From the Pastor's Study: The Grace of Gratitude

Does gratitude seem to you to be in low supply in 2020? If so, don’t assume that we’re experiencing anything new. “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10). One of the chief marks of the sinfulness of man since the fall of Adam is ingratitude - “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). Our natural bent is toward presumptive selfishness, thinking that people owe us and exist to serve us and advance our agendas, assuming that we’re deserving of whatever good we might receive from those around us.

Jesus encountered ingratitude in his ministry. In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus healed ten lepers. He didn’t heal them immediately by touching them. Rather, he told them to go and show themselves to the priests - and as they went on their way they were cleansed. One man realized what had happened and who had accomplished the healing, and he turned around in mid-trip to give thanks to Jesus. Amazingly, the man who came back to thank Him was a Samaritan, prompting Jesus to exclaim, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine-- where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And then Jesus declared to the man, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:17-19). The man’s saving faith was evidenced by his gratitude, his giving glory to God for the mercy He had shown Him through His Son. 

Throughout the Bible, we see that gratitude is one of the chief fruits of God’s gracious salvation. Indeed, it is the gospel of Jesus Christ alone that can truly and lastingly transform a thankless, entitled, discontented heart into a heart overflowing with gratitude.

• “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12, along with scores of other passages in the Psalms)

• “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7; see also 1:11-12)

• “…and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4)

• “…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father…” (Ephesians 5:20)

• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

• “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

• “Through [Christ Jesus] then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

Ingratitude is the fruit of pride (“I deserve all this; God owes me these things; I have done all this by the strength and wisdom of my hands”) or discontentment (“I may have this and that, but God hasn’t given me these things and those things”). When we realize that we deserve nothing, and that we have been given so much more than we deserve — particularly as we reflect upon the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ — then we’ll be thankful. J. C. Ryle has put it beautifully: “We are more ready to pray that to praise, and more disposed to ask God for what we have not, than to thank Him for what we have. Murmurings, complainings, and discontent abound on every side of us. Few indeed are to be found who are not continually hiding their mercies under a bushel, and setting their wants and trials on a hill.”

As we enter a week when our entire country is trying to reflect upon all the reasons we have to be grateful, may the Lord God of merciful providence grant us His people more and more the grace of gratitude. 

From the Pastor's Study: What Does Baptism Mean?

This coming Lord’s Day we have the privilege of witnessing the sign and seal of baptism administered to several covenant children: Georgia Raye Dahl, daughter of Steven and Erika Dahl; Alyssa Suzanne and Owen Lee Norwood, children of Drew and Kim Norwood; Yashaiah Eldrin Bhanat, son of Eldrin and Rinku Bhanat; and Daniel Trace, Hastings K, Elizabeth Bradstreet and Margaret Madeleine McMullin, children of Garrett and Cindy McMullin. Three of these families have just recently joined - God has been kind to bless our body with new life! 

As you prepare for worship, meditate on the joyful meaning of baptism. The water of baptism symbolizes the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all our sins (Hebrews 9:11-14), and the Spirit of Jesus that regenerates and renews us unto newness of life (Titus 3:5). Just as our hearts have been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22) and the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us richly (Titus 3:6), so we sprinkle or pour the symbolic water upon the recipients of this sign of solemn admission into the visible church.

Of course, we do not believe that everyone who receives the sign of baptism has the things signified - in both the old and new covenant administrations of the one covenant of grace, many receive the outward seal (whether as a covenant child or an as a professing believer) without any inner reality in the heart. Not all Israel is Israel, as Paul puts it in Romans 9:6. But for God’s elect, the “remnant according to God’s gracious choice” (Romans 11:5), the outward sign assures them of the reality of the promises of God, and so increases and deepens faith. The Heidelberg Catechism #73 beautifully expresses this truth: “Why, then, does the Holy Spirit call baptism ‘the washing of regeneration’ [Titus 3:5] and ‘the washing away of sins’ [Acts 22:16]? God speaks in this way for a good reason. He wants to teach us that the blood and Spirit of Christ remove our sins just as water takes away dirt from the body; but more importantly, He wants to assure us by this divine pledge and sign that we are as truly washed from our sins spiritually, as our bodies are washed with water.” 

And so when we are present at the baptism of others, or when we are tempted to doubt God’s love for us or to succumb to sin, we remember our baptism and all that it represents - we remember that God has branded up by putting His name upon us in our adoption as sons and daughters; that we have been united to Jesus in His death and resurrection to walk in newness of life; that we are a part of one body devoted to love and serve one another; that we have been separated from the world to live holy and godly lives. 

May the Lord be pleased to work the graces of faith, hope, love, and purity into the hearts of all who are baptized in His time, in increasing measure.

From the Pastor's Study: A Heavy Two Weeks

November 6, 2020

It’s been a full and heavy last two weeks. I thank you (and I thank God) for your prayers for our Session retreat two weekends ago, and for my study week last week. Your elders had a good conversation about our purpose and passion as a church - why we exist - and about the specific ministry focus the Lord has given us in light of our unique history, location, demographic, and gift mix. Likewise, my study week was blessed by our heavenly Father - not only did I get to map out much of the 2021 church calendar and preaching calendar, I was able to feed my soul by reading D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ classic book Preachers and Preaching again, and Dane Ortlund’s book about Jesus, Gentle and Lowly, and I started studying for the 2021 preaching series (more on those in a later post!). 

As you know, our brother Step Morgan was in a horrific mountain biking accident the Friday afternoon before our October 24 Session retreat, and ended up having his lower left leg amputated. This tragedy has been a sober reminder for me of how quickly life can be completely and radically turned upside down and inside out. But God has been good throughout this affliction, and Step and Jessica’s response to God’s providence has been such an encouragement and an example. I can’t wait until he has a chance to share more with you about the way God has showered him and his family with grace in the midst of this trial. Several passages of God’s word that speak of the responses of God’s people to trials have stuck in my heart the past two weeks: 

• “…but God meant it for good, to bring about this present result…” (Genesis 50:20)

• “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

• “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:18)

• “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

• “I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel…” (Philippians 1:12). 

• “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

God has mercifully given the same heart response to the Morgans as He gave to Joseph, Job, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego, Habakkuk, Paul, and Jesus His Son. Let us continue to pray for them - the journey ahead is going to be long and difficult, and they will need our support, physically and spiritually.

It’s also been a heavy week because of the uncertainty of our national elections. As of my writing this, neither candidate has won the 270 electoral college votes needed for victory. But no matter who wins, the following things remain true: 

• There is no doubt who is in charge and winning: Jesus is the King of kings and the President of presidents (Revelation 17:14; 19:16; Acts 17:7), and is reigning and ruling over all the nations. He is the divine-human Messiah who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth by His Father (Matthew 28:18), and must rule until all His enemies are under His feet (I Corinthians 15:25; Psalm 110:1). 

• The Christian’s calling is to pray for whoever is in authority over us, so that we might lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (I Timothy 2:2), and to submit to our governing authorities, so that by doing right we might silence the ignorance of foolish men (I Peter 2:13-15; Romans 13:1-6).

• Like Joseph in Egypt, as well as Daniel and all the post-exilic saints in Babylon, we are to serve our country no matter who is leading it, seeking its welfare as those who are sojourners and exiles in America (Jeremiah 29:7), whose true citizenship is in heaven and not on earth (Philippians 3:20-21; I Peter 2:11-12; Titus 3:1-2). 

• Because we are citizens in two kingdoms, we must “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Though we are quick to serve our country, we must always be ready to obey God rather than men when the state commands us to disobey God, or prohibits us from obeying God (Acts 4:19; 5:29). 

• If we as Christians end up being more persecuted or more marginalized as a result of this election, let us remember that such is the normal Christian life (Matthew 5:10-12; Philippians 1:29-30). To quote Paul David Tripp about marriage, “What did you expect?” Christ’s kingdom advances through weakness, suffering, and opposition - we follow a Master who was crucified on a Roman cross. “Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).

May the Lord grant us grace to find our joy and peace in the Lord and not in any created person, thing, or institution, and to live as salt and light to our country in all circumstances. 

From the Pastor's Study: Pray for our Session Retreat!

10/23/2020

Tomorrow, your elders will be having an all-day Session retreat. I had hoped to have this retreat right after I became Senior Pastor, to start my tenure off on the right foot with our elders, but COVID kept us from gathering. Now we’re able to be together, distanced and even possibly outside since it looks like it will be a beautiful day. 

We plan on talking about where we see the Lord leading Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in 5-10 years, what we need to focus on to accomplish that envisioned future, how to communicate that vision clearly to the saints, and some other miscellaneous items. These sorts of longer horizon conversations are vital to the work of oversight that is a chief calling of elders (another title in the Scriptures for an elder is “bishop/overseer,” from the Greek word episkopos - we not only oversee individual sheep, but this particular church of God as a whole). We want to have a clear view of the direction in which we’re seeking to shepherd the flock, though we realize we must hold our plans with an open palm instead of a clenched fist: “The plans of the heart belong to man but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:9); “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). 

Please pray earnestly for the Lord to guide our discussion and give us wisdom, unity, and good fellowship together. Pray that we will be able to listen well, speak our thoughts clearly and graciously, and come to one mind on the issues before us. There are many strengths of Pear Orchard, many good ministry opportunities, so we need your prayers to discern how the Lord would want us to keep moving forward. We don’t expect to come away from Saturday with answers wrapped up with a bow on top, but I do pray that we will have a solid start as we engage in this planning process together. Pear Orchard is blessed with godly and wise elders, and I look forward to spending the day with them.

I also ask you to pray for me as I spend next week in study, prayer, and planning the 2021 preaching calendar. I will be mapping out what we will be preaching through next year, and who will be preaching each text. The preaching calendar helps the staff know their responsibilities for the new year, and helps in the planning of worship. I’m excited to think about the needs of the congregation and which books of the Bible I believe we can preach with fruitfulness for the growth of the body in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our highest calling as ministers of the gospel is to feed Christ’s sheep with the word of God, and Paul’s words to Timothy ring loudly in our ears: “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching… Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you…Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (I Timothy 4:13, 15-16; II Timothy 4:2). 

May the Lord continue to use His living and active word to search the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, to shatter our hardness and thaw our coldness to Christ, to root us in grace, and to bear fruit for His glory!

From the Pastor's Study: Let's remain a church planting church!

This past weekend we went down to Baton Rouge to see two of my brothers and their families (Hurricane Delta unfortunately cut our trip short by a day). On Sunday morning we visited South Baton Rouge Presbyterian Church, a PCA congregation that was planted in 2000, a couple years after I graduated from LSU. When I was growing up nearly all the Presbyterian churches in Baton Rouge were in the PCUSA, and the only PCA churches were on the outskirts of Baton Rouge or in surrounding towns. I was brought to Reformed convictions during college, and attended Plains PCA (where the Kwasnys were members) - about a thirty minute drive from LSU and downtown Baton Rouge. So when I heard that a PCA church was being planted near LSU, I rejoiced. 

Church planting has been in the DNA of the PCA from its inception, and it has also long been in the DNA of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church. A church plant ourselves out of First Presbyterian Church Jackson, in our brief lifetime as a congregation we have supported dozens of church planters around the country, partnered with Highlands Presbyterian Church to plant Madison Heights Presbyterian Church, and been a founding church of the Mid-South Church Planting Network. The three senior pastors before me were committed to church planting, and I want to follow in their train. I want our congregation to continue to be a church planting church, a church that sends its money and its members into areas of our community devoid of solid Reformed Presbyterian churches centered on the gospel of God in Christ - for planting new churches is one of the best ways to reach the lost for Jesus and to energize the evangelistic fervor of established churches.

