Why Did God Inspire Tough Texts?

John Piper has thought about this question and has put forth four reasons:

1. Desperation (A sense of utter dependence on God's enablement). I see this in 1 Corinthians 2:14, "A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." The natural man (all of us without the Spirit's work in our lives) should feel desperation before the revelation of God. He needs God's help. Well the same thing is true of spiritual - but finite and fallible and sinful - people like me, when I meet difficult texts of God's Word. I should feel desperation - a desperate dependence on God's help. That is what God wants us to feel. That is something he has unleashed by inspiring difficult texts.

2. Supplication (Prayer to God for help). This follows from desperation. If you feel dependent on God to help you see the meaning of a text, then you will cry to him for help. I see this in Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law." Seven times in one psalm the psalmist prays, "Teach me your statutes" (119:12, 26, 64, 68,124, 135, 171). Or as Psalm 25:5 says, "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me." By inspiring some things hard to understand, God has unleashed in the world desperation which leads to supplication - the crying out to God for help.

3. Cogitation (Thinking hard about Biblical texts). You might think, "No, no, you are confused, Pastor John. You just said that God wants us to pray for his help in understanding, not to think our way through to a solution." But the answer to that concern is, No, praying and thinking are not alternatives. I learn this especially from 2 Timothy 2:7, where Paul says to Timothy, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything." Yes, it is the Lord who gives understanding. But he does it through our God-given thinking and the efforts we make, with prayer, to think hard about what the Bible says. So when God inspired texts like Romans 3:1-8, he unleashed in the world an impulse toward hard thinking. Alongside desperation and supplication there is cogitation. Which leads finally to . . .

4. Education (Training young people and adults to pray earnestly, read well and think hard). If God has inspired a Book as the foundation of the Christian faith, there is a massive impulse unleashed in the world to teach people how to read. And if God ordained for some of that precious, sacred, God-breathed Book to be hard to understand, then God unleashed in the world not only an impulse to teach people how to read, but how to think about what they read -how to read hard things and understand them, and how to use the mind in a rigorous way.

You can read the rest of the sermon here.

Tough Texts - #2

Luke 12:49-53 (NASB - Jesus speaking)

I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

Questions for interpretation:

1. What is the "fire" that Jesus came (and was/is "eager") to kindle?
2. Didn't Jesus come to make peace on earth? Is there such a thing as Christ-honoring division among family?

Happy interpreting!

Sports Post

Skip this one unless you have an interest in college football.

I'm an avid Arkansas Razorbacks football fan. We have one of the best backs in the country - and he's only a Sophomore. Whelp, guess who's probably out for the season because he broke his toe in a fight at a bar at 4:30 in the morning?

Here's how conversations are sounding all over the State:

Hog Fan A: I gots two werds fur'ya: Seeezun Ovur.
Hog Fan B: Whatcha meen? It don't start fur 'nother munth?
Hog Fan A: Itz...ooo...vuur.
Hog Fan B: Yup, urr'ight.
Hog Fan A & B (In unison): Whelp, mabee next yeer?

Entertaining Angels

A missionary just sent me an email from the hospital where his mother-in-law is nearing heaven's gates. The email said, "She has just told us that angels have arrived and that they should sit down wherever they like. We believe her."

Goosebumps anyone?

Tough Texts - #1

I'm beginning a new series of posts on biblical texts with particularly difficult interpretive issues. But I'm not planning to solve them. That's your job.

I'm hoping for regular commenters to surface along with this series. We want you to join the discussion. I would especially appreciate comments from "laypersons" (Although I don't like that nomenclature).

We all need help making sense of God's Word and applying it to our lives. Don't let fear of misinterpreting the passage stop you from submitting your thoughts. After some time has elapsed I'll let commentators give the "definitive" interpretation of the passage in view.

Here's our first gem: (I Peter 3:18-22: English Standard Version)

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Interpretive questions relate especially to the bold/italicized portions.

1. Did Chirst descend to hell in the days between His crucifixion and resurrection? If not, where was He? Did Christ preach in the days of Noah? If so, how? If not, what does the text mean when it says, "...When God's patience waited in the days of Noah..."?
   
2. Does baptism save? If so, explain. If not, what does this text mean?

All 100 or so of our daily readership can at least join in the discussion by submitting a text you've always wondered about. C'mon!

Happy sense-making of the Good Book!

Is Evangelism A "Do Whatever Works To Get 'Em Saved" Calling?

No. No. No. No. No. And, no.

Let Justice Roll Down

Being crushed by a deeper awareness of ongoing racial tensions through the eyes of one of my black brothers is an experience I needed. Two weeks ago, I heard John Perkins speak. This week I heard his voice through the pages of his book, Let Justice Roll Down, where he tells his own life-story, one riddled with racial injustice, extortion, and the murder of those he loved - all in the name of "peace." Now as a believer in Jesus Christ, Perkins is a living example of Ephesians 4:32.

The book is based on a verse in Amos 5:23-24.

Quotable Godward Influencer - GOD

Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the LORD,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.


Isaiah 55:6-11

Tongues-Speaking in the Blogosphere

Cessationists and continuationists are polar opposites on the spirtual-gifts spectrum.

A conversation has emerged in the blogosphere on the subject of tongues-speaking - coming from both ends of the spectrum. Here it is (so far):

• Dan Phillips began the conversation with this post.
• Adrian Warnock responded.
• Dan responded.
• Dan responded again.
• Sam Storms jumped in with the following thoughts: (Wish I knew how to hyperlink to Storms' stuff too?)
  

"Tongues" in the Blogosphere
Sam Storms
Jul 28, 2006

In recent days two bloggers have taken up the question of the gift of speaking in tongues in the New Testament: see www.adrian.warnock.info and www.teampyro.blogspot.com. The latter of these two, written by Dan Phillips, argues that "the Bible only knows one kind of tongues. . . . That kind is supernaturally-acquired human languages."

The argument of Phillips and other cessationists is that modern manifestations of "tongues" have been shown not to be human languages and therefore are not the same as what we read in the New Testament. I have a few comments in response (all of which are taken from my book, "The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts" [Regal]).

Acts 2 is the only text in the NT where tongues-speech consists of foreign languages not previously known by the speaker. But there is no reason to think Acts 2, rather than, say, 1 Corinthians 14, is the standard by which all occurrences of tongues-speech must be judged. Other factors suggest that tongues could also be heavenly or angelic speech.

To begin, if tongues-speech is always in a foreign language intended as a sign for unbelievers, why are the tongues in Acts 10 and Acts 19 spoken in the presence of only believers? Note also that Paul describes various "kinds" or "species" (Thiselton, 1 Corinthians, 970) of tongues" (gene glosson) in 1 Corinthians 12:10. It is unlikely that he means a variety of different human languages, for who ever would have argued that all tongues were only one human language, such as Greek or Hebrew or German? His words suggest that there are differing categories of tongues-speech, perhaps human languages and heavenly languages.

