a small matter to mingle the Law and Gospel, faith and works, but it creates more mischief than man's brain can conceive. To mix Law and Gospel not only clouds the knowledge of grace, it cuts out Christ altogether. The words of Paul, "and would pervert the gospel of Christ," also indicate how arrogant these false apostles were. They were shameless boasters. Paul simply had to exalt his own ministry and Gospel.

Luther, Martin; Graebner, Theodore (2011-03-24). Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (Kindle Locations 329-335). Kindle Edition.

We now hear what kind of doctrine was committed to Paul: The doctrine of the Gospel, the doctrine of the revelation of the Son of God. This doctrine differs greatly from the Law. The Law terrorizes the conscience. The Law reveals the wrath and judgment of God. The Gospel does not threaten. The Gospel announces that Christ is come to forgive the sins of the world. The Gospel conveys to us the inestimable treasures of God.

Luther, Martin; Graebner, Theodore (2011-03-24). Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (Kindle Locations 463-466). Kindle Edition.

Daily humor - Witticisms

2011-07-28T10:13:00.000-05:00

A few thoughts from a family email:

One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory. Rita Mae Brown

Retirement at sixty-five is ridiculous. When I was sixty-five I still had pimples. George Burns

The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits. Albert Einstein

I may be inconsistent, but not all the time.

No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes

The secret to finding something is knowing where it is

Where do forest rangers go to 'get away from it all'?

Don't judge a book by its movie.

I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics

Why is Greenland icy, and Iceland green?

Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

All general statements are false

Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home.

What if this weren't a hypothetical question?

Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Loving Volunteers - Good thoughts received in an email today...

2011-07-28T09:45:00.000-05:00

As received from a Group Magazine Email:

6 Ways to Become a Volunteer Magnet--and get your volunteers to stick around!

1. Watch your language
A healthy environment for volunteers is saturated with verbal honor--regular, specific praise for what they're doing. In his book The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, Hans Finzel says, "Organizational researchers have been telling us for years that affirmation motivates people much more than financial incentives, but we still don't get it."

2. Listen more intensely
Author Stephen Covey borrowed this from St. Francis of Assisi: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Next to physical survival, says Covey, "the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival--to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated." He adds that when you listen carefully to another person, you give that person "psychological air." Once you've met that need, the door is open for you to influence and problem-solve.

3. Lead from the big picture
Your job isn't to serve your volunteers--it's to serve God! In the soon-to-be-classic bookOn Being a Servant of God, author Warren Wiersbe says, "Ministry isn't easy, but you make it more difficult for yourself if you serve people instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can't please everybody, so don't even try". What great advice! And when you practice it, you'll draw your volunteers away from trivial concerns and into a much bigger mission.

4. Love by your actions
Communicate love to your volunteers by respecting their time. How often have we asked people to show up early only to have them sit around? Been wishing for 10 new hands-on volunteers? 20? If you answered yes, what would these leaders do? Unless you can assign specific responsibilities with meaning and purpose, they'll quickly lose interest, be ineffective, and drop out.

5. Laugh a lot...with your team
Create a tradition of getting together with volunteers for fun nights. Put names of restaurants into a hat, then pick one for appetizers, one for dinner, and one for dessert--or just pick one course if you're on a budget. These nights are sure to be highlights for your team, as long as you follow one rule: no shop talk! It may be challenging at first, but keep each other accountable. Focus on having fun and getting to know each other personally. And don't forget to laugh. It sends a strong, personal message like nothing else.

6. Let go of some of your real responsibilities
Nothing frustrates volunteers more than shoddy delegation or excessive supervision. When you delegate, give specific guidelines and expectations. But don't equate "specific" with claustrophobic oversight. Show confidence in their ability and character; step back, and let them do it.

Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted

2011-07-22T09:46:00.000-05:00

One of the hardest things a pastor must do is keep reality before the people. It's easy to sugar coat life and to go along with the flow. Going upstream is always difficult. It makes me think of a quote by Walter Hooper in the preface of C.S. Lewis' Business of Heaven. Hooper writes, "There has been in recent years a movement to soft-pedal sin and to loud-pedal love joy, and peace."

One of the privileges and pains of ministry is the need to speak of the dark horrors of reality (sin, death, hell, judgment) and the unimaginable joys possible through faith in Jesus Christ (forgiveness, life, heaven, and peace). To neglect one over the other is to present something other than reality.

In our day, I sense Americans need to be reminded of the dark horrors of reality before they are ready to hear about the unimaginable joys. Those suffering in China, the Middle East, and parts of Africa are probably more in need of the latter--they are quite familiar with dark horrors.

The Dangers of Misdiagnosis

2011-07-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Some of the saddest stories I come across are when we hear of someone dying because of a misdiagnosis. It grieves my heart to see the pain that results in death.Similarly, we must realize that most self-help books, popular talk-show hosts, and fad diets are misdiagnosing the real human problem. This is the main theme of my upcoming sermon this Sunday at Cornerstone Church.

But here's an example we can glean from a modern film: In a scene from Thomas Harris’ Silence of the Lambs¸ a detective who is trying to catch a brutal killer goes to a convicted killer and canniblizer, Hannibal Lecter, and tries to get him to join her cause:

Starling: "...I think you can provide some insight and advance this study."

Lecter: "And what possible reason could I have to do that?"

"Curiosity."

"About what?"

"About why you're here. About what happened to you."

"Nothing happened to me, Officer Starling. I happened. You can't reduce me to a set of influences. You've given up good and evil for behaviorism, Officer Starling. You've got everybody in moral dignity pants--- nothing is ever anybody's fault. Look at me, Officer Starling. Can you stand to say I'm evil? Am I evil, Officer Starling?"

Lecter hits the nail on the head. If you believe in social Darwinism or surival of the fittest, you would have to assert that such a monster is no more evil than a cute caterpillar. There is no "ought" morality in a world that just "is." If random chance is the determining reality, there is no Being or Beings capable of saying what is good or evil. Everything just is. But most people know the true answer to Lecter's question. "Yes, you are evil. You are a sinner. You are guilty before a holy God. You are a perversion of nature, a broken being in need of healing." Chuck Colson writes, “When we refuse to listen to the true diagnosis of the sickness of the soul, we will not find a true remedy, and in the end it will destroy us.” (191, How Now Shall We Live?)

Let's quit misdiagnosing humanity's problem and turn to the only solution that matters: the Christ who came to save evil sinners. Education doesn't save sinners. Money does not save sinners. Even morality does not save sinners. More to be said . . . hope to see you Sunday.

Pick Up Lines - Song of Solomon Style

2011-07-12T14:25:00.003-05:00

HT: Brent Thomas

Reflections on this past Sunday

2011-07-05T08:39:00.001-05:00

   About 9:55AM (5 minutes before the church service begins) this past Sunday, my mind, body, and soul began to stir. Not the kind of joyfilled urgency I sometimes sense on the Lord's Day, but rather a knot of doubt, confusion, anger, and the removal of all sense of peace. As the worship music started, I couldn't direct my heart to the Lord. I was overly critical of every thing going around: the music, the people, my son, etc. Then during the greeting time I spoke an unkind word toward someone (later I apologized). At that moment, I left the worship space to think, pray, and get away.
   Even after coming back into the sanctuary, I still had a difficult time focusing on the Lord and having a sense of love toward the people of God. I shared with the congregation before preaching of this sense of "being out of sorts" and had a moment of silence before preaching. I made it through the sermon. It wasn't the epitome of fine preaching but sufficient.
   That night the person I apologized too commented that it would be just the sort of thing Satan would do. My text was Colossians 1:15-23. I was attempting to show that through Christ the entire cosmos of God's making (heaven, earth, all that is visible and invisible) was reconciled through the Cross of Christ on Calvary. One reason the cosmos could be reconciled is that all of God's enemies (Satan and sin in particular) were overthrown and defeated. And as my friend noted, Satan "doesn't like people being told he's been defeated."
   Would you pray for me this week that I would rest in and live out of Christ's victory over Satan and all evil powers (Colossians 2:15)? Satan wants to thwart God's work, but may we press on in faithfulness and in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Final reflection:
One area in the sermon where I was confused (and therefore so was the presentation of it) is the conditional sentence found in Colossians 1:22-23. Maybe this was Satan or maybe this was just poor preparation. Thus, oftentimes after sermons, I keep studying the text to understand what was missed. Here's a short explanation of the difficult if/then clause:
   The text reads in the NIV: ²² 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— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
   Craig Blomberg explains (in Pentecost to Patmos, 291), "...reconciliation with God is guaranteed granted the Colossians perseverance (Col. 1:21-23). Verse 23a is a first class condition and does not introduce any doubts into the "if-clause." (italics in original) Paul is assuming it to be true that the Colossians will persevere in the faith (this is what a 1st class conditional sentence in Greek syntax indicates). The promise of Christ's reconciliation is based on persevering faith, which Paul assumes to be true of the believers in Colossae. It becomes a promise to all believers as well. N.T. Wright argues from his commentary on Colossians and Philemon (footnoted in Blomberg): "From God's point of view, genuine faith is assured of continuing to the end. From the human point of view, Christians discover whether their faith is of the genuine sort only by patient perseverance."
   One warning I made in the sermon that I'll echo again is this: we must persevere in the faith. Perseverance is not humans adorning themselves with good deeds or righteous actions. Perseverance is persistent faith in Christ alone to bring us Home. That is why in 1 John 5:13 the apostle tells us: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. Belief in Christ assures eternal life. If we lack spiritual fruit in our life, we must address the root (unbelief). Going out and doing good deeds and acting nicer is not perseverance; that is like looking at a fruitless apple tree and going out and buying apples at the store and duct-taping them onto the branches. Real faith is faith alone in Christ alone; this is saving faith. And by the grace of God saving faith results in spiritual fruit.