If you looked at a map of the Jackson metro area, you’d see several places where there are no PCA congregations: Gluckstadt, Canton, Richland/Florence, southwest Jackson near JSU, the Northshore/further out Lakeland - and soon the 39211 zip code. For at the end of January 2021, for a variety of reasons, Trinity Presbyterian Church will be closing its doors after 70 years of service to Christ and His people. You have likely seen several Trinity families visiting among us on Sundays and Wednesdays, as they consider where the Lord might lead them to transfer their membership. But as those families disperse into congregations across the metro area, a hole will be left for gospel ministry in one of the most diverse and populated zip codes in our region. 

Let’s be praying that the Lord, who is never slow but never in a hurry, would raise up a new church in due time in 39211, to reach His elect there with the gospel of Jesus. Very early initial and exploratory conversations about what this plant might look like and how it might come about have begun in our Presbytery, and it excites me to think about ways that Pear Orchard might be able to play a role in a new work to our south one day. And one day in the future, who knows what other churches might be planted around us - as the saying goes, we often overestimate what can be done in five years, and underestimate what can be done in twenty years. God is at work! And we are privileged to join Him in the harvest fields. 

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This coming Lord’s Day I will be preaching from Genesis 38, the story of Judah and Tamar. I encourage you to read it ahead of time (especially if you have children) so that you won’t be caught off guard and so that you will begin to think through how you might discuss it with your family. It’s a shocking and sordid story of sexual sin, and depicts the reality of life in a fallen world without sugar coating any of the raw and awkward edges. But it also reveals the shocking grace of God, who saves a sinful people and brings good out of evil. Be praying for our time together in God’s word. 

From the Pastor's Study: The way up is the way down - thoughts on Luke 18:9-14 as we come to the Lord's table

1. From the Pastor’s study…

The Christian life is full of paradoxes – things that seem contradictory but really aren’t. Consider Paul’s declaration in Philippians 1:23, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,” in relation to what he says about Epaphroditus’ near death in Philippians 2:27, “Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” At the same time the Christian desires to die and be with Jesus, and yet can be filled with sorrow upon sorrow when loved ones die. 

Benjamin Morgan Palmer, a 19th century Presbyterian pastor in New Orleans, noted four more paradoxes in a series of articles in 1870. First, Christians possess deep reverence and awe before God, and at the same time a childlike confidence and boldness toward Him. Second, Christians are keenly sensible to the sorrows of this life, and at the same time have a great composure and peace of heart as we trust in God’s providential control over all things. Third, Christians are dead to this world and do not love the world or the things in the world, and yet have the truest enjoyment of the world. And finally, because we are forgiven sinners, Christians are filled at the same time with a profound humility, and a profound dignity in Christ.

Related to that last paradox is the one we find in Luke 18:14, the punchline in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Another way to say put it is that in Jesus’ kingdom, the way of advancement is the path of humility – the way up is the way down. The proud are out, while the humble are in.

But we don’t often think this way, do we? Like the Pharisees to whom Jesus told his parable in Luke 18:9-14, we tend to believe simplistically that that the good are in and the bad are out - and thus we  “trust in ourselves that we are righteous, and view others with contempt” (Luke 18:9). Religious Jews would not have been amused by the idea of the Pharisee being rejected in God’s sight, and the tax collector being accepted by Him. But Jesus is clear: those who think they are good are out, while those who know themselves to be bad and cry to God for mercy are in. 

Jesus’ parable shows us what true humility looks like: acknowledging God’s holiness and our sinfulness (as opposed to the Pharisee who compares himself to other people and focuses on all the supposed good things he has done); trusting in the mercy of God alone (the Pharisee trusted in his law-keeping and acted as if God owed him for his obedience, while the tax collector knew he needed a substitute to be the propitiation for his sins - to bear God’s wrath in his place); freely loving the sinners around us (unlike the Pharisee who despised those whom he imagined he surpassed in godliness). The two things always go together in pride - when we trust in ourselves that we are righteous, we will always view others with contempt. 

Of whom do you think the way the Pharisee thought of the tax collector? “Lord, I thank you that I am not like _________.” To whom do you consider yourself superior, whether because of your theology, your skin color, your nationality, your cultural background, your wealth, your education, your intelligence, your political views? As you come to the Lord’s table this coming Sunday, remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Never stop being amazed at the fact that you are a Christian, and never think that anyone is too lost to become a Christian. 

From the Pastor's Study: Why Do We Want to Resume Collecting the Offering in Worship?

Fall in the air feels good, doesn’t it? We even jumped the gun out of excitement last night and had a fire in our fireplace (I forgot to open the flue - I don’t recommend burning a fire in your house without using the chimney). It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly in the last three months of this wild year. God has been so good to provide for His people through these difficult times, and I know each one of us as individuals and as families can testify to the many ways that we have experienced His faithfulness. 

Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church has experienced God’s faithfulness as well, through the faithful generosity that He has worked within you. Thank you! And thank our gracious God with me! It has been truly remarkable to see how He has provided for His gospel work here through the saints, even though we haven’t taken up a physical collection in corporate worship since early March. You have given online, mailed in your gifts, or sought out the offering plate at church, in spite of a downturn in the economy, the loss of jobs or hours, and an uncertain future. Be encouraged as your officers have been, that ministry is being supported, our facilities are being maintained for ministry, and the spread of the gospel is being funded around the world.

As we continue to reopen and resume our ministries, the elders have approved beginning once more to receive your tithes and offerings during the worship service. The deacons will be discussing soon when exactly to restart this familiar practice. The plan is that like the elders did as they served the Lord’s Supper, our ushers will hold the offering plates while walking down the empty rows in the Sanctuary and between the rows in the Gym (assuming there are enough ushers in the Gym), so that the plates are not passed from person to person.

We want to resume the giving of tithes and offerings in worship soon for a variety of reasons:

• Because giving is an act of worship. Throughout the Scriptures (i.e., Deuteronomy 16:16; Malachi 3:7ff.; Mark 12:41ff.; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Hebrews 13:16) God’s people give to the Lord as they gather for corporate worship. Even if you have given to the Lord online during the week, or if you give at a different frequency than weekly, in the gathered assembly you worship as you acknowledge from your heart that God is the owner of all your wealth and has allowed you to be a steward, and as you rededicate to Him yourself and all that He has given you.

• In order to give everyone a ready opportunity to give to the Lord during corporate worship, including those who don’t have online accounts or who prefer to give cash.

• So that our children and others will have the opportunity to worship the Lord with their dollar bills and coins (Mark 12:42), and to see the adults around them also honor the Lord with the firstfruits of their wealth. The lack of a time to give within the worship service has meant the lack of a teachable moment for our youngest worshippers. More is caught than taught, as the saying goes, and there is little more important to catch at a young age than the necessity of giving at least a tenth of your money to the Lord. 

Whenever the passing of the offering plates is resumed, let it be an opportunity to remind yourself of the gospel of Jesus: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (II Cor. 8:9).

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This Sunday morning we will have a guest preacher in our pulpit: Dr. E. Calvin Beisner, a friend of Pastor Dean, and a prolific author and teacher. He has been a ruling elder in PCA and OPC congregations, as well as a professor at Covenant College and Knox Theological Seminary, and is currently the President of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, a network of evangelical scholars dedicated to teaching about Biblical earth stewardship, economic development for the poor, and the Christian gospel and worldview. Dr. Beisner will be preaching what is turning out to be the last of our sermon series on idolatry - the idol of science. Don’t miss this chance to think about what the Bible has to say about our culture’s (and our) propensity to worship the creature rather than the Creator. 

The "Sex Positive" Movement (Walt Mueller)

This article is very helpful to understand what’s going on. You might be shocked at what’s happening in culture but we need to know about this. Here is an excerpt:

Psychologist David Yarian, a proponent of the sex-positive movement, says, “Fundamentally, I think sex positivity is about looking at sex through the lens of natural playfulness and curiosity that has no strict agenda, judgment, or pressure.” Another proponent, sex therapist Vanessa Marin, says, “Being sex-positive means you get to declare, ‘This is my body. This is my life. These are my desires.”

With sex-positivity being taught both implicitly and explicitly as foundational in today’s school-based comprehensive sex education, the beliefs our kids hold are being shaped in ways that will yield behavioral evidence, now and for the rest of their lives, that they personally choose sex-positive. And with pop culture reinforcing the sex-positive message, along with elevating the self to a position of final authority on all matters of life, the message is convincing and clear. Sadly, the sex-positive movement sees traditional biblical sexuality as sex-negative.

The movement holds that “sex-negativity has been a yoke upon civilization for nearly ten thousand years, hoisted upon us by dominator/patriarchal culture as a system of control and exploitation.” But nothing could be further from the truth. The Christian knows that true human freedom and flourishing come when we live into and under the authority of God, choosing to see sex and gender as good gifts from a God who offers a resounding and celebratory “YES!” to sex and gender as He established them at creation. The reality is that God is completely “sex-positive”!

For the full article, click here.

From the Pastor's Study

This coming Lord’s Day the fast becomes the feast. For six months we have not been able to eat and drink the Lord’s Supper, and now we finally get to feast with and upon our Savior. I trust your soul has been famished, longing and even yearning for this covenant meal in the courts of our King, to use the language from Psalm 84:2. It will be rejuvenating to draw up our seats together around the table of our Savior to feed upon Him together by faith. 

Jesus has appointed the Lord’s Supper to be observed by His church “until He comes” (I Corinthians 11:26). In eating bread and drinking the fruit of the vine, we remember Jesus and His finished work on the cross, and we proclaim His death to ourselves, to one another, and to the world. It’s easy to make too much of this sacrament, and give it powers it does not possess; this is the error of Romanists. But evangelicals are much more often tempted to make too little of the Lord’s Supper, and disregard it as unnecessary and impotent in the Christian’s life. I believe the Westminster Standards help us to steer clear of both errors. 

According to our Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), the Bible teaches that the Lord’s Supper “is a sacrament of the new testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Christ Jesus, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; have their union and communion with him confirmed; testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship with each other, as members of the same mystical body” (WLC #168).

• Jesus doesn’t advocate cannibalism, so feeding upon His body and blood is of course a spiritual action - by faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit we receive and apply unto ourselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of His death (WLC #170).

• To borrow language from the Heidelberg Catechism, the tangible elements of bread and the fruit of the vine assure us “that we are as really partakers of his true body and blood by the operation of the Holy Spirit as we receive by the mouths of our bodies these holy signs in remembrance of him; and that all his sufferings and obedience are as certainly ours, as if we had in our own persons suffered and made satisfaction for our sins to God” (HC #79).

The Lord’s Supper replaced and fulfilled Passover as the sign and seal of our fellowship and communion with God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Passover meal remembered with joy the Exodus, when God rescued His people of old from Egypt (see Exodus 12).

• By killing and eating a lamb each year, the Israelites remembered how their ancestors had sacrificed a lamb, and painted its blood on their doorposts and on the beam above their doors. When God passed through the land of Egypt striking down every firstborn male, He passed over the houses covered by the blood.

• By introducing a new meal for His covenant people in the middle of the Passover feast, Jesus was saying, “I am the Lamb of God, whose blood protects you from the wrath of God. And I am the firstborn of the Lord, who dies in your place. Those who feed upon Me, spiritually, by faith, have salvation and rescue from even greater taskmasters – sin and Satan and the flesh. Be assured that if you are trusting Me, your sins are forgiven and you have my righteousness reckoned to your account! Be strengthened by my body and blood to grip the gospel even more firmly and to serve God and neighbor with joy.”

