Faith and Practice

Hope vs. Consolation

2010-03-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

by Ken Harvey

God has providentially placed a few recent circumstances in my life to make me consider the reality of death. As many of you know, I’ve experienced the loss of two loved ones this past year. God has also used His Word through recent messages from Nathan Busenitz, Pastor Whitcomb and Upward to help me properly interpret my experiences and to further consider death and hope. While I’ve learned many different lessons, I would like to address one in particular: with all of the death, suffering and persecution in this world–followed by ensuing judgment–our hope should not be set on the things of this world!

What then do I hope for? Do I hope for a cessation from difficulty, tiredness, frustration from sin and disappointment in myself and others? There is nothing Christian about hoping for an end to hardship. Sometimes I want to be merely consoled with the thought of going to heaven. Left at that level, my “hope” is selfishness veiled in Christian lingo.

As wonderful as being in heaven will be, our message of hope is more than consolation. Our true and final hope should not be to leave this world behind while it is still in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), a world where the mass majority of the people are godless and heading towards hell (Matthew 7:13-14). True hope is believing that the full glory of God will be revealed; true hope is knowing that all sin, pain, suffering and death will be destroyed forever; a true hope is trusting that everyone acknowledge the greatness of God. We are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

There are plenty of other passages that can guide our thinking on this topic (1 Corinthians 15:19-28; 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:17-25; Ephesians 1:16-23). We should long for the triumphal return of Jesus when all of the promises of God will be fulfilled, when His kingdom will be established forever, and when, without the hindrance of sin, we will be able to see His attributes on display. Human history is moving toward a day when Christ will return and set things in order. “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

2010-03-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

by Garth Gaddy

The grace of God is His goodness poured out on those who don’t deserve it. It is also known as unmerited favor. There are two manifestations of God’s grace at work, common grace and saving grace. Common grace is God’s activity that gives blessings that are not part of salvation such as sustaining creation (Matt. 5:44-45), restraining evil (Rom. 2:14-15), enabling excellence in the arts and sciences (John 1:9, Rom 1:21) and maintaining order in society (Rom 13). Common grace does not lead to salvation. It does not change the heart or bring people to repentance and faith. It does, however, allow sinful humans to live for some time so that they might hear the Gospel and repent or have subsequent generations who might do the same. Common grace also demonstrates God’s goodness and mercy (Luke 6:35) and justice (Rom 2:5). When sinners repeatedly refuse His invitation, He is just in condemning them.

Saving grace is the manifestation of God’s grace that results in regeneration. It comes from God for the purpose of salvation (Eph 2:8-9, Titus 2:11). Salvation by grace begins with the Gospel call (proclaiming the message of the Gospel); then regeneration (being born again); conversion (faith and repentance); justification (declared righteous); adoption (membership in the family of God) and sanctification (initially changed and then progressively conformed to the image of Christ). All by grace, all a result of God’s goodness poured out on a sinner.

God’s grace should cause believers, having been the recipients of saving grace, to be thankful and should motivate us out of compassion to be ministers of the Gospel. God in His sovereignty is responsible for all things around us and is patiently pouring out His common grace on all people. Since saving grace begins with the Gospel call, that’s where you and I come in. God has determined to use believers as a means of communicating the Gospel to unbelievers. As long as God is pouring out grace that is common to all, we are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations.

Olympic Vanity

2010-03-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

by David Morris

Personally, I think the Olympics are an amazing spectacle. The display of cultures from across the world, the pageantry of opening ceremonies, the combination of countless sports, the thrill of victories, the agonies of defeats—it all adds up to an amazing few weeks. I marvel at events I couldn’t even imagine attempting, like luge or aerials or curling. Okay, I don’t marvel so much at curling, but still, there are countless other opportunities to be amazed by athletes and all they can accomplish.

As I’ve watched this year, however, I’ve been struck with the vanity of Olympic athletes. First, vanity in the sense of arrogance and self-importance. I watched interview after interview with breathless, triumphant Olympians who proudly proclaimed their own worth. Without shame, they declared that they deserved this gold because of their hard work, or were rightly being recognized for their dedication, or were glad to see all their efforts pay off. Losers, on the other hand, looked for excuses, insulted winners, whined about judges, and basically turned everywhere except themselves to explain their losing. Humility never made it to the medal platform, it seemed, and self-accomplishment got the exclusive spotlight over and over.

Secondly, however, vanity can mean futile or empty. I was struck with the emptiness of the games during interviews too, as athletes expressed their wins in terms of “experience of a lifetime.” Human interest stories saddened instead of inspired me, as coaches told of abandoning families in sacrifice for their sport, and young prodigies of surrendering their childhoods. Take just one sport, like figure skating, estimate the amount of hours one athlete spent in practice, multiply that by the total amount of athletes, and it all adds up to the potential for tragically wasted lives. Not that sports by themselves are a wasted life, but when used only to glorify man they are simply another idol and sinful glory-stealers from God.

In great contrast to self-exaltation and a wasted life, Paul wrote, “far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14). The Gospel is all about grace, specifically so that no one may boast in his works (Eph. 2:9) in the presence of God (1 Cor. 1:29). God is opposed to proud exalters of themselves, and those who know the Gospel should prize boasting in Christ instead of self. The Gospel is simultaneously the only way to avoid a wasted life. Instead of giving him the world, the cross of Christ meant the death of the world to Paul. When the crowning achievement of life is an odd-shaped gold medal, that is a life wasted. When the fruit of one’s life is self-sacrifice, complete abandonment to the cause of Christ and faithful discipleship, that is a life that brings glory to Christ and should bring admiring imitation from us.

God’s Omniscience, Our Worship

2010-02-23T09:11:00.000-08:00

by Andy Muxlow

Isn’t it fascinating to think about the all-knowing nature of our God? Our eternal God spoke the heavens into place. His perfect design of creation was not studied or learned; he knows everything (Isaiah 40:13-14). There is nothing that God ever improved upon knowing. He never needs an advanced study of any subject, any place or anyone. Our time in history is called “the Information Age,” and God does not even need to process it; He, by nature, already knows it. It’s an interesting concept, but God does not discover anything. I wonder what He thinks when mankind finally makes a scientific discovery. For instance, the telescope that can see the galaxies but never see an end to space. Although unbelievers continue to suppress the truth, we have the privilege of worshiping and marveling at our Creator and His amazing design.

Not only does God know everything in our world; He actually knows you. In a very real sense, He knows you better than you do. He knows the real you. First Samuel 16:7 says, “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” If you’re like me, there have been times that I am so thankful that despite man’s criticism in certain times of my life, God knows my heart. And then there are other times that man’s praise of my actions is my shallow reward in full because God knew my wrongful heart motives. You see, God is as concerned with the why of what we do as He is with the what. He knows our thoughts even before we act or speak. Psalm 139:4 says, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold oh LORD, you know it altogether.”

The truth of God’s omniscience should not raise questions about why we pray, but rather drive us to pray. In Psalm 19:12, David prays, “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.” Who else is worthy of our praises and cares than the God who has infinite knowledge and unwavering, undersierved love for us through Christ?

Worship Throughout the Week

2010-02-16T14:38:00.001-08:00

by Ken Harvey

What does true worship look like? How do you know that you are worshiping God? If you were asked these questions, how would you respond? We need to periodically ask ourselves these questions to constantly check our motives and to make sure that we have a proper understanding of foundational truths.

When approaching our time of corporate worship, do not slip into the danger of thinking that worship takes place only when you are singing. Understand that worship, that is your spiritual service, is living a transformed and holy life (Romans 12:1-2; Psalms 51:17). Every obedient action and thought that is observed in faith and with joy is an act of praise to God. This thought elevates mundane tasks, whether at home or at work, to acts of worship (Colossians 3:17). On Sunday mornings in particular, we can additionally worship God through singing, corporate prayer, giving, fellowship and intently listening to the Word preached. All of these actions can be an act of worship if you (1) observe them with joyful obedience and (2) believe that they are acceptable only by grace and through faith in the work of Christ.

In fact, it is dangerous to think that worship takes place only on a Sunday morning. Worship on Sunday morning is an overflow of your worship throughout the week. “What we love most will determine what we genuinely worship” (Worship Matters, p. 25). We cannot expect our hearts to be pure and focused every Sunday if throughout the week we have actively pursued loving ourselves and loving the world. True worship simply will not take place. It is also crucial to worship throughout the week because singing devoid of a holy life is hypocrisy and offensive to God. Listen to one criticism the LORD gives in the Old Testament: “This people draw near with their mouth; and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me” (Is. 29.13a). While we are commanded to gather together (Hebrews 10:24-25), let us not think that attendance trumps obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). This week, do everything as an act of worship.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Singing Is a Form of Christian Ministry

2010-02-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

by Ken Harvey

Last Sunday, we were instructed from several passages concerning how we ought to speak to one another. We are to put away falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25) and to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths but only such as is good for building up (4:29). Proper speech to each other is an example of Christian ministry. We can also consider passages like Hebrews 3:13: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Notice the sense of urgency. We all need this type of encouragement.

Over the last few days, I found myself considering one additional passage on this topic: “but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:18b-19). We need to encourage others and be encouraged by others by praising God through song. When I am given the opportunity to lead the congregation through singing, I have been thoroughly encouraged to hear and see other believers praise God. Seeing others hold fast to their confession of faith and verbalize their commitment to God strengthens my devotion to God. Thank you for your focus on God during our time of corporate worship.

While I commend your focus, I will encourage you to guard your hearts. Unfortunately, today, worship through singing is often thought of as merely a personal and private event. We can approach this time with the thought: what can I get out of worship? While we do benefit from worship, we need to also think: how do others benefit from my worship?