Books Read in 2011 - a running list

2011-06-29T09:05:00.001-05:00

Finished in June:
Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson: A fun book that you are able to read in about an hour (available at your local library). This was a good book for the folks like me who get anxious about change in life and work.
The Brothers Karamazov (Giant Thrifts) by Dostoevsky - I wasn't as enthralled as others seem to be regarding this book. What did I miss?
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (classic!) - fun book to read aloud with Carrie over vacation.
Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Fast-Growth Firm by Verne Harnish (recommended by a wiser pastor who has worked in large and small churches) - fun read for a pastor, quite applicable to the church in some ways.
Ender's Game (Ender, Book 1) by Orson Scott Card
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by Pastor David Platt
The Silver Chair (The Chronicles of Narnia, Full-Color Collector's Edition) by CS Lewis: I listened to this via Focus on the Family's stellar readers' theater edition in the car with my family. Get the whole set: The Chronicles of Narnia: Never Has the Magic Been So Real (Radio Theatre) [Full Cast Drama]
A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet) - another read aloud book with Carrie
"Preaching to a Postmodern World" - Finished my read through of Tim Keller's and Edmund Clowney's Classnotes from a Doctor of Minstry course offered in 2002. Notes can be found here.

Currently Reading:

A History of the American People by Paul Johnson (a wise Brit speaking truth about the founding and progression of this fascinating country)
Genesis in Space and Time (Bible Commentary for Layman) by Francis Schaeffer
The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation by John Sailhamer

The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings from C. S. Lewis (I have been going through Lewis' daily readings since March)

The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative by Chris Wright

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin (slowly but surely)

Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders (reading this a few chapters a month with my mentor)

PREVIOUS MONTHS:

Finished in May:
The Cross of Christ by John Stott (a must read for pastor and laymen alike).
The Complete Anne of Green Gables - My wife and I read aloud 3 of the books in this very humorous classic.
Matthew, Mark, Luke (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 8) (Expositor's Bible Commentary, The) Matthew by DA Carson - Stellar work by a young Don. (by far my go-to resource when going through the Gospel of Matthew this past year)
The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven (Bible Speaks Today) by Michael Green. This was the only other Matthew commentary that was read to near entirely in the Matthew series. I'm learning that I don't need as many commentaries for a sermon series as I originally thought. In the future 3-4 will be sufficient.
If Those Who Reach Could Touch by Gordon and Gail MacDonald. An encouraging read for those who desire to bless others at the soul level.
Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treador by CS Lewis: I listened to these via Focus on the Family's stellar readers' theater edition in the car with my family. Get the whole set: The Chronicles of Narnia: Never Has the Magic Been So Real (Radio Theatre) [Full Cast Drama]

Finished in April:
Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes (men's small group)
Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God by John Piper. Jesus tells us to love God with our mind . . . are you doing this?
Church Unique: How Missional Leaders Cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series) by Will Mancini

The Magician's Nephew and The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis. I listened to these via Focus on the Family's stellar readers' theater edition in the car with my family. Get the whole set: The Chronicles of Narnia: Never Has the Magic Been So Real (Radio Theatre) [Full Cast Drama]

March:
That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Book 3) - by CS Lewis: If you had a tough time reading CS Lewis' The Abolition of Man this fiction book will help you like it did me.
Locking Arms: Shoulder to Shoulder, Man to Man...God's Design for Masculine Friendships by Stu Weber: I really enjoyed this book.
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community (Re:Lit) - Possibly one of the best books on the market on what it means to be the church.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy - by Eric Metaxas - A heroic tale of one man's willingness to walk with Christ by faith (not your typical Sunday School hero).
Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue (The Guilford Family Therapy Series) by Edwin Friedman (very very interesting)
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia S.) by CS Lewis. I listened to this via Focus on the Family's stellar readers' theater edition in the car with my family. Get the whole set: The Chronicles of Narnia: Never Has the Magic Been So Real (Radio Theatre) [Full Cast Drama]

February:
When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes (a masterful work on human suffering, while maintaining God's sovereignty, power, and goodness)
Freedom Cry by Matthew Burden (the first book of a 3-part epic called, "The Hidden Kings Trilogy," that every fantasy lover and Tolkien fan should buy)
Perelandra (Space Trilogy, Book 2) by CS Lewis (fun science fiction that attacks a myriad of topics: the Fall into sin, human responsibility, divine sovereignty, evil, temptation, etc.)
RESTORING YOUR SPIRITUAL PASSION by Gordon MacDonald - I love most things Gordon has to say about life, the soul, ministry, etc.

January:
Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing by CJ Mahaney (short, but sweet reminder on the Gospel of Christ)
Watership Down: A Novel by Richard Adams (great piece of fantasy fiction, highly recommend)
The Message of Job (Bible Speaks Today) by David Atkinson (easy to read commentary on Job)
Tender Warrior: Every Man's Purpose, Every Woman's Dream, Every Child's Hope by Stu Weber (a good reminder for men, and current and future fathers and husbands).
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by CS Lewis (Lewis' autobiography of his spiritual journey to meet the Person behind all tastes of earthly joy . . . a tough read, but a great read for the Lewis-lover)

Pastor Blooper Reel

2011-06-28T12:36:00.001-05:00

From time to time (like daily/hourly), I make mistakes. Some funny, some embarrassing. Luckily, I have a wife and friends who help me identify these life bloopers.

For example, twice in this most recent sermon (and used previously), I have said in a somber/warning tone that humans "Stick their thumbs up" at God (as if this is an act of pride or rebellion). Somehow I've butchered the expressions "thumbing your nose" and "looking down your nose" at someone, and instead by my tone I have left people scratching their head on why it's wrong to bum a ride off God from the side of the road.

In addition, I had 2 Cor. 13:15 as a cross reference in a handout I passed out to the church this past week. Turns out 2 Cor. 13:15 doesn't exist. So either people realized that 2 Cor. 13:5 is the correct reference or they are wondering if their pastor is adding to the Bible.

Or at my first wedding, I thought it would be a good idea to fumble the ring hand-off from the best man. As if this wasn't already embarrassing enough, the ring fall on a stone floor in a chapel with excellent acoustics (Smith Chapel, Indianola, Iowa). The sound traveled so smoothly the guy in the back row may have thought he had dropped something.

The list could go on . . . I almost caused brain damage to a teenager in a youth group game. I have been personally rebuked for bathroom humor at the pulpit (kindly and appropriately, by the way). I have mentioned movies and shown movie clips that were beyond the pale. I have taught younger Bible study members how to build bombs (that led later practitioners to the emergency room).

I can think of a few other embarrassing actions and words that have come out this week too, but I'll save those for another time. But it is interesting how our personalities bring out the worst in us sometimes. Glory to God, I am saved by grace and not by performance. Glory to God, he works despite us quite often.

For those at Cornerstone Church who have withheld pointing out these foibles or the others, I appreciate your loving-kindness and forbearance.

Any other business folks, moms/dads, or pastors out there that have any bloopers to highlight to join the "we're all human" party?

Freely Saved or Something Else?

2011-06-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

NIV Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

From Ephesians 1, I believe God saves us by the grace He freely bestows on rebellious sinners through Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:6). The only other alternative is that I'm required to do something or be something to merit salvation from sin, death, and hell. Tim Keller observes, "Unless you say, 'just because God opened my heart [I believe]', then you have to say that you are a Christian because you are (even slightly) more open, more repentant, more humble." Either we are given sufficient grace by God for spiritual transformation (that is "conquering grace"/grace alone) or there is something 'good' in the human person that helped us get where we were supposed to go. There are only 2 alternatives to thinking about salvation. Either God freely saves for His glory alone or we allow for some human, secondary force resulting in my salvation (contra Isa. 42:8; Eph. 2:8-9, see also Romans 3:10-18 as a reminder of humanity's sinfulness).

My response: profound humility before God and profound humility before others. I am better than no one. Only by the grace of God am I what I am. There is no good in me, except that which Christ has wrought through His life, death, and resurrection.

Proctor family vacation 2011

2011-06-15T13:57:00.000-05:00

Images of vacation: the two big boys resting and reading; the four (almost five!) of us riding the train at Bellevue Park; the sleeping pig at the petting zoo; Caleb's fascination with the chickens; aww...cuddling with a baby goat totally unprompted; hiking by the bear warning (we saw no bears, just cactus!); and a few silly shots with our friends, Gabe and Jonas. All in all, a fabulous trip!

Everyone's favorite subject . . .

2011-06-03T11:36:00.000-05:00

No one likes to talk about hell. The famous Christian thinker and author CS Lewis wrote, "There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this, if it lay in my power. But it has the full support of Scripture, and specially, of our Lord's own words; it has always been held by Christendom; and it has the support of reason."

One of the major reasons Lewis suggests that hell is rationale (and not just Biblical) is that hell seems to be an eternity of personal decisions to reject God's love, mercy, and authority, leaving individuals with hate, self-love, mercilessness, pride, etc. (the opposite of what God offers). Hell is the residence of self-will in action.

Lewis notes: "I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of Hell are locked on the inside. I do not mean that the ghosts may not wish to come out of Hell, in the vague fashion wherein an envious man 'wishes' to be happy: but they certainly do not will even the first preliminary stages of that self-abandonment though which alone the soul can reach any good. They enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have demanded, and are therefore self-enslaved; just as the blessed, forever submitting to obedience, become through all eternity more and more free. In the long run the answer to all those who object to the doctrine of Hell, is itself a question, 'What are you asking God to do?' To wipe out their past sings and , at all costs, to give them a fresh start, smoothing every difficulty and offering every miraculous help? But He has done so, on Calvary. To forgive them? They will not be forgiven. To leave them alone? Alas, I am afraid that is what He does."

When conflict arises . . .