As you’ll see here, we are adjusting how we serve the sacrament in light of COVID. But as concerned as we need to be about physical safety as we come back to the Lord’s table, Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 11:27-34 that we should be even more mindful of spiritual safety.

• If we eat the bread and drink the cup in an unworthy manner - that is, without preparing and examining ourselves before we sit down at His table, without discerning or recognizing the significance of the members of the body of Christ and the call to sacrifice for one another - then we are in danger of eating and drinking God’s discipline unto ourselves.

• So spend time before Sunday morning meditating upon all the glorious themes that converge in the cross (borrowing the words of The Communicant’s Manual by Jacob Jones Janeway): the apostasy of our race—the superiority of the Christian dispensation—the glory of God shining in the face of Christ—the  divine person of our Redeemer—his infinite condescension and profound humiliation—his holy life, and painful sufferings and agonizing death—his triumphant resurrection and glorious ascension into heaven—his session at God’s right hand and intercession there—his coming again to judge the world, and consummate the salvation of his people—the all-sufficiency of his atonement and righteousness, and rich and invaluable benefits—his free and boundless love—the evil of sin—and so much more.

• And as you return home, remember those members of our congregation who were not able to be physically present with us, and thus were not able to share in this meal that is for the gathered assembly of the saints. Serve them in love; visit them with whatever degree of physical presence and deeds of mercy they might need; pray for them; encourage them with your words. 

May the Lord God Almighty be exalted as we remember our Savior’s death, to our growth in faith, hope, and love!

Should My Child Have A Phone?

It’s that time of the year again where many parents are asking whether their child should have a phone or not. It needs to be clear that this question falls in the realm of Romans 14 and Christian freedom. My job is not to make your decision. My job is to help you think through certain questions and facts to help you come to your own decision.

I have my own personal opinions but, let’s be honest, I’m sure that by the time I have teenagers that my opinions might change. Also, who knows what the newest technology will be in 15 years? The point of this is to help you think about what a phone does, how necessary is a phone for you child, and what can be accessed through a phone. I will offer some wisdom based on what I have seen other parents do well in and what I have seen that doesn’t work very well. In all this, I am speaking from experience of looking at our own students from close up for 5 years, from looking at another church’s students for 2 years (the church I was at before coming to POPC), and from hearing countless accounts from other youth workers across the country. This is also taking into account the rising stats in youth culture from books such as Jean Twenge’s seminal work iGen. For another helpful article by Jean Twenge, check out “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?”

The question is not: Are phones bad or good? We also shouldn’t be going to the extreme and never letting them get acquainted with a cell phone. Sooner or later, they will and they need to know how to rule over it (Gen. 1:28). It’s not about saying no to everything in the world. It’s about showing them how to tame the things in the world through a gospel-centered worldview. If we are going to help prepare our kids for college, where they will have complete access to everything, then we need to think wisely about how we prepare them for the use of technology.

Ask Yourself…

1. Is this the right time for my particular child?
   Don’t look at what other kids are doing. Think about your particular child in their particular situation. Your child will certainly give you the “but so-and-so has a phone” speech. Matter of fact, they will most certainly hound you with that speech. You need to hold strong and ask if this is the right time for your child (not what others are doing). You need to ask if this is the right time for this particular child of yours. Are they ready?

2. What kind of phone should they start out with?
   Learning to use a phone is like learning how to build and maintain a fire. It wouldn’t be wise to hand your child a can of gasoline when they’re first learning how to build a fire. Sin is worse than a physical fire and it burns much worse. Kids are getting burned by sin coming by the use of cell phones constantly. It might be wise to start them out slow. Make them earn your trust. Maybe start them out with a “dumb phone”. Maybe start them out with an iPod that can text on Wifi. Figure out what works for you and your family. Plus, it might not be most wise to break the bank buying the latest smartphone. What kind of precedent with that show your child? Speaking from experience, I have seen many students (at several different churches, including ours) fall into grievous sin because their first phone was a smartphone that had no restrictions on it. These kids are not those who grow up in godless homes. They are the kids who have godly parents and care about their children. All kids are totally depraved. Anyone is capable of any sin, including those in godly homes. It is very sad to see students who have hardened their hearts and draw away from the church because of the sin that they indulge in via their cell phones.

3. What restrictions should they have on their phone?
   One night at a session meeting, I was giving a presentation on youth culture to the elders. One elder asked me about phones and what restrictions worked. Another elder then asked, “Should my child have a dumb phone at first?” I decided to answer by giving a visual example.
   In front of the whole session, I opened up my phone for them all to see. I showed them that I didn’t have any Web Browser on my phone. I didn’t have Safari, Google Chrome, or even Covenant Eyes. I didn’t even have access to the App Store to download one of those apps. There is not a single app on my phone that will take you to a Web Browser. So, it seemed.
   I opened up a harmless app—the Premier League Soccer app. I scrolled to the bottom of the app where there was a hyperlink to Twitter. Once again, I don’t have Twitter on my phone. I don’t even have a Twitter account anymore. Regardless, when I clicked the link, a window opened up within the app that gave me access to Twitter. From there, I could search any profile I wanted and even get to Google so that I could search all that I wanted. There is no web blocker that could keep a history of what I look at. There was nothing stopping me from getting there. And the kids know how to do this.
   Here is the thing: You can do this on many apps. The kids know how to do this too. So, why do I tell you this? I tell you this to remind you that restrictions are important. Do not neglect restrictions. But, restrictions can’t keep everything out. Kids are so smart with how to work around an app to get to the Internet. As a youth staff, we are constantly hearing about how kids can get around the latest restrictions.
   This is what you need to keep in mind. Merely having restrictions on your child’s phone won’t change their heart. You need to pray that the gospel changes their heart. It’s not enough merely to put up restrictions and never check their phone. You need to be asking them questions and taking up their phone to look at what’s going on. Don’t give them any warning about it. Their conscience is going to be the ultimate restriction. If their conscience isn’t bound by the gospel then they will find a way to get to what their sinful heart wants.

   By the way, don’t forget that they know their friends who don’t have restrictions and they can see things off their phone too.

4. Should I let them have their phone in their room at night?
   Based on what we’ve seen and when kids typically look at pornography, send or receive nude pictures, or send scandalous messages, I would say that it’s not wise to let your child keep their phone in their room at night by themselves. You know your child but make sure you don’t forget that temptation is very powerful and can attack any child. It only takes one image to cause someone to lust. It only takes one suggestive picture, video, or song to send them down a trail hunting for my teasing images that lead to sin.
   Nowadays, students don’t have to ask for nude pictures. In many cases, they just appear in your inbox. It’s crazy, but this is happening and it’s happening with people you least expect it from.
   My advice would be that you take your child’s phone up at night. It not only protects them from temptation but it also helps them rest. I cannot tell you the last student I have come across who tells me that they consistently get 8 hours of sleep at night (which is the minimum of sleep they should be getting at their age). More often, students are getting only 4-6 hours of sleep. Matter of fact, it’s seen as a bragging right to other students if you only sleep 2-4 hours a night! It makes you look like people always want to talk with you or that you work really hard. Taking up your child’s phone at night will help them sleep. Sleep will help them battle against anxiety and despair.
   For many different reasons, take their phone up at night and put it in a place where they can’t just come out of their room to get it. That’s my advice. Whether you do it or not is up to you and we are not to judge. My advice is to think wisely about how to help your child most.

Conclusion

It’s helpful to ask what other parents are doing. It would be good to ask many parents what they’re doing. Don’t try to copy and paste what someone else is doing into your family but think about how those good practices might be applied to where your family is and what they’re going through. Some will be more strict and some will be more relaxed. Be careful when you make judgments. Wrestle with every view, including mine, and figure out if it works for your family or not. The biggest thing is to be thoughtful with your child’s eternal soul. It is not to be taken lightly.

If you have any suggestions or insights, send them my way. I would love to continue the conversation with you. If you think I’m wrong, then please come sharpen me as someone who is trying to help parents out with their children. We need to continue to learn from y’all! We would welcome your feedback on ways in which you think you have done it well and not so well as it comes to technology.

But, remember this: There is grace for failures. All of us are going to fail in this realm. We are not immune to this. You need to remember that even if you failed there is grace and redemption for you. You have to remember this or your failures will bury you with guilt and shame. There is forgiveness, cleansing, and new life in Christ. Run to Him!

Luke 1:1-4 (A Devotional Commentary)

Intro

No one is like Jesus. The man that lived 2,000 years ago has everything to do with us today. God deserves to be praised by the whole host of angels and the elect for all eternity merely for the fact that He preserved for us the Gospel according to Luke. Here, we see Jesus the Son of God who came for sinners and sufferers. No, Luke is not the only Gospel account but there are those distinct flavors that Luke gives us that leave us in a holy awe. Luke loves to set forth a Jesus who comes for the poor, broken, outcast, and sinner. He loves to highlight biblical-theological themes such as the Sabbath, the Gentiles, and the Holy Spirit. Beale & Gladd, in The Story Retold, say that the purpose of Luke is to show that Jesus is “the Spirit-anointed king, [who] overthrows Satan and his minions that enslave Israel and the nations in bondage of sin” (Beale & Gladd p. 100).

In this devotional commentary, I have decided not to comment on every word or phrase but simply those that seem to stand out and contribute to the main point of the text. The goal is that you might be able to take this and use it for your own devotions. I have tried to provide some exegetical insights but in such a way that is edifying. In other words, I’m trying to ask the question, “Why does it matter that this word is written in this way?” After the commentary, I have written an application section that you can use to apply to your own life.

Commentary

• (v1) Luke writes with certainty that the things of Jesus happened. It’s almost as if he takes it for granted that they’re historical. There is no sense of questioning whether these things happened or not. It’s a matter of what they mean and what they mean for the world. This word for “have been accomplished” is a perfect passive participle meaning that what has definitely happened in the past has everything to do with us today. In other words, the things of Jesus that happened thirty years prior still have massive consequences for Luke, his audience, and even us today. It’s like he’s saying, “Buckle up because everything that I am about to tell you about what was accomplished back then has everything to do with you right now.”

• (v2) The fact that Luke mentions that there were eyewitness accounts strengthens what he is trying to say. There is no doubt that these things happened. It’s not a matter of if they happened but rather how will we respond to them? Luke lived in an eyewitness world. That was their main source of documenting historical events. It was a reliable way of telling the truth. These eyewitness accounts were not to be hidden so that no one could back up what Luke was saying. They were to be sought out, as Luke himself sought them out, in order for everyone to see that this really is true. Remember, as Joshua Foer talks about in Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, that the art of memory recall was essentially a virtuous trait back then. It was something people highly valued. “A strong memory was seen as the greatest virtue since it represented the internalization of a universe of external knowledge…Indeed, the single most common theme in the lives of the saints—besides their superhuman goodness—is their often extraordinary memories” (Foer p. 96). In other words, if you had a good memory of true events then you were a very important person.

• (v2) These “ministers” are more so “servants” of the word. They serve the truth to us like faithful butlers in the master’s house. 

• (v3) “It seemed good to me also” → This seems to piggyback off of the fact that there were others who “served” the word. Luke is wanting to serve as well. He is not doing this for selfish gain or political power. Indeed, this would most likely only endanger his life. When he says “it seemed good”, he means really that “it seemed best”. What could possibly be better than writing down an account of the most important person who ever lived on this earth? Even more so, what could be better than to write a Gospel account of the only Savior for wretched sinners? It’s so good that we could look over and over and over at Luke’s Gospel account and never get bored. 