Not only are we to encourage others and be encouraged by others through our singing but we are to sing to the Lord with all of our heart. We are singing to Him! In fact, everything we do and think is before our omniscient and omnipresent God. He places high value on our worship through singing; in fact, he demands purity in our worship. During our short time of corporate singing, focus your heart on Him and remember that we can approach our God only through our reliance on Christ. He is our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Worship Him and be encouraged by each other’s devotion.

Haitian Tragedy, Eternal Perspective

2010-02-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

by Garth Gaddy

What would Jesus say if asked about the devastation in Haiti? What if He were asked if they sinned too much or worse than other people or countries? Luke records Jesus handling this very topic.

In Luke 13:1-5 Jesus commented on two accounts of people dying: one at the hands of Pilate and the other in an accident at the wall of Jerusalem. In both cases people were killed and Jesus asked if the dead were “worse sinners” than others in the area. In both cases He answered no and followed up with “...but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Jesus focused on the need for repentance (of all sinners) and that there will be final judgment of unrepentant sinners.

An interesting thing to notice here is that Jesus asked a question keying in on our flesh’s tendency to compare ourselves to others and identify those whose sin we may see as “worse.” Jesus even went one step further in the Galilean example, connecting “worse” sin to their suffering. After dispelling this notion, He immediately shifted to the eternal reality of all people. All people sin; death is inevitable for all; repent or you will perish.

As we ponder the loss of life in Haiti, we should look both inward and outward. We should look inward as believers recognizing that apart from Christ’s work, our sin results in our being doomed to Hell. This should result in our humility and thankfulness. We should also look outward as we consider the state of unbelievers and their need for the Gospel. Our lives are a mist and death is inevitable. Whether by natural causes, car accident or earthquake, we all die in God’s timing. This reality should result in compassion for unbelievers and a compulsion to spread the Gospel.

What would Jesus say about the devastation in Haiti? They sin and so do you. Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Our response should be a Gospel response because only the Gospel has the power to save and change lives.

A Word of Thanks

2010-01-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

by David Morris

Today we’re having our first ever Nursery Meal & Meeting. A constant stream of “firsts” is one of the fun and unique blessings of a new church. I’m grateful, however, that selfless service and care for the children of our church is nothing new for our body. From the start, God has blessed us all with an unusually high number of children and young families. There are 36 names on our nursery sign-in sheets, which are the pre-printed names of all the birth to 4 year olds who come on a regular basis. On any given Sunday, you can find 10-20 infants on one side of our nursery and similar numbers on the toddler side. We’re so used to that now that it hardly seems surprising, but after some recent visits to other churches we’ve been reminded how unusually large our nurseries are, given the membership of our church.

Psalm 127:3 informs us that “children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Contrary to some segments of our modern culture, we celebrate God’s gift of life. Christian people should always view children as a blessing, never a burden. Children come from God, and He has given rewards prolifically in our church. With these blessings come stewardship responsibilities and loving care, however, which translates into needed service within our church family.

A small army of servants give themselves repeatedly to caring for these precious lives on Sundays, and I am so grateful for them. Unlike a service opportunity that is occasional or seasonal, our nursery needs continual unrelenting from week to week. So too does the service our nursery workers provide. Service is most difficult when it is constant, unnoticed and sacrificial. Nursery workers regularly miss worship services, receive no pats on the back for changing those 8 diapers and give up the ease of simply coasting through a Sunday. But God is not unrighteous to forget labors of love, and I want to join His recognition by saying thank you for all you do. You remind us all of Christ when you act like a servant; you preach humility since you are not greater than your Lord; and you are blessed as you not only know these things but also do them (John 13). Thank you for serving us, our children and ultimately our Lord. You are needed and appreciated. And parents—your children are welcomed and loved. See a nursery worker and you’ll know.

The Gospel for People I Don't Like

2010-01-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

by David Morris

Have you ever heard someone else (or yourself) saying something along these lines: “I just don’t click with that person. We don’t gel well. He just has a personality I don’t like. She’s sort of annoying. We’re so different. We just don’t have anything in common.” Reality is that we don’t get along easily with everyone we know. Some people irritate us with their mannerisms or habits. Maybe they strike us as odd or make conversations awkward. Sometimes those people are family members, and sometimes those people are church family members. So if we are all fellow citizens, and members of the same family, and parts of the same building, how can we relate to people we don’t naturally like or enjoy or mesh with?

The answer lies in the Gospel, which forms the basis of our church relationships to begin with. Gospel realities should teach us how to relate to people who are different from us. We could not be more different from God if we tried. We weren’t His kind of people. We didn’t like the kinds of things He likes, or fit with His personality. But in the Gospel, God showed loved and grace to people radically different from Him. Gospel realities should teach us how to relate to people we aren’t naturally friends with. After all, we were God’s enemies when He loved us to His own death. Gospel love doesn’t come on the basis of friendship, but before it. God has not set His favor on us because we were so likeable, or agreeable, or similar to Him.

People who know and dwell on these great Gospel realities will naturally be able to relate to others in their church family. We may not relate to some members at Grace as easily as we do to others. But when the Gospel informs our relationships we will always relate fully and freely with any person or personality. We don’t need to be the same age or share the same hobbies or enjoy the same entertainment or click based on personalities at Grace Church. We have the Gospel. And the Gospel makes the best relationships in the world.

Sin Before Worship: What Now?

2010-01-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

by Adam Bailie

Last week at the conclusion of our study through James 1:19-25, I was confronted with a helpful question from a member of our body here at GCV. “If we fail to prepare for our time in the Word (collective or private worship), how do we reclaim the worship time from the guilt and thoughts of hypocrisy that now plague us?” In other words, is there any hope for meaningful worship in the Word, if biblical preparation hasn’t taken place or sin has?

As eternally forgiven followers of Christ, our response in the face of our sinfulness has everything to do with the gospel that redeemed and sanctifies us. Romans 5:1-11 declares that for all who are made righteous through Jesus, there is only peace with the Father. There is no war; there is no wrath; there will be nothing but loving peace for those who are in Christ. So in the face of sin, we confess that sin without fear of wrath for that sin, since Christ has already paid its death wage (1 John 1:9; Romans 6:23). While confessing sin, we must confess the whole truth about the sin. It is the very cause for Christ’s sacrifice, and it is covered by Christ’s sacrifice. As Pastor David has said, “Believe in this grace and move forward expectantly, not guiltily, because Christ’s status has not been changed by your failure.”

So, when sin and worship in the Word collide, we must run to the gospel truth that allows us to worship in the first place. Our Father is our Father, because the Son has made us sons and daughters. That reality is unaffected by our performance…that is the gospel of grace! Our Father longs to cleanse our consciences and restore our full enjoyment of His fellowship. This may mean a few extra moments in the parking lot, sitting down quietly during singing, or a note passed to the one offended by our sin before the Lord’s Table. Whatever the cost, the gospel is worthy of our prompt, Christ-centered, and grace-motivated response to sin before, during and after worship in the Word. Worship without a clear conscience will breed hypocrisy, and worship paralysis because of sin will hinder our growth in grace. Sin and worship must not mix, but the remedy of the one is the cause for the other! Sola Christus!

Christian Resolutions

2010-01-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

by Ken Harvey

Like many people, this time of year tends to make me evaluate my life more thoroughly. While there is nothing magical about the changing of the calendar year, the time off work allows me to spend time focusing on patterns of my life and personal goals. The usual areas of growth are apparent: I need to spend more time in the Word and prayer. In years past, I have tried to find solutions by creating a new reading plan, a new Scripture memorization plan, a new schedule… always some new method or strategy, but without a biblical goal in sight. Time passes, love of self grows, and commitments fade.

These commitments fall apart because heart issues are not addressed. Obedience to biblical commands is not found in a laundry list of tasks. Obedience is a matter of the heart. The goal of all my affections, thoughts, and actions should be to know and love God more through the knowledge of His Word and reliance on the Spirit. This is the greatest commandment: to love God and our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:28-33). Consider the following passages as you take stock of your life:

1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

Failure to obey God’s instruction regarding spiritual growth is a serious matter. When I do not take heed of the Word of God, not only will my commitments result in failure, but I commit sin. Any effort to improve myself or my standing before God that is not rooted in the work of Christ (Romans 5:1-2) is pride and it reveals my weak understanding of His grace and love for me. Any effort to make myself a better person without the goal of knowing and loving God more is sinful, fleshly (not spirit-filled), and hinders my reliance on Him. This year may “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Desires of the Heart

2009-12-22T11:49:00.001-08:00

by Garth Gaddy

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

In this season of commercialized Christmas, man’s desire-based life is on full display. Television, radio, internet and newspaper are all used to stoke the fire of our fleshly desire and get us ramped up to buy the next big thing. Our fleshly response to the above verse is to focus only on the second half—getting the desires of our heart. But God is not our personal genie. Shouldn’t we rather be interested in what God desires for us? What His will is for us?

As believers our desires should be aligned with God’s desires. That is where the first half of the verse comes in—to delight ourselves in the Lord. So how do we get to the second part of the verse, God giving us the desires of our heart? First, we need a God-affected heart.

John MacArthur, in his sermon “Found: God’s Will,” gives us six steps to delighting in the Lord and aligning with His will.

Salvation: This sounds obvious but must be recognized as foundational. It is impossible for an unbeliever to know God’s will because he cannot accomplish the next steps without the Spirit of God.
Spirit-Filling (Eph. 5:18): We must saturate ourselves in His Word for Him to be in control.
Sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3): Exercising control over our bodies. Become conformed to the image of Christ in every way.
Submission (1 Pet. 2:13-17): Submit to the authorities God has placed in your life.
Suffering (1 Pet. 3:17, Mt. 10:24-25): Suffer according to the will of God. Be willing to stand up and be counted for Christ. If you live a godly life in this society, you will suffer.
Choose. That’s right–choose! If the above five steps are in place, God will have implanted His righteous desires in your heart and you get to choose, knowing that you will be deciding within His will.