2011-05-26T10:42:00.003-05:00

Conflict is part of life. We will have conflicts in our homes, marriages, workplaces, and in our churches. Conflict is not an evil in itself (and can actually bring about great good), unfortunately we often turn ugly on each other. I'm as guilty of this as anyone since I'm still trying to learn that most (most!) of the great answers are not in my head. Here are 8 Biblical lessons Gordon and Gail MacDonald draw out in their book If Those Who Reach Could Touch on how to deal with conflict (slightly reworded for clarity and with some explanation):

1) Each side must genuinely respect the opinions and judgments of the other. Not because the opinion or judgment may be brilliant, but because the people who hold them are valuable to God.
2) Relationships are more important than victory in a conflict. The constant need to be "right" can end up being very destructive to those around us.
3) Compromise should be on the table (at least at first). A few issues in the world fall into the non-negotiable category. Many are negotiable and it is only in our shortsightedness and arrogance that we refuse to budge, claiming, "It's the principle of the matter." Don't fear compromise.
4) Unresolved conflicts will fall into the wrong hands. In other words, if conflict is not resolved, it usually spreads . . . sometimes spreading to those who will be hurt or hurt others far more than those originally in the conflict. Pursue reconciliation to avoid the spreading of poison among relationship circles.
5) Anger has no place in conflict except to provide energy toward finding truth. Anger is often a key motivating to pursuing truth and righteousness, but it needs to be controlled and directed at the solution and not toward a person.
6) There is a kernel of truth in virtually every point made in conflict. I'm finding this to be more and more true, especially if I'm willing to listen to people's emotions as well as the informational content.
7) Confession and forgiveness are an indispensable part of the resolution of conflicts. I often refuse to confess or seek forgiveness because I'm afraid of looking like a loser.
8) When conflict is handled properly, everyone grows. If we handle conflict well, everyone involved grows. We will know each other better. We will understand the conflict and related issues better. It also is very self-revealing, for we find the things we care most about and the areas where we are most vulnerable.

So let the conflict begin (for in fact bottling up emotions and frustrations is quite deadly), but let Christ's love reign.

Church Membership: Biblical and Practical

2011-05-24T11:16:00.001-05:00

In preparation for my sermon on Matthew 28:16-20, I came across a sermon by Dick Lucas (St. Helen's, London) that argues baptism into the holy Trinity (the outward expression of an inward reality) also involves an intentional belonging to the body of Christ (uniting to a local assembly which is a part of the universal church). I think Dick Lucas is on to something profound. Baptism (like most commands) is not just an individual choice, separated from corporate responsibility. Christ died for individual sinners, but he also died to create His church. Our baptism symbolizes are connection to Christ and His Church. We dishonor Christ when we fail to join a local assembly, not just for worship and edification, but also to be under the authority of shepherds who exist to help us grow spiritually and protect us from evil (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7).

But is church membership Biblical?

Matt Chandler (a short article here) argues that the New Testament seems to suggest some known local body of members were present even in the 1st century. Here a few of Chandler's observations and few I've added: Who was in an individual church was known (Rom. 16). People had identified leaders who had been selected by a known Christian community (1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7). These leaders had specific responsibilities over a specific group under their care (1 Peter 5:1-5). People were removed from the fellowship of a local body through church discipline by a known church body (Mt. 18; 1 Cor. 5). Local congregations voted for leaders (Acts 6), sent out missionaries (Acts 13), and made pronouncements on theology and ministry practice (Acts 15). All of these actions seem to suggest that a recognized body had been established to make the decisions. They may not have had "membership classes" per se, but there certainly were procedures set up to make sure someone did not become a member who did not hold to certain Christian beliefs and were willing to submit to certain Christian practices.

Another article I read this week (http://www.batteredsheep.com/biblical_church_membership.html) argues strongly that church membership is unbiblical. The author, James Sorrells, makes a strong case that membership seems to be an added concept to the Scriptures. All believers are a part of Christ's church, so why would there ever be an added step of a formal membership process? Sorrells point is taken and in a perfect world this might work. And maybe this idea did work in the early church when the church was quite small comparably, and when the church had a purer system of apostolic doctrine and leadership in place. But I don't think this is possible for the 21st century (nor the expectation from sacred Scripture), and I'd like to suggest some practical reasons for church membership.

1) Saving faith should be investigated: On a number of occasions in Acts the apostles were following up on people who thought they were "disciples" (Acts 19:1), only to find out they had believed in something that was not sufficient for salvation (Acts 19:2-7). Thus, one important role shepherds often do in a local church is help people make sure their assurance of salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. A membership process works both, Lord willing, to finish the work of evangelism and to start on the work of formal discipleship. To skip a membership process could end up giving people false hope, thinking that being in the church makes them a Christian. Another practical note on this is regard to the 21st century phenomenon of mobility. People move every 7 years or so. Unlike a 1st century world where most people never traveled more than 50 miles in a lifetime, we have a world of coming and going. Local churches need to have systems to screen potential members to make sure they know the Lord (and aren't just assuming salvation because they "attended 1st Church back home").
2) Doctrinal agreement is necessary: In a world where even the smallest towns have 3 or 4 "Christian" churches, it is important to make sure all the people in a local assembly are in agreement on doctrine. Churches that fail to make sure those who are in their flock are in agreement will end up (re)fighting theological battles that have gone on before. Also, when my church meets to make decisions, I want to know that those voting have agreed on the major issues of the faith.
3) Agreement on church governance is necessary: Whether a church believes in a an episcopate, a presbytery, or a local plurality of male elders, makes a difference in how vision is set and discipline is conducted. Membership allows and invites Christians of differing perspectives to find a church home that they willingly submit to the leadership God has put in place.
4) The church needs to be wise in a dangerous world: One of the most demanding practical reasons for church membership today is for protection. It is difficult to conduct church discipline without subsequent legal action unless an individual has verbally and/or in writing submitted to a church's position on theology, Christian practice, governance, etc. (and even then you cannot be protected 100%). Some might think that this is the church being conformed by the world, but it comes off to me as wisdom, pure and simple. As long as we do not have someone sign something that isn't already in the Scriptures, I am not adding one bit to the Bible. Rather, I am asking people to uphold and submit to Scripture.

All this to say, the local body is strengthened and the Gospel advances when believers covenant together to fulfill the Great Commission. I believe membership is both biblical and practical, and I hope you are blessed to be a member of a local church (knowing full well that there is no perfect church; we are all just a bunch of recovering sinners, longing for the return of our King).

* John MacArthur's church has a nice write up on church membership here: http://www.gty.org/media/pdf/Church_Membership.pdf
* Tim Keller's church also had a useful explanation for a formal membership process: http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/membership/biblical_basis_for_membership.pdf
*Here is another longer and a bit more feisty article that argues not only that membership is Biblical, but that it is not optional (http://www.reformed.com/publications/ischurchmembershipoptional.php). I don't go everywhere this guy is going, but the article made me think.

Interesting Study on Homosexuality

2011-05-24T09:01:00.002-05:00

An article today in USA Today documents a recent study showing that 1.7% of Americans are homosexual (far less than the 10% that has been popularized over the years). In many ways this study also suggests that the term "orientation" may be not an accurate title for much of the "homosexual community" since "the minority who may have experimented with gay relationships at some juncture in their lives, well over 80% explicitly renounced homosexual (or even bisexual) self-identification by age of 35. For the clear majority of males (as well as women) who report gay encounters, homosexual activity appears to represent a passing phase, or even a fleeting episode, rather than an unshakable, genetically pre-determined orientation."
The whole USA Today article is online here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2011-05-23-Sex-survey-revelations-on-gay-identity_n.htm It will be interesting how legislatures looking for a Marriage Amendment will use these new findings.

Is "Days of Elijah" a Biblical Song?

2011-05-23T16:09:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday my church sang the song, "Days of Elijah." No one has offered any commentary one way or another before, during, or after the song. But it made me think of a number of conversations I've had, particularly other pastors who consider themselves "biblical." Whenever I get into a conversation regarding the need for songs to be Biblical, the first song that is immediately thrown out as an example of misusing Scripture is "Days of Elijah." You can find these ideas on the web too (like here).

I would like to take a few moments and go verse by verse (lyrics in italics) arguing for the song to have Biblical warrant (albeit there may be better songs to sing or other reasons not to sing this song in your local church).

These are the days of Elijah declaring the Word of the Lord. To be fair, I believe this is the biggest stretch the song writer takes. Particularly because the Old Testament prophesies (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1; 4:5) are trying to point to John the Baptist being the Elijah to come (cf. Matthew 3; 17:10-12). And yet, a key verse from scripture that could justify this line (as well as all the rest) comes from 1 Corinthians 10:11 "Now these things [a particular Old Testament story] happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come" (ESV). Like in the days of Elijah when evil was opposed and prophets of truth were necessary, so too at the fulfillment of the ages (i.e. after Christ's life, death, and resurrection) we must declare the Word of the Lord. If you look for deeper meaning other than in this being the age of all ages, you could misuse this song's opening line and think prophetic powers now stream from every believer. But if the song draws a person into seeing the fulfillment of all Old Testament hope being in the One who has come to save people from sin and the One who will come again to judge the living and the dead, I think you can sing this line with integrity. If I had one pet-peeve of the song, it would be entitling the song with the one line that has least Biblical support. Why not entitle the song, "There is no god like Jehovah"?

And these are the days of his servant, Moses, righteousness being restored. This verse has a lot of merit since much of Matthew's Gospel (particularly the 5 teaching segments, and 5:17-18 in particular) suggests that Jesus is the better Moses (cf. Deut. 18). Jesus is the better prophet to come after Moses who would bring about the righteousness and blessing that the Old Covenant couldn't achieve (cf. much of the book of Hebrews; esp. 8:13). All that Moses longed for and hoped for are now possible through Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 8:1-3, the law fulfilled in us).

And these are the days of great trial; Of famine and darkness and sword. (No one, I don't think would question these verses, cf. Hebrews 11:32ff.).

