The SC Reading Group can either supply comments to this post,
or can click the "meeting" #2 link on the sidebar.
or can click the "meeting" #2 link on the sidebar.
I Corinthians 2:2 is in Charnock's view throughout his book, and it is the governing theme of his first chapter.
It would be pride to think that [the Corinthian's] fancies could be more prevalent than evangelical reason; and therefore the apostle would do nothing but endeavor to set out Christ in his own colours, as he hung upon the cross, that their souls might be captivated to the obedience of a crucified Lord. (26)The first chapter is divided as follows:
Observe:
- All human wisdom must be denied, when it comes in competition with the doctrine of Christ.
- Christ and his death is the choicest subject for the wisest ear.
- As all Christ, so especially his death, is the object of faith.
- As all Christ, so more especially his death in all the mysteries of it, ought to be the main subject of a Christian's study and knowledge.
- An act of his sovereignty
- An act of the choicest love
- In regard of his dignity
- The willingness of his suffering
- The greatness of his suffering
- The appeasing of the wrath of God for us
- Silencing the law
- Upon this must follow the removal of guilt
- The conquest of Satan
- Sanctification is another fruit of the cross of Christ
- Opening heaven for us
5 comments:
What a challenge to read this chapter. To be confronted with the enormity of our crime against a holy and righteous God.
To be confronted by the sovereignty of God and His "act of choicest love".
"But that he might wind up his love to the highest pitch, he would not only restore man, but rather than let him lie in his deserved misery, would punish his own Son, to secure man from it. It was purely his grace which was the cause that his Son 'tasteth death for every man'. - Page 30
And to be confronted with heart wrenching fact that the cross not only demonstrated God's love for us, but that of Christ's love for us as well.
"Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." - Eph. 5:2
What a reminder. Christ died for whom? For me. It is personal, amen? A vile worm as "I". By God's grace may we be stirred up by way of reminder of the depth of our rescue. It was planned, it was purposeful, it was costly, it was undeserved and it was PERSONAL.
Through this chapter, if we listen closely, we will hear a familiar question being asked over and over again. A PERSONAL question that flows through the pages of Charnock's words. A question all must answer:
"Who do people say that I am?"
"They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?"
"Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." - Mark 8:27-29
And again Peter says:
"We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." - John 6:69
May God give us the grace to live Cross-Centered lives and may our lives echo the words of Paul:
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."
Don't miss Charnock's shortest section in our reading selection. Page 32, top paragraph; The willingness of His suffering.
Jesus "willingly consented" and "willingly accomplished [the cross]." There is a deep deep mine here!
"His enemies were not so desirous to make Him a sufferer, as He Himself was straightened till He was a sufferer."
"His enemies did not so maliciously put Him to shame, as He joyfully endured it (Hebrews 12:2)."
Christ's voluntary subordination to the will of the Father is a marvel to behold! Submission that took Him all the way to the CROSS!
John 5:19, 30 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner...I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."
John 8:29 - "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
John 17:4 - "I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou has given Me to do."
I want to encourage everyone to remember to pray for each of us- it was really good for my soul this morning to focus on praying for each of you and it helped me to not be so focused on myself.
As for the reading this week; wow- I am so thankful for Stephen Charnock and his encouragment and challenge to his readers.
"Doth not then a crucified Christ deserve to be known and studied by every one of us, who hath done that upon the cross, which the holy law, sacrifices divinely instituted, the blessed angels, the purity and strength of universal nature, had never [would never have] been able to effect?
p. 26
This verse came to mind:
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has counqured, so that he can open the scroll and its sevel seals." Revelation 5:2-5
Only our Jesus is able to appease God the Father. Only our Jesus was able to live a life of complete holiness.Only our Jesus had the power to tear the veil in two. Only our Jesus could defeat all evil with a drop of blood and only our Jesus was able to conquer death through His one time sacrifice. It is for those reasons that He alone is able to open the scroll. And it is for these reasons He deserves to be violently pursued and continually sought.
With all of the incredible folks who are on this virtual reading list, I would love to be in the same room discussing this text and challenging one another. But, thanks to modern technology, we can at least view each other’s typos and incorrect grammar!
A few ramblings….
-Right out of the gate, Charnock makes an observation about the early Church that encouraged me. I am concerned at times about the doctrine of emerging churches (i.e. house churches in China). Satan is constantly stepping in to sow his tares and attempt to trip up God’s people. Praise God that He has blessed us with his word as an inerrant foundation for our faith!
-I am so consumed with self that it is difficult for me to think in a way that promotes Christ in all things. ‘Jesus’ was written over 500 times in Paul’s epistles! Oh, that I might strive to be as Christ-focused and –centered as Paul. p27
-Christ’s death is the ultimate study for a Christian. His death and resurrection are his primary goal on earth. Therefore, we should be preoccupied with those things in the manner that our Master was.
-Jesus didn’t just take on some vague idea of sin (like cleaning up our mess); He experienced the wrath of God’s judgment for us. Charnock says, “the wrath of God was appeased on the death of the Redeemer.”
-There is nothing that remains to be done. He has cancelled all enmity between us and the Father.
Don’t you want to get to know the guy who “covered you.” Christ has paid such an incredible price and given us such an amazing blessing to know him. If someone were to buy you a house or a car, wouldn’t you want to get to know that guy and show him your appreciation? How much more should we desire and strive to know and love the One who first loved us and paid it all?
-Satan is the executioner, not the prince. His only power is in that he carries out the punishment of sin. Christ’s death removed his power (took away the keys) when He gave us a way to salvation through His sacrifice. Satan’s authority, namely sin, was taken away. I’m encouraged that Satan has no authority over me. Temptation is not an un-winnable battle because Christ has already miraculously redeemed me and “delivered me from the venom of sin that had infected my nature.”
That God chose me before the earth was formed, that Christ died for my sins is just mind boggling. This book helps me to have a low view of self and a high view of HIM. Thank you for praying for me today.
Post a Comment