Delight yourself in the Lord; He will then implant in you righteous desires, and you get to choose.

Bah Humbug...

2009-12-15T10:27:00.001-08:00

by Adam Bailie

Each year I face a struggle unique to advent and the Christmas celebration, and I am quite sure that many would attribute my struggle to Scrooge-likeness. Every year of my adult life, I have battled to genuinely enjoy a season that revolves around commercialization at the very highest level. I have found the pressure to purchase gifts and cards, and to pay an exorbitant electric bill in the name of holiday cheer a real roadblock to a Christ-centered Christmas. Everywhere I turn, a false superficial joy is offered through possessions and wealth. It is a lie that robs Christmas of its true life-giving and joy-inducing truth…Jesus Christ, the God-Man who has come from heaven for the salvation of sinful humanity.

American Christmas traditions can be both enjoyable extras and dangerous temptations for our church family, which leads me to ask a few pointed questions for your benefit. If Jesus Christ and the miraculous incarnation is the very reason we are celebrating on December 25th, how will you practically pursue His centrality in your actual celebration? Will Jesus merely be slipped in right before or after presents with a reading of the incarnation narrative, or will He dominate Christmas? With presents, family, White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life, and mounds of food, how will you be distinguished as Christians this Christmas? These are questions we must ask and must answer. Why?

In Colossians 1:16, Paul reminds us that all that is exists through the creative power of Christ and for the glory of Christ. This is our life as Christians; we live to make the glory of Christ known in everything we are and do. So unlike Scrooge, who was so miserly that generosity was His worst imagination, we Christians have another reason to be concerned about Christmas. American Christmas endangers the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ and His miraculous and gracious condescension to earth for the sake of salvation of sinners like us. So, let’s band together for the sake of our Christ, and make this Christmas unique. Unique in that it begins, revolves around, and ends with the glorious reality of the Lord Jesus…Immanuel, God with us!

A Letter from Lucio Stanisci

2009-12-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Adam, leadership and church family,

We want to express our gratitude for your decision to adopt us as your missionaries. We praise our Lord the way He led you. It is particularly moving to me to see, not only that you were unanimous in the decision but that you are investing much in us! Thank you! This gives us the conviction that the Lord wants to use your church consistently in our ministry. We are VERY grateful and VERY excited! Please extend once again our words of thanks to the leadership and the church family.

We want you to know that despite the sadness for the passing of my mother-in-law caused by her grievous spinal injury, the Lord has been encouraging us in our ministry. At the moment we are collaborating with four different churches, two of which are located in Rome. This has been very encouraging to us especially knowing that the Lord is the one who directs our steps. We can also see in this a potential development for a future Theological Academy in central Italy.

We are currently praying and asking for guidance in our decision regarding our final destination this coming June. I can confidently say that, at the moment, we see many open doors for the city of Rome. The increase of our needed monthly financial support gives us further confirmation that the Lord is leading us this way.

We want to thank you again for adopting us as your missionaries. It is a great privilege for us especially knowing how many beloved brothers and sisters we have in Kingsburg and that we are bonded in and by the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We wish you all a blessed Christmas season.

In Christ,
Lucio Stanisci

Who Do You Say That I Am?

2009-12-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

by Ken Harvey

He [Jesus] said to them [the twelve disciples], “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” –Matthew 16:15-16

Peter’s confession was one of the great turning points in our Lord’s earthly ministry. Jesus proclaimed that He was the fulfillment of two prophetic promises: that He was the long awaited Messiah and that He was Son of the Living God. It is important that we understand who Jesus is since He spent years making sure that His disciples understood before He revealed His death and resurrection (Matt. 16:21).

Jesus is the “Christ” or “anointed one.” In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed was set apart and consecrated for God’s work and received special empowerment by the Spirit. Likewise, Jesus was ordained by the Father and anointed by the Spirit to do the work of His Father. He was set apart at His baptism to be our Prophet, Priest, and King. As our Prophet (Acts 3:22), Jesus reveals God to us. Without Him, we would not truly know God. As our Priest (Heb. 7:24), Jesus bridges the gap between man and God. Only He, the God-man, can represent us before a thrice holy God. As our King (Ps. 2:6; Eph. 1:20-23), Jesus is the Sovereign Lord. He is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant–the king in the line of David that rules forever.

Jesus is the Son of the Living God, a title used to declare that the second person of the Trinity humbled Himself by becoming fully man (His incarnation). It is a title also used to describe His future exaltation.

Once the disciples understood who Jesus was, He then communicated His mission: that He would die, paying the penalty of sin on behalf of sinners, and be raised from the dead. In this holiday season, let us think biblically and specifically about who Jesus is. He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who came to die as the penalty for sin.

Sinners Into Saints

2009-11-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

by Andy Muxlow

So, let me ask you a question. Are you a sinner or a saint?

As Christians, we often battle with the frustration that comes from sin’s remaining presence in our lives. Sometimes we get so entrenched into fighting this battle against sin that we begin to rely more upon our own self will than on the power of the Holy Spirit. Don’t get me wrong, obedience to our Lord takes work and self-sacrifice, but we know from Philippians 2:13 that ultimately God is the one who wills and works in us.

In Romans 6, Paul answers the believer’s skewed view of sin with the powerful truth of what took place at the moment of salvation. Rather than focus on the “how to” of ridding sin in our life, he takes us to a core question. Who are we in Christ? “We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” We are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus because God saved us from sin’s dominion. We are God’s people, set free from sin and set apart for God’s righteousness and His glory.

The same miracle that saved us is the same miracle that causes growth in sanctification. Let us live by the power of the gospel with a clear understanding of our identity in Christ. We were sinners that are saved by the grace of God. Our sinful position has been eradicated and replaced with the imputed righteousness of Christ. We do not have two natures. One was buried and is dead, and one has been made alive in the likeness of His resurrection. We continue to battle against our flesh but sin is no longer what defines us.

God has forgiven us and has cleaned us from the inside out. May we shed our old dirty clothes, and put on Christ, longing for the day when we are wholly sanctified in the eternal presence of our master.

A Theme of God's Sovereignty

2009-11-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

by Garth Gaddy

“I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” –Is. 43:15

We believe that God created and owns everything (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 24:1), yet this verse still struck me. The psalmist explicitly says that God is the Creator of Israel. Consider the theme of His sovereignty throughout the Word:

Abram was chosen from among all the peoples of the world to receive a blessing (Gen. 12) and be the father of offspring numbered as the stars (Gen. 15). Abram was chosen not on the basis of anything he had to offer but rather chosen by God. Abraham’s son of the promise, Isaac, was conceived by parents of an impossible old age (Gen. 21). Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. The elder served the younger by God’s choice (Gen. 25). Before they were born, Jacob was chosen and Esau was rejected (Mal. 1:2, 3). Jacob was the father of the sons who became the tribes of Israel. One of his sons was Joseph who was sold by his brothers, enslaved, but later positioned by God for good (Gen. 50:19-21). Prior to death Jacob gave a blessing to his sons. Judah, one of those sons, received a blessing that pointed directly to Jesus (Gen. 49:10). Judah was an ancestor of Jesus.

In the book of Job, God chose to allow Satan to wreak havoc with Job’s life. Job questioned God, who responded in chapter 38, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”. Job finally realizes the folly of his questioning in chapter 42; “I know that you can do all things,” “I uttered what I did not understand,” “I had heard of you…but now my eye sees you…I despise myself, and repent.”

In the New Testament we see God in the flesh sovereignly choosing His twelve disciples; healing some people but not all; choosing a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians–all to spread the Gospel. In Romans 9, we learn that God is the potter, and we are the clay. He chooses some as vessels of wrath and some as vessels of mercy. “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” (Rom. 9:19).

The theme of God’s sovereignty extends throughout His Word. God chooses believers not because of greatness, righteousness, or anything else we have to offer (Titus 3:5). He is God, He is sovereign and He chooses for His glory. Our response must be humility, gratitude and submission.

Rejoice in the Lord

2009-11-10T08:34:00.001-08:00

by Ken Harvey

Do you find the endless demands of life pressing in on you and robbing you of your joy? D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, in his book Spiritual Depression, comments, “Christian people too often seem to be perpetually in the doldrums and too often give this appearance of unhappiness and of lack of freedom and absence of joy.” Herein lies a great test of our faith. It is one thing to say that we believe proper doctrine; it is another thing to find complete joy, peace, contentment, and victory when life’s circumstances seem to weigh down on us.

In Philippians 4:4-7, God gives an answer. Continually “rejoice in the Lord.” This is more than happy optimism. It is deep-seated joy that is rooted in the person and work of Christ. Recount what God has done for those who are united with Christ. Remember the cross. Remember that God is our Father and that He loves His own children. Remember the grace in which we stand (Romans 5:1, 10; 8).

While remembering that the Sovereign King reigns and is coming again, put off anxious thoughts. Paul’s charge is not to merely grunt it out and pull yourself together. The solution is not to tell yourself that worrying does not accomplish anything or that “worrying does not change anything.” Lack of joy and peace is a spiritual issue with a spiritual solution. Through supplication and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Be practical in your thanksgiving. Make a list of all the things you can be thankful for in your present circumstances. Go back and thank God for each item. Trust that God will be faithful to change your heart. This gracious transformation of heart and mind is a work of God. Through Christ Jesus, God’s peace will keep and guard our hearts and minds, the battleground of anxiety. Peace is a promise from Christ for His own (John 14:27). The inverse is also true: there is no promise of peace for the wicked (Is. 48:44; 57:21). Colossians 3:15b-17 provides similar instruction. Finally, another promise of peace from Is. 26:3-4: You [God] will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

A Recommendation: A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent

2009-11-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

by Adam Bailie

Over the course of my Christian life I have read many influential books, been given many more influential books, and had countless books recommended to me for my growth in Christ. As pastors, our desire is to point you in the direction of the best resources for your growth in Christ and your understanding of His Word. This morning I would like to highlight one such resource: A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. If there are only a few books that you read thoroughly and repeatedly in your life, this one should be counted worthy of the list!