• (v3) Also, notice this. Luke says that he has followed all things closely for some time. What does he mean? The BDAG lexicon says this word has been used in phrases such as: “to pay careful attention to something in a segment of time, to follow a thing, to follow a course of events, to take note of”; “one well acquainted with the affairs from the very beginning”; “I bring my charges as one who has accurate knowledge and has followed everything”; “personal acquaintance as opposed to information secured second-hand”. Isn’t that beautiful? Luke is saying that he is not making this stuff up. This word is a perfect, active, participle which conveys to us, once again, that these are past events that have everything to do with us in the future. This Gospel account is not just a history book in which people may approach it with a “take it or leave it” mentality. You are confronted with its truth. You are compelled to make a decision. You are face to face with the ultimate reality of all things. How awesome must this Jesus be?

• (v4) Why is Luke writing to Theophilus? He wants him to have “an orderly account...that you may have certainty”. Theophilus seems to have heard some of this already but Luke is giving him more certainty that it’s true. Luke thinks it’s worth all his hard work to compile this account so that Theophilus might have a thorough understanding of Jesus. Luke wants him to grow in his knowledge of Jesus. Isn’t that eternal life (Jn. 17:3)? Our problem is not that we know too much. Our problem is that we know too little about Jesus. We need to grow in our knowledge of Jesus!

Application

Isn’t this where spiritual warfare from the dark lord can come in? He can tell us that the works of Jesus back then don’t apply to us today. He can say, “That was just for them back then. You’re a different case. You can’t trust what you see in this gospel account.” Doesn’t the world tell us the same thing?

Doesn’t the world say, “How can you know that’s true? You can’t trust that Bible. Our Enlightenment gurus have already shown us that the Bible isn’t accurate.”

Isn’t this also what the flesh tells us? We throw our own doubts and unbelief in the mix as well. “Jesus may have forgiven that woman in Luke 7:36-50 but I don’t know if He will forgive me. I know Jesus told the parable of the Father running after His sinful children in Luke 15 but I don’t know if that applies to me today. I’ve done too much. I’ve used my last straw.”

Don’t you see how important these verses are for us? These things have everything to do with us today. They don’t wait for us in heaven. They apply to this life and this realm. It applies in this world with these people. In other words, by faith, you can claim these. Even more so, by faith, you must claim these! They are yours in Christ! The dark lord knows they are yours and that’s why he wants to keep you thinking that “maybe, just maybe” they don’t apply to you. 

From the Pastor's Study

September 4, 2020

This Monday we Americans celebrate Labor Day. Until doing a search on the Internet, I couldn’t have told you that the first Monday in September has been a national holiday since President Grover Cleveland signed it into law on June 28, 1894. Work has changed a lot over the past 126 years! So much work now takes place online, or at home, or in the gig economy, or in the sharing economy, or in a plethora of new jobs that no one could have imagined in 1894 - or even in 1994 as the internet was just beginning to connect the world. Think how much COVID alone has changed the ways some people work.

But one thing has not changed: what God thinks about work. The Bible has much to say about labor, and we ignore it to the dishonor of our Creator and Redeemer, and to our own sorrow.

• Work is not a result of the fall into sin. Genesis 1-2 teach us clearly that Adam and Eve worked in the Garden of Eden before Satan tempted them to rebel against their Maker (Genesis 2:15). God commanded Adam and Eve to fill the earth and subdue it, and to have dominion over all creatures (Genesis 1:28). I love how John Murray expounds this dominion mandate: “When we consider the manifold ways in which the earth is fashioned and equipped to meet and gratify the diverse nature and endowments of man, we can catch a glimpse of the vastness and variety of the task involved in subduing the earth, a task directed toward the end of developing man’s nature, gifts, interests, and powers in engagement with the resources deposited by God in the earth and the sea” (Principles of Conduct, 37). For God’s glory and his own good mankind was made to work, imitating his Maker, as we see implied in the Sabbath ordinance of Genesis 2:1-3. So we must recognize that work is a blessing, not a curse; it is part of the “very good” of Genesis 1:31. Manual labor and mundane labor are not undignified, and the wide variety of our various callings is built into the very fabric of our humanity.

• Work is difficult because of the fall into sin. After Adam sinned, God cursed the arena of man’s work (Genesis 3:17-19). Now the creation works against us, and thorns and thistles are our constant companion. Work is hard, sweaty, toilsome, painful, and frustrating. Things fall apart. Futility sets in. Not only is the arena of work affected by the fall, but we workers have been impacted as well. Our motivations have been skewed by sin: we struggle with discontentment, envy, working merely for the weekend or retirement, or just to get rich. Sometimes we are just plain lazy. We bow down to the idol of comfort and convenience. Professor Murray helps us again: “The Christian ethic strikes not only at conspicuous idleness; it strikes also at the sloth, the laziness, which is too frequently the vice of professing Christians. It strikes at the dissipation of time and energy of which we all must plead guilty. The principle that too often dictates our practice is not the maximum of toil but the minimum necessary to escape public censure and preserve our decency” (Principles of Conduct, 85). At other times we make work itself an idol, seeking our identity and satisfaction in our accomplishments on the job, being ruled by our callings rather than by the one who has called us to them. 

• We are still called to work. In spite of our fallen nature, work is still a part of our calling as humans - and as Christians. The creation mandates have not been revoked. Work, though hard, is still a blessing. We only eat as we toil and labor. “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat,” writes Paul in II Thessalonians 3:10. We are to make it our ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to our own business and work with our hands, so that we will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need (I Thessalonians 4:11-12). We are also to work so that we will have something to share with the one who is has need (Ephesians 4:28; see I Timothy 5:8). 

• We must work in the ways God tells us to work. God’s word tells us how we as redeemed sinners in Jesus Christ are to approach our work. Here are just a few of God’s instructions for His people:

  1) Work six days, and rest one. The fourth commandment is still binding upon God’s people, though the day of rest has changed to the first day of the week in light of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on that day. We are commanded to work - in all its forms, whether at our places of employment or around the house - for six days, and then to take that blessed God-given day off from work to remember His mercies in the gospel alone with Him and together with His people.

  2) Work for Jesus. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). Jesus is our ultimate boss. So whether anyone recognizes or notices our work, we know that He sees it all - thus we strive to please Him in all we do (I Corinthians 10:31). 

  3) Work with all your might. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Whatever God has called you to do, glorify Him in it by doing it to the very best of your ability. If you have retired from your lifelong employment, ask the Lord to how you how you might continue to be used of Him to be a blessing to your neighbors and your brothers and sisters in the church. 

One of the tragedies of the pandemic of 2020 has been the number of people in our country who have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced. Many who want to work are not able to do so. As you enjoy your holiday this Monday, continue to pray for God to provide us and our neighbors with work, the ability to work, the will to work, and the skills to work. Pray that God might continue to use the labor of man to give us what we need and what we enjoy. Pray that we as His people would show forth the goodness of labor in all that we do, so that we might bring forth honor to our Savior, and the fruit of our labor for the benefit of our fellow image-bearers.

How Should Christians Approach Sports?

After preaching this past Sunday night, I received several questions that had more to do with the particulars. There is a reason why I tried to stay away from particulars. My goal in the sermon was to ask one question: Do you have an idol of sports? The entire goal was to put us before the Law of God (specifically, the first commandment) and to see how we need Christ.

I don’t think it’s helpful to give personal opinions in a cloudy area in a sermon but I do think it’s helpful in other platforms. After all, as Haddon Robinson says, “More heresy is preached in application than in Bible exegesis." That language is pretty strong and I might disagree with some of what he says, but I do understand his point. We need to be careful about how we apply the Bible whenever we preach, “Thus says the LORD.”

This is a more appropriate follow up for some of those particulars. The following are my personal opinions on some of the more popular questions I have been asked over the many years of playing sports.

1. What about the Sabbath and sports?
   There are tons and tons of questions that fit under that principle. What about professional sports? What about travel sports? What about youth sports on Sunday? That is a totally different blog. All I will say is this. There are many good solid Reformed theologians who take different views of the Sabbath. You will have to embrace your view as well. But, to be sure, do not adopt your view based on what is most convenient for you. What does the Bible say? If the Bible says that, embrace it and apply it to sports.
   The overall rule: If sports are consistently taking you away from worship and the life of the church then you need to rethink the way you approach sports.
   To be sure, we need to be careful when we make hard and fast rules. For instance, think about your view of the Sabbath and how it pertains to professional athletes and coaches. Professional sports do not determine the doctrine but the doctrine should determine the Christian’s approach to sports but make sure you think graciously and wisely about that. But, also think about this: How does that same view apply to our military when they are deployed and away from church for many months?
   Be careful about making this about certain rules and merely getting in line with the rules. Make it about the heart of the Sabbath.

2. Can I spend money on trainers to help my child improve?
   Yes! Matter of fact, send them to me! (Shameless plug.) I love training athletes. I am constantly trying to train guys and girls. Why? Because I know that’s an opportunity to help them in sports and to apply the gospel to sports.
   I have had many conversations with athletes about their gospel identity while I am training them hard. Plus, I love to have an excuse to yell really loud. If you want to be entertained, come watch me train Wide Receivers.
   In all seriousness, yes, you can spend money on trainers. It is not an ungodly thing to do. The question is: Why? Why are you wanting to do this? Is it because you have to have a child who is successful in sports? Is it because your child has to live in light of your athletic prowess? Why do you want to do this? Is this training taking them away from church?
   Also, how much money are you spending? Is it hindering your tithing? Is it hindering your responsibility to pay bills and support your family?
   Yes, it is totally fine to pay for training but just be wise. Search your heart and your child’s heart for the why question. Matter of fact, that’s really how I will answer a lot of these questions.

3. Can my child play football or an extreme sport?
   Depends. What condition is your child’s body in? How old are they? What extreme sport is it? This is not a moral or ethical decision but rather a situation-by-situation decision. I played football. My son most likely will play football. Will I force him? No. Will he want to? Maybe. Is he allowed to be a defensive back? Absolutely not! (I say that facetiously. If you know me, you’ll understand my love for “Wideouts”.)
   Think about how big and how fragile your child is before they enter that sport. For my parents, I waited until 6th grade. I broke my collar bone that year. That’s why I hated to play defense. But seriously, I had an injury in an injury-prone game. Was I ready to play football then? I think so. Should I have waited? Maybe? Who knows? Each parent must come to their different conviction. This is not a moral issue. This is a wisdom issue.

4. What does it look like to be competitive and work hard as a Christian?
   There is a grand difference between hard work and idolizing. As Mark Brown so wisely said to me yesterday, “You can just smell it when it’s there.” I think he’s right. It’s not always the easiest to tell to the naked eye but when someone is idolizing sports, it just seems to stand out.
   Athletes should work hard in sports. We dishonor God and don’t love our teammates when we slack off. But, there is a difference between being competitive and hard-working versus idolizing sports. You need to search your own heart. You need the gospel continually before you. Here are some probing questions: If sports were taken away from you, would you be really sad or would you be full-on depressed? What makes you most anxious in life? Is it how you perform? What gives you your identity? Is it Christ or your performance?

5. What if sports is your job? How does that affect time, thoughts, and money?
   We need to be careful whenever we make hard and fast rules about how much time and thoughts we put into sports. Does this apply to coaches or athletes when it’s their job? The real question is: Can you stop thinking about sports and think about the gospel? Can you bring the gospel into your working world? Are you preoccupied more with your performance than you are with the Person and Work of Christ for you? Is corporate worship still prioritized?
   If sports is your job, you should be thinking a lot about sports! It’s honoring to God that you do so. But, like any other job, if it grabs your affections more than anything else then you’re idolizing it. Is God really God to you? Or, is sports? That’s the heart question. What really controls your life? Who do you really answer to?