So we are the voice in the desert crying, prepare ye the way of the Lord. Since these verses relate to the same problems indicated under the line "These are the days of Elijah," I'll point you back there. And yet, I'd add that this message from Isaiah 40 speaks of messengers needing to preach hope to a broken and forgiven people. There was one particular desert preacher (John the Baptist) that deserves to be noted. But there will need to be many like him preparing the world for the Lord's Second Coming who speak of the comfort Christ's brings to all who will believe.

Behold he comes; Riding on a cloud Shining like the sun; At the trumpet's call; Lift your voice; It's the year of jubilee; Out of Zion's hill salvation comes. Again, I don't think there's much debate on these lines. If anyone doubts that we are not in the year of jubilee, I think you need to look again at how Jesus explains the Isaiah scroll (Isaiah 61) in his synagogue visit in Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21). Also, I love a song that actually longs for Jesus' return both in the song's lyrics and in the exciting nature of the music.

And these are the days of Ezekiel; the dry bones becoming as flesh. As this relates to Ezekiel's prophecy in Ezekiel 37, and as this prophecy points to the end of the exile, I believe in light of Matthew 1:17, we should see the arrival of Christ as the exile's end. Hence, these are the days of Ezekiel's dry bones becoming flesh. This is the era of victory and new life, most profoundly demonstrated on Resurrection Sunday.

And these are the days of his servant, David, building the temple of praise. Jesus is the great Son of David (Mt. 1:1) who created a temple in the hearts of men and women (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and created the temple of Christ's Church (1 Corinthians 3; 1 Peter 2:4-5).

And these are the days of the harvest, the fields are all white in your world. (no debate, I hope)
And we are the laborers that are in your vineyard; declaring the word of the Lord. (no debate, I hope)

There is no God like Jehovah (repeated several times). By far the bridge of the song is beyond question the central message of the song and for that I can find few songs with better messages. There is an issue with using the term Jehovah vs. Yahweh (click here for details), but it's not a big issue.

Conclusion: Overall, I would commend fighting over different things in a local assembly than whether this song should or should not be sung on Sunday mornings.

RECENTLY ADDED: If anyone's interested, Robin Mark (the song writer) has his own little story of how the song came to be here (http://gabaptist.org/FAITHNETWORK_UserFileStore/fileCabinet/ministries/237e6518-ae1d-4db3-844a-2959aa6966fc/mw_days_of_elijah_explanation_of_themes.pdf)

Jesus' resurrection makes every day worth living...

2011-05-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

I came across an except from Tim Keller's new book "King's Cross" in preparation for my sermon tomorrow on the resurrection of Jesus Christ (read the whole excerpt here: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/25243-a-case-for-resurrection)

I love the closing 2 paragraphs:

Jesus had risen, just as He told them He would. After a criminal does his time in jail and fully satisfies the sentence, the law has no more claim on him and he walks out free. Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins. That was an infinite sentence, but He must have satisfied it fully, because on Easter Sunday He walked out free. The resurrection was God’s way of stamping PAID IN FULL right across history so that nobody could miss it.
On the Day of the Lord—the day that God makes everything right, the day that everything sad comes untrue—on that day the same thing will happen to your own hurts and sadness. You will find that the worst things that have ever happened to you will in the end only enhance your eternal delight. On that day, all of it will be turned inside out and you will know joy beyond the walls of the world. The joy of your glory will be that much greater for every scar you bear. So live in the light of the resurrection and renewal of this world, and of yourself, in a glorious, never-ending, joyful dance of grace.

Francis Chan Engages the Hell Debate - New book "Erasing Hell" out July 5

2011-05-19T16:16:00.001-05:00

<br><br><br><br>NNew

http://youtu.be/qnrJVTSYLr8

Getting the Right (Wright?) Answers to the Big Questions

2011-05-18T14:32:00.000-05:00

On page 275 of N.T. Wright's small tract The Resurrection of the Son of God (Christian Origins and the Question of God, Vol. 3), Wright (former Anglican Bishop of Durham, not North Carolina) gives a nice summary of the Apostle Paul's thoughts on key questions related to the world, life, history etc. I love (love!) his number 4.

(i) Who are we? We [Christians] are 'in the Messiah,' identified solely by our confession and faith in him as the risen lord; we are the new-covenant people, the Torah-fulfilling people, the world-wide family promised to Abraham by the one true God.
(ii) Where are we? In the good creation of the good God; creation is still groaning in travail, awaiting its own liberation from decay, but is already under the lordship of the risen and ascended Messiah.
(iii) What's wrong? The world, and we ourselves, are not yet redeemed as we shall be. Most people in the world, pagans and Jews alike, remain ignorant of what Israel's God has done in Jesus the Messiah. In particular, the present world rulers (Caesar and the rest, and the dark 'spiritual' powers that stand behind them) are at best a parody, and at worst a monstrous and blasphemous distortion, of the true justice and peace the one God intends for his world. Because sin still has idolatrous humankind in its grip, death still acts as a tyrant.
(iv) What's the solution? In the long term, the creator's great act of new creation, through which the cosmos itself will be liberated, true justice and peace will triumph over all enemies, all the righteous will be raised from the dead, and believers alive at the time will be transformed. In the short term, the gospel must be announced to the world, doing its own powerful work of challenging, transforming, healing and rescuing, and thus creating 'resurrection' people in the metaphorical sense. (underline added)
(v) What time is it? The 'age to come' has been inaugurated, but the 'present age' still continues. We live between resurrection and resurrection, that of Jesus and that of ourselves; between the victory over death at Easter and the final victory when Jesus 'appears' again. This now/not yet tension runs right through Paul's vision of the Christian life, under-girding his view of (for instance) suffering and prayer.

Come this week to hear the second to last message from the Gospel of Matthew at Cornerstone Church, where I preach on Jesus' world-changing, universe-altering resurrection.

Discerning Church Growth/Decline (better questions)

2011-05-17T13:46:00.000-05:00

Kevin DeYoung offers some good counsel (in "It's probably not the worship style") when asking why a church is growing or declining. He feels the best question to ask is NOT "Is our worship style attractive?"

Kevin offers a few better questions to ask if your church is declining or plateaued (I've added a few Scripture references and links to Kevin's questions):

Is the gospel faithful preached? (click here for a good definition of the gospel)
Is the Bible taught with clarity and passion?
Are the sermons manifestly rooted in a text of Scripture?
Do the elders/pastors and deacons meet the qualifications for church office laid out in the New Testament (see 1 Tim. 3)?
Are the sacraments faithfully administered and protected?
Is church discipline practiced (see Mt. 18)?
Do the elders exercise personal care over the flock (see 1 Peter 5)?
Are there good relationships among the staff and other leaders?
Is the worship service put together thoughtfully and carried out with undistracting excellence (as much as possible).
Do the people in the congregation sing the songs with gusto or are they going through the motions?
Is a high bar set for church membership?
Are the people of the church engaged in personal ministry?
Is the congregation marked by increasing prayer and evangelism?
Do the pastors believe in the complete trustworthiness of all of Scripture (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1)?
Do they take adequate time for study and preparation?
Do they truly believe and eagerly rejoice in their church’s/denomination’s statement of faith, creeds, and confessions (see the EFCA's Statement of Faith)?
Are their lives examples of personal holiness?

Openly Shallow Small Group

2011-05-12T08:26:00.000-05:00

Satire has its place. Sadly, our groups look like this without the satire. O Lord, draw your people together.

http://youtu.be/NMyTMTmJU6E

One activity of the Holy Spirit: Convicting the World of Sin

2011-05-11T08:18:00.000-05:00

On the night Jesus was betrayed, he spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit, "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment..."(John 16:8, ESV)

Kevin DeYoung explains what this activity of the Holy Spirit looks like:
The Holy Spirit acts like a giant searchlight, exposing the world's wickedness and calling people everywhere to repentance. It's as if the world is having a nice romantic candlelight dinner, thinking everything is sirloin and roses, and then voila! The Spirit flips on the lights to expose cockroaches scurrying up the walls and garbage strewn about the floor. We are not as good as we imagine, and the Spirit can prove it to us.

In the Gospel Coalition pamphlet, "The Holy Spirit"

Lying pastors?? - I only wish this was an oxymoron

2011-05-10T20:56:00.002-05:00

A recent MSNBC story relates how a pastor who has claimed for years to be a Vietnam Veteran and former Navy SEAL has recently admitted both stories were fabrications (click link for story). There is a great deal of pressure on pastors to grow churches, wow congregations, and be a winsome magnet for visitors. But as Jesus taught us our "yes must be yes" and our "no must be no." We must not equivocate or fudge on the truth. Every time we lie we expose what we really trust. Every lie tells God that truth has no place in our lives. Every lie is a vote of no-confidence in Truth. Lying says truth and the God of truth are overrated. This is why lying is so heinous. This is why liars deserve eternal punishment, for it is an offense against an eternal God. And yet, this truth-telling God sent His truth-telling Son (Jesus) to die for liars. God was faithful to His promise. Jesus was faithful to His Word. And in so doing, Jesus dies so that liars can find forgiveness and redemption out of lies and deception. The truth can set us free!

Application.
1) Confess sin. I too have embellished stories in small and large group contexts. O God, forgive me for not just speaking plain truth. God sent Jesus to save sinners. To admit our lies and deceptions opens us to receive the forgiveness and cleansing we need.
2) Believe that God will bless the speaking of the truth. Even if the truth exposes other sin and failure, God will take care of us.
3) Forgive other liars. Forgive us Lord, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Those who have tasted forgiveness forgive. Those who do not forgive, don't know God's forgiveness. If you are holding a grudge against someone who has lied to you previously and you are unwilling to forgive, you are no partaker of the forgiveness that has been offered through Christ's death and resurrection.
4) Be bold with truth. In a world of liars, truth tellers are not only tempted to lie, but to be silent with regard to truth. We embellish, coverup, and even mask truth because the naked truth is shocking to a world that loves masks. But we must "go tell it on the mountain, over the hill and every where." There is no greater truth that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Let us proclaim that truth with fresh boldness while refusing at all cost to think the Gospel of Jesus Christ needs any human embellishment to get the job done.