In 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul asserts that whoever speaks in a tongue "does not speak to men, but to God." But if tongues are always human languages, Paul is mistaken, for "speaking to men" is precisely what a human language does! If tongues-speech is always a human language, how could Paul say that when one speaks "no one understands" (1 Cor. 14:2)? If tongues are human languages, many could potentially understand, as they did on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:8-11). This would especially be true in Corinth, a multi-lingual cosmopolitan port city that was frequented by people of numerous dialects.

Moreover, if tongues-speech always is in a human language, then the gift of interpretation would be one for which no special work or enablement or manifestation of the Spirit would be required. Anyone who was multi-lingual, such as Paul, could interpret tongues-speech simply by virtue of his educational talent.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul refers to "the tongues of men and of angels." While he may be using hyperbole, he just as likely may be referring to heavenly or angelic dialects for which the Holy Spirit gives utterance. Gordon Fee cites evidence in certain ancient Jewish sources that the angels were believed to have their own heavenly languages or dialects and that by means of the Spirit one could speak them (Fee, 630-31; see Hays, 223).

We should also take note of the Testament of Job 48-50, where Job's three daughters put on heavenly sashes given to them as an inheritance from their father, by which they are transformed and enabled to praise God with hymns in angelic languages. Some have questioned this account, however, pointing out that this section of the Testament may have been the work of a later Christian author. Yet, as Forbes points out, "what the Testament does provide . . . is clear evidence that the concept of angelic languages as a mode of praise to God was an acceptable one within certain circles. As such it is our nearest parallel to glossolalia" (185-86).

The fact that tongues are said to cease at the parousia (1 Cor. 13:8) leads Anthony Thiselton to conclude that it cannot be angelic speech, for why would a heavenly language terminate in the eschaton (see his First Corinthians, pp. 973, 1061-62)? But it would not be heavenly speech per se that ends, but heavenly speech on the part of humans designed to compensate now for the limitations endemic to our fallen, pre-consummate condition.

Some say the reference in 1 Corinthians 14:10-11 to earthly, foreign languages proves that all tongues-speech is also human languages. But the point of the analogy is that tongues function like foreign languages, not that tongues are foreign languages. Paul's point is that the hearer cannot understand uninterpreted tongues any more than he can understand the one speaking a foreign language. If tongues were a foreign language, there would be no need for an analogy.

Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 14:18 that he "speaks in tongues more than you all" is evidence that tongues are not foreign languages. As Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology, 1072) notes, "If they were known foreign languages that foreigners could understand, as at Pentecost, why would Paul speak more than all the Corinthians in private, where no one would understand, rather than in church where foreign visitors could understand?"

Finally, if tongues-speech is always human language, Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 14:23 wouldn't necessarily hold true. Any unbeliever who would know the language being spoken would more likely conclude the person speaking was highly educated rather than "mad."

I'm sure that much more could (and probably will) be said on the subject, but I hope these brief observations will prove helpful in the discussion.

• Your thoughts next?

Three Ways To Read Your Bible

To make a gross understatement, the Bible is a treasure trove! Though our hearts may, "Amen," still we all struggle to varying degrees with a lack of appetite for God's Word. Realizing there are several ways to approach the Scriptures may help us mine more treasures?

I have been helped exponentially by seeing three fundamental ways that every Christian (with access to a Bible) should approach his or her Bible. (This was passed along to me about 10 years ago from Clyde Cranford in one-on-one discipleship):

• Leisure - This approach applies to all reading of the Bible for the fun of it! Ever thought of that? Like the latest novel, the Bible should be read for pure enjoyment. I never ceased to be amazed at how God tends to mess with me when I dare to leisure read portions of His Word!
  

Leisure reading the Bible includes common approaches that many may consider more appropriately labeled "devotional" but really fit best under leisure: "Through the Bible in a Year" reading plans; reading a chapter of the Bible a day; reading a familiar account from an OT narrative; etc.

J.I. Packer marks one of the most signifant spiritual experiences of his life to a time when he read through the book of Hebrews 10 times in one sitting. I'm sure we would all benefit from leisure reading the Bible more often. It is a fascinating book!

• Study - This approach should not be neglected by any believer who has access to Bible study helps (If you are reading this post, then you have access to helps - it's called the World Wide Web). The study of Scripture can refer to serious academic rigor, but it need not always have such a connotation. When leisure reading God's Word, and you come across a difficult text, pausing to go to a commentary or an online sermon from respected conservative Bible preacher would fit under the category of study.

• Devotional - Perhaps the most neglected approach, and shamefully so. This refers to meditation on God's Word. Approaching the Bible devotionally means more than reading a verse and saying a prayer. It means doing both simultaneously! Meditation, in short, is reading the Bible with God. Talking with God about His Word. Meditating on every word, phrase, verse, and complete thought. There are few joys like meditating, over a series of days (or months), through an entire book of the Bible. "Wow! I just read that book with God!" Talk about motivation to keep going!

So, are you approaching God's Word in at least these three ways? Begin enjoying God again through His Word!

PDF posting?

Anyone know how to post a pdf document on a blog?

Happy Seventh Anniversary Tracy! I Love You!

Today marks my seventh year of marriage to Tracy Elizabeth Thomas! Seven years - and four children - later, I love you more than I can express.

You are the prototype of a virtuous woman. The longer I know you (14 years now), the more amazed I am by you. Your depth, yet simplicity, draws me to you. Your childlike faith that is always mixed with a deep reliance in all that God is for you in Christ Jesus makes me want to love Jesus more. Your love for God's Word, for God, and for the salvation of the unregenerate keeps me focused on first-things.

Your mothering nature, always knowing the right thing to do when a child needs something, causes me to force myself to not act surprized when your attempt works every time! Your patient response every time someone says, "Four!? You know how to stop that don't you?," is wonderful to observe. Can a mom love her children more than you love yours? Impossible!

Your willingness to to endure seven moves in seven years - as we've followed this divine mandate to plant Grace Church - is awe-inspiring. Your eagerness to love the city, see the crack-heads come to Christ, and become the "neighborhood Grandma" makes me want to reach "our people" even more!

Simply put, your hospitality is amazing. Not a few times I've called (while on the way home) to ask if 5-10 (sometimes 20) people can join us for dinner, and (so far) it has always been met with a "No problem" on the other end! How do you do that? I try to find something to eat and end up with a Little Debbie, you manage to whip up a four-course meal at the drop of a hat? It is no exaggeration to say that our door is a revolving one. How many people's feet have been under your kitchen table in the last seven years? Literally weekly, somtimes nightly, for the past seven years, you have played the hostess. And that with unspeakable grace. I love you for loving others.

People love you. People. Pretty much everybody that knows you. Overstatement? Nope. Kids, adults, rich, poor, black, white, introverts, extroverts, and especially the nut-case you have for a husband! You ooze lovablilty. It's not difficult to love the lovely.