There is nothing more foundational to the Christian life than the power of God in the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18). It is our source of life, foundation of hope, focus of worship and motivation for obedience. This is the Christian life...it is all about the Gospel! I am indebted to A Gospel Primer for its clear and concise help in preaching the Gospel daily to my own heart.

You may wonder why such self-preaching is so necessary and beneficial to your Christian growth in grace. Please consider Milton’s first of thirty-one answers to such a question: “The gospel is so foolish (according to my natural wisdom), so scandalous (according to my timid heart), that it is a daily battle to believe the full scope of it as I should. There is simply no other way to compete with the forebodings of my conscience, the condemning of my heart, and the lies of the world and Devil than to overwhelm such things with the daily rehearsal of the gospel” (pg. 14). The Gospel is our daily need, it must be our daily meditation, for it alone is our truth claim in the face of so many lies.

The Power of God

2009-10-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

By David Morris

Maybe it’s the boy in me, but I’ve always enjoyed seeing raw power on display. Whether it was my dad lifting objects I hardly thought possible, a tank steamrolling over everything in its path, or just a good old-fashioned explosion of something. Power awes me.

As I was reading 1 Corinthians 1:18, however, I was struck with what Paul said the power of God is. What comes to your mind when you think about the power of God? Do you wish you could see it on display? Do you long for a powerful God to show Himself in your life? Maybe you wish you could see God’s power in signs and wonders, or maybe a brilliant display in nature. Paul emphatically declares that you can know and see God’s power on display. Here’s how: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Notice Paul does not say the cross is the power of God. He says the word of the cross is the power of God. The declaration of the cross, the Gospel message, the pronouncement of the sacrificial death of Jesus—this is the power of God. If you want to see the power of God most clearly on display, then listen to the word of the cross. This verse echoes the same thought of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Notice too that this display of God’s power is not universal. The cross message is only God’s power to those who are being saved. Unbelievers cannot hear about the crucifixion and see God’s power in it, nor can they experience that saving power. God’s power is on display in the Gospel only for believers. If you cannot see God’s power in the Gospel, you cannot know His salvation. If you do see His power in the Gospel, you cannot stop marveling.

The Greatest Commandment

2009-10-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

by Andy Muxlow

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

God’s clear and simple command is a refreshing reminder of our primary call as believers. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6 when asked by the Pharisees which is the greatest commandment in the Law. We are to genuinely love God with everything we have and in everything we do. Does all our ministry activity begin out of a love for God or has any root of legalism and routine robbed us of serving Him? It is important to ask ourselves the simple question “Why do we do what we do?” Our motives are of utmost concern to our Lord. Our heavenly Father sent His Son to pay for our sins on the cross. Let this reality drive us to live out our love for Him from renewed hearts.

This pure command of Scripture should be on our minds throughout the day. It should be a part of our daily conversation with our children and our meditation in the normal activities of the day. What a gift from our gracious God! It makes it difficult to have a bad day.

So, the question you might ask is “How do I do this?” I believe the answer is in the command. LOVE GOD with all your heart, soul and might. As you walk in the Spirit, God will enable you to obey His commands and He will receive all the glory. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey me.” I pray you will be refreshed in your love and devotion to our Christ and His wonderful saving grace.

Hear and Do? I Gotta Take Notes!

2009-10-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

by Garth Gaddy

If you are like me, you struggle when it comes to remembering the specifics of what is said during a sermon, particularly after a day or so. Left to my brain power alone I will likely remember the topic and scripture reference, but after a day I struggle to recollect the main point and content details. Come Wednesday at GraceGroup, I recall very little without reminders. For that reason, I take notes during our pastors’ sermons.

Our goal is to be hearers and doers of God’s Word (James 1:22-25). To hear and do implies application. This requires knowledge of the passage and message, and subsequent conversion to application. It’s a chain with two links: knowledge and application. We can’t just know and not apply. That would be disobedient to God’s Word. But we also can’t apply unless we know. Note-taking helps to cement the knowledge in our brains. As we hear and write, the teaching takes on not only an aural but also a visual component. It is also a mechanism for review prior to GraceGroups so that we come prepared to share how God’s Word is applicable to us.

Our pastors’ teaching is very note-friendly. They make it easy for us by repetitively giving the main point and list of sub-points at the beginning, sometimes using alliteration. Pastor-given application may be included after each sub-point or all at the end. If you are not accustomed to note-taking and find it difficult, don’t get frustrated. Start slowly, trying to capture the main point, the sub-points and some application. Work up from there to additional content as you get better. Remember, though, to seek the Holy Spirit’s leading in how God’s Word applies to you.

I keep all my notes in spiral notebooks on my bookshelf at home. This adds the side benefit of having an archive. On more than one occasion I have forgotten the details of a sermon that I needed for discussion. At these times, my note archive really comes in handy.

I have found that note-taking is essential for me to be a “doer” of God’s Word, and very likely it is for you too.

Uncomfortable yet Comforting Questions

2009-09-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

by Adam Bailie

I have been reading Job in my personal worship and this past week I finally arrived at my favorite section of Job, chapters 38-42. Having read chapters 1-37 more thoroughly than normal, this section was increasingly uncomfortable to read yet comforting in its implications. Job made his final challenge toward “the Almighty” in 31:35, followed by the rebuke and defense of God by Elihu in chapters 32-37. In 38:1, Yahweh answered the challenge of 31:35. God’s initial response is made up of a call to attention (38:3), a series of questions (38:4-39) and a rebuke (40:1-2). Each of the questions God asked suffering and complaining Job slams down like a sledgehammer, but each of the answers God implied comforts like the firm grasp of a daddy’s hand.

Suffering Christian, consider these realities and stop challenging God for answers:

Your God laid the foundation of the earth (38:4).
Your God determined the measurements of the universe (38:5-7).
Your God set the limits for the waters of the earth (38:8-11).
Your God commands the dawning of morning every day (38:12).
Your God produces all snow, hail, wind and rain (38:22-30).
Your God produces and preserves the constellations (38:31-33).
Your God commands storms and weather (38:34-38).
Your God feeds the animals of the wild (38:39-41).
Your God watches the goats, donkeys, oxen, ostriches, horses and hawks (39:1-30).
Your God has no worthy opponents (40:1-2).

This is your God, your Father through the adoption granted in Christ. He knows you and your circumstance, and He desires and accomplishes your good for His glory (Rom. 8:28-30).

More Blessings From the Gospel

2009-09-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

by David Morris

Having presented freedom and sonship as two blessed results of the Gospel, Galatians 3:27-29 continues with two further blessings: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

The Father had only one beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased. When He chose to add you to the family, He stooped to call you son as well. Your sonship comes through that of Jesus Christ, and you get it because you are one with Him.

Oneness
If the Spirit has baptized you into the body of Christ, you are one with Christ. You have dressed yourself with Him. Because everyone else who obeys the Gospel receives this same union with Christ, we are all one with each other. Gone are the economic, ethnic, sexual distinctions men prefer to use. Worth, status, meaning—all are lost to be replaced only by Christ.

Once upon a time, long ago, a promise was made to a man named Abraham. That covenant made Abraham’s descendents the special property of Christ. If you belong to Christ, then you are also in the line of Abraham.

Heritage
We enjoy the unique position of heirs to Abraham because of the Abrahamic Covenant. God promised Abraham a lineage of untold numbers. He promised that Abraham would bless the nations. He promised eternal loyal love. You are part of the fulfillment of that promise, and you are an heir to those promises.

What a glorious Gospel! Every thrust of Galatians exalts and defends this Gospel. The glorious Gospel has untold blessed results, causing eternal praise to the Savior that should begin here on earth. Let’s live in a manner worthy of this great Good News.

Glorious Gospel with Blessed Results

2009-09-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

by David Morris

Like an incredible diamond, the true Gospel sparkles with new brilliance when viewed from different angles. Like an unending onion, every layer of the Gospel we peel back reveals deeper layers. The entire book of Galatians elevates the glorious Gospel and its manifold, wondrous results, and Galatians 3:25-29 gives us four more of those blessed results. Here are the first two this week.

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

Freedom
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the tutorship of the Law. That’s a huge blessing, because the Law convincingly proved that no one could ever please God. It taught mankind that God was holy and we are not, and no amount of effort on our part could ever rearrange that equation. The Law is good, but to be left only with it is to be left with despair. It is to be left in a childlike, immature state, permanently stunted and enslaved.

But, oh, the glorious Gospel, which taught us that Christ-like righteousness was possible for us! The work we could never do ourselves is done, and we are now free to be righteous. We are free from our inability to ever reach God, free from the hateful power of the flesh that we could never overcome, free from the tyranny of a destructive lord.

We have a new Master through the Gospel. But even though we live in service to One we must obey as Lord, who has the right to dictate our every action and demand our entire allegiance, we also have been blessed with the intimate position of sonship.

Sonship
We are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a magnificent repercussion of the Gospel, that the high and holy God would use the familial, intimate, close relationship of sonship to illustrate who we are. The true Gospel brings us into intimate contact with the high and holy one who inhabits eternity and makes His last name ours. Let’s worship, today and every day, in a manner worthy of this great Gospel.