Mother's Day - The Other Side

2011-05-06T12:11:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day is either the greatest day or the worst day in a woman's year.

For instance, one new mother connected to our church is celebrating this year with her new adopted daughter, and at the same time she is praying for the mother who made the difficult decision to give her daughter into the hands of another. She writes, "Last week I [adopted mom] created a special mother's day card for her [biological mom] on Shutterfly, using recent pictures of Lydia and writing a little note that was "from Lydia". We included a short greeting as well, thanking her for the gift she's given us and admiring her for her strength, once again.... If you think of it, would you mind offering up a prayer for her? Just that Sunday would be a special day, and that it wouldn't be filled with sadness, but rather assurance that she's done the right thing, and that her daughter is in good hands." Read the whole post here: http://lizzier.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day.html

Another good read comes from professor and pastor Russell Moore on signaling to infertile couples and mothers (and single ladies) that Christ's grace can meet their deepest needs on such a hard holiday. Moore also calls the church to be sensitive not just on Mother's Day but throughout the year for these aching souls.
http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/05/remember-the-infertile-on-mothers-day/

Abortion bill to go to Iowa Senate floor...

2011-05-03T11:02:00.000-05:00

The Des Moines Register reports:

A bill banning most late-term abortions in Iowa was sent to the Senate floor today after lawmakers invoked a rarely-used legislative rule to force the measure out of a Senate committee.
Twenty-six lawmakers – a majority of the Iowa Senate – signed a so-called “discharge petition” to force House File 657 out of the Iowa Senate Government Oversight Committee, where it had been considered dead....
The bill, approved earlier this session by the Iowa House, would limit abortions after the 20th week to situations where the mother’s life is in “immediate danger.” Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated his support for the legislation.
The proposal is aimed at stopping Dr. LeRoy Carhart, a Nebraska physician, from following through with his plans to open a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs.

Whole article here: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/05/03/rare-manuever-forces-bill-banning-late-term-abortions-to-iowa-senate-floor/

Worth a read...The Missional Manifesto

2011-04-30T13:49:00.000-05:00

http://www.missionalmanifesto.net/

I'll read it with a fine-tooth comb later; for now, I like what I read.

What hurts, isn't dead yet. -C.J. Mahaney

2011-04-29T15:22:00.000-05:00

Writer CJ Mahaney explains in his book on dealing with criticism that when someone speaks a jarring word toward us, the main reason the word is jarring or painful is that it has attacked an area that is trying to thrive.

Though Christians are to be dead to themselves and alive to Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20), there are often parts of my soul that want to live apart from Jesus. I still want to look good. I still want to be thought smart, winsome, and talented. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to cut the legs out of all human posturing. The Gospel tells me that I am an undeserving sinner, far worse than I ever could admit, but the one person who did not deserve to die (Jesus) died for me (and unimaginable act of love on the Cross). So, why am I still trying to live the old life? Answer: there's still more of me that needs to die (see Romans 6). Upon reflection, here are some of the areas where Christ still needs to kill me:

1) Finding satisfaction in my work. I grew up in a home where everyone works. I started to help mow the lawn when I was 6 and got my first job at 13 (and have had a few weeks off here and there now for 17 years). I can remember that 3 of the hardest times in my life were when I was seeking employment and no one seemed like they wanted me (just married, looking for part-time work in grad school, and pursuing my first senior pastor position). And if I couldn't work, then I wasn't valuable. It's as if Jesus isn't enough. I need a job and Jesus.
2) Seeking joy in the praise of others. When I work on something (a sermon, cleaning the house, doing a good deed, etc.), I want the world to lift up my name in praise. I want them to love me and slap me on the back. But why am I not serving to find my joy in Christ? And as important, why would I want people to find their joy in me when I know full-well that others will be broken and empty unless they find their joy in Jesus as well (Jeremiah 2:12-13)?

God disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12). I expect, hope (with fear and trembling), and desire the Lord to root these thriving parts of me out.

The end of the world . . . May 21, 2011?

2011-04-29T12:27:00.002-05:00

A group of "fundamentalist Christians" have pinpointed the end of the world. The Des Moines Register reports: "Ken Bushman of Newton wakes up each day and inks a new number on his left hand in black magic marker - his personal daily countdown until May 21. It's a constant reminder of his fundamentalist Christian conviction that the rapture will arrive that day, heralded by massive global earthquakes as God sweeps 2 or 3 percent of the world's population up to heaven. Then those left behind will face 153 days of hell on Earth until the Oct. 21 apocalypse." (see the entire article, http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110429/NEWS03/104290342/1001/)

I find this incident humorous in light of our church's family Sunday School class studying Matthew 24 this week and next. In Matthew 24, we read something that Ken Bushman must have missed: NIV Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

No one knows the time . . . well except this guy I guess.

No one knows the timing of Christ's return (not the hour nor the day). Christ's return is certain, but this is another mystery that God reserves for himself. Then at the end of Matthew 24 and all of Matthew 25 contain parables that offer implications for Christ's return, they are as follows:

24:42-51 – How we serve in X’s absence, reveals our desire to please Him. (Are we seeking to please God or ourselves?)

25:1-13 – How we wait during the delay, reveals our commitment to Christ. (Are we eager for Christ to return and faithful during the wait or are we apathetic toward Christ?)

25:14-30 – How we use our resources reveals our heart for God. (Do we love our stuff or the One who gave us stuff to be used for His glory?)

25:31-46 – How we love our Christian brothers and sisters in need before Christ's return reveals our love for Christ. (Do we care for those in need or do we care for to meet more of our wants?)

I preached a sermon a few weeks ago on both chapters Matthew 24-25. If you are interested, you can download and listen to it here:

http://cornerstone-marion.org/sermons/11-0410_The_End_Times_According_to_Jesus_Matt_24-25_Matt_Proctor.mp3

Because He (Jesus) Lives

2011-04-24T06:34:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 15

¹ Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. ³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance^[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Lyrics to a hymn that stirs my soul on Easter morning:

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither

Easter Service Marion / Cedar Rapids, Iowa . . .

2011-04-23T19:31:00.001-05:00

10AM - Collins Road Theater 1462 Twixt Town Rd NE, Marion, Iowa 52302 (light brunch at 9AM)

Before there was a Resurrection Sunday, there was a burial.
Before the burial, there was a death.
Before the death, a crucifixion, bearing of God's wrath, and the apex of history.
Before the crucifixion, there was a trial.
Before the trial, there was an arrest.
Before the arrest, Jesus bowed His head in a garden.

What happened in that garden that makes Easter a day like no other. . . come tomorrow Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church.

The priorities for critical thinking...

2011-04-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

Here is a summary of John Stott's approach on thinking and engaging the world in his classic book The Cross of Christ (pp. 17-18)-

1) First, engage in careful study, observation and then explanation of the Biblical text. Stott writes, "There is no alternative to careful exegesis of the text."

2) Second, read those who have gone before us. Stott continues, "... one cannot ignore the great works of the past. To be disrespectful of tradition and of historical theology is to be disrespectful of the Holy Spirit who has been actively enlightening the church in every century."

3) Finally, after following careful Biblical study and listening to the wisdom of past centuries, then one must use what is learned to engage the contemporary world. If we start "solving" problems before critical thinking of said problems, we will only make problems worse.

NIV Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.

If you have not read (or reread recently) Stott's book The Cross of Christ, please take the time to do so. Meditate on why Jesus had to die on the Cross. Those who hope to think and engage their contemporary world with as much vigor and success as John Stott, should also be willing to submit to a similar method of reasoning... listen to God's Word, then listen to God's people, and then be driven to honor God in God's world.

Why Easter Matters: Adolf Hitler vs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2011-04-21T08:31:00.002-05:00

From a recent Fox News article by Eric Metaxas:

How is it that one man [Adolf Hitler] slunk to his death defeated and is today despised by the whole world, while another man [Dietrich Bonhoeffer] went to his death with God's peace, and is today everywhere hailed as a hero, as one of the few Germans with the courage to see what was happening and to speak against it and act against it, even at the cost of his own life?

There's much to say by way of an answer, but since the Easter season is upon us, let's start there.

Bonhoeffer believed the Easter story. He actually believed the unbelievable story of God's coming to earth and dying and then rising from the dead to defeat death forever. He believed that because this was true, he need never fear death. All he needed to worry about was doing the right thing and trusting God with the results. And that he did.

Because Bonhoeffer believed these things he had the courage to do what almost no one else around him could do. He stood up for the Jews of Europe and today he is celebrated and cherished, while Hitler, who condemned him to death and who only believed in himself, is reviled as a monster.

If you're interested in reading the whole article, click HERE! Eric Metaxas is the author of "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy"

Matthew 26:31-35--"The Desertion Begins..."

2011-04-20T21:33:00.002-05:00

During the last supper, Jesus warns that he (the shepherd) is about to be struck, and as a result, his disciples (the flock) would disperse. Not only is this going to happen, but Jesus shows that it had been foretold centuries earlier by the prophet Zechariah (cf. Zech. 13:7). There's yet hope, "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee" (Mt. 26:332). Peter in his infamous speech vows to never deny Jesus and to be with Jesus until the bitter end. Jesus warns that Peter he is only a few hours away from denying Jesus 3 times. We read in v. 35 that the other disciples made similar acts of devotion. And yet, soon all would run and hide, and apparently only John returned to show his face in public upon Golgotha, weeping beside the women.