That's another thing God has shown me through you. He is the Altogether Lovely. It should not be difficult to love Him. For you, loving God seems effortless. I know you battle with unbelief, with pride, with sin. As I've told you many times before - You are wicked. Desperately wicked. Apart from Christ there is no hope for your sin-blackened soul. Because of God's indescribable mercy, you are clinging to Christ as your only hope. I love you more for loving Jesus more than you love me!

I'll put it to you like this. Tonight's date is a miniscule way to say I love you. You deserve every minute of the 90 minute professional massage you will get at Gould's, every taste of the choice sirloin, every complement from my lips, and every hug you will receive. To say "I love you" appropriately, it will take a lifetime. That's just what we'll do! Happy "Versery" Trace! I love you!!!!!

Greater Deliverance Delivered Greatly

Our family had the joy of worshipping at Greater Deliverance Tabernacle Holiness Church this morning. We were invited by our neighbor, Dionne Wright, and we are so glad to have attended! These brothers and sisters are far and away the most friendly and welcoming group I've ever visited. Tracy agrees. From the moment we arrived (10:30a) until the time we left (2:15p), these sweet siblings in the Lord were lavishing love upon us and expressing gratitude to us for worshipping with them. I can only hope that Grace Church will be half as welcoming as these folks. If so, no one will feel unloved!

The sober-but-lively service demonstrated a deep belief that God is not a static power in the sky, but IS active in the lives of His saints. They get "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." I'd guess that 10 different individuals had a speaking role in the well-planned, but very informal, service - and each one referenced a personally-experienced work of the Lord in the last 24 hours.

Somewhere in the first hour (after seed-sowing), Pastor Westbrook introduced our family (which was unbeknownst to us until it happened), and invited me to the platform to share a few thoughts. Talk about "a word of knowledge," I sure needed something! Thankfully, because of a previous similar setting, I anticipated the likelihood of such a request and had a few thoughts on simmer (every preacher always does). After sharing (actually, while sharing), I got my first "Standing O," a much anticipated benchmark for every preacher.

The enjoyable worship experience this morning has spawned several Godward thoughts today. Mainly, our calling as Christians is nothing less than world domination. Jesus commanded His followers to divide-and-conquer. To reach Memphis with the gospel it will take a lot more than Grace Church! We are looking forward to linking arms with churches like this one (and planting others) as we attempt to Glorify God by treasuring Jesus Christ and spreading His eternal joy.

Convictionally, I don't see eye-to-eye with GDTHC on every issue (I don't know one church, or one Christian for that matter, that I do line up with all the way down. Do you?) I'm a biblically-convinced complementarian, not an egalitarian. Co-pastor Westbrook (Pastor's wife) "ministered" the Word today. There were uniform references to her "ministering the Word" instead of "preaching," so perhaps there is a distinction in their minds between the two? Although she's better than many men preachers I've heard, I still think it's a mistake for her to "minister" in that capacity. Because of new friendships with some in leadership with Sovereign Grace, I've been rethinking the biblical teaching on tongues. Although my jury is still out, I've never spoken in tongues (that I know of). So far, I still think tongues is a known language that is intelligible. If I'm wrong, then GDTHC practiced the gift in healthy moderation today.

Anyone could find plenty of loop-holes in ministries I've lead in the past, and I'm sure it will be the case at Grace Church as well. Though some are scared of doctrine because they see that it tends to divide rather than unify, it is nonetheless incumbent upon every professing believer to acquaint himself or herself with the teaching of Scripture, get a conviction, and live accordingly.

I'm convicted to love Jesus more because of my time with the saints at Greater Deliverance. May God be pleased to cause a similar effect to land on all who worship with us at Grace!

What Are You Learning From Your Church?

In all seriousness I asked Mark Dever if we could have Thabiti on our pastoral team in Memphis. Then, I followed up my inquiry with, "But he needs to be a senior pastor someplace." Lo and behold, he now is. As he prepares to shepherd a flock in Grand Cayman, here's his reflections on what he learned from his church in D.C.:

1. Generosity.
2. Patience is from God and is demonstrated within a covenant community in many ways we will never see (Because it happens for months behind closed doors).
3. Knowing church history (Especially of your local church) is good for you.
4. Singing HYMNS is not just a thing for blue-hairs, but for Asian, African, Latinas and Latinos, and African Americans. It is an experience for us all.
5. Follow Truth wherever it leads you and stand on it (Even when, especially when, it would buttress you from denying the gospel through racial prejudice).

Huge Answer to Prayer!

Significant stride forward today for Grace Church! Thanks for praying, we will share details later. Keep praying!

Also, please pray specifically for:

• Bryan, who will be preaching in AR this weekend
• Nathan who will be speaking at a camp all week in Ohio.

New Testament Survey

I thank God for (Good, conservative, evangelical) biblical scholars.

Here's an easy-to-read resource that gives an excellent overview of the New Testament. (My Bible College and Seminary Profs used this book for their NT Survey Course). It is written in very accessible prose - not bogged down with too much technical jargon.

Loving The City - Part II

This post is from Maria Garriott's, A Thousand Resurrections. God is loving the city of Baltimore through the Garriotts who planted a new church in the urban community.

We dreamed of starting a church where black and white, rich and poor would come together to fulfill the mandate of the Old Testament prophet Micah. We envisioned a spiritual community committed to racial reconciliation and social justice, a church bridging the gap between the educated and the street-wise, between those who lived on the edge and those who rose to the top like cream.

I didn't know we would scrape by just above the poverty line for years. That I would live with people who heard voices or had spent most of their lives in juvinile hall or prison. That I would share a house with women who sold their bodies, snorted cocaine, or whose boyfriends choked and punched them. That we would be robbed over and over. That we would give a second chance to young men who would rummage through our drawers to steal Craig's wallet or my grocery money. That the boy next door would deal drugs and that gun battles would sometimes erupt. That a man would be murdered in front of my house for his radio.

I didn't know my children would be lead poisoned. That they would be mocked for being white, then scorned for acting black. That their friend, who ate at our table like a godson, would go not to college with them but to prison. That a little boy with no daddy at home who had baked cookies in my kitchen and hunted snakes with my son would one day lie on the street in a pool of blood.

I didn't know that several times a week my husband would wake in the night agonizing over whether we were failing to reach the neighborhood, whether an African American pastor would be more effective, whether God was still calling us here. I didn't know depression would stalk me.

I didn't know that when I was scraped raw, Jesus would heal me. That when I was broken, God would use my brokenness. That he would use us in spite of ourselves. That Jesus would shine so clearly where race, class, and suffering intersect.

I didn't know I would witness a thousand resurrections. That church members who struggled to pay rent would adopt nieces and nephews to save them from drug-addicted parents. That a woman who saw a teenaged mother roll her baby's stroller into an empty house, and abandon it, would raise that baby as her own. That men who snorted cocaine would get clean and love Jesus. That women sexually abused by their fathers would be healed and would rescue other children. That Muslims from Iraq, atheists from China, and Hindus of Indian descent would find Jesus and encourage my faith. I didn't know that they would become my heroes and friends. I didn't know they would be braided into my heart. - A Thousand Resurrections, 1-2.