6. How do I know when sports is becoming an idol?
   I’ve been answering this in each one. I think there are many indicator lights to answer this. Once again, Mark Brown was spot on when he said to me, “Who do we answer to?” That’s the question. In the end, who do we answer to? Do we rest in our sports performance or in Christ? Do we give ultimate allegiance to Christ or to sports? Who do we obey? Who do we follow? What is our confidence in? When sports is said and done, can you really give it up? Do you live in the past? Are you inseparable from your identity on the court?

7. What if my child is on a team that is filled with very ungodly people?

   Awesome! What an opportunity! Now, be careful though. Make sure you keep talking to your child. Watch their heart. They still need a godly community. But, what an opportunity! Show them how to live out and speak the gospel to their teammates. Often times, teammates are very vulnerable in the locker room. There are so many opportunities to give someone gospel hope whenever things don’t go right for another athlete. This shouldn’t be their primary community but must be an important one. Take advantage of this! Your child shouldn’t get to the end of a season without their teammates knowing they’re a Christian. That doesn’t mean they’re obnoxious about it. Rather, we need to be winsome. We need to speak the truth in love.

8. Is it wrong to play multiple sports?
   No. Playing multiple sports is great! They can learn so many different things playing multiple sports. The real questions are: Are the multiple sports keeping them from the church? Why are you playing multiple sports? Is it for self-glory?
   Is it wrong to play multiple sports? No. But, make sure to keep a gauge on your child’s heart. Is this teaching them that sports are the most important thing in life? This differs from child to child. Also, maybe playing multiple sports is actually hurting your family. Maybe it’s not the most practical thing. Maybe for other families, it’s very practical. There are some kids who should be playing sports all year because it’s not very good for them to stay idle.

9. Is it wrong to be an avid supporter of a sports team?

   Absolutely not! I love Tulane, Troy, Manchester City, and the New England Patriots. The question is: Is your identity in these teams? Here are some questions you can ask yourself: Do I get inordinately angry when my team fails? Am I treating the players and coaches as real people in need of Jesus or are they animals playing a sport for my slavish delight? Is my week more determined by the schedule of my favorite sports team or by the covenant community? Does my love for a sports team cause me to hate supporters of other teams? Am I spending too much money in support of this team?
   Supporting teams is a great thing! Matter of fact, I think it’s a common grace that should teach us about supporting our local church through the highs and lows.

At the end of the day, who is Lord of your life? What is the gospel? Is it that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose from the dead? Or is it sports?

If The Bible Is The Word Of God, What Should We Do With It?

This is a star without a speck; a sun without a blot; a light without darkness; a moon without its impaleness; a glory without a dimness. O Bible! it cannot be said of any other book, that it is perfect and pure; but of thee we can declare all wisdom is gathered up in thee, without a particle of folly.

-Charles Spurgeon

The Bible is amazing. I, myself, wish I knew this more. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of God. It is sufficient, relevant, and applicable to all of life. The fact that is has withstood thousands of years of the most intense persecution and only multiplies gives forth its supernatural character. Someone is behind the preservation of it.

But, what is our attitude towards it? In an age of increasing biblical illiteracy among solid evangelical churches, what is our relationship with the Bible? If the Bible is God’s Word, what should we do with it?

1. Read It!
   It is stunning how many Christians profess that the Bible is God’s Word and yet how few of us know it! If the Bible is God’s Word then we must read it. There is no other application more important than this. At the most basic level, what does every Christian do? They read the Bible. The Bible is how we grow in faith. The Bible is how we come to know God.
   Christians in centuries past who didn’t have access to Bibles were dying that people would read it to them. Men and women died to have the Bible accurately translated into their native tongue. They would commit it to memory if they didn’t have 24/7 access to it. They would study it zealously. But, in the 21st Century, it’s hard enough for us to get off Instagram and Facebook merely to open up the Bible.
   There is no book that contains the beauties and wonders that the Bible contains. No book has the rich spiritual gold that the Bible has. The Bible does not contain the Word of God; the Bible is the Word of God. Read it!
   What other book tells us so much of Jesus? What other book is so pure of the gospel? Other men and women merely write books about the Bible. The books that light our hearts on fire most are books that explain the Bible best.
   Let me give you an explanation of what one of my seminary professors recently told us. What’s the difference between man and dust? The breath of God. God made man from the dust and breathed life into him (Gen. 2:7). The breath of God causes something inanimate to become dynamically animate. The breath of God brings life, purpose, identity, and joy. It brings a relationship with God.
   Now, what is the difference between the Bible and other books? The breath of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” Robert Mounce says, “Scripture is ‘God-breathed.’ The word occurs nowhere else in the Bible. It means that Scripture is the product of God’s creative breath. As God formed man from the dust of the ground and “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” so that “man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7) so it is that God’s breath has turned lifeless words on paper into a living utterance. Had God not breathed life into the words of the prophets they would have been no more than the words of men. As it is when we read the prophets we find ourselves confronted with God Himself who speaks to us directly through what was written by chosen men of old.”
   There are no devotional books, no Christian living books, no doctrinal books, and no commentaries that replace the Bible. Authors are only worth their gold if they explain what The Author has said. We are living in an age where anything that remotely smells of pseudo-Christianity is adopted as something inspired. There is a reason why John Kwasny is teaching a Sunday School class on “Bad Books” because it is so rampant even in the best churches.
   Nothing matches the Word of God. If it is God’s Word, read it!

2. Meditate On It
   That which is most sweet to us stays on our minds. Those experiences that are so meaningful to us are the stories we tell most. If the Bible is the Word of God, we must spend time meditating on it. The Bible is a rich dish of food. It’s not something you shovel into your mouth so that you can get it over with. The Bible is something that should be savored. You should try to point out all the different flavors to it. It’s when you meditate on the Bible that you turn to your neighbor and say, “You’ve got to try this!”
   If the Bible is God’s Word, one of the most important things we can do in life is find times (whatever works for you) to slow down and limit distractions so that we can meditate on God’s Word. Practically, what does this look like? One thing that has often helped people is to take a portion of the Bible and write down 20-30 thoughts on that one portion. Many times, when you get to about 10-15 it gets much harder. This requires you to meditate even more on the truth.
   Ask these questions of the Bible: What is the Bible trying to say? How is the Bible saying it? Why did the author want to say that truth to those people back then? How does that apply to us today? How is the text leading me to the Person and Work of Jesus?

3. Give It To Others
   If the Bible is God’s Word, give it to other people. Don’t let them just assume what the Bible says. If they have questions, show them what to read. If the Bible is no ordinary book, if the Bible is God’s Word, if the Bible is heavenly dynamite then give it to someone for them to read. Read it with them. Let the Bible speak for itself!
   There are countless of conversions that happen merely because someone has to read the Bible for themselves. Matter of fact, no one is ever converted without the truth of Scripture. Don’t you see this? If everyone is converted by the Bible (in one way or another) then give them a Bible!
   To be sure, not every is converted when they read. It’s not in the mere physical and mental act of reading that converts them. It’s when the Holy Spirit takes the living and active Word of God and causes a spiritually dead person to come alive to the truth is when conversion happens. Dead people read the living Bible and come alive by the infinite power of the eternal Holy Spirit.
   What is one of the best evangelistic activities you can do? Offer to read the Bible with an unbeliever. We worry too much about making sure we know all the answers to apologetics, worldview, and ethics. We want to make sure we can answer questions in a scientifically true way. We are so easily distracted. Knowing apologetics, worldview, and ethics is very important but let the Bible speak. Apologetics never converts someone. Worldview never converts someone. Ethics never convert someone. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. The Bible tells us of this gospel.

6 Reasons Why We Need A Reformation In The Sports World

Few things are as untamed by Christians as sports. Few areas of life have the gospel unapplied to it like sports. We are desperate for thoughtful Christians to reform their approach to sports. Without wasting any more time, here are 6 reasons why:

1. Prosperity Gospel
   Much of the “Christianity” and “gospel” that is presented in the sports world is of a genie-like God (more like “god”) who wants nothing more than for you and your team to be successful. He wants you to stay safe and uninjured. He wants you to win every game and always be a good sport. And, of course, He likes your team more than He likes the other team—but, we’re still going to be nice to them.
   I’ve been around it, heard it, and still witness it. From parents to team chaplains, from players to coaches, this is rampant in the sports world. It’s amazing how evangelicals so quickly adopt a sports version of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel as soon as they step onto the field.

   When is the last time you’ve heard a pregame prayer when someone prayed: Father, do whatever it takes tonight to cause us to be less self-reliant and more dependent on you. Do whatever it takes to make an eternal impact on our souls. If we win, if we play well, don’t let it take away our love for Christ. If we lose, if we don’t play well, expose our idols and cause us to love each other even when we lose.
   Often times, not all the time, far more work is done for eternity when someone gets hurt, plays bad, or gets benched. One of the most dangerous things for someone’s heart is if they always succeed, only win, and are nothing but beloved by the fans.
   For high school sports, it’s often the parents (and even Christian parents sometimes) who can be the worst. God is always good when their children are doing well. Yes and amen when God gives us victory! But, when we lose, God isn’t talked about. If He is, it’s often in a pseudo-Christian way of thinking that God wants us to suffer a little loss first before He puts our team and career back on top. We don’t like a God who allows us to lose every game.

2. Identity Issues
   I have seen teammates who put their identity in sports react in different ways whenever sports fails them. First, they go off the deep end into alcohol, pain killers, sex, or other drugs. Second, they dig even deeper demanding that sports satisfy them. They cannot stand to think of life without sports or without succeeding in sports. Third, they fall into despair and anxiety quicker than the dew evaporates in a New Orleans summer. Fourth, they are bitter towards teammates and slander them in front of others. Fifth, they have no clue who they are whenever sports are done.
   Countless athletes and coaches put their identity in their performance (only another form of works-righteousness). I have been there numerous times too. One of the best things that God can ever do to an athlete is to strip them of their athletic identity so that they must cling to Christ. When is the last time you’ve seen a Christian coach encourage one of his players who has been struggling on the field and yet simultaneously is growing in shifting his or her identity from sports to Christ?
   When I was at Tulane, I went through a “chiseling” season in my identity. I went from being the number one receiver the year before to immediately being the number seven receiver under a new head coach. My performance was my idol. I was my performance on the field. I idolized sports. Then, God broke me.
   Why did this happen? Ultimately, because God loved me so much that He sent His Son to die for me, and therefore He would also send the Spirit to purge sin out of me. At one point, my prosperity gospel believing coach looked at me and said, “You’re not a Christian! I’m a Christian.”
   Safe to say, I was losing everything of a self-made identity in that season. Jesus loved me so much that He stripped it away so that I would have to learn to look away from myself and onto Him. I have seen so many other solid Christian men go through these seasons as well. Are we going to encourage this?