I wonder if this complete desertion is connected to upholding the Biblical doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone through grace alone. If any of the disciples had felt they shared in any way in assisting in or supporting in Jesus' meritorious death, would they have missed out on the necessity that Christ had to die for them too? Or worse yet, we might end up believing the disciples assisted in the provision of salvation to humanity and we might end up venerating them and stealing glory from God. A sinful human being of any sort cannot add anything to their salvation or to someone else's. We know from Isaiah that our most religious deeds are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). We must remember the atonement had to be made by a worthy sacrifice. Only Christ was the perfect atonement and mediator, the God-man (1 Tim. 2:5), who alone bore the sins of the world on the cross. He alone took God's wrath and bore humanity's punishment (Isa. 53:6).Maybe by God's sovereign grace, he allowed these disciples to desert Jesus so that in due time, godly sorrow would lead them to repentance, believing in justification by faith alone in Christ alone through grace alone (and us too).

Regardless, we're like the disciples in every way. We've betrayed Christ; we've denied Christ; we've deserted Christ, and we've chosen the easy way of faithlessness to save our own skin. The Biblical story (God's sovereign ordering of history) shows us that just as the first disciples could later return to Christ and trust in Him for forgiveness and salvation despite their wickedness toward Him, we too can come and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Glory, hallelujah!

An email from an engineer . . . paraprosdokian

2011-04-20T11:38:00.003-05:00

This is what happens when you have the privilege of pastoring a church full of engineers . . . you get emails like this (I love it!):

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to re-frame or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes producing an anticlimax. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists.

Ø I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

Ø Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Ø The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on the list.

Ø If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong. (I have to remember this one)

Ø We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

Ø War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Ø Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Ø Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

Ø To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; To steal from many is research.

Ø A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

Ø Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

Ø I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.

Ø A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.

Ø Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "In an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR".

Ø I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

Ø Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Ø Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America ?

Ø A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Ø You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

Ø The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

Ø Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.

Ø A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

Ø Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

Ø I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.

Ø I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

Ø You're never too old to learn something stupid.

Ø To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

Ø Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Ø A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

Ø Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

O Lord, hear our prayer...

2011-04-20T08:21:00.000-05:00

"I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am."

-John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace"

Prayer Day

2011-04-19T13:20:00.001-05:00

2 Big Surgeries Today:

1) Carrie's sister, Sarah, just got out of 4.5 hour surgery to remove a (Lord willing) benign tumor from her back. Please pray for her and the lengthy recovery she has before her (several weeks on her back and several more unable to lift over 10 lbs., including her adorable toddler). Pray that the tumor is benign. Pray for hearts to lean on Jesus and to trust that though these mortal bodies will one day fade and die, all who trust in Christ for salvation from sin will one day receive bodies that will never decay!

2) A dear son of Cornerstone Church, Jeff Erlacher, is in a cancer-removal surgery in Houston as I write (only the 2nd time this operation has been done in the USA); he's about 6 hours into a surgery that could take up to 24 hours to remove the cancer and infected bone mass and to put in a pelvic prosthetic. Pray for Jeff's wife and son. Pray for Jeff's parents. They are posting updates on this blog: http://unasolaarena.wordpress.com/

The Gospel Coalition 2011

2011-04-15T09:42:00.003-05:00

I returned yesterday from my 3 day trip to Chicago for The Gospel Coalition Conference to learn, worship, and fellowship with others who love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After spending a week being reminded of the precious truths of the Gospel of Salvation, I realize the main reason I do not share the Gospel regularly is that I am not overwhelmed by the truth of God's wrath for sin and God's remedy in Jesus Christ. When we rejoice in our own salvation from sin deeply, truly, profoundly, then and only then, will we delight (yes, delight!) to share this message with others. I'm praying for my own heart to delight in the Gospel so that I will delight in sharing it with others.

If you are interested, all the main session sermons are available for download already: http://thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2011-media The various workshops will be posted in due time. My personal favorites were from Tim Keller, Matt Chandler, and Don Carson.

In addition, you can download the panel discussion entitled, "God: Abounding in Love, Punishing the Guilty" on hell, Rob Bell, and the fate of the lost here:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2011/04/14/god-abounding-in-love-punishing-the-guilty/

Review of "Total Church" by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis

2011-04-06T15:42:00.000-05:00

I want everyone in my church and everyone who loves the church to read Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community (Re:Lit) by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis.

I rarely recommend a book written in the last 5 years with this kind of support, but this 2008 book on "A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community" receives 5 out of 5 stars. In fact, other than a few disparaging remarks they make about solitude and silence in chapter 9 (did they forget that Jesus modeled these spiritual disciplines [Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16]?), I find 85% agreement on every page.

A quick review:

From the early pages to the end, Chester and Timmis breathe Gospel and community. They write, "Christians are called to a dual fidelity: fidelity to the core content of the gospel and fidelity to the primary context of the believing community." Without the centrality of knowing and proclaiming God's Word, the church does not grow and the Kingdom does not advance. Likewise, they write, "to fail to live out our corporate identity in Christ is analogous to the act of adultery; we can be Christian and do it, but it is not what Christians should do." Christians must be united to a church family. It is possible to be a Christian and not be in community, but it is also possible to be married and not live with your spouse. Both are unnatural and unhealthy. Chester and Timmis are right on, when they argue, "Church is not another ball for me to juggle but that which defines who I am and gives Christlike shape to my life." The center of our life should be the Christ and the Church (wedded together) . . . out of a relationship with Christ and the church, I interact in my family, workplace, neighborhood, etc. Chapters 3-13 are what they describe as Gospel and Community in Practice. They discuss a key area of the church (theology, apologetics, evangelism, etc.) and apply it through the rubric of Gospel and Community.

In their closing chapter they give a helpful word:

But our proposals should not be viewed as a recipe for success nor a guarantee of authentic ministry. Christianity is not a strategy or a set of principles. It is a relationship of love with the Triune God. The gospel word and the gospel community must be central to Christian practice. But our hearts should be fixed on the grace of God, the love of God, and the glory of God. The only true center of Christian existence is God Himself.

The Church's Strategy

2011-04-05T09:40:00.001-05:00

2 quotes I've been chewing on the past months:

1) "Discipleship is done by people, not programs." Sunday School does not raise up kids to walk and follow Jesus. But passionate, loving, Word-centered, Christ-exalting Sunday School teachers can. Small groups do not make disciples. But thoughtful, intentional, lovers of God and lover of people can encourage and train others to walk with Jesus. Mentoring does not make disciples. But mentors who invest in the lives of others, remaining in Christ (John 15:5), can overflow with rich spiritual fruit to those under their care.

2) "Church planting is all the craze right now and every 'cool' church is supposed to be doing it, but most people are simply planting services and styles, not churches." If you take 20-200 people from you church and put them in a different location, you are not church planting. All they'll do is sing the same songs, preach similar sermons, and study similar books. But if you take 20-200 Christ-adoring disciples who are trained to make other disciples of Jesus, you are planting a church. These people can reach non-Christians and raise them up to walk with Jesus and then grow into disciple-makers themselves.

It behooves me as a pastor to be a disciple-maker myself. All programs, styles, and services are subservient to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

Matthew 22:41-46 - Jesus Turns the Tables

2011-03-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

After a long day of questions from Jesus' opponents (Matthew 21:1-22:40), Jesus initiates his question to a group of Pharisees (religiously faithful, Jewish Biblical scholars). He asks, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" (v. 41). D.A. Carson notes, "Jesus' question (v. 41) focuses on the real issue--christology, not resurrection or taxes--that turned the authorities into enemies." Unsurprisingly, the Jewish scholars affirm that the Christ is the son of David (2 Sam. 7:13-14; Isa. 11:1). Jesus' uses the Spirit-inspired Old Testament (Mt. 22:43-44; Ps. 110:1) to show them that David recognized the coming messiah as his Lord (adonai in the Hebrew). Though by blood, the Christ would be Davidic, in role, the Messiah would be David's Lord, ruler, and sovereign (cf. Ps. 45:6-7; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 23:5-6; Zech. 12:10).

The questioners are silenced by Jesus' profound understanding; sadly, many never trust in Christ for salvation . . . in fact, it's likely these silenced questioners soon become those who loudly call for Christ's death.

Implications:

1) No earthly hope is sufficient. Those who are looking for salvation from any mere human source will miss the Messiah who came down from heaven to live, die, rise and then reign again.
2) Faith is the only means of escape. By quoting Psalm 110:1 as a clear text prophesying a coming Messiah (probably written down over 1000 years before Jesus' birth), Jesus affirms that all those who oppose Him will one day be crushed . . . Ps. 110:1 reads, "The LORD (Yahweh) says to my Lord (Adonai), 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." Woe to those who remain as enemies of Christ, their day of humiliation will come. The Bible says the only way to move from enemy to friend is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection (Rom. 5:1-8; Eph. 2:1-10).
3) And yet the mercy of God is wide enough for even the worst of sinners! "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Repentance - Should this word be scary?

2011-03-28T18:47:00.001-05:00

New York Times Best Selling Author Tim Keller has a nice summary of Biblical Repentance:

http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/All_of_Life_Is_Repentance-Keller.pdf

And a quote from the 17th century Thomas Brooks:

Ah! Sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Savior. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning, but believing, that will make you divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for you, and that will certainly be your ruin, if it be not ruined by the hand of faith.

Freedom from Idols

2011-03-24T14:02:00.000-05:00

Great article on lies, idols, death, and the Gospel at Christianity Today:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/marchweb-only/idolatrygospelimitation.html?start=1

I loved this paragraph: (2) We begin to destroy the power of idols by believing the good news of all that God offers his broken human images in the person and work of his Son. In Christ we receive a new adopted identity as God's beloved children who are assured of acceptance, forgiveness, resurrection life, and a global inheritance. This identity is available apart from success, popularity, creativity, and wealth. God gives redemption despite our failure, poverty, and spiritual barrenness. He holds out proof of his love in the bloody death of Jesus for sinners, in his life-giving resurrection, and in the empowering gift of the Spirit of adoption.