As you pray for us and for Grace Church, please pray that God will continue to give us a love for our city, and use us for His glory...at any expense to ourselves!

The "Jordan Proof" Valley of Vision

In a previous post I spoke of my tendency to destroy inspired, illumined, and expensive things using my vehicle. Today I made another, but unsucessful, attempt.

I recently touted this God-saturated resource on Solus Christus. This morning I drove away from my grandmother's house with my wife's copy on top of the truck!? Thankfully I'm not in the dog house because "Cabra Bonded Leather" is apparently a great product. Virtually unscathed!

So, how'd it happen? Basically, I was loading another arm-full of Nannie's homeade stuff into the front seat and didn't want the frozen foods to thaw on The Valley of Vision (I'm sure Shepard, Baxter, Bunyan, Watson, Watts, Williams, Doddridge, Romaine, Brainerd, Toplady, Evans, Jay, Law, and Spurgeon would have said, "Good call.") So what did I do? I finagled the groceries under one arm, grabbed The Valley and (ever so gently) placed it on top of the cab. After loading the homemade relish, pickles, bread, and spaghetti sauce I buckled my oldest into her seat, kissed Nannie, jumped in the truck (which had to be returned in 15 minutes - and I was 20 away!), and drove off...

Cabra bonded leather is not as adhesive as my New American Standard's genuine hide. The Valley only lasted one block.

Mega Grace Church

We have no aspirations for Grace Church to be the next mega church. The burden to shepherd each soul in the membership of Grace is a pressing weight. But yes, we do want to reach as many people as possible. So how are we thinking about the tension between soul-care and aggressive evangelism? Church planting. This has been our desire from the beginning. Our Grace Church: A Church Planting Proposal, which was affirmed by the elders of Bethlehem in February, states our desires to be a church-planting church:

The leadership of Grace Church is already praying for the grace to be engaged in a movement of church planting churches. We plan to develop a paradigm for training planters, supporting planters, and partnering with other churches to plant many like-visioned churches in the major cities of the world. (Proposal, p. 15)

The Evangelical Free Church of America has a great quote on the benefits of planting new churches:

At the heart of multiplication is the ministry of planting new churches. Not only has church planting proven to be the most effective strategy for reaching new people for Christ, but it has also proven to be an essential aspect of infusing health into those churches which partner in planting efforts. - EFCA

Until King Jesus comes again He will remain busy building His church! We just want to tag along with Him.

Should We Read MORE Than The Bible?

The following post is taken in its entirity from Thabiti Anyabwile's excellent blog. Thabiti was an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in D.C., but is soon to be the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman.

I've gathered some fresh inspiration for fervent reading from the ladies over at girl talk. They included this wonderful quote from Charles Spurgeon in a recent post:

"...listen to Mr. Spurgeon go off about books in response to this verse: “When you [Timothy] come bring the cloak which I [Paul] left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:13).

He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has had wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up in the third heaven, and had heard things unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He has written a major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every Christian, ‘Give thyself to reading.’ The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves he has no brains of his own.

Legacy of a Legend

Many have grown to love the writings of A.W. Tozer. Someone with a similar writing style, and equally weighty visions of God is Edward Payson. Though he is little known in our day, it is speculated that some 10,000 parents named a son after him in his.

I have richly benifitted from Payson's vision of God, which can be found in bite-sized chunks here.

Also, every believing parent wanting to lead his or her child to and through the gospel will be helped by Payson's daughter's recollections of learning the gospel while sitting on her dad's knee...for a decade.

Quotable Godward Influencer - Steve Smith

(Steve is my Father-in-law).

Your most important discipleship relationship is with your wife and kids.
(Quoted from personal conversation, many times!)

Godward Influencers

Some of the most Godward influencers on my life have been:

• The Triune God (understatement of the ages!)
• My wife and kids
  
• Clyde Cranford
• My family (Mom, Father-in-law)
• College friends
• John Piper
• Puritans

Who have been some of the most Godward influencers in your life?

In an attempt to honor these Godward influencers I am beginning a new series of quotes from those who have influenced me the most for His glory. Lord willing the effect will be substantial on those who visit this blog!

Note: All that can be quoted from the lips of God (on this side of heaven) can be found here.

Quotable Godward Influencer - Clyde Cranford

But alas, today the distinguishing mark of a Christian is thought to be some one-time, individual experience that might or might not result in a changed life. To this idea we must say plainly: Repentance that is not ongoing is not genuine; faith that does not involve surrender is not adequate; a life in which holiness does not develop is not Christian. Because We Love Him, 13

Loving The City - Part I

This is the beginning of a series of meditations as I am trying to grow in my love for the city God has called me to reach (Memphis, TN). May the Lord help me as I attempt to look at my city through the eyes of God (Matthew 6:22-23). These are thoughts of a city-loving novice.

A Christian's Responsibility to his City
Based on Christ's Teaching in Luke 10:

Jesus Christ is Lord of Memphis, TN...and very few believe it. What should I do?

PRAY like I believe the first half of the previous sentence and like I long to see the second half change.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. - Luke 10:2

TRUST the All-wise, All-loving, All-sufficient Christ Who is sending me here among these people in the this place at this time.

Go your ways; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. - Luke 10:3

FIND men of peace.

And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you. - Luke 10:6

ADAPT my practices (when necessary) to accomodate the non-faith-destroying practices of those I minster to in my city.

And whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you... - Luke 10:8

PERFORM a wholistic ministry to those in my city.

...heal those who are sick... - Luke 10:9

PROCLAIM that Christ is King of all!

...Say to them, 'The Kingdom of God has come near to you.' - Luke 10:9

CALL all men to repent and trust Christ!

Woe to you, [Memphis]! Woe to you, [Shelby County]! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you. - Luke 10:13-14

GRIEVE & REST knowing that those who reject me are not rejecting me, but God Almighty.

The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me. - Luke 10:16

Does God Rejoice In God?

Yes!

At that very time [Jesus Christ] rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit...
- Luke 10:21

Please list other texts that teach the same truth.

One of God's Many Amazing Creations

The Brain...

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.

The Happiest of All!

"...(God) who is the Happy (Gk: makarios) and only Sovereign...." - I Timothy 6:15

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

John 15:11 - "These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full."

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee,
Hail Thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav'n relect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Bloss'ming meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain,
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou the Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine:
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the Joy Divine.

Mortals join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o'er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

The Sweetest Song of All

"The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Zephaniah 3:17

Weekend Preaching

Lord willing, I will have the joy of preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church this weekend. I will appreciate your prayers.

The text is: John 15:8-17
The title is: The Fullness of the Joy of Christ

I am amazed by Christ's words in John 15:11: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."

Let These (Concealed) Words Sink Into Your Ears!

"Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they might not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement." - Luke 9:44-45

The Valley of Vision

I commend to you this much-treasured little book of Puritan prayers.

Go Home!

In Luke 8:39, Jesus told the (former) Gadarene demoniac; "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." Without wanting to commit an exegetical fallacy, I feel that I can identify with this text at some level.