3. Horrendous Pre-Game Sermons
   I was beyond blessed to sit under a BCM Pastor, Corey Olivier (who was also our team chaplain at Tulane), for four years. Corey preached the gospel. And when I say Corey preached the gospel, I mean it. I also had the great opportunity to spend four months with Jack Easterby, team chaplain of the New England Patriots, in 2014. That man also preached the gospel. Week-in and week-out, these men showed us Jesus. But, here is the truth: Not everyone does this.
   I have been around other team chaplains, seen clips of, and heard from other people about the vast majority of what’s preached in sports circles. It’s an offense to God. To put it bluntly, it’s turning the gospel into a whoring mechanism after sports glory. That’s strong but that’s how bad it is.
   There are men who prostitute God’s Word for their own agenda to get “amens”, head nods, and retweets. Athletes LOVE it whenever they can take something in Scripture as a guarantee that they will win or have a successful career. These “sermons” are some of the most man-centered things I have ever heard. There have been men who twist Scripture to say what it clearly doesn’t say in order to pump up the team they preach to.
   Praise God for men like Corey and Jack! We need more of them. We need men who are saturated with the biblical gospel who proclaim a true gospel and make gospel-centered applications. We need more men who will proclaim a God who is so infinite that all of our sports must be centered around Him.

4. Horrendous Pre-Game Prayers

   When I was in High School, I was playing travel basketball for a couple of years. We had a phenomenal basketball coach. But, before each game, he did something that unfortunately is done all too often. He would lead us in the Lord’s Prayer and immediately after begin to curse and take God’s name in vain to pump us up.
   I have been in so many circles where people use the Lord’s Prayer as if it’s a cult-like chant rather than a somber and holy moment to speak to our loving and Holy Father. There are many in the sports world who quote the Lord’s Prayer as if it’s some magic incantation that will guarantee them Samson-like strength to defeat their opposition.
   Because God isn’t seen as God, many pray to a god who might manipulate the game in their favor for their glory. It’s quite the scene to see adamant unbelievers who want nothing to do with Jesus pray the prayer that He Himself modeled for us before every game. Even Christian athletes themselves use that prayer as if it’s a magic potion. These prayers are far more about us and far less about Christ.

5. Missing the Point
   Sports exist for the glory of Christ. The joy of playing sports should trace us back to a greater joy of knowing Jesus. The lessons we learn in sports are lessons that we should use for growing in the Christian life. The trials we go through and the perseverance we learn in sports should be training for persevering in Christ.
   Everything about sports is meant for us to grow in Christ. If we’re not growing in Christ while playing sports then we’re not doing sports rightly. Coaches aren’t taking advantage of what they should take advantage of. Athletes are not applying the lessons to their walk with Jesus the way they should. We’re missing the whole point of sports if there is no Christ in sports.

6. Missing Church
   I wonder how much our church attendance might go up this Fall. I wonder how many college students might actually wake up on Sunday morning. I wonder how many parents won’t have to travel to sports tournaments weekend after weekend this year. It’s amazing how we are so determined to never miss a game or be late to practice but we’re fine showing up late to church or just catching up on a podcast later. It’s amazing how zealous parents are for their child to make the baseball or cheerleading team but could care less if they go to youth group or Sunday school (it’s clearly too much to ask for Sunday evening worship). How will we ever teach our kids what it means to be a Christian if we only teach them over and over that church is optional?

   ***Parents, are you more concerned with your child’s growth in sports than you are in their growth in Christ? You can tell by how much time, money, and passion that you put in sports compared to what you put in the Christian life.***

   It’s amazing how many of us are more influenced during the week by what happens on Saturdays in the Fall than by what we hear proclaimed from God’s Word on Sunday.

   Scenario: It’s Tuesday afternoon. The coffee is wearing off. You’re almost done with a second workday in the week. Do you find yourself remembering the score of the game on Saturday? Could you summarize the game to a co-worker who didn’t see it? Can you remember the stats of how many yards your team’s quarterback threw for? Let’s try another test. Can you remember what text was the preacher preached from this past Sunday (a more recent event)? Could you summarize the sermon to a co-worker whose curious about Christianity? Can you remember what the preacher said about how that text changes the way you live on this Tuesday afternoon?
   It’s not only about physically missing church. It’s about spiritually missing church. You sat in the pews going through the motions because you’re preoccupied with reminiscing last night’s game and what it means for you and your team this week. We love to spend more time talking about church at sports than talking about Christ at church.
   And here is the thing: I am part of this problem.
   

I love sports. We should love sports. We should care deeply about sports. But, sports is not God. Every game matters. Every loss, win, injury, touchdown, timeout, roars from the crowd, boos from the fans, and joy experienced from an upset win matters. God is sovereign over every single detail of everything in the sports world. But, He is sovereign over it for His glory. He is jealous for His glory, not ours. In other words, if we’re not taking advantage of the entirety of sports for our glorifying God and knowing God’s love for us then we’re idolizing sports. We’re not using it for what it’s meant for.

How many are led away from Christ in the name of a “Christ” who cares more about their sports career or their team winning than he does with them knowing Him!

Lord Jesus, come quickly!

From the Pastor's Study

August 20, 2020

This past Sunday night's installation service was joyfully humbling for me and my family. The turnout was so encouraging (even my mom was there!), and many who weren’t able to make it have told me that they were delighted to be able to watch it online (including my father and brothers!). Before the service, I have to admit I was feeling a bit anti-climactic, since I’ve been functionally serving as Senior Pastor since the day after the installation was originally scheduled (March 22).

But then I remembered that I’m a Presbyterian not merely by pragmatic convenience, but by Biblical conviction - and an installation is not a mere formality, but rather the final step in a process of confirmation of God’s call that progressed from the recommendation of the Session as search committee, to the affirmative vote of our congregation, and to the approval of the Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley. In keeping with Scriptural pattern and precedent (Acts 13:3; I Timothy 4:14), the council of elders from the churches in a particular region (the Presbytery) is the body that places a man in that work to which they recognize God has called him. An installation is the formal and official acknowledgement of their approval, and the lack of that formal installation is like a diploma without a university seal. Thus I thank God that this final step in this long journey is complete.

So many thoughts have been swirling around in my head. Here are three:

I am standing on the shoulders of the three men who formally served as Senior Pastor of this flock: Bill Whitwer (1978-1986), Chuck Frost (1987-1993), and Carl Kalberkamp (1994-2020). These men paved the way for me to serve a flock that is knowledgeable of the Scriptures, passionate for the lost at home and abroad, led by faithful elders and deacons, and filled with love toward one another. What a privilege for all of us to still have Carl minister among us, and for me to have him forty feet across the hallway, for wisdom, counsel, and encouragement.

This is my fourth call as an ordained teaching elder: Solo Pastor of Columbia Presbyterian Church in Columbia, MS (2003-2007); Senior Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Cookeville, TN (2007-2014); Associate Pastor of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church (2014-2020); and now Senior Pastor here. There were also three churches/ministries I was privileged to serve even before ordination: volunteer and staff youth leader at First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge during high school and college (1993-1997); intern with Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, after graduating from LSU (1998-1999); and senior high youth intern at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, while in seminary at RTS (1999-2003). Each one of these previous calls has contributed toward making me the man and pastor I am today by the grace of God, equipping and preparing me in a variety of ways for this new field of service.

At each of those stops along the way, my biography has been intertwined with that of godly men and women who have left their imprint deeply upon me. One of those men prayed for Carl and me this past Sunday night: Mr. James “Bebo” Elkin. He was the Mississippi Coordinator of RUF from 1983-2011, and poured much wisdom into me through staff training during my RUF internship, in his home garage auto repair shop, on drives around Mississippi, and over the phone and lunch table on innumerable occasions. He was the first one to teach me through the Westminster Confession of Faith and to present a Biblical philosophy of ministry. He is the human reason I came to RTS-Jackson, with the simple question of how I was going to cover living costs while in seminary leading to the encouragement to consider applying for the youth internship at FPC. Throughout my journey he has been alongside me, and the truths he has taught me have by now become so ingrained I probably don’t even remember that I learned them from him. If I can be half the insightful questioner and godly exhorter that he is, I will consider myself a blessed man. Needless to say, it was a rich privilege to have him present Sunday night.

God has been undeservedly good to me and my family, not least through you the flock that I now have the privilege of pastoring. I love you, and I pray that Paul’s words to the Thessalonians will continue to set my course: “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us” (I Thessalonians 2:8). I want to share God’s truth and my life by the power of the Holy Spirit, spending and being spent so that you might be grounded in and transformed by the gospel of grace. I want Colossians 1:28-29 to be written over my ministry here, as long as God gives me the opportunity to preach and pastor: “We proclaim Christ, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

Pray with me and for me, that Jesus might be my strength in weakness, the content of all my spoken ministry, and the compassion of all my personal ministry.

The Invitation of Jesus

The Story of Invitation

God is a God of invitations. Virtually every book of the Bible could be summarized with one command in response to who He is: “Come to God.” The contents of each book either are saying it, implying it, or wanting you to come to the conclusion in light of what was written.

To be sure, when I say invitation, I don’t mean that God is a “take it or leave it” type of God. His invitation is a kingly command. It comes with the highest of authorities. It contains the most wondrous of destinations. It has the utmost aroma of love to it. To reject this invitation is a death sentence. It is an offense to His glory, to His reward, to His grace, to His love, and to Him. Rejecting God’s invitation is rejecting God. It is the epitome of foolishness and wickedness. To accept this invitation is life in the highest sense.

God created with an overflowing invitation for man to have a relationship with Him. He was the One who initiated that relationship. Even immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, God quickly invited them to come to Him for covering. As we trace the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we see that it is God inviting sinners over and over to come to have fellowship with Him even as He draws near to them.

Think of the story of Moses. God initiates the invitation. He sees His people in captivity and bondage and He sends Moses to “invite” them out into the wilderness to live with Him. The story of Joshua is similar. We see a people who don’t have a home. God is still passionate about His invitation for them to come and dwell with Him not merely in a land but in a relationship.

The story of Judges and Ruth shows what inevitably happens to us when we reject such an invitation. Nevertheless, this didn’t take away God’s heart for His people. The story of David, Solomon, and the history of Israel and Judah reveals the same message. God is inviting His people into a covenant relationship with Him. Even when He removes His people from the land there is still a covenant promise in Jeremiah 31 that God has not forsaken His people. Ezra and Nehemiah, Zechariah and Malachi were all calling the people to return to God. It’s an invitation!

Then, it “seemed” as if God didn’t care. Silence filled the prophetic office. The covenant appeared to be nullified. Silence vibrated through the spiritual air. Was God finally tired of inviting His people?

The Inviting God in the Flesh

Here is where we meet Matthew 11:28. Remember who Jesus is. Jesus is the God of the Old Testament in the flesh. He is not a different God. How serious was God about inviting His people into a relationship with Him? He was so serious that the Son took on flesh and was born of the virgin Mary into poverty. In other words, He invited Himself into our world.

He went from the throne to homelessness. He went from a crown of glory to a crown of thorns. He went from unapproachable glory to being spit upon while carrying His cross. In other words, He invited Himself into our world.

It’s this Jesus in Matthew 11:28 who sounds exactly like Isaiah 55:1 when He says, “Come.”

Why does a President, Governor, or Mayor invite someone to a meal or a meeting? Most of the time, it is to get business done or for their own public appearance. The invitation goes to someone who is important or to someone who can further their cause or power. Even if one of these men or women invites someone they don’t agree with, it is still for their political purpose and pursuit of peace.

When is the last time you heard or saw someone in one of these offices pull up in their limousine to a downtown gas station and invite a homeless man to come to eat an extravagant meal? When is the last time you saw someone in one of these offices go to the lowest of the low or the societal reject and ask to be their friend? If this happens once or twice, you might read some heart-warming news stories. If this happens consistently, you will probably begin to be suspicious or get worried about the competency of the person in power.

But, this is exactly what Jesus does. From the moment He started His public ministry, He was constantly inviting poor sinners to come to Him. He was tenaciously tender in His invitations to the worst of the worst. “Come” must have been one of Jesus’ favorite words.

Authoritative and Gracious

The marvelous feature of this invitation is that out of his overwhelming authority (v. 27) Jesus encourages the burdened to come to him because he is “gentle and humble in heart.”

D.A. Carson

Matthew intends to paint the picture of a Jesus who is the King of Kings and also someone who is the most approachable Person in the history of humanity. He wants to show you someone of such unrivaled authority and yet unimaginable grace. It’s this Jesus who we see go from preaching the Sermon on the Mount that leaves people astonished at his authority (7:28-29) to coming down the mountain to touch an unclean leper.

Matter of fact, the leper cautiously comes and kneels down before Jesus and takes a gamble to see if Jesus would be willing to heal him. Jesus meets this man at the location of his unbelief. “Lord, if you will (or, we could make it more clear: “if you are willing”), you can make me clean.” Jesus responds with, “I am willing; be clean.”

Jesus is pulsating with passion for poor sinners. If all you knew was the Old Testament, and you knew it well, then you would immediately identify this Jesus as being someone similar to that same God. Indeed, the Holy Spirit awakens us to show us that He is the same God.

Isn’t this what we see in Isaiah 55:1? “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” The same God of Isaiah is the same God here!

Jesus vs Others

Other religions say, “Go and do.” Jesus says, “Stop doing and come.” Other worldviews say, “Do good and then come.” Jesus says, “You are not good and will never be good. Therefore, come to me for I am good.” Even Christians who forget the heart of Jesus fall back into the default works-righteousness mode. They tell themselves, “I must keep up a performance so that Jesus will still accept me.” Jesus says, “You have failed more times than you even know. That’s why you must not stay away from me any longer and come to me.”

When you play the game of Monopoly, there is a “community chest” card you can draw that says, “GO TO JAIL. Go directly to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.” Jesus is saying something similar. “Come to me. Come directly to me. Do not try to deal with your sins on your own. Do not try to beat yourself up enough over your sin before coming to me. Do not try to go and do enough good deeds before coming to me. Come directly to me. Waste no time in this. Do not linger. Do not hesitate. Do not worry about my response. Come to me.”

You know you’re growing in the Christian life the quicker you run to Jesus when you’re convicted of your sin, when you’re ashamed of your mistakes, and when you’re exhausted from trying to be good enough. Go to Jesus.

He is not saying, “Just come to this worldview.” Or, “just approve these doctrines.” Or, “just be apart of this community.” Or, “just pick up some of this grace.” He is saying, “Come to me.” The destination is Him! In Him, you will find all you need. If you miss Him, you miss everything. Everything outside of Jesus is counterfeit. Jesus is the real thing.

What Makes A Christian A Christian

The reason someone is a Christian is that they have Christ. Romans 5 tells us that our fundamental problem is that we were enemies with God. We were cut off. We were estranged. We were irreconciled.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… For if while were were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.

Romans 5:6-8, 10

So weak that we could never make it to God. So ungodly that we didn’t even want God. Such sinners that we can’t be in His presence. Such enemies that the very thought of Him made us boil in anger.

This is when Jesus died for us.

But, you also see what happened because Jesus died for us, right? It’s because of Jesus’ death that He bridged the gap. This isn’t a bridge where we are able to come to God on our own power but a bridge where God comes to us! He is so eager to invite us to Him that He comes all the way to us to grab our hands to bring us home with Him.

In high school, one of the most interesting sights was during football and basketball games at half time. The home cheerleaders would almost always run across the field or court, grab the hands of the other cheerleaders and bring them over to their side to have a short time of fellowship with them. This is a picture of the invitation of God to us. He desires to be with us. He desires to bring us to Him. He won’t live without us.

This is the Jesus of Matthew 11:28. Jesus must have been overflowing with love when He said, “Come to me.” It was His most natural invitation.

The Heart of Jesus for You

This is Jesus’ heart for you. It’s an inviting heart, not a stingy heart. He doesn’t give you a spiritual stiff arm but extends His arms as wide as they were extended on the Cross. He is pleading for you to wait no longer. There are no steps before coming to Jesus. The first and only step is to come to Him! This He enables you to do.

If Jesus is truly good, if Jesus is truly wise, if Jesus is truly loving, then if He invites you to Himself He is saying that He is where you find all you need. Jesus would be sinning if He invited you anywhere else. Jesus would be the biggest fool if He told you to go to someone or something else. Jesus would be the most hateful being in all creation if He persuaded you to go to some other destination than Himself. Jesus is who you need.

Spiritual Warfare: Forgetting Our Identity and Standing in Christ

Discerning the dark lord’s tactics

The moment we remind ourselves of our identity in Christ, especially that of our righteous standing, the dark lord swoops in to say, “No you’re not.” It isn’t always that blunt. His responses can be:

• “You have to first live a holy life.”

• “Well...not quite yet. You need to do just a tad more and then you’re good.”

• “You should doubt that because of what you did in the past.”

• “You still haven’t repented or confessed enough of this sin.”

• “You forgot about this sin in your life. You need to deal with that first before you can truly embrace this identity and standing.”

• “You’re only semi-holy. Other people are truly holy. You’re on a lower level and that level isn’t sufficient.”

• “Don’t you see all your mess? Are you telling me that Jesus just decided to forget about that? You think you can really call yourself holy?”

• “If other people knew what I know about you then you would never be able to call yourself holy.”

• “You say that it only matters what Jesus says but, let’s be honest, it really matters that the super-spiritually mature people declare you holy. And, if you are not like them then I don’t know how you’ll ever be holy.”

He is skillfully subtle. You must remember that everything the dark lord does is filled with some level of truth. He never comes to you flying the flag of hell so that you clearly know it’s him. He wants to sound like the Holy Spirit. He wants to sound like Scripture. He wants to sound like your conscience that is in line with the truth.

When Jesus was tempted, why was it so difficult for Him? The dark lord was skillfully subtle. He is a professional pretender and provoker. He knows what he is doing. When you forget that, you’ll be overwhelmed. He approached Jesus the same way. He used the truth, not outright obvious lies. He sought to go after Jesus’ affections, desires, and wants. He wasn’t trying to knock down the front door. He tried to sneak through the back door quietly and friendly.

This is how the dark lord uses truth to attack you:

• He uses a truth out of context.

• He applies truth to an extreme.

• He uses a half-truth.

Notice that he is always using truth. He manipulates truth. This is what he does with us whenever we try to embrace our righteous standing in Christ. He uses beautiful truths about confession, pursuing holiness, and repentance and he just ever so slightly tweaks them. 

He often does this by taking a common Christian cliche and makes it sound so right but applies it so wrongly. Did you notice above how he whispers these lies? He is using the truth about confession, holiness, and repentance but in extreme ways, out of context ways, or half-truth ways.

He wants to do anything he can to keep you from saying, “Yes! This is who I am in Christ.” He wants to get you to default into a works-righteousness mindset. He loves to put the Ten Commandments before “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2).

He says that you’re not doing enough. You are not enough. You haven’t dealt with this sin sufficiently. If you don’t deal with the sin to the fullest extent then you’re quenching the Spirit. Oh, you don’t want to quench the Spirit. That’s a big time sin! He is the Holy Spirit. You better be holy like Him or He might leave you. You have to make sure you deal with your past perfectly or else that righteous standing should be called into question. Did you just remember some way in which you just sinned recently? Did you just remember that one horrible sin from the past? Well, if you want to be able to say, “I am righteous before God” then you better go and make sure you deal with it to its fullest extent first.

The ways in which he attacks here are endless. He aligns his army to attack us here more than anywhere else. He knows that if we embrace Christ then he must retreat. He wants to keep us thinking that we have to earn Him. He wants to get us to go back to trying to be good enough. He wants to keep us focused on doing enough before resting in Jesus.

How to fight by faith

Why does the dark lord want to keep you from embracing your righteous standing before God? Because if you knew who you were in Christ, if you really knew, then you would assault his kingdom with more force than 10,000 angels. When we know who we are in Christ, we experience joy and not shame. Joy, as Martyn Lloyd-Jones often said, is what the world needs to see in Christians. 

The dark lord wants to keep you in shame as you see your sin. If he can keep you in shame and keep you focused more on your sin than Jesus than he knows you’ll be timid to walk in faith. He knows you’ll be scared to be bold He knows you’ll be too ashamed to share your faith. He knows that if he can keep you focused on your sin then you’ll stay in the Slough of Despond (or spiritual depression as Martyn Lloyd-Jones called it) rather than moving closer to Jesus. Knowing your identity in Christ, your righteous standing before God is what casts away the cold darkness of shame.

How do we fight? We fight with God’s Word. This is why the doctrines of inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency are so crucial to the Christian faith. Is the Bible God’s Word? If it is, that is our reality. Our feelings aren’t our reality. Our conscience isn’t always our reality. Our personality tests aren’t our reality. God’s Word is our reality. God makes an authoritative statement about who we are in Christ. This is not sometimes true and sometimes false. It is always true. We need Scripture to rework our thoughts and to readjust our feelings. 

This is actually what the Psalms do. The Psalms are not a book merely about learning how to express our emotions to God. Rather, the Psalms are about expressing to God what we really feel and then learning to realign our feelings, affections, emotions with God’s truth. It is a collection of the Christian’s experience of living a life of faith in a fallen world par excellence. 

If you notice in Psalms 32 and 51, the two most popular psalms about confession of sin, they both move so quickly from conviction and confession to the reality of who they are by God’s grace. They do not stay in this phase of trying to beat themselves up. They do not say, “I cannot embrace God’s grace until I deal with this sin to its fullest extent. I cannot experience God’s grace until I make things totally right. I cannot draw near to God unless I first handle this on my own.” They move towards God’s grace and their righteous standing.

Must we deal with our sins? Yes. But, the subtle danger is to think that we must do that before embracing God’s grace. It’s only when we embrace God’s grace that we are enabled to deal with sin. God’s grace is not merely for forgiveness but for our ability to walk in His ways. Anything that keeps us from coming to God is a form of works-righteousness. 

I was once told that “we will never find closure if we merely seek justice; We will only find closure if we rest in grace.” Is this hyper-grace? Is this antinomianism? No. Grace is not opposed to justice. Grace comes through justice. But, if we seek to only rely on justice then we will never be able to rest.

Why is this? If we only seek to justly deal with our sins then we will never find an ending. We are so deeply depraved, so deeply shattered, so littered and polluted with sin that we will never come to the bottom of it. If we have the mindset that we cannot rest in grace until we deal with our sins in totality then we aren’t actually acting in obedience and in faith. We’re disobeying God because we’re not running to Jesus.

Typically, the people who are afraid of being antinomian are usually those who are struggling with legalism. Those who are afraid of being legalistic are usually those who are struggling with antinomianism. Every person has a default leaning and all of us go through seasons where we struggle with each one. As Sinclair Feguson’s book The Whole Christ says, the only way to fix this problem is to embrace the whole Christ. You don’t fix legalism by embracing more antinomianism. You don’t fix antinomianism by embracing more legalism. You embrace Christ!

We have made so many mistakes. We have sinned so much. If you think that you have to go back and deal with every instance of sin then you will never rest. Every memory will cripple you with shame. Every reminder will overwhelm you with guilt. It is not quenching the Spirit to rest in grace and embrace forgiveness in Christ. It is obedience. 

As Chase Maxey, Executive Director and Counselor with BCTM Ministries, once asked me, “Who told you that you were so much stronger than the Holy Spirit?” The dark lord tempts us to think we’re quenching the Spirit at times by taking that truth from 1 Thessalonians out of context, to its extreme, or making it a half-truth.

To be sure, the dark lord can use even this truth to keep us from our holy duties before God. He can take this out of its own context or take it to its extreme or half-truth. This does not mean we ignore our sins. This does not mean we don’t repent or confess. As Paul says in Romans 6:1-2, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” It means that if we have the mindset that we have to turn over every stone and make everything right in our lives then we are no longer resting in Christ’s atonement but we are trying to atone for ourselves.

It is obedience to rest in grace. It is obedience to stop trying to fix and start resting. When God wants you to deal with something in your life, He will give you the opportunity and the power to do so. Look how patient He was towards Jonah. Look how He took His time to work in Jonah’s heart. He will do it with you too. What you must do is rest in your righteous standing. You must hold onto this righteousness in Christ. You must let that determine your reality.

Every time we repent of something, at some point we must stop confessing and saying “sorry”. If we think we must continue to confess our past over and over then we aren’t trusting that God is faith and just to forgive and cleanse us (1 Jn. 1:9). Jesus never said, “Go and fix your past.” Rather, He often said in one way or another, “Go and sin no more” (Mk. 5:34; Lk. 7:50; 17:19; 18:13-14; 18:42; Jn. 5:14; 8:11). He knows that fixing our past isn’t the answer. He knows we can’t re-live or re-write our pasts. He knows we must move forward living differently.

We seek holiness because we are holy. We seek to progressively grow in holiness because we are already positionally holy (Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:1; 5:3; Col. 1:2,12; 3:12; Heb. 2:11; Jude 3; Rev. 13:7). We don’t receive the position of holiness because we worked hard to become holy. God graciously brought us into the definitive position and that compels us to go and live in light of who we are.

We fight by getting the gospel logic straight in our heads. We fight by embracing God’s grace. We fight by dismantling the attacks of the dark lord and his minions. We fight by resting in Christ.

From the Pastor's Study

August 13, 2020

The first week of school is almost over, and I’m happy to report that old habits have thankfully not been too hard to break. After homeschooling for many years, we have had our children the last two years at St. Augustine, a university-model school which in the elementary years meets only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One of the advantages of homeschooling or hybrid schooling for this particular pastor’s family has been the flexibility it has afforded over the years to fit the variable schedule that ministry brings. Beginning this year, however, while our older three remain at St. Augustine, Caroline (5th grade) and Ezra (2nd grade) are attending Christ Covenant School. It’s our first foray into a five-day school, and we’re excited to be a part of our church’s largest ministry with its emphasis upon a Biblical worldview and Christ-centered education. But drop off starts at 7:30 a.m. - so the old habit of a flexible wake up time depending on the previous night’s activities has been broken by necessity and by force.

Habits and customs are strange and powerful things. They can be easy to form (sometimes without our realizing that’s happening), but hard to break. Or they can be difficult to form (even when we’re trying our best to do so), but easy to break. Either way, habits are important to us, both as humans, and as Christians. Indeed, our Lord and Savior was a man of habit and custom. 

• It was His habit/custom to teach the crowds that gathered around Him (Mark 10:1).

• It was His habit/custom in Jerusalem to spend the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39; see Luke 21:37).

• It was His habit/custom to go to the synagogue to worship on the Sabbath Day (Luke 4:16).

We all have good habits and bad habits. The Bible teaches us that it should be our good habit to gather for corporate worship on the Sabbath Day, which since the resurrection of Jesus is the first day of the week (Leviticus 23:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2). Unfortunately, even since the days of the early church, some Christians have had the bad habit of neglecting the gathering together of the saints with God for worship and fellowship. The command is clear: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

The pandemic in which we are living has had a profound impact on Christian habits with regard to corporate worship.

• Some habitually gathered with the saints on the Lord’s Day, but have had to become shut-ins due to a proper concern about the risk of catching a virus that would very probably  take their life. Rather than putting the Lord to the test by throwing themselves off the top of tall buildings (see Luke 4:9-12), they have decided it is wisest to watch church services online. Their habit of faithful church attendance has been constrained by a frowning providence.

• Others were in the habit of coming to worship on the Lord’s Day, and though they are not at high risk of dying of the coronavirus, they are caring for or are frequently in close proximity to someone who is - so they too have chosen to quarantine themselves for the sake of protecting life.

• Some had the custom of being in corporate worship, like Jesus, but COVID-19 has filled them, not with proper concern, but with sinful fear - they refuse to come to worship even though there is a low risk that they would die from this disease, and even a low risk they would catch it if they took appropriate precautions of masking and distancing - which they very likely do every day at work, the grocery store, restaurants, the school, etc. 

• For others, the good habit of actively attending the means of grace on the Lord’s day has been broken by the comfort and convenience of watching church in pajamas in the living room, so that a new bad habit of active neglect of the fellowship has been formed. Their sin is not fear, but apathy.

• Some, unfortunately, didn’t have good habits in the first place when it came to gathering for corporate worship - and so the past five months have been just the excuse they needed to forsake all the more the gathering together with the saints. 

These are just five situations that God’s people who are absent from worship may find themselves during this pandemic, and surely there are combinations and permutations of these and more. There are a variety of reasons why someone must be or chooses to be absent from corporate worship. God sees the heart, which man can never see (I Samuel 16:7). He knows our thoughts, intentions, and desires (Matthew 9:4; Hebrews 4:12). He sees why we do what we do. In all five scenarios above, however, whether from godly motives or sinful motives, the fact remains that many Christians are absent from the assembly of God’s people for worship, and so are missing out on the holy and joyful reverence that a physical gathering of the saints together in a particular place for corporate worship evokes (see I Corinthians 14:24-25; Hebrews 12:18-29), the physical presence and encouragement of the saints, and (when we resume it in September, Lord willing) the physical sign and seal of our communion with Jesus in the Lord’s Supper.

From the beginning of this pandemic we have encouraged the sick and those with underlying health conditions that put them in a high risk category to join us via our live stream, and not to feel shame or guilt in doing so. Clearly, though, it is right to feel sorrow at the loss of the great privilege and delight of worship! My heart aches to think of a scenario in which a vaccine is longer in coming than we hope, or not as effective as we hope, so that many who in all other respects would be able and willing to gather are prevented from doing so for an ever-increasing length of time. We are  live streaming our morning worship service in the gym so that those who are appropriately concerned but are willing at some point to take a small degree of risk can come gather with the saints, yet at a large distance in a wide open space with masks on (we’ve been averaging around 10 people recently in the 8:30 gym service, so this is a great place to start if you are hesitant but at some point do want to come back to corporate worship). May those of us who are able to be present in worship not allow these absent brothers and sisters to fall off our radars, even though we don’t see them at church on Sundays. Whether by phone, by letter/email/text, by video chat, or social distanced driveway visit, let us seek to pursue those who are shut out from the blessings they enjoyed before mid-March, but wish with all their hearts they could be present with us.

But to those who read these words and hear their conscience say that their habitual neglecting to meet together with the saints and with the Lord is sinful, I exhort you to return to corporate worship. I want to stir you up to love and good deeds - and what deed is better than corporate worship? The ordinances of Christ are present on the Lord’s Day - the preaching of the word, the sacraments, and prayer. They are the outward and ordinary means by which the Lord communicates to His people the benefits of redemption (Westminster Shorter Catechism #88). Pray that the Lord would break your few-months old bad habits and give you renewed habits as this new school year gets started. Certainly this virus reminds us even more clearly that the Day of the Lord, the day of judgment, is nearer and nearer. So let us commit by his grace to join in worshiping our Savior King with His body - especially this coming Lord’s Day…

From the Pastor's Study

August 6, 2020

Our trip to western North Carolina last week was wonderful - thank you for your prayers. Usually spotty cell phone signal is a decided negative, but on a vacation it can be a feature rather than a bug. It was nice to unplug and disconnect, read some Agatha Christie novels, put together a puzzle, take in the vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, play in waterfalls, and enjoy the rest and refreshment of cool evenings and ice-cold water. 

But down the mountain, back on the flatland, school starts in less than a week. Which means the temptation to grumble and complain has reared its ugly head in our family’s hearts (and probably yours?) in spades - especially during a pandemic-induced mask mandate and new health protocols everywhere you go. Complaining is a “respectable sin” - everybody’s doing it, and you can commit it without anyone knowing, with a smile on your face and a bitter scowl in your heart - though eventually it seeps out in our words and attitudes. 

God is not unclear regarding His thoughts on complaining: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing . . .” (Philippians 2:14). So how does a Christian put to death the sin of complaining? There is no magic bullet - but by remembering these three truths, God by His Spirit enables us to strangle the life out of this enemy of our soul.

1. Remember the evangelistic impact of an uncomplaining spirit. Paul goes on to write in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” When we refuse to complain, particularly during a time like the one in which we live, Paul says we stick out like a star in the night sky. A quiet spirit is provocative – it provokes attention, it provokes questions, so that in the words of I Peter 3:15, we are able to share the reason for the hope that is within us with boldness and gentleness.

2. Remember that your complaining is always against God. If you know the history of Israel, its Exodus and wilderness wanderings, then you know that complaining and grumbling was one of the besetting sins of God’s people of old. In Exodus 16, when Israel complains for its lack of food, Moses tells them something vitally important: “. . . the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him – what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord” (Exodus 16:8). To kill complaining, you have to see it as ultimately against the Lord. 

   — It impugns the love of God. If you really loved me, God, you wouldn’t make me go through such hard circumstances! That’s what Israel said when refusing to enter the Promised Land: “Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us” (Deuteronomy 1:27). 

   — It assails the power of God. In Numbers 11, when Israel complained about not having meat, God tells Moses that He will provide meat for a month. And Moses talks back to God: “The people among whom I am number 600,000 on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them?’” God answers, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not” (11:21-23). Complaining accuses God of being powerless to change our situation.

   — It questions the wisdom of God. In Numbers 21, Israel spoke against God, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” There was food – but they were sick and tired of it. God’s wise provision for them wasn’t good enough for them. His ways were stupid, only leading to death.

   — It attacks the justice of God. Israel forgot that the reason they were wandering in the wilderness was due to their own sinful rebellion. They thought they deserved far better, when in actuality they deserved far worse. “Why should any living mortal, or any man, Offer complaint in view of his sins?” (Lamentations 3:39).

   We must strive to see the sinfulness of our sin, so that we will hate it enough to kill it. 

3. Remember that Jesus died for your complaining. In Mark 14:36, we read this: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus affirms the love of God His Father, the power of God who is able to change His circumstances, and the wisdom of God whose will is always right. He submits to the God who is able to change His circumstances, but who sometimes isn’t willing. He was the spotless, sinless Lamb of God. Yet notice what Jesus wanted removed from Him: a cup - the cup of God’s wrath. Jesus knew that God was completely just – and that He was about to have the sin of His sheep reckoned to His account, imputed to Him, and then God was going to punish Him as His people’s substitute. He was about to bear the sins of His people in His body on the cross. It’s as we remember that Jesus died to forgive our complaining and grumbling and to free us increasingly from a complaining and grumbling spirit that we are enabled more and more to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ, and so refuse to allow sin to reign in our mortal bodies, to obey its lusts and passions.

It will be easy to find things to complain about in these coming days, weeks, and months. But remember the words of the great Puritan John Owen in his classic The Mortification of Sin: “Make [killing sin] your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.” Let the poetry of Henry Francis Lyte fill your heart: “Soul, then know thy full salvation, Rise o’er sin and fear and care. Joy to find in every station, Something still to do or bear. Think what Spirit dwells within thee, Think what Fathers smiles are thine, Think that Jesus died to win thee, Child of heaven, canst thou repine?”