Great Review of Love Wins by Denver Seminary graduate, Chris Durkin

2011-03-23T15:50:00.001-05:00

http://solablogtura.blogspot.com/2011/03/fredo-uncle-ben-and-holy-fear.html

Chris' closing words are haunting and well put:

As I read this book, I couldn't help but think of Spider-man. Yes, Spider-man. The guiding mantra of that character's story is what his Uncle Ben taught him before being shot by a burglar... "With great power comes great responsibility."

Rob Bell has a platform and an audience that I will never have. He is a fantastic communicator and I'm sure, in many ways, a good pastor. But "Love Wins" is an abuse of power. I weep for those who read it and believe that if they are enemies of God (Rom 5:10), blind (2 Cor 4:4), deceived (Tit 3:3), slaves to sin (Gal 4:8-11), dead in sin (Eph 2:1-5), deserving of wrath (John 3:36) God will somehow save them in Hell regardless.

That is why this conversation is important and that is why this book needs to be confronted.

Matthew 22:15-33: "The King and His City"

2011-03-22T09:22:00.001-05:00

For those who are interested, these were the sections I didn't have time for during Sunday's message:

Matthew 22:15-33 – The King silences those pursuing money, morality or knowledge for life.

In the first event (15-23), the Pharisees and the Herodians come to Jesus. These two group of people hated each other. The Herodians were those who supported the Kingship of Herod in Israel (Rome's puppet leader). The Pharisees were the religious leaders who believed the only way to get rid of Rome and King Herod was to obey the Laws of Moses like an OCD person cleans their house. That the two groups were working together shows just how unpopular Jesus was becoming. The question they ask puts Jesus is a lose-lose situation: Matthew 22:17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" If Jesus says what the Pharisees would say, that is, "Give nothing to Caesar," Jesus will enrage the Herodians and give them an excuse to have him killed for treason. If he says what the Herodians thought, that is, use the Roman money and power anyway you want, the Pharisees would paint Jesus as faithless to God’s true people and land Israel.

Jesus responds: Matthew 22:19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Notice Jesus didn’t have any money himself; he was poor. He served freely, not for profit. By claiming that Caesar should be given what is Caesar's, he was authenticating on one level that those who benefit from Caesar (roads, military protection, etc.) should not withhold from Caesar his due (nor the US Government). But those marked by God’s image, that is every human person (Gen. 1:26-28), should give themselves wholly to God. Neither money (Herodians) nor morality (Pharisees) were sufficient for true life . . . only surrendering one’s life to God was sufficient. And you can do that whether you pay taxes or not.

Next comes the Sadducees (Mt. 22:23-33). These were the ruling religious leaders in town. They did not believe in a resurrection or final judgment, claimed only the first 5 books of the Bible were authentic, and thus had worked it out that since life was only these 70-80 years or so they could do whatever they wanted in this life (align with Rome, tax people, etc.). Their question to Jesus cloaks their deeper desires to continue their vile status quo. This is often why people use intellectual arguments to ignore the demands of Christ. We are not unwilling to believe because Christianity is illogical; we are unwilling to believe because we want to continue in our sin. Jesus, however, showed them they had no clue how to even understand their own Scriptures (note, Jesus quotes from one of the first 5 books). By showing them their faults, and thus, showing that immortality and judgment awaited those who attempted to use false teachings in this life to excuse sinful behavior, he put them (us) in a difficult spot.

All of these things that Jesus judges are some of the ever-present idols. Like in the 1st century, we all are seeking life, hope, and happiness. Some have sought it in religion. Others turn to money; some of us like morality; some of us turn to knowledge (regardless of how logical it is) to excuse ourselves and our sin. But all of these pursuits mean we have turned from God. We are not seeking Him as the Lord of the universe, the pearl of great price, or the way, the truth and the life. Jesus will not allow any idol to stand in the way. In fact, in 70 AD, the Romans came into the Holy City and effectively destroyed all the false idols that are shown in Matthew 21-22. Religion was destroyed. Those clinging to power now had none. Those who thought money, morality, or knowledge protected them and brought them life, were exiled or killed, abandoned, and alone. What’s not so funny is that today, we still put our trust in similar idols. We turn to these idols even though judgment always follows these pursuits.

But here’s the amazing story, the real story that goes on during Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem. On a fateful Friday, Jesus went to the top of a hill and took the judgment we deserved. All of our idolatry and wickedness deserved death and God’s vengeance. But on Calvary 2000 years ago, the Son of God gave his life up for us. Yes, the power players did the killing and they thought by doing so they would remain in power forever. But it was God’s will that Jesus should be crushed. It was God’s will that the Son would die for the sinful. And then, 3 days later, God was pleased to raise Jesus back to life with an indestructible body. Now those who trust in Christ (not in money, power, morality or anything else) are promised an indestructible life as well.

To understand Christ fully, we must first accept the bitter truth that we deserve God’s judgment. We are no better than the 1^st Century folks who had trusted in other things. We deserve to be punished. But by embracing the bitter truth of our own judgment, we are prepared then to turn to the one who took our judgment that we might have life. Do you know this Jesus? Have you trusted in His death on your behalf? Turn to Him, believe in Him! Cry out, "Jesus save me from my sin."

If you are interested in the earlier parts of the sermon, check out the audio by clicking HERE.

Encouraging Pastors - We really do need it.

2011-03-17T10:14:00.001-05:00

I found this on another local pastor's blog today (which one will you do this week? which one will you do next week?):

Thom Rainer offers some practical suggestions on how to encourage our pastors.

Here are his main points:

Let your pastor know specifically how you learned something from his sermon.
Help your pastor have a date night with his wife.
Confront one of the pastor’s perpetual critics.
Give him a book he would love to have.
Do something for the pastor’s wife.
Speak publicly on behalf of the pastor.
Pray for your pastor.

Go to his post to read his helpful explanations.

HT: Eric Schumacher, pastor of Northbrook Baptist

Matthew 20: "The Great Reversal"

2011-03-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

Peter opens his big mouth at the end of Matthew chapter 19, asking Jesus (with seemingly mercenary intent) what the disciples get for giving up everything to follow Jesus. Jesus' reply offers both a word of encouragement (19:28-29) and a rebuke (v. 30). The rebuke, "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first," reminds Peter that no one can put God in debt. God owes us nothing. Everything we receive comes from God by grace, and only those who put themselves (that is, recognize the reality that they are) last will ever receive God's blessing . . . a.k.a. "a great reversal."

Mathew provides 4 separate episodes in chapter 20 to illustrate the great reversal(s):

1) The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (1-16): In this parable, we learn what the Kingdom of God is like (v. 1). We know that the repeated line in verse 16 (an inclusio) tells us Jesus is still instructing Peter that God owes no one (cf. 19:30). Whether a worker works 1 hour or 12 hours, by God's sovereign authority, he can pay them whatever he wants. "The point of the parable is not that all in the Kingdom receive the same reward [though they do in this parable], but that Kingdom rewards depend on God's sovereign grace." Peter's attempt to curry favor with God through sacrificial service is just as much of an anathema as the religiosity of the Pharisees (Mt. 15:8-9). God's grace opposes all notions of desert, prominence, rich, morality, power, etc.

2) The Prediction of Death (20:17-19): To be honest, I'm not sure why Matthew put this prediction where he did. Is it to highlight the source of God's sovereign grace (referring back to vv. 1-16)? Is it designed to show a sharp contrast to the incident that follows? Regardless, I think Jesus' mention of being "raised to life" is the phrase that must have set the Zebedee clan to work. If Jesus' is going to be "raised," then they want to make sure they're in on the glory.

3) The Zebedee Request (20:20-28): James' and John's mom serves as the speaker for the delegation. She asks that her two boys get the highest seats of honor in the coming Kingdom. Jesus explains that the highest positions in the Kingdom involve a life of suffering, rejection, and pain (just like King Jesus, 20:22). Still they are willing to endure it. Jesus affirms that such a future awaits the naive disciples, and yet, Jesus does not promise any prominence for such efforts (see thoughts under #1). The whole conversation caused a stir among the other disciples (20:24); so much so that Jesus had to speak up. He warned them that the "Great Reversal" included worldly notions of leadership. In God's economy, real leadership requires sacrificial service. Real greatness is marked by the willingness to die for others, not by how many servants one has under their thumb. At this moment, Jesus reminds them that the Son of Man did not come to be served. O, the Son of Man had the right to demand servitude. But the gracious God does not get served by human hands (Acts 17:25). Instead, the Son of Man gives his life as a ransom for many (Mt. 20:28). He came to ransom (buy back) people out of slavery, sin, and death. The Son of Man became a slave to death that he might become the master of life.

4) The Blind See (20:19-34): This final story humorously shows the disciples (and us!) that it's the down-and-outers who often understand Jesus. The blind see Jesus as the merciful Son of David (20:30). They see Him as the Great Reverser. They cry out to Him. Jesus is compassionate and heals their physical blindedness. Then, they join Jesus; rag-tag team of followers, ready to serve and give their lives in service to others.

So too, we are to become like the blind men, not demanding or expecting glory, but simply turning to Christ for mercy and then joining Him in the ministry of mercy.

Matthew 19:16-30 "The Almighy (dollar?)"

2011-03-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

Here is the audio for the sermon I preached on money March 13, 2011, entitled, "The Almighty (dollar?)"

Click HERE to download. A manuscript is available upon request.

The best quote I mention in the sermon is from Robert Gundry. This is his reflection on Jesus' interaction with the the Rich, Young Ruler: “That Jesus did not command all his followers to sell all their possessions gives comfort only to the kind of people to whom he would issue that command.”