Who Loved Whom?

2009-09-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

by Adam Bailie

I was recently reminded of the powerful narrative of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. The most striking reality to me is the divine intervention that is so evident in this and every careful story of conversion. Paul was the foremost Christ-hater in his time. He was splattered with blood from the murder of Steven, and he was eager to round up and imprison Christians across the known world.

Paul was not a “seeker.” He wasn’t “open.” He was a scoffer. He was closed.

But God (Eph. 2:4)….

Galatians 1:14-15 holds a special place in my understanding of God’s sovereign grace. Here we have the privilege of reading Paul’s words to the churches of Galatia regarding his confidence in God’s sovereign election and ministry calling in his life. Paul did not give the average testimony around the campfire, where the convert is the center of the story. His story was one consumed with what God had done completely outside of Paul’s control or opinion. God had loved, chosen and called, and Paul was ready and willing to love Christ in return with his allegiance and obedience.

Oh, that we would grasp the miracle of divine intervention! God has crashed through the iron gates of our sinful hearts; He has pried open our blinded and crusted eyes; He has unclogged our deaf ears; He has quite amazingly intervened. 1 John 4:10 states, “ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” God…intervened…for my salvation…for His own praise and magnification. “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Brothers and sisters, let’s keep that in the right order.

"Thank You" from the Graumans

2009-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Some of you have asked for some more information about the ministry of The Expositor’s Institute and Josiah Grauman. Below are some questions and answers for your benefit, as you pray and care for the Graumans. More information can be found at www.grauman.com.

What is The Expositor’s Institute?
The Expositor’s Institute is a training center for Spanish-speaking pastors. The institute offers three programs: 1) A two-year certificate in Bible and Theology for all Christians desiring to learn more about the Bible, 2) a two-year diploma in Pastoral Ministry and Expository Preaching for men who are, or desire to be, pastors and 3) a two-year program in Greek and Hebrew for men who desire to deepen their study of Scripture through a study of the original languages. The Institute is scheduled to begin September 14, 2009.

How can you help support The Expositor’s Institute?
Please pray for Josiah and the students! You may also consider personally supporting the ministry of The Expositor’s Institute. Information regarding the scholarship fund can be found by clicking here.

A thank-you note from the Graumans...
To the brethren at Grace of the Valley:

Grace and peace. We have been overflowing with thankfulness to the Lord for you in these past few days. Your generosity manifested itself both in your kindness and your giving. Praise the Lord! Though I had been wondering and praying about how I was going to both raise support for the institute and prepare for classes, your gift has completely freed me up to study and minister to our incoming students. Thank you. And may God repay you according to the riches of His abundant grace.

Grateful partners in His gospel with you,
Josiah, Crystal, Abigail & Noah

Scripture's Authority vs. Society's Norms

2009-08-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Adam mentioned this week's disturbing decision that allows for ordaining homosexual "ministers" and lays the groundwork for accepting same-sex marriages in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For a stellar commentary from the well-read, articulate, and doctrinally sound president of Southern Seminary, read this article as well.

A Word from the Graumans

2009-08-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce the support of our first Grace Church supported global missionary. Josiah, his wife Crystal, and his daughter Abigail are a family whose ongoing legacy is the furthering of our Christ’s Kingdom mission. I know you will enjoy hearing from Josiah about the Lord’s direction in their lives as he answers the question, “Why are you leaving Mexico?”

The Lord’s sovereign, directing hand has always been unmistakable in my life. After open-heart surgery and a couple of strokes, 2 Cor. 1:3-5 drove me to the hospital chaplaincy. It was my overwhelming joy for almost five years to share the hope that Christ had given me, to the thousands that were dying without it. Another big factor was my own racial prejudice. To fight my sin head on, I decided to work at LA County Hospital, where over 90% of the patients were minorities. Yet the impossibility of reaching the multitudes was a constant burden. So when my own physical weakness prevented me from continuing as a chaplain, 2 Tim. 2:2 provided the direction I needed: if you want to reach thousands, train twelve.

One year after marriage, Crystal and I headed to Mexico City. For the past two years I have been pastoring in the local church and training men at Word of Grace Bible Seminary. By His grace, my students are reaching the multitudes that I as a weak/white American would have no chance of reaching. However, Mexico City is also rapidly becoming intolerable to my health condition (it’s at 7,500 feet with severe pollution).

Though we looked at a number of other places we could minister in Latin America as missionaries, it appears that the place where we would be most useful to the Lord’s Kingdom for the moment, is right back at home. As many of you might remember, during my years as a hospital chaplain in Los Angeles, one of the things that burdened me most was the spiritual weakness of the Spanish speaking churches in LA. Thus we have agreed to return to LA to help begin The Expositor’s Institute, which seems to be the most effective way to strengthen Christ’s Church in LA. The Expositor’s Institute is a training center for Spanish speaking pastors located at Grace Community Church. The institute offers three programs: 1) A two year certificate in Bible and Theology for all christians desiring to learn more about the Bible, 2) a two year diploma in  Pastoral Ministry and Expository Preaching for men who are, or desire to be pastors, and 3) a two year program in Greek and Hebrew for those men who desire to deepen their study of Scripture through a study of the original languages.

Your Highest Concern: the Gospel or America?

2009-08-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

by David Morris

Responses to last week’s message have been varied, from conviction to questions to slight disagreement. One recurring question has been: Is it fair to link racism to a dislike of Spanish becoming a prominent language in our valley and nation? Can’t we just dislike a system that is failing to help people integrate into American culture?

It seems to me that we often cloak our preference for our own culture and ethnicity, including language, behind concern for “America.” As believers, our identity is not in America, or black, or white, or rich, or poor. So it seems counter-Gospel to me that challenges to those distinctions should bother us. Our highest concern is the progress of the Gospel, not the language on our billboards. What I’m arguing is that helping people integrate into the American culture is a sub-Christian activity. Maybe that’s fine for political systems or social programs, but how does that fit into God’s plan for the Church? We need our Hispanic neighbors to become Christian, not American.

When it comes to global missionaries, we expect them to surrender English as their primary language, American food for their new culture’s, the kind of houses we have, etc. But for us to give up our claim to having “our” language predominant, or to fear our big houses “losing value” because certain ethnicities begin moving in, or to see our schools start to become integrated–that seems to run across the American Christian grain. However, since we are all missionaries (Matt. 10), shouldn’t we be just as quick to surrender our preferences, language, and surroundings? And if we are not willing, could it be because we value our own ethnicity or culture over the Gospel?

I realize there are complexities in how ethnicities relate to one another. But Scripture emphasizes a level playing field, one great similarity among us all: sin-sickness and Gospel need. We can undermine our Gospel efforts if our concern is maintaining ethnic or even American distinctions. The Kingdom demands our every effort. The nations have come to America and our valley, and as stewards we must be faithful to make disciples of them all. How can we effectively do that if we resent their language and impact on our society?

Responses to "What about Christians and racism?"

2009-08-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

Discussion continues from last Sunday's message, and I pray application does as well. Thought I'd share (with permission) one email I received, and would love to hear your thoughts, disagreements, or confusion over the message.

"I guess the conviction I have had since Sunday though is to ask myself...what is most profitable with regard to furthering the Gospel? Is my attitude with regard to language, welfare, culture, etc. getting in the way of me being a minister of the Gospel to what amounts to 50% of the people in Fresno County? I need to look deep within myself, ask God to reveal sin to me, whatever the source. What is getting in the way of me obeying God...fear, indifference, or racism? I need Gospel centered adjustments."

God, help! This land stuff is boring me!

2009-08-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

by David Morris

I recently read through Joshua and, as is sadly often the case in the Old Testament, began to get bogged down. Joshua 1-12 was pretty exciting. There were plenty of battles, drama, intrigue and excitement. But then I hit chapters 14-21, and the going got a bit rougher.

Chapter after chapter, verse after verse dealt in excruciating detail with cities and borders and land allotments. The first 12 chapters had talked a lot about the land too, but in exciting war narratives of conquest and adventure. 14-21 reads more like an ancient surveyors guide, like a great big Platt book of places few know or really care about today.

Thankfully, then it hit me. I’d been reading through the Pentateuch before I got to Joshua, so I should have expected it all along. The Land was central to God’s promises and to everything He was doing with the Israelites. Those chapters about division of the land are the detailing of the gracious and faithful character of God. Every border that was established and tribe that got their allotment is a testament to a promise-keeping God. Nothing could prevent God from keeping His word about the Land.

What a privilege to see those promises worked out in detail, and to know we have the same Yahweh today. God will keep every promise He has ever made, and even a quick scan of our Bibles reveals He’s made a lot of them. These promises aren’t just for anyone, however. They’re for God’s people. We have no right in ourselves to claim the promises of God. We have access to all the great and precious promises of God because of our Christ. In Christ, all God’s promises are yes to us.

Christ has elevated us beyond the status of enemies or even lowly slaves. He’s made us sons and daughters, with all the entailing rights and privileges. The book of Joshua clearly reveals a promise-keeping God, and in Christ that God and His promises are ours.

God, help! This theology stuff is boring me!

2009-07-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

by David Morris

The weakness of religious affections is just one of the many hazards of an age that disdains doctrine. Nowadays, people foolishly separate doctrine from practice and completely divorce it from emotion. “Dry theology” has somehow become the polar opposite of “warm affections.” Emotion in worship, public or private, tends to be unappreciated, devalued, or even non-existent. Hear this pastoral word from Jonathan Edwards, perhaps the greatest theological mind in American history:

We are nothing if we are not in earnest about our faith, and if our wills and inclinations are not intensely exercised. The religious life contains things too great for us to be lukewarm.

We find that people exercise the affections in everything else but religion! When it comes to their worldly interest, their outward delights, their honor and reputation, and their natural relations, they have warm affection and ardent zeal. In these things their hearts are tender and sensitive, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, and much engrossed. They get deeply depressed at worldly losses, and highly excited at worldly successes.

But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world! How dull then are their affections! Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small. How can they sit and hear of the infinite height, depth, length, and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of His gift of His infinitely dear Son offered up as a sacrifice for the sins of men, and yet be so insensible and regardless! Can we suppose that the wise Creator implanted such a faculty of affections to be occupied in this way? How can any Christian who believes the truth of these things not realize this?

May God give us help to delight in doctrine, to be thrilled with theology, to exult in Him.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

Learning Lessons at 70MPH

2009-07-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a personal story. No, I don’t think it’s amusing that your pastor both broke the law and was caught. And yes, I do think you should obey the speed limit and no, this should not give you an excuse to speed. I just thought there might be some benefit to consider some lessons I am learning from flashing blue and red lights.

1. Sin is the breaking of the law, intentional or not.
It all began with a pleasant drive with Cathy to the coast to celebrate our 7th anniversary. Our kids were left behind in capable hands, the temperature was dropping like a rock the closer we got to the ocean, and we were thoroughly enjoying uninterrupted and unhurried conversation. I saw the police car coming down the hill on the other side of the road, saw him make a hurried u-turn, saw him close the gap between us quickly, saw his lights come on.

Perhaps you too know the rest from personal experience, but just minutes and hardly any discussion later we were back on the road with an incredibly weighty half-slip of paper sitting between Cathy and me. And the first lesson was that sin is the breaking of the law, intended or not. I did not intend to speed. I hadn’t set out to break the law, wasn’t consciously aware that I had been, and wasn’t really even in a hurry. I just wasn’t paying attention and, after two hours of “keeping up with the flow of traffic,” had become desensitized to how fast I was going.

But none of that made it less sin. Speeding, of course you know, is sin because it is disobeying God’s ordained government and its rules (Rom. 13:1-2). And sin is no less sin because we didn’t “mean to.” Take a look at God’s character as revealed in the Mosaic Law, and see that all sin brings guilt, even the “unintended” kind (Num. 15:22-30.)

2. Repentance should always be my instant response to sin.
Because speeding is sin, and because I was blithely unthinking about my sin, the sight of flashing lights should have instantly caused repentance. No longer could I go on ignoring or overlooking my sin. When you get pulled over, there’s no escaping the reality that you have broken the law. And repentance should always be our instant response to awareness of sin.

As Christians, our repentance is not the initial, one-time turn from sin necessary at salvation (1 Thess. 1:8-10). Rather, it is the natural response of the redeemed heart when faced with sin. Because we are dead to sin and alive to God, our sin grieves and repulses us. We despair over the broken fellowship with our loving Father, running back to Him in keen awareness that our righteousness comes only from Christ and not ourselves. We agree with God that our speeding is sin and turn our backs on it, instantly choosing God’s commands over our own way.

3. Pride causes self-justification.
Just when I think I’ve responded correctly to my sin, more rears its ugly head. In this case, pride that causes self-justification. Pride is the exaltation of self, the enthroning of me and my wants, thoughts, desires. It is ultimately the worship of the god of self. Self-justification is the foolish attempt to declare one’s own self righteous, using one’s own standards, reasoning, and concerns.

When it came to my ticket, my temptations to self-justification included, “But I normally always obey the speed limit;” “I didn’t mean to break the law;” “Surely he couldn’t get an accurate reading while he was driving;” “Lots of other people have been passing me all day;” “I’ve never gotten a ticket before, so I shouldn’t get this one;” “Other members of the pastoral staff have been just as guilty as me and they weren’t given a ticket;” and one more time, “But I didn’t mean to.” None of those thoughts flow from a realistic view of justice. All of them come from my exaltation of my past goodness, overestimation of my current goodness, and relentless blame-shifting. Pride, ugly and enormous, lies at the root of self-defensive, self-justifying, self-excusing thoughts.

4. Pride causes anger at justice.
When justice is served and tickets are written, pride can also cause anger. “I don’t deserve this” quickly feeds into “and I’m mad that I got it.” Instead of celebrating justice, pride becomes irritated at it. Justice becomes the enemy. When police officers make you scowl, police cars make you snarl, judges make you complain, and tickets make you want to do some shredding, pride has caused anger at justice. If you come to church and don’t want to see Dave Torres’ shining head, blame your pride and not his occupation.

The reason our pride hates justice is that justice rightly condemns us. Justice means we are guilty, we are less than we think we are, we deserve punishment. In an odd microcosm, being angry at getting a ticket reflects an entire worldview that opposes salvation. Unregenerate man doesn’t think he deserves God’s condemnation in Hell. He doesn’t think he’s as bad as the next guy, that his sin is so seriously bad that it should condemn him, that his bad works have outweighed his good. In the ultimate act of pride, unsaved man trust himself for salvation. In recognition of the great sinfulness of this pride, even the slightest hint of irritation at earthly justice should be killed immediately.

5. Romans 8:28 includes speeding tickets.
God makes all things work together for good, which is that those who love God and are chosen by Him be conformed to the image of His Son. Think about God’s sovereign hand in my ticket. Our travel plans weren’t confirmed until Sunday morning, we didn’t leave home until the kids naps were over, we chose to make two stops for food and dessert before traveling…The list could go on and on. Yet at the exact moment that Officer Knox was coming down the hill we were going up. And entirely within God’s control—without assigning any of the blame to Him—was the speed at which we were going up that hill.

God’s good purposes for making me more Christlike this week included a speeding ticket. It hurts the wallet and blights the anniversary trip, but still, it is within His plan. Now I just need to allow Him to shape me. And I need to never speed again.

What about _____?

2009-07-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

by Adam Bailie

This summer, David and I are excited to teach through several topical issues that come up again and again in our fellowship with you all. These sermons are no less expository, in so much as their content will flow not from our minds, but from the mind of God as revealed in Scripture properly interpreted.

This summer the Bible will answer these questions: 1) What about eternal rewards? (already done) 2) What about God’s goodness in trials? 3) What about giving in the church? 4) What about the role of women in the church? 5) What about unity among Christians? 6) What about Christians and racism? 7) What about human free will?

Just to pique your interest, here is part of an article by John Piper that I read earlier this week regarding the study of human free will.

Before the fall of Adam sinless man was able to sin. For God said, “In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). As soon as Adam fell, sinful man was not able not to sin, since we were unbelieving, and “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). When we are born again, by the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to not sin, for “sin will have no dominion over you” (Romans 6:14). This means that what Paul calls “the natural man” or “the mind of the flesh” is not able not to sin. Paul says this in Romans 8:7-9, “The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (See also 1 Corinthians 2:14).

How then shall we think of free will?

It is not a saving power. In his freedom to will, fallen man cannot on his own do anything but sin. Such “free will” is a devastating reality. Without some power to overcome it’s bent, our free will only damns us.

Read, pray and prepare for a great summer of growth in grace through the power of the living Word, as we not only hear but do its precious commands!

Michael Jackson and Grace Church

2009-07-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

by Adam Bailie

This past week I have read many comments responding to the tragic death of Michael Jackson. Some were sorry attempts to use Jackson’s death as a cause for a joke, and some were pathetic attempts to immortalize this pagan entertainer.

One lost soul wrote, “Michael Jackson may very well have gone on to unite the world once again and bring about the next age of enlightenment. We have been robbed.... To all of you who cherish what Michael has always cherished, then cherish still. Live your lives with the intent to effect massive, fundamental change...And when you find that talent and have secured the spotlight, teach the rest of the world what Michael taught us. Our generation. Never forget what has happened this week. We have been robbed of hope.”

Later, after a Christian emailed asking in jest if I was making the trip for Jackson’s funeral in Los Angeles, I sketched a quick reply. With Matthew 10-11 ringing in my ears I wrote, “I was struck last week by both the response of the unbelieving fan base (worship) and the believing non-fan base (scorn and mockery). Michael Jackson’s vapor is gone...his blade of grass has withered...his eternity is under way (Jms. 4:13-17). Sobriety, holiness, and evangelistic zeal seem to be natural responses for us as Christians. The world is just worshipping another counterfeit savior. Another idol down the drain, and they mourn accordingly.”

My prayer for our church family is that our understanding of God’s Word will inform our thoughts, attitudes, and actions in every scenario. “Every scenario” includes cultural circumstances that produce national or international response. If we are to think God’s thoughts after Him, then that must affect our response to a human idol’s death. If he died apart from Christ, Michael Jackson is in his eighteenth day of an eternal, literal hell, experiencing the unleashing of God’s infinite fury for his sin. That isn’t funny, Christian. That isn’t a messiah, lost world.

Lord, send us with the great and only Savior for sinners, our Lord Jesus the Christ!

Losing God in The Shack

2009-07-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

Some things never go away, even though you expect them to. And even if they should fade away, sometimes they hang on relentlessly, defying all odds and reasonable expectations. Such is the case with The Shack.

Glowing reviews continue to pour in, with some even calling it the Pilgrim’s Progress of our day. Given the high praise and sheer volume of its accolades, it seems that some feel an almost personal attack when any criticism of the book surfaces. Arguments against critique vary, but the surprise and insult seem consistent.

The experiential argument says, “The Shack changed my view of God. How dare you challenge that?” The pragmatic argument says, “The Shack has swept America. From obscure roots to bestseller, how could something so received, powerful, and successful be bad?” The post-modern argument says, “There you go with doctrine again. This is just fiction and besides, what you believe might be fine for you, but what I believe is just as right. Who are you to judge?”

The biblical view needs to enter at some point. I’m sure most people who read this want to think of themselves as or to be called a mature believer (and if you don’t, you should). So I’m hopeful everyone who reads the two following reviews will rally to and not against a call for discernment. Hebrews 5:14 says the mature, those fit for solid food, have a discernment that comes from the training of constant practice in telling the difference between good and evil.

With those thoughts in mind, here are two of the best critical reviews I’ve read on The Shack.

http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/briefing/library/5395/#f1

http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf

Made to Worship

2009-07-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with this week's Pastoral Word, I found this quote fascinating and helpful.

"Kids love to be amazed. That is why we enjoy watching sports on TV. We love to marvel at amazing feats that ordinary mortals cannot accomplish. Whether football, basketball, ice skating or skiing, we love to be dazzled by athleticism. This is uniquely human… A brown bear grabs a salmon from the raging Columbia River. No bears line the shores applauding. Little bears don’t idolize Big Brown. They don’t hang posters of him in their dens. Idolizing greatness is innately human. We are made in the image of God and engineered for worship. We are fashioned for the fascination his glory evokes. Worship is a response to greatness."

Tedd Tripp, Instructing a Child's Heart

More on rewards

2009-06-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

Just read this post from Rick Phillips and, in light of last Sunday's message, thought it might be encouraging further reading.

Worship or Emulation: Can we be biblical about this?

2009-06-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to draw your attention to this article by John Piper. Whether within our local church or the universal, I'm confident we all need to think carefully and biblically about our reasons for putting others (or ourselves) forward as examples. So although this isn't about 1 Tim. 4:12, it's connected, as well as having other implications for sermon-listening, book-recommending, and blog-linking.

1 Tim. 4:12: Speech

2009-06-08T17:29:00.000-07:00

Youthfulness in pastors can be toxic. It can invade the Body, eroding confidence in leadership and breaking down respect and submission. Without trustworthy leadership, the Church of Jesus Christ is doomed to frustrating immaturity in her members and halting progress in her mission. Christ’s antidote for pastoral youthfulness is not found in age or experience. Instead, it’s in exemplary living. Paul ordered young Timothy to set the standard for all the believers of his church. Paul detailed specific areas where young pastors must be example setters, and his very first was in speech.

Paul begins with the tongue, which is another inspired piece of Divine intentionality. Matters of speech mark and plague youth. While Christians of every age must guard their tongues, it seems a symptom of youth to use words with careless flippancy, characteristic thoughtlessness, and clever hubris. Combined with the public and verbal nature of the pastoral ministry, immature speech can be an instant cause of disdain for young pastors.

To cite a common example from the many available, consider Mark Driscoll. If you’re unfamiliar with his name or the brouhaha surrounding him, even a cursory internet search will give you more than ample proof that “controversy” is a mild description of what’s been going on.

(For what it’s worth, I think this sermon by my former pastor, Phil Johnson, is the best exegetical treatment of language from the pulpit I’ve heard to date. I’ve yet to see any substantive argument against his exegesis. In my use of the word, “substantive argument” does not equal “But I really like Mark” or “But he’s doing incredibly effective ministry in an incredibly pagan environment.” And if you want to read what I feel is a very helpful and non-pejorative critique, check out this article at My Two Cents.)

Without adding any more fuel to that fire, I bring up Driscoll for a reason. If nothing else (and there should be “else), the debate focusing on him should plainly warn all young pastors that speech matters. The words we use will be used to judge our youthfulness. And that’s entirely appropriate because God made it that way. If young pastors don’t want to be marginalized or disdained, they must set the standard for speech in public and private. If young pastors want to make much of Christ and the glory of the Gospel, they must consistently muzzle youthful speech and model biblical communication. If young pastors want believers to take them and their leadership seriously, their speech must not only meet but also set the biblical ideal.

At this point it is critical for us to examine the biblical standard for speech. If Timothy was to be an example, he had to know what the model was. Tradition is no basis for determining a standard. Culture, generational preferences, and family tendencies are all unsafe guides for evaluating the speech of young pastors. Exemplary speech is not about following traditional norms for levity or gravity. It’s not about determining the preferences of a culture or subculture and then meeting them. It’s not about avoiding pop words that make older people frown or employing cool lingo that impresses high schoolers.

The standard for exemplary speech is found in our only rule for faith and practice, the entirely authoritative and sufficient Scriptures. Not only does God’s Word dogmatically determine the boundaries for exemplary speech, it also provides all the boundaries needed for pastors living in the 21st century. With just a modicum of wisdom, young pastors should be able to evaluate language in their contemporary setting and successfully apply biblical principles. In the next post, I’d like to share just a few of those principles for exemplary speech.

Young pastors and 1 Timothy 4:12

2009-06-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

There’s no escaping it. Your pastors are young. No amount of pretending, facial hair, or new birthdays can hide what is plain to see. We’re young. If we can count on any reaction when we’re first introduced as pastors, specifically as pastors at Grace, it’s that we’ll get a quick look-over followed by the inevitable, “Wow, you’re so young.” And we neither deny that nor resent it.

Our confidence in the Word of God drives us as young pastors. If ministry goals, priorities, and success were left up to us, we’d be some very frustrated young men. If wisdom depended on age and experience, we’d be some very ineffective young men. If pastoring were only for the veteran and aged, we’d be some very unqualified young men. To God’s glory, however, the Bible is a sure and solid word for pastors regardless of age.

Precisely because of our awareness of our own age, several biblical passages hit very close to home. We treasure these passages, feed on them, depend on them. Specifically, Paul’s pastoral letters to young Timothy are a constant treasure trove of encouragement, conviction, and instruction. Over the next few posts, I’d like to consider with you some very personal and practical implications of 1 Timothy 4:12.

1 Timothy 4:12 opens with an extremely pointed command. Paul orders Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth.” Paul was aware of the distinct possibility that people might look down at Timothy with disdain, ridicule, and rejection. Paul targets Timothy’s “youth” as the object of that disdain. I don’t think that Paul is suggesting people would look down on Timothy merely because of his age. Implied is the host of immature baggage that attends youthfulness, as seen in the contrast that will complete the verse.

For all the good energy, idealism, and promise that come with young leaders, there are undeniable hazards as well. “Youth” can mean lack of testing. Young pastors have not gone through the crucible of day-in, day-out ministry and come out proven as faithful. “Youth” can mean lack of maturity. It can mean rash impetuousness, selfish pleasure seeking, reckless energy, and shortsighted living. But it does not have to.

Paul does not tell Timothy to live in paranoid fear of man’s opinion, constantly focusing on every raised eyebrow and condescending “You’ll know better when you’re older.” He does not leave Timothy with the impossible task of controlling the thoughts and attitudes of others. Instead, he gives him a clear personal responsibility that will stop others from despising his youth. Paul says young Timothy should be a stellar example.

Notice Paul does not tell Timothy to wait until he is older and wiser to pastor, or to find an aged mentor, or to get some more experience under his belt (all of which can be helpful). Paul’s concern with youthfulness is not about experience. It’s about example. If we as young pastors are to keep others from despising our youthfulness, then we should live as model biblical men.

The Holy Spirit intentionally chose five key areas where young pastors must clearly shine. Ever wonder why these five? There are a plethora of biblical commands and characteristics young pastors are just as responsible for as these. But I’m convinced that these five areas were particular challenges for Timothy and continue to be so for every other young pastor. The components of speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity pose unique dangers to the weaknesses and hence reputations of young pastors. In following posts, we’ll explore a more detailed look at all five of these crucial character priorities. Without being examples in these areas, your young pastors are doomed to be despised for their youth.

Summer Sailin'

2009-05-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

For the Kingdom citizen, ministry is not an event. It’s a lifestyle, the natural outworking of Kingdom priorities. Instead of being driven by programs, the Kingdom citizen is driven by principles. That doesn’t mean, however, that principles never have a practical or “program” outflow. I’d like to share with you why we do what we do when it comes to VBS.

“Summer Sailin’” is the theme of this year’s VBS. We’re going to enjoy nautical crafts, do sea-faring games, and eat some…ocean cookies. More seriously, however, we’re doing a VBS because we’re convinced it fits Kingdom principles. From these early foundational days of our church, we want to establish that everything we do needs to flow from our biblical priorities.

There are, I’m sure you know, some very bad reasons to do a VBS. For instance, “Because we did it last year,” “because other churches do it,” “because it’s fun,” and “because David needs something to do in the summer” are all poor motivations. Here are what we think are good reasons. For kids, VBS provides a fun, safe environment to learn about the Gospel and the character of God. For parents, VBS helps Christian parents teach their children about the Gospel and God, simultaneously reaching out to unsaved parents. For workers, VBS provides an opportunity to willingly serve the Lord with gladness, using the church’s gifts and building body life and unity.

So much more than a fun summer tradition, Summer Sailin’ will help us accomplish our goals as defined in God’s Word. The lessons this year will focus on salvation by grace alone. Day after day, we’ll present to kids the hopelessness of trying to earn salvation, the wonder of the cross, and the need for faith. All the other trappings of VBS serve these foundational purposes. I hope you’ll join our VBS endeavors as you pray and possibly serve with us. Let’s live out in practical ways the Kingdom principles we love so dearly.

Why Faith & Practice?

2009-05-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Faith and Practice, a weblog which originally started January 1, 2006. As of May 20, 2009, it has been resurrected as the pastoral blog for Grace Church of the Valley. The purpose of this blog is to promote both sound biblical doctrine ("faith") and authentic Christian living ("practice"). While our primary audience is GCV members, any visitors who wish to read along are welcome. Our concern for you all is that you will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Our blog's name
"Faith and practice" has been used historically in the broad sense of doctrinal distinctives, encompassing all areas of both belief and behavior, doctrine and duty. At the same time, it is a peculiarly precise phrase since it focuses on the intrinsic relationship between theology in principle and theology in action. It underscores the fact that the two concepts—of faith and practice—go hand in hand. Genuine faith always impacts real life; and, conversely, deeds and decisions can always be traced back to an underlying system of belief.

From a biblical point of view, faith and practice are so intertwined that—at times—they are almost synonymous. In the Scriptures, to believe is to obey. As Christ said in John 3:36: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." During His sermon on the mount, Jesus emphasized the fact that, "You will know them [false prophets] by their fruits. . . . So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit" (Matt. 7:16–18). The rest of the New Testament echoes our Lord’s emphasis, with perhaps the most clear reiteration coming from James: "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). In other words, where genuine practice is lacking, there genuine faith is also lacking. And vice versa.

Thus we chose the name "faith and practice" because it encompasses all areas of theology, from the systematic to the practical; and also because it serves as a vivid reminder to all of us that true Christianity does not consist of mere theory, but of wholehearted obedience to the truth (cf. John 14:15).

Our blog's purpose

Our primary objective, as in all facets of our ministry, is to glorify God. Fidelity to His Word is necessary to accomplish so lofty a goal, as is commitment to what matters most to the heart of God. One immediate application of that belief is the content of this blog. Another is the audience. Because Christ loves His church, even giving His life for her, this is a blog for Grace Church. It is a pastoral blog, a blog written by shepherds for sheep. The flock of God among us, here in the San Joaquin Valley, is our primary audience. Our pastoral concern will drive what we write, why we write, how we write, how much and how little we write, and when we write. We are convinced that the local church is the hope of the world, and as such she receives our primary ministry opportunities, focus, and energies.

At the same time, we would be remiss to ignore the reality of the church at large. Ours is a global world. For good or ill, we live as Christians in the day of instant, worldwide, constant contact. Gone are the days of churches isolated in their own geographies, cut off from any outside Christian contact or knowledge. Our blog is readable by all, and so at times we hope to provide a perspective of faith and practice for those beyond the membership of our local church.

To that end, we intend to blog our pastoral perspectives which we hope will be of benefit to the body of Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!

Our blog's rules
Here at F&P, we welcome comments. Sort of. As always, our philosophy determines what we do. Since the primary audience of this blog is members of our church, we genuinely want the opportunity for comments, interaction, and questions from you, Grace Church member.

On the other hand, it's a big blog world. So, we moderate all comments and reserve the unabashed right to allow only what we wish to allow. Anonymous comments, as well as those from fake email addresses, will be instantly rejected. Comments from trolls, rabble-rousers, obstinates, argument seekers, and those wishing to use our comments as their own blog will be discarded at will, most often without explanation. We don't have the slightest hint of compulsion to allow any and all comments, and while we embrace free speech as an American principle we reject its validity as a blog philosophy. Forewarned is forearmed, so with that in mind comment away.

Mother's Day Danger

2009-05-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mommies, grandmas, and great-grandmas! There is something special about having a day set aside to make an effort to show love for our mothers and the mothers close to us. It is convenient to get a card, swing by the flower shop, enjoy a family meal, and feel as if we have loved our moms. It is convenient, but is it biblical?

The danger with holidays like Mother's Day is that rather than being a bonus day of showing honor and love, they become the annual day to actually honor and love...they can become our check-box for loving our parents.

The Bible is not silent when it comes to the children's relationships to parents. When we read "honor your father and mother" in Ephesians 6:2, the verb Paul uses is an ongoing command. We could read that verse "keep honoring (a Christian life habit) your dad and mom." The Proverbs 31 mom is also the beneficiary of continual praise and honor from her husband and children (Prov. 31:28). So there is a theme in Scripture that moms are to be loved, honored, and held in high regard as a lifestyle, not a holiday.

Today we have an opportunity to join the culture around us in publicly loving our mothers. Tomorrow we have an opportunity to shine as lights in the darkness through persistent Christ-centered love for mom, grandma, and great-grandma. So, lets commit to actively loving our moms today and tomorrow for the glory of God! May they receive our love and deflect all glory to your gracious Lord (Rom. 11:33-36).

A Closing Word on the One-Anothers

2009-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

For the past couple months we have utilized the Pastoral Word in your weekly bulletin to rehearse the New Testament’s expectations for life together. These commands were given in the context of the local church, and they assume a committed body of believers with committed biblical leaders. Whether it was the church members at Galatia, Colossae, or the scattered church of Jerusalem, all were real churches with real pastors, deacons, and members.

Many of you have voiced your excitement about the seriousness with which church membership is handled here at Grace Church. These weekly articles have been our attempt to broaden your understanding of what your Christ expects of you as a Christian identified with a local church. This month we have also been highlighting What Is A Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile as our book of the month. The ten short chapters are divided into biblical truths regarding members within the local church. According to Anyabwile, a healthy church member is (1) an expositional listener, (2) a biblical theologian, (3) gospel saturated, (4) genuinely converted, (5) a biblical evangelist, (6) a committed member, (7) one who seeks discipline, (8) a growing disciple, (9) a humble follower, and (10) a prayer warrior.

Please don’t miss this opportunity to further renew your mind with biblical truth (Rom. 12:1-2). Press on in grace, as you pursue biblical membership that reflects your love for the Head of the church.

Would you like that gift wrapped?

2009-03-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

The best illustrations provide pictorial clarity to a complex idea or concept. One of the most familiar Christian illustrations paints a picture of the greatest truth, the good news that the Son of God died for sinners and rose from the dead to offer salvation to those who believe. In this illustration, the evangelical pastor often focuses on the Bible’s description of salvation as a gift of grace alone through faith in Jesus alone. In fact Ephesians 2:8-9 even says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (ESV). This illustration of God the Father offering you the sinner a free gift of salvation is surely a cultural picture that we can envision. But there is a danger in this common illustration.

It seems that the danger lies in the package that you envision for the gift offered by God. Here in Kingsburg, most of us are familiar with gifts wrapped in decorative paper and fancy bows, or perhaps a clever gift bag. If you have heard the good news that Jesus will forgive sinners who will believe from their eternal sin-debt, and you have heard that this salvation is a free gift apart from good works to earn it, then you have heard the exclusively Christian gospel. Having heard of this salvation gift, you must not think of the gift from God as a fluffy and frilly package with a pretty bow on top. Those who turn from sin and self-righteous effort and believe in the finished substitution of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), indeed receive a gift…it is wooden and rugged, not wrapped in pretty paper and a bow. It is a Roman cross, an instrument of violent execution, just like the one Jesus died upon to provide complete salvation. This is your gift, if you repent and believe. Luke 9:23-24 records Jesus’ words regarding the salvation gift, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (ESV).

Those who receive the gift of salvation are receiving the joy of daily death to their own way, their own goodness, and their own agenda and wisdom. True Christians have received their own cross from their crucified King. He will forever be their way, their truth, and their life (John 14:6). They will no longer lean on the wisdom of ancient men or modern gurus, for they will know the triune God and His living Word, the source of all wisdom (Psalm 119:99-100). Salvation is the gift of God; it is a life of faith in Jesus, expressed in daily crucifixion of self and obedience to the all-sufficient Savior. The missionary-martyr Jim Elliot was correct when he concluded, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

*This article was originally published as a column in the Kingsburg Press newspaper.

Christmas Good News

2008-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

As a new pastor in a new church here in town, I consider the opportunity to contribute to this column a privilege. I am so thankful for the Kingsburg Press and its service to our community. It is refreshing to have a local paper writing local stories from the local perspective. This column is about that local perspective, but it comes from a specific group of locals⎯the pastors. My pastoral desire is to share a perspective that flows from God Himself. This is a tall order, I know, but God has left us a clear record of His thoughts in His Word, the Bible. It only follows, then, that the Bible should be the beginning, middle, and end of all my thoughts as a Christian pastor.

With the Christmas season approaching, I am concerned that all Kingsburgians do not share a proper perspective of Jesus, the Christmas child. That concern comes from awareness that all of us are sinners, and as sinners our thoughts are naturally skewed regarding God, our condition, and the person and work of Jesus. This natural confusion necessitates that we turn to the Bible, God’s perfect revelation of truth. The Bible insists that God created and owns everything (Genesis 1:1) and, as the perfectly sinless Creator, requires sinlessness of His children (Matthew 5:48). Because we are the descendants of sinful Adam, we are born in sin and rebellion against God (Romans 3:10-18). The penalty for our sins against God is eternal death and punishment (Romans 6:23). Therefore, we are incapable of earning God’s favor (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9). Thankfully, the Bible does not leave us with only this dark and desperate situation.

In Luke 2:7, there is good news! Baby Jesus was born to a virgin named Mary. This miraculous birth is the introduction of God’s gracious plan of salvation. This Christmas season, Jesus must not be viewed as a cute little baby, a good teacher and example for humanity, or a great prophet spreading a message from God. The Bible gives no such description, but states that Jesus is eternal God (Colossians 1:15), eternal Creator (Colossians 1:16), eternal Sustainer of all that is created (1:17), and the sinless sacrifice for sinners (Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Only those who have a proper perspective of baby Jesus will have a proper response to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). The proper response will be recognition of one’s sinful condition, rejection of one’s own efforts to please God (Isaiah 55:7), and belief of the truth about Jesus (John 3:16; Romans 10:9). The call of the Christmas Child is crystal clear: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

I will pray for you that this Christmas will be one of worshiping Jesus, the eternal Son of God, and the perfect substitute for sinners, the King of kings and Lord of lords!

*This article was originally published as a column in the Kingsburg Press newspaper.