Though once captive to sin, I too have been an undeserving receipient of Christ's soul-freeing power. Now, the Lord is proving His pleasure to send me to my home town that I might join the former demonic by "describing what great things God has done for me."

Next verse? "And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him." Oh Lord, may it be said of me and the Grace Church congregation as well.

Grace Church is coming into existence for precisely this purpose! That we might glorify God by treasuring Jesus Christ and spreading His eternal joy.

Careful Listening

I was struck this morning with Christ's command in Luke 8:18 to be a careful listener.

So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.

This command is near the conclusion of the parable of the sower. Don't miss in this passage that Christ stated His purpose for speaking in parables was in fulfillment of Isaiah 6:9, so that:

SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

So, ultimately, it appears that the responsibility of our care in listening is God's! Unless He grants us the ears to hear His teaching, and the ability to understand His teaching, then the word of God will continue to fall on the soil of hard, rocky, thorny hearts, and we will do nothing with it.

So how does one listen carefully to Christ? You plead with Him to make you a hearer and doer of the Word (Luke 8:21). Be careful how you listen to the Word of the Lord!

The Previous Post

We plan to leave Solus Christus on hold for a few days to continue to give people an opportunity to respond to the invitation to the Grace Church Interest Meetings (See previous post). Thank you all for your prayers!

An Open Invitation To The Interest Meetings For Grace Church

Anyone in the Memphis area who is interested in finding out more about Grace Church should read this entire post. You may have a job to do at the end.

Grace Church Interest Meetings - September 10 - October 29, 2006

We are pleased to announce that Grace Church will begin hosting a series of eight Interest Meetings on Sunday evenings beginning September 10. The time and venue are still to be decided. As the Lord inclines your heart, we invite you to join us for these eight meetings.

The Goal of the Grace Church Interest Meetings:

The Interest Meetings are designed to unfold the vision, values, and distinctives of Grace Church. If you sense a potential interest in joining Grace Church, we invite you to participate in all eight interest meetings. Attendance at these meetings will not commit you to Grace Church. The intention is to provide you with an opportunity to be well informed as you seek the Lord regarding His desire for you to covenant with Grace Church.

Church membership is one of the most important decisions in life. Through the Interest Meetings we hope to provide you with a thorough overview of Grace Church as you pray about this highly significant decision. Most assuredly, some who attend the meetings will be convinced that Grace Church is not the place for them. That's wonderful! Read this sentence slowly: We do not want to encourage anyone to leave another church in order to join Grace Church. If the Lord is nourishing your soul and enlisting you in His service through your current church, then we happily admonish you to remain involved in that fellowship. Our heart's desire in planting Grace Church is to glorify God by treasuring Jesus Christ and spreading His eternal joy. One of the primary ways this will happen is by leading unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ and seeing the Lord graft these people into the life of Grace Church.

What Will Be Discussed At The Interest Meetings?

1. September 10 - Why Plant Grace Church?
2. September 17 - Essentials of a Healthy Church
3. September 24 - Grace Church Core Beliefs
4. October 1 - The Centrality of Christ
5. October 8 - Vision and Mission of Grace Church
6. October 15 - Membership Matters
7. October 22 - Open Discussion Forum & Prayer
8. October 29 - The Church and God's Glory

What Do I Need To Do To Attend The Interest Meetings?

Our strong desire is to host the Interest Meetings at Jordan's house. However, that may soon prove to be an impractical venue because of the number of those intending to meet with us.

If you are planning to attend the Interest Meetings would you please help us by responding to this post by clicking "comments" in the lower right hand corner--or by sending us an email. Please indicate your name and the names of everyone who will be attending with you using the following format:

• Name (and names of those attending with you; spouse, children, etc.):
• Home Address:
• Contact #:
• Email:
• "Yes, I/we plan to attend the Interest Meetings for Grace Church beginning September 10."
  

Because of limited space we recommend arranging for childcare for those under five years old. Limited child care will be available during the meetings. You should verify with us if you will need childcare. Children five years old and up are invited to join the discussion.

Helpful Anonymity:

Your intentions to join us will not be posted on the blog for others to see. We will record your information for our planning purposes and contact you with all the necessary details in due time. We want you to come to the meetings because you sense the Lord leading you to attend, not because someone you know might be sensing the Lord's leadership. Proper introductions will be made at the meetings.

We eagerly await seeing the faces of those whom the Lord will lead to pray with us about covenant membership in Grace Church! It will be a day of great rejoicing when the Grace Church covenant community is finally realized. May God be greatly glorified as Jesus Christ builds Grace Church!

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory)!
Jordan, Nathan, & Bryan

Grace Church Update - July 2006

Grace Church – A Community in CHRIST
Memphis, TN

"...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14

It's great to be in Memphis! Our move signifies yet another confirming evidence that God is proving His eternal pleasure for Grace Church to exist. We are swimming in the wake of His purposes to establish another testimony for His name in the Mid-South. Grace Church--from God's perspective--has been in the plans all along. Having our spiritual senses awakened to join Him in this much-needed work is deeply humbling, and totally invigorating. Thank you all for praying God-sized prayers with us.

We are called to the city. We want to live among the people God has called us to reach. My family moved to downtown Memphis exactly two weeks ago. We followed Bryan's family who moved to the area about two weeks prior. Lord willing Nathan's family will soon join us in this area also. Typing this paragraph is an almost surreal experience. Realizing that it was exactly three years ago this month that I began seeking the Lord's face with these brothers about church planting makes my heart swell with wonder. This city, these people, this home--it is all sweet Providence!

Although Grace Church will not begin hosting Interest Meetings until September, there is much to be done today. Our move was designed to give us a window of time before meetings ensue to get to know people who live and work in downtown. Our heart's desire is to forge relationships with many, to learn from those doing ministry in the city, and Lord willing, be used by God to lead people to saving faith in Jesus Christ. There are so many strong ministries in downtown Memphis, and we have no hallucinations that we are God's secret weapon to reaching this city. We look to join these believers in bringing glory to God by treasuring Jesus Christ and spreading His eternal joy. Please pray with us (now) for God to give us favor with those who live, work, and minister in the city.

In Christ, John 3:30
Jordan, Bryan, Nathan

Study Bibles?

Have you found a particularly helpful study Bible?
Here are a few I've enjoyed:

The Reformation Study Bible
MacArthur Study Bible
The NIV Study Bible
The Thompson Chain Reference Bible
The International Inductive Study Bible

Others you would suggest?

Bible Overview Sermons

I plan to listen to these this week, Lord willing. Do you know of any good bible overview sermons?

Are You Running To The Light?

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

John 3:19-21

The President will Eat Right...on Paper

The President, along with Junichiro Koizumi, the Japanese Prime Minister, is about 10 blocks from my house right now eating at The Rendevous--a classic Memphis BBQ joint that serves some of the world's finest ribs. However, they do so on paper plates, in the basement of a downtown high-rise, that must be entered through an alley.

The two leaders are in Memphis because Koizumi is a huge Elvis fan and wanted to visit Graceland while in the States.

The Expulsive Power of a Higher Affection

Lord willing, this weekend I will preach a different text and a slightly different title than Thomas Chalmers' epic making (for me, at least) sermon The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.

It was Chalmers' sermon that the Lord used to further open my eyes to scores of texts in God's Word that teach the amazing truth that our worldly affections don't simply need to be eradicated but replaced with God given affection for Christ.

My text is: Matthew 6:19-34
My title is: The Expulsive Power of a Higher Affection

I will appreciate your prayers!

Exegetical Fallacies

As a requirement, I read Exegetical Fallacies during my graduate studies. That was back when I knew everything.

I'm rereading it now and have been duly convinced that I have effortlessly committed them all. If you are a preacher or teacher of God's Word, I recommend this quick read to you. Even if you don't teach, it would serve any believer well.

Happy exegeting!

Moved & Moved

The long abscence of posts on Solus Christus has been due to our recent move from Minneapolis to Memphis.

Though our physical transit was over 900 miles, our hearts have undergone the greatest move. Mrs. Ida, who lives down the street, took a walk with my family tonight and gave us some schooling on the city. "Those people" she said as she pointed down the road toward some dilapidated homes, "are killing left and right." Clearly, Ida is emotionally desensitized from the incalculable number of murder victims she knew. Lord, use me to reach her! There's no doubt that Willie was strung out on some hallucinogenic, and less doubt that he is someone I'd love to see come to Christ, Grace Church, and deployed as a soldier in Christ's army. Mrs. Deion, apparently the neighborhood grandmother, seems to be a sweet believer and has already made a point to stop by and invite us to worship with her at Apostolic Deliverance Temple of Holiness (Lord willing we will do so on July 23 - which is the next Sunday I'm not preaching someplace). Hank, surprized to live behind a pastor, is being covered in prayer. These, along with Lativia, Chris, Shonda, Jenni, Antoine, Tony, Angela, Mike, Tyler, Dillon, Xavier, and the scores of others we've seen and met in these few days are just some of the people we have been praying for the last year. It's nice to have faces and names go along with the cries for the gospel to speed ahead (II Thes 3:1).

May God be pleased to use us to lead any of these who remain unbeliving to faith in His Son, growth in biblical maturity, and an engagment with God in His global purposes.

Soli Deo Gloria!

High Crime, Low Income, & Mixed Races

Here's a re-post from February. A snap-shot of our desire to see God work in the city for His glory.

Some have asked, "Why would you want to plant a new church in an area notorious for crime, well below the national average for household income, and on top of it all, an area where we would be a racial minority?" Seriously, have we lost our minds? To some, like Festus, the answer will have to be "yes" (Acts 26:24-25).

There are two ways this question could be approached; the surface, and what lies beneath.

On the surface, there are obvoius implications behind the question. Those who have been submurged in suburban living, nice fenced yards, two-car garages, remote controlled window blinds, nice countertops, homogenous skin-tones, and all of the other ammenities that many Westerners have come to view as "normal life," will have immense difficulty with the notion that God would lead someone to forsake these "necessities." At this level, the question of "Why" we would desire to plant in urban Memphis is hard to answer because we are speaking a different language than the who is inquiring.

At a deeper level, there is something being revealed about the heart of the inquirer, right? Christ said, "But what comes out the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person" (Matthew 15:18). Is it wrong to live in the burbs? No! Unless, of course, the suburbs are a way to fortify oneself in the pride of one’s own culture. There is nothing wrong with culture. God created diversity. There is, however, something terribly un-Christian about lacking an intential cross-cultural love (John 13:35). Christ came from heaven to earth to reach sinners – of whom I am chief. There is no greater culture-cross than that. We are often duped into thinking that there are many noble reasons for operating in monocultural spheres of life. The key problem is that this wars against the gospel of Christ, Who has in His own flesh, "torn down the barrier of all diving walls" (Ephesians 2:14).

To believe in Christ, who effectively accomplished God's atoning work on the cross, defeated-death, and secured salvation by His glorious resurrection, is of paramount importance during one's lifetime! The effect of this type of saving faith in Christ flows out of the true believer in a stream of redemptive love towards all people.

I'd like to hear how several saints from history would answer the question that has been posed to me. Peter, who was crucified upside down. I wonder what he'd say about the "risk" of the inner-city? Paul, decapitated for his inner-city embracing love for Christ, I wonder what he'd say? Christ Himself, mangled, mutilated, and martyred without just cause (Humanly speaking). I wonder how He would answer the question?

How could it be more rational to stay in the burbs with strong evangelical churches on nearly every street corner instead of taking a risk for the gospel in the city where there are few strong evangelical churches? So, in Gospel fashion, I would like to pose a question instead of answering the question. Could it be that God has "many sheep that are not of the suburban fold that must come to Him also?" (John 10:16). We pray that the answer is "Yes!" Please pray with us. Our faith is small, we are easily discouraged by doubters, and we tend to drift toward comfort just like everyone else. "For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything" (I John 3:20)!

An Open Letter of Thanks to Bethlehem Baptist Church

Thank you for allowing me to be your first Church Planting Resident. In these brief months the Lord has been pleased to forge a relationship between us that, should the Lord tarry, I trust will serve the advance of the gospel for generations to come. It is with great eagerness we look forward to partnering with you in spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

It was not without cost that you brought my family to Minneapolis for the year, invested in us, and pledged to stand behind the planting of Grace Church in downtown Memphis. I admire your selfless service of the gospel that is being manifested in a glad-hearted promotion of the kingdom of Jesus, not your own empire.

In particular, I praise the Lord for your commitment to doctrinal fidelity. I'm often asked, "Why are you planting a new church? Aren't there already enough churches?" I'm thankful that you are asking the exact opposite question, namely; "How can we plant more churches?" I'm also thankful that your question always carries a qualifier - "...more like-minded churches?" It is not elitist that you are less interested in quantity than kinship, and for this, I thank God for you.

According to "what works" in today's church planting landscape, you are doing everything wrong. I'm thankful that you are altogether oblivious to labyrinths, missional codes, the latest church techno gadgets, loud (but theologically silent) music, and the monocultural comforts of suburban America. But be not dismayed. Grace Church is certainly not the first evidence in your storied 135 year history proving that Christ's church-establishing favor rests upon you. Be humbled as you continue to be a conduit of His grace to this fallen world. You are a sharp tool in the hand of the Builder of His Church. Until He comes again, may He be pleased to use you to prepare His Bride - spotless, blameless, and beyond reproach.

As we set out to join a band of sister churches who have been sent out from you in times past, I tremble at the weight of the responsibility of representing the Almighty. Thank you for willingly extending your hand to help us navigate the waters. May God be greatly glorified as we now Treasure Christ Together and seek to advance the kingdom of the King of Kings! Lord willing I'll see you in July and have the great joy of thanking you in person. Until then, thank you all.

In Christ, John 3:30
Jordan Thomas

Why Do Theology?

Religion, the fear of God, must therefore be the element which inspires and animates all theological investigation. That must be the pulsebeat of the science. A theologian is a person who makes bold to speak about God because he speaks out of God and through God. To profess theology is to do holy work. It is a priestly ministration in the house of the Lord. It is itself a service of worship, a consecration of mind and heart to the honour of His name."
- Herman Bavinck, The Doctrine of God, Back Cover. (Emphasis mine)

I Really Like This Site

Biblical Training.

Where Will Grace Church Meet?

This is definitely the most frequently asked question about Grace Church. Our answer? "Your guess is as good as mine."

We would love for you to be involved in the Lord's kindness to our new fellowship. Are there any venues you would suggest - close to the river - in downtown Memphis? We've thought of a few, but we would be helped by your thoughts as well.

Thanks!

Filled With Good Things

For the last several days I have been nourished by the truth of this statement in The Magnificat.

He has filled the hungry with
good things;
and sent awaqy the rich
empty-handed.

Are you hungry? Have you tasted recently?

Weddings, Moving, & Blogging

Last weekend I celebrated with a wonderful friend at his wedding. I was honored to bring a charge to the bride and groom from God's Word. This weekend I will have a similar honor at another friend's wedding. In addition, our family is scheduled to move to Memphis the day I return.

Needless to say, things are quite busy and we will appreciate your prayers.

Infrequent posts may emerge on Solus Christus. Blogging as normal should resume after we are settled in Memphis.

Isaiah 57:15

Isaiah 57:15 was one of Clyde Cranford's favorite verses. I was blessed to share a couple of devotions today at Bethlehem, and unpacked this verse for the second one. I forgot to share Clyde's poem at the end. Here it is:

He dwells above the twinkling stars
in radiance untold
Yet condescends to name them all,
the silver and the gold

What wonder that He stoops again
to look upon the earth,
Even down to lowly sinful man
to bring Messiah's birth

Yet lower still He makes a home
with those who feel their shame,
and gathers them within His arms
though Holy is His Name.

Ephesians 1:1-14 (Final Meditation) - "So Bless Him!"

Ephesians 1:1-14 is untouchable. The Solus Christus meditations on this text are at best surface-scratching. Take a moment and read this breath-taking passage again.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

I see verse 3 (in red) as the main thought in Paul's mind. That's hard for me to say for a number of reasons, but I think it is right. This is hard to say because there are so many major thoughts in Paul's mind in this text; not the least of which are:

• Being chosen by God before the foundation of the world.
• Being chosen for holiness and blamelesness before God.
• Being a receipeient of God's predestining love.
• Being adopted by God as His sons.
  
• Having Christ's blood redemption.
• Being released to join God in the praise of His glorious grace.
• Being given God Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

So why are these elevated thoughts not the main thought in Paul's mind? Because these are evidences of why we should obey verse 3.

Verse 3 is a trumpet blast from Paul saying, "So bless Him already!" In Christ, God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (cf. the summary points above). What is the appropriate response to this reality? It is not arguing about views of predestination, or noting the long sentence structure. It is praising God who has blessed you with all of His blessings by giving you His only Son - and nothing less!

So what are you waiting for? Bless Him!

Spread the Word

For the second time in six years I drove away with my bible on the roof of my vehicle. (Between these two incidents I drove off with one of these up there). The first time, I was notified a couple of days later by our church secretary who found part of my Pentateuch and some New Testament fragments scattered down the street infront of the church. She also found the cover and was able to make out the inscription of my name. I still have the remains.

This time was even more impressive!

If you scroll down two posts, you will find the summary of my dinner conversation with Bruce Ware. Upon leaving the church for dinner I placed my bible on the top of my mini-minivan in order to move two of our four carseats (!!!) to make room for everyone to ride together. The bible stayed right where I placed it. Not only that, it stayed up there all the way to Chipotle. Not only that, it stayed up there all the way through downtown to drop Ware off at the Hilton. Not only that, It stayed up there all the way to drop Joseph off at the church. Not only that, it stayed up there all the way to drop Joey off at the Piper's basement. Not only that, it stayed up there until I took an on-ramp for MN Hwy 55. Then she blew. I heard... thud...crinkle...thud, and looked in the rearview mirror and saw a new evangelistic strategy in the making.

It did a beautiful routine of summersaults before landing in the center of the overpass (which is above Interstate 35W!). Just think if it would have stuck to a trucker's windshiled on the Freeway below! I can hear the testimony now... "Well, I's just driving along and BOOM...God spoke to me."

Here's the fascinating part of it all. I stopped the beaut, walked back to the remains, and found a perfectly in tact bible. I kid you not. Now I'm a salesman. If you are tired of your bible falling apart, binding being cheap, or you were gullible enough to splurge for bonded leather, have I got news for you. I think this is the new version of the one I have.

This Blog Is For Grace Church...and People Like You

Solus Christus was started for Grace Church. We began this blog last Fall with a view to having another communication medium for the new church when we begin meetings this coming Fall. A year of blogging for dummies seemed like the right learning curve for us (We're slow learners).

At this point our readership is not extremely large, but we are serving a wider audience than our original intent. Hopefully, we will be able to continue to do so even as we begin shifting toward the original vision. Our plan for the future of Solus Christus goes something like this:

1. We will continue to be a "generic" blog - making posts of stuff that usually relates to the glorification of God, the treasuring of Jesus Christ, and the spreading of His eternal joy.
   
2. Soon, we will begin focusing more specifically on things relating directly to Grace Church. This should increase as our interest meetings in September draw near. Perhaps you will see announcements, invitations, prayer requests, etc...
   
3. Once Grace Church begins hosting interest meetings, and especially corporate worship gatherings, Solus Christus will primarily be a venue for ongoing interaction among the GC family concerning "What Lord is saying to Grace Church." This was our initial vision for the blog when we began last Fall. Some of our thoughts are:

• Posting small portions of our sermons to encourage worshipful interaction, questions, additions, discussion, etc.
• Each pastor plans to begin submitting a series of devotional paragraphs related to the passages we are worshipping through at Grace Church. Bryan may take a six week series, then Nate, etc... Our hope is that these meditations will fuel family devotions and serve to stir our hearts the same direction for our corporate worship gatherings.
  
• We plan to highlight ministries and needs of Grace Church.
• I'm sure announcements and reminders will regularly surface.
• Plus, we plan to continue just being a normal blog.

Blessings to you all in Christ!

Theology Primer with Bruce Ware

Perhaps the most profitable way to use this post is to read the next paragraph, then scroll down until something of interest catches your eye and just read that part(s).

I've just returned from a systematic theology primer over dinner with Bruce Ware. Thank you to those who submitted questions for me to ask (even those who didn't do so through this blog). If my memory serves me correctly, I was able to ask each of them. Instead of listing his responses to my few questions, I'll try to recount a synopsis of the entire talk. (I invited two good friends who are TBI students along for the discussion as well. They had plenty of questions too.)

• The evening began with a radically God-centered worship experience at Bethlehem's Saturday Evening Service. The music, the Lord's Supper, and the message (Isa. 40:12-17!) each revolved around the exalted God of the Bible. Very nourishing feast for the soul! (To hear the message, click my link, then click "Listen to this sermon series-scroll down to Ware's message-should be available around 6/7).

Shortly after the service we jumped into my mini-minivan and headed to Chipotle. From the time we got in the beaut (my van) until the time I dropped Ware off at his hotel, we had this helpful discussion.

• Dr. Ware apparently didn't finish his sermon in the pulpit because it continued until we arrived at Chipotle. Ware was reveling in God's Self-sufficiency (You simply must read Tozer's chapter). He described this great truth about God as the ultimate blow to the pride of man. (By the way, we encouraged the post-sermon sermon). Ware mentioned that while on an overseas stint during his undergrad days his reading the Bible about five hours each day and reading Tozer was among the most helpful tools in shaping his trajectory of Theology. I concur with the Tozer part, and wish I could concur with the extended season of reading God's Word five hours per day part. Lord, let it be!

• At the restaruant, we discussed Ware's view of the atonement. He holds an infralapsarian, non-double-predestination, non-limited atonement, four-point calvinistic (minus the "L"), Christ died for all people in all places in the same way view. Ware has contributed a chapter to a book on Five Views of Election in which he defends the infralapsarian view. He's not sure when the book is to be released. What a dinner discussion!

For a brief peek, here's the difference between Infralapsarianism and Supralapsarianism:

The Infralapsarian View

The infralapsarian view contemplates the salvation of men after the Fall. Those who are chosen to salvation were chosen on the basis of being members of a fallen race which means that all who shall come to faith were elected subsequent to the Fall. According to the Infralapsarian View, the order of events would be as follows.

1. God decreed to create man in the image of God.
2. God decreed to permit the Fall of mankind in Adam.
3. After the Fall, God decreed to elect some of the fallen souls to salvation and to leave others in a natural state of condemnation.
4. God decreed to provide a Redeemer for the elect whose work of redemption would be sufficient for all.
5. God decreed to secure the application of this salvation to the elect by means of the Holy Spirit.
   

Infralapsarianism Defined:

Concerning the order of the divine decrees before creation infralapsarianism is the belief that God decreed to redeem mankind after God decreed the fall of mankind. Thus the fall brought about a proliferation of human life on the earth, all those whom God had not elected.

The Supralapsarian View (The other side)

The term "supralapsarian" indicates that the decree of election to salvation took place before God created man and before He permitted the Fall. According to the Supralapsarian View, the objects of the Divine decree were contemplated merely as men whom God would create, all of whom were on an equal basis in His sight. According to the Supralapsarian View, the order of effects would be as follows.

1. In eternity past God proposed to elect some of mankind to eternal life and to condemn others.
   
2. God proposed to create man.
3. God proposed to permit the Fall.
4. God proposed to send Christ to redeem the elect.
5. God proposed to send the Holy Spirit to apply salvation to the elect

Supralapsarianism Defined:

With reference to the pre-creation decrees of God,supralapsarianism is the belief that God's decree of election came before He decreed the fall. Thus, God chose people for [heaven] and hell free from any influence of what man might do.

• Then we asked Ware to discuss his view of Christ's Kenosis Experience.
  

Kenosis - "emptying". Reference to the self-emptying of Christ per Philippians 2:4-11.

• Ware believes that Christ emptied Himself, but didn't empty anything of Himself. He described the kenosis experience as "subtraction by addition" based on Paul's use of "taking on" in Philippians 2:7. He likened the incarnation to taking a new showroom car down a muddy road, driving like a drunk teenage boy (my analogy), and returning it to the showroom floor. Then, saying to the salesman, "The same car - in all of its luster and glory - is still there, but it is veiled." Ware said the analogy is comparable to Christ's glory being veiled by His being "poured" (His way of translating the root of ekenosin) into a human being. Therefore, said Ware, Christ took on all the limitations of a man, but did not give up any of His Person. Christ poured Himself into a human's body, with human limitations - yet retained all aspects of His deity. Luke 2:40-52 was central to this discussion.

• We asked about Ware's take on the current position of the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to (1) refrain from appointing missionaries who practice a private prayer language, and (2) do not have an authorized baptism.
  

This Christianity Today article summarizes the IMB's position. Here's a couple of quotes:

Trustees for the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) International Mission Board (IMB) have voted to bar new missionary candidates who practice a "private prayer language" from serving on the mission field.

The trustees voted 50-15 for the new guidelines on November 15, during their meeting in Huntsville, Alabama. The move will not affect current IMB staff or missionaries. Worldwide, 5,122 IMB missionaries work among 1,194 people groups.

During the November meeting, trustees also voted to accept only those missionary candidates baptized in churches that teach believer security and that practice only baptism by immersion.

• We asked about Ware's devotional life. He spoke with worshipful enthusiasm about his joy of listen to Max McLean's ESV audio while he follows along in the text. Ware expressed a freedom that comes from not having to focus on the reading, but immersing himself in the situation of the text, and enjoy its meaning. He is currently somewhere in Judges.
  

• Ware asked questions to me about church planting in the SBC, and made several insightful comments about the rise of emphasis on cultural accomodation that is unintentionally hindering the advance of the gospel. I tend to agree.

• I gave Ware a copy of "my" book Because We Love Him: Embracing a Life of Holiness, to which Ware replied, "Aw Shucks." Seriously.

Even as I type I'm remembering so many other parts of our discussion. Perhaps I'll blog them later as I'm running out of human bandwidth to do so now.

So That's How It Happened

Ok, you see, it was about 250 million years ago in Antarctica...

The meteor the size of Sydney struck 250 million years ago and must have been the biggest explosion ever seen on the planet, far bigger than the 10-kilometre-wide meteor which hit east of Mexico 65 million years ago, wiping out the dinosaurs.

You can read it all here.

Pray Then

"If God already knows why should we pray?" is a common question asked by those struggling with the tension between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility.

I love the clarity of Christ's statements concerning this issue. Recently I've been jolted by a small portion of Matthew 6:8-9.

"...For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray then..."

The fact that God knows our needs before we ask is precicely the motive Christ highlighted to stimulate us to pray. There is no tension in Christ's mind!

Luis Mendez

Luis is a pastor in S. America who has been accepted to begin TBI this Fall (After clicking on TBI, click the TBI link on the sidebar of the new window). Today he will hear if his workers visa has been approved.

The elders of Bethlehem were recently informed that Luis could be denied because the agency doesn't like the way he combs his hair. Though some may see Luis' approval or rejection as arbitrary, we know differently. Pray for Luis today.

Rich Text

II Timothy 1:8-10.

Bill Gates Does Not Exist

It is foolish for people to conclude that God doesn't exist. My friend Shaun has found compelling data proving that Bill Gates does not exist. Hmm, maybe we've all been duped?

Bitter Sweet

Have you already heard/seen this?