Book Review (s) of the Controversial Book, Love Wins by Rob Bell

2011-03-10T09:34:00.009-06:00

Helpful reviews of Rob Bell's Love Wins (more to be added as they become available):

**3/23 - http://solablogtura.blogspot.com/2011/03/fredo-uncle-ben-and-holy-fear.html - Fantastic word by friend and fellow Den Sem grad, Chris Durkin.

Added 3/16 Al Mohler - http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/03/16/we-have-seen-all-this-before-rob-bell-and-the-reemergence-of-liberal-theology/

Added 3/15 - Denny Burke - http://www.dennyburk.com/revising-hell-into-the-heterodox-mainstream/

Added 3/15 - Russell Moore - http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/03/15/the-blood-drained-gospel-of-rob-bell/

Added 3/15 - Doug Wilson - http://www.dougwils.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8501:mars-hell&catid=84:sex-and-culture

Added 3/15 Mark Galli of Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/april/lovewins.html

Recently updated (3/14): Kevin DeYoung (long, 20 pages) - http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/03/14/rob-bell-love-wins-review/

Also updated (3/14): Baker Book House Reviewer (short/clear/concise): http://bbhchurchconnection.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/love-wins-by-rob-bell-a-review/

http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/love-wins-a-review-of-rob-bells-new-book?page=1 - One article on the book by veteran blogger and book reviewer, Tim Challies.

http://thetenthleper.com/category/book-reviews/ - Several articles on the book, very helpful critique with Biblical rationale.

One thing I'm picking up from all the reviews (both the favorable and not-so favorable) is this: Bell tries to cover up or conceal what he really believes (most of the reviewers above, however, pull back the cloak and name him as some version of a universalist). Bell (like in other books) shocks the reader with rhetoric but offers no clear Biblical teaching or definitive, personal position (not to mention a lack of footnotes) on heaven/hell and the fate of every human person. These reviews have cemented my plan to not read the book and use my limited time on this earth to read books with clear positions and Biblical reasoning.

So rather than waste your time reading another, "new" but seemingly unhelpful book, I suggest:

John Stott's The Cross of Christ
J.I. Packer's Knowing God (Knowing God)
C.S. Lewis' allegory on heaven and hell, The Great Divorce

And after you've read those, add a comment and I'll offer a few more suggestions.

Matthew 19:1-12: Jesus on Divorce

2011-03-08T14:15:00.001-06:00

Back during summer 2010, I addressed Jesus’ teachings on divorce from Matthew 5:31-32. My thoughts have not changed since then, so instead of preaching Matthew 19:1-12 this week, I have decided to reproduce a large portion of my thoughts from last summer on this difficult topic with a few edits.

One of the dangers of the internet is you cannot see the angst in which I write these tough truths. I know people have been in awful marriages and it is not my intent to heap heavy burdens on anyone. God is gracious and kind; He is the God of second and third chances. If you have caused or been the recipient of pain in marriage (then or even now), know that I love you and have prayed that these words below offer hope and healing as they point us all to the God who is always faithful.

In the midst of large crowds, the Pharisees show up to ask Jesus, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason” (Mt 19:1-3). What the Pharisees are referring to was that in the first century, people used a few verses in Deuteronomy 24 to allow for an easy-out of marriage (for only the men, of course). In fact, men could divorce their wives if the wife burned the food or if their wives grew plain looking and a newer model could be found. What they didn’t understand and sadly I do not think we in the 21^st century understand much better is that divorce is never a good thing (19:6). Divorce is allowed as a concession because of the hardness of human hearts (19:8). Many times I have heard people talk about, “a biblical divorce,” as if there is some God-approved version of divorce. There is no such thing as a Biblical divorce. Yes, divorce is sometimes the lesser of 2 evils. I read of a man who married a woman to cover up his homosexuality. Then for several years he brought male sexual partners into his home, even while his wife was present. This dear woman refused to get divorced because every pastor she talked to said she’d be an adulteress for the rest of her life if she did (a shameful and cruel use of the pastoral role).

Well, here’s where I want to write candidly, but also, Lord willing, graciously. All divorce is adultery. There is no version of divorce that does not have a connection to adultery. Adultery involves a violation and betrayal of the intimate, exclusive bond formed at marriage. It’s more than sex; yes, having sex with another human being is worse than just walking out on a spouse and ending the relationship. But all of it is adultery. God repeatedly said that Israel was an adulterous people. They were not having sex with other gods (usually anyway), but they had broken their vows against God, and every single divorce will have devastating results. The natural effects of a divorce are like a baby who does not bond with his mother or an infant not giving proper nutrients. There will be consequences; there has to be. That's why Jesus warns us not to separate what God has joined together (Mt. 19:6).

Michael Green writes in his Matthew commentary in The Bible Speaks Today, “[Marriage] was intended to be exclusive and lifelong. That is the ideal. To fail to keep this ideal is to spoil God’s plan for man and women. It does not mean failure cannot be forgiven, or that a subsequent marriage cannot be happy and fruitful. It simply asserts that such a marriage is adulterous and can never bear testimony to the one-man-one-woman relationship, for good or for ill, which marriage was intended by the Creator to be . . . In the kingdom, as at the creation, marriage is meant to be exclusive and lifelong.”

Marriage, every marriage, is to be a testimony of faithfulness, a faithfulness that reflects the faithfulness Christ has shown to us.

Application:

If you are single or a widow, be faithful in your singleness to God and to your future spouse by staying morally pure (not just avoiding sex, but guarding your mind, heart, etc.). Use your singleness to invest in the Kingdom of God (Mt. 19:12).

If you are married, love your spouse. Stay faithful to them even if they have not been faithful to you. God will give you the strength to love them. Keep praying for them. Serve them. Forgive them. God will use your love in deep and profound ways.

If you are separated, I think in most cases, staying single is the best way to express your faithfulness to your spouse (even if they are far from faithful). Keep loving the person with whom you’ve separated. Seek reconciliation; try and save the marriage for as long as possible. Even if they remarry, there is no reason you cannot choose to honor the oneness that was created in your marriage.

If you are remarried, still pursue reconciliation with your ex-spouse. Biblically I don’t think you should remarry your first spouse if either of you have already remarried (see Deut. 24:1-4). But I do think forgiveness and reconciliation should be pursued. Nothing is irredeemable. God loves you. Yes, you have broken a sacred vow with your spouse. Yes, it was sin. Yes, it will have dangerous consequences. BUT you are not a second class citizen in the kingdom of God. God can and will use you for his service. You won’t be able to have the testimony of faithfulness that the Bible calls for, but you can sure seek God’s redemption in the midst of the mess!

Conclusion: God’s faithfulness to us enables us to be faithful to others (cf. Jer. 3). God’s faithfulness is demonstrated by His vigilance to keep His promises to faithless people. He promised to send His Son to save people from sin (Rom. 3:23-26). He did that. God promises to bring life to those in death. He has done this time and time again. He can do it in your life, in your marriage, and even in the steps you take to pursue reconciliation. Trust in Christ; He always provides what we need (Philippians 4:19).

God's goodness amidst suffering, a testimony

2011-03-08T13:23:00.000-06:00

I received the message below earlier today and have received their permission to make it known. Read, pray, think, worship . . .

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."--Job 1:21
We cherish your prayers as our house was robbed yesterday. See below if you have time to read some details...

I came home late tonight from work. Jude [not his real name] was still not home and I could not get a hold of him. I sensed something was wrong and sat in my car in my driveway worshiping to the song below:
Closer/Wrap Me in Your Arms
Into your arms
I'm drawing near again
To dwell with you
It's my only heart's desire
It's my only heart's desire

All I can do
Is fall on my knees and cry
Cleanse me with fire
And purify my heart

Draw me close
Closer than before
Closer than I've ever been

Wrap me in your arms, oh God.
[Repeat]

So take me to that place Lord,
To that secret place where
I can be with you
You can make me like you

Wrap me in your arms
Wrap me in your arms
Wrap me in your arms

As Jude was coming home, God brought the song below to mind and tears to his eyes:

Unashamed Love
You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day
To quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place
Worthy, Worthy

I open up my heart and let my spirit worship Yours
I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth
Worthy, You are worthy

chorus:
Of a child-like faith
And of my honest praise
And of my unashamed love
Of a holy life
And of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love

God was preparing us...
We came home to our house having been burglarized. Police have been here. Forensics left a few hours ago. A detective has been assigned to our case and will call tomorrow. There is a chance that the burglars took a look around our house and will try to come back again. We feel violated and have gone through all the emotions. We're so grateful that we're both safe but still sad, angry, hurt, anxious, etc.

As God's timing is perfect, once we prayed, cried, talked, etc., we opened our mail to find a bunch of cards from precious family and friends reminding us of what's truly important. God hasn't changed, we are together and God has a baby that He wants to love through us. [They are in the process of saving and raising money to adopt a child.] We had been receiving a card or two one week, then nothing for weeks towards our adoption, yet today we were flooded by God's grace. (Thank you for being one of those we received yesterday!) We cried once again in humility at God's goodness in the midst of a confusing world. We cherish your continued prayers as we give Him the praise due His name, regardless of our circumstances.

We love you and leave you with an encouragement from the writer of Hebrews: "You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."--Hebrews 10:34-36 God is good all the time...
By His grace alone--

How Calvinists and Arminians Should Interact -

2011-03-08T10:15:00.001-06:00

In the middle of college, I almost lost a good friend because of growing theological differences. One of us was becoming more Arminian, the other more Calvinist. By God's grace, we worked through our theological differences, much like Charles Simeon (a Calvinist) and John Wesley (an Arminian) did around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries:

See the famous dialog below - (Wesley always in italics):

Simeon: Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?

Wesley: Yes, I do indeed.

And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?

Yes, solely through Christ.

But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?

No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.

Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?

No.

What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?

Yes, altogether.

And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?

Yes, I have no hope but in Him.

Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree.