Fulfillment of Micah 4

The symbol – laden vision is cast in the categories of Micah’s day:  the weapons of war, for example, become plowshares and pruning hooks, not tractors and combines.  Though cast in terms of the supremacy of Mount Zion, there is no mention of an Israelite hegemony over the nations, nor or the Messiah or the sacrifice he would offer.  Even the geography of the oracle looks a little different from the perspective of John 4:21 – 24.  But in the light of the Gospel, the triumph of the new Jerusalem, which brings to an end death and war and all sin (Rev. 21:1 – 4), is that for which all Christians pray, the fulfillment of Micah’s vision. (D. A. Carson, For the Love of God, vol. 2, [Crossway: 1999], November 29).

In this quotation D. A. Carson shows that he thinks Micah 4 is fulfilled in Revelation 21:1-4.  This is the New Earth and not the millennial kingdom (contra dispensationalists).  Hmmm…..

Speaking the Truth in Love, even when Offensive

I can’t ever see the Emergent Church advocates denouncing theological liberals or their own words like the way Jesus does here.  But maybe they do and I don’t know it.  I know there is a stream in the emerging church that is faithful to truth and seeking to reach the postmodern generation (for the differences, click here).  I know that there are those (thankfully) within evangelicalism that do critique parts of the movement with strong words.  Verses 45-46 are a real challenge and rebuke to our “tolerant” generation that is slow to offend.  I’m not advocating offending recklessly, just speaking the truth in love, even if the truth insults or offends. 

ESV Luke 11:37 While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”

45 One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” 46 And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. 48 So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation,51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

Shepherding the flock of God

 1 Peter 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Shepherds/pastors are under-shepherds or assistant pastors. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, he is the Senior Pastor. So Pastor Ed, at CFBC, is the senior assistant pastor. Pastor Alex and the rest of us on the staff are assistant under-shepherds.

“Shepherds lead, nurture, heal, protect, discipline, feed, and care for their flocks. The task involves oversight” (D. A. Carson, For the Love of God, vol. 1, [Crossway: 1998], November 28).

3 characteristics of faithful Christian ministry:

(1) “Not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you” (v. 2). “There must be a heart of willingness to serve this way, even in the midst of disappointment and suffering – even as our Master made his Father’s will his own” (Carson).

(2) “Not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (v. 2). “Pastors ought to be motivated primarily by a desire to serve” (Carson).

(3) “Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (v. 3). “Pastors should be more concerned about being examples than about standing on their authority” (Carson).

“No minister is more than an under-shepherd. All must give an account to “the Chief Shepherd” – and he alone rewards his staff (5:4)” (Carson).

As I reflect on this I see how I need to improve. The first thing that convicts me is that I am going to give an account to the Senior Pastor of CFBC, Pastor Jesus who is the Christ, not ultimately the senior assistant pastor of CFBC, Pastor Ed. This changes the seriousness to which I should be shepherding the flock. The second thing that convicts me is the short list of what shepherds do. I have not lead well. I have not disciplined and cared for particular members of the church and student ministry. There are some members of our church that I need to pursue and need to want to pursue, not only under compulsion, but willingly. Carson reminds me that even in the midst of disappointment I need to serve and shepherd. I must stop making excuses and call those I need to call and talk to them and attempt to serve and shepherd them. I have not done my best in serving and helping the other assistant pastors that I serve with. I also need to be an example in organization, discipline, passion for God, love for people, and a desire to serve with no eye to who’s watching, save the ever-watching eye of God himself.

I want to shepherd better. So I need to follow and submit gladly to my senior pastor, Jesus Christ. I praise him for dying for my failure and sin, and for dying to give me grace to shepherd well. On him and his work I depend.

What Mortification is (1), part 2 entry 2

Currently reading: Overcoming Sin and Temptation, by John Owen, edited by Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor, (Crossway, 2006).

John Owen’s first point on what mortification is is that mortification (killing) of sin consists in a habitual weakening of sin. This means we must avoid temptations as much as possible (while still attending our God-given responsibilities) and aim to kill sin at its root. Owen gives an illustration of trying to kill sin, but not at the root:

A man may beat down the bitter fruit from an evil tree until he is weary; while the root abides in strength and vigor, the beating down of the present fruit will not hinder it from bringing forth more. This is the folly of some men; they set themselves with all earnestness and diligence against the appearing eruption of lust, but, leaving the principle and root untouched, perhaps unsearched out, they make butl little or no progress in this work of mortification (75-76) .

What roots of sin do you see in your life that need to be attacked and uprooted? My suggestion is to list them out on paper and begin to strategically act on God’s grace to kill sin. The very desire to want to kill sin and want to begin to attack its root is a sign of God’s grace in us, the question that remains is what we will do with the desire that God graciously gives us.

To see what killing sin is not (part 2 entry 1), click here.

Believing in Science over believing in God

One of my favorite lines in Nacho Libre is the line by Eskeleto, who said:

“I don’t believe in God, I believe in science.”

If you don’t think there are people who really do believe in science and are opposed to belief in God, read this blog post by Al Mohler.

He quotes scientists who say things like:

“I am utterly fed up with the respect that we — all of us, including the secular among us — are brainwashed into bestowing on religion . . . . Children are systematically taught that there is a higher kind of knowledge which comes from faith, which comes from revelation, which comes from scripture, which comes from tradition, and that it is the equal if not the superior of knowledge that comes from real evidence.” [Richard Dawkins, Oxford University]

“The world needs to wake up from its long nightmare of religious belief.” [Steven Weinberg, Nobel laureate in physics]

“Anything that we scientists can do to weaken the hold of religion should be done and may in the end be our greatest contribution to civilization.” [also Weinberg]

Check it out here.

Live according to the words written in the text

When Uzzah and the rest of the Israelites disobeyed God’s Word, in how to move the ark of the covenant, God struck Uzzah down (1 Chronicles 13).  That stopped David’s plan of bringing the ark to Jerusalem.  So later when David desires again to move the ark to Jerusalem, he did it according to the Scriptures. 

“And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 15:15).

 D. A. Carson comments: Here is a profound lesson.  At one level, doubtless God approves childlike praise and enthusiastic zeal.  But he expects those with authority among his people to know what his Word says and obey it.  No amount of enthusiasm and zeal can ever hope to make up for this lack.  Zeal that is heading in the wrong direction never reaches the goal.  It must either be redirected in the direction staked out in God’s Word, or however enthusiastic, it is still wrong-headed and misdirected.  There is no substitute for faith working itself out in informed obedience (For the Love of God, Vol. 1, [Crossway: 1998] November 20).

Doubtless, knowing God’s Word is not enough (in terms of intellectual or “head” knowledge).  But passion for God, sincerity of heart, compassion for “good” things apart from God’s Word or uninformed by God’s Word is futile and misdirected, certainly leading to glorifying God less and disobeying God more (at the very least, in terms of general direction).

This is what surprises me about some who seek to be more “authentic” or more “like Jesus.”  They try to do it apart from the words of Jesus or the words of his apostles, or they say that we can’t know for sure what they’re saying, so let’s just _____ (you can fill in the blank with whatever).  The follower of Jesus Christ must hear and know his words in the biblical text and understand and obey those, not some person’s general direction with no root or clear connection to the words in God’s written revelation.

You need the Bible.  It is one of God’s greatest gifts to us under Jesus Christ himself.  Learn it and obey it carefully and intentionally.

Trying to comfort the grieving

It’s always a daunting task to go to the family who’s lost a loved one and comfort them.  I don’t think I’ll ever feel adequate to do that.  But I thank God that he gives us grace to channel grace to the afflicted.  That’s what he did for us who went to Mike Manalac’s tonight.  We didn’t know what to say or not say, we just went and by God’s grace, they were served by our presence and company.  God worked in us and through us without us being intentional or trained or smart enough to serve.  I love when God does that.  He takes weak vessels and flexes his mighty or comforting hand through our weakness.  He did that tonight and we were amazed.  I know I am.  The verses we shared were far more impactful than I’d expected.  I say that to my shame and lack of faith.  But I praise God for his Word, his Son, and his Church.    May Christ be magnified, may the Manalac family be comforted, and may the gospel be savored and spread.

Interfaith discussions on the Web – Al Mohler in conversation

The question: If some religious people believe they have a monopoly on truth, then are conversation and common ground possible? If so, what would be the difficulties and benefits of such a conversation?

Albert Mohler (president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is on a panel discussion on faith and religious issues.  I suggest you read his short, 7 paragraph reply to the question and see some of the 161 comments in response to his post.  You’ll get a good feel for where we are and where the world is.  The 5 or so I’ve read oppose the evangelical view quite adamantly.  Also, if there are questions or comments raised as you read some of the world’s replies, then email me or leave a comment here if you want my response.  Some of the comments may resonate with you and if you want to know what I think, email me your question and the comment posted. 

Click here to see the post.

Brian McLaren and Richard Mouow (president of Fuller Seminary) are also on the panel.

Parenting helps

For help on parenting young children, use this audio resource by Covenant Life Church in Maryland.

A key to life: Self-Discipline

How to Develop Self-discipline, by John MacArthur (taken from The Pillars of Christian Character, [Crossway:1998], 139ff).

1. Start with small things. Clean your desk and your room. Then your car, house, and put things where they belong all the time, and do it right away, not later.

2. Get yourself organized. Make a schedule, however general or specific, and stick to it. Use a planner. Use a to-do list and get the things done. Be intentional. “If you don’t control your time, everything (and everyone) else will” (140).

3. Don’t constantly seek to be entertained. Do productive things many of the times you have free. Learn to entertain yourself with things that are challenging, stimulating, and creative. Read a good book, exercise, listen to good music, or have a conversation with someone.

4. Be on time. “Being punctual marks a life that is organized. It reveals a person whose desires, activities, and responsibilities are under control, allowing him to get where he needs to be when he needs to be there. Being on time also acknowledges the importance of other people and the value of their time” (140).

5. Keep your word. “If you say you’re going to do something, do it – when you said you would do it and how you said you would do it.

6. Do the most difficult tasks first.

7. Finish what you start. “If you start something, finish it. Therein lies an important key to developing self-discipline” (141).

8. Accept correction. Correction helps you see what you need to avoid. So gladly accept it (Prov. 19:20; 15:31-32).

9. Practice self-denial. Learn to say no to your feelings and impulses whenever they’re wrong-headed and sometimes even when things are within your freedom to remind yourself to stick to God-centered priorities.

10. Welcome responsibility. “Volunteer to do things that need to be done. That will force you to have your life organized enough to have time for such projects” (141).

Why be disciplined?

· For spiritual growth

· To understand priorities

· To walk carefully

· To live by principle, not emotion (thus feeding and increasing emotion properly)

The biblical priorities of the self-disciplined:

1. Remember who owns you – God the Father through Jesus Christ.

2. Remember the covenant of salvation – the gospel that forgave you, freed you, and obligates you to obey Christ.

3. Recognize that sin violates your relationship with God

4. Control your imagination

5. Focus on God’s causes – the kingdom, missions, evangelism, edification, loving others, all for the purpose of feeding and expressing worship of God.