"You shall have no other gods before Me," says the LORD. But what does it mean to have another god besides the LORD?
Martin Luther puts it this way:
A god is whatever we expect to provide all good and in which we take refuge in all distress...Whatever you set your heart on and put your trust in, that, I tell you, is your true God.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
"Do it Again!"
If you have contact with young children, you know how long they can find enjoyment in the same thing over and over again. "Do it again!", is the refrain of a little child. My daughter has certainly got that phrase down.
So it was with great interest that I read this quote from G.K. Chesterton, who suggests that Halle is reflecting to me the image of our Maker:
A child kicks its legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough...
It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again," to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again," to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike: it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in nature may not be mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore.
So it was with great interest that I read this quote from G.K. Chesterton, who suggests that Halle is reflecting to me the image of our Maker:
A child kicks its legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough...
It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again," to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again," to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike: it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in nature may not be mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Celebrating (Sinful) Sports Stars
Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But it seems as though recently his accomplishments off the field have been overshadowing his impressive accomplishments on the field. Unfortunately, his off-field "accomplishments" are far less impressive, causing many sports writers and fans to question his character and judgment.
The most recent allegation is that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted a 20 year-old woman in a bar bathroom in Georgia. Last summer he was served with a civil lawsuit by a hotel worker who accused him of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel where the woman worked. Of course these are only allegations and I do believe a man is innocent until found guilty.
But there is more. He almost killed himself in 2006 when he had a motorcycle accident while riding without a helmet, and has a reputation in Pittsburgh of skipping out on his restaurant tabs. And when I did a search of his name to insert a photo into this post, this photo of an obviously drunk Roethlisberger was one of the first to come up.
Ben Roethlisberger is a sinner. And so am I. I'm not bringing up a record of his sins in order to cast judgment on the man. To do so would be to cast judgment on myself, for I am the greatest sinner that I know. The question on my mind is this: should Christians celebrate this guy, and others like him, by wearing his football jersey? Going to school at Penn State, I know many Christians who watch their beloved Steelers on Sunday afternoons wearing a Roethlisberger jersey.
I personally wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. In fact, my Chase Utley Phillies T-shirt now serves as a dust rag after he dropped the F-bomb in a pre-planned speech on live TV after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008. Yet I still have and wear my Jimmy Rollins shirt, though for all I know he may well use the F-word as often as Utley and get drunk as much as Roethlisberger. And when I go to Phillies games, I sometimes wear an authentic Ryan Howard Jersey that my wife got me for a great price at a yard sale a few years ago. Maybe that is hypocrisy; I've not got this all figured out.
As a Christian, I desire that my whole life reflect a hunger for God's glory. That includes my enjoyment of sports. I certainly do it very imperfectly, and I don't think there are absolutes when it comes to areas of Christian liberty like this.
So let me be clear: I'm not suggesting that Christians who wear Ben Roethlisberger's jersey are sinning by doing so. I'm simply saying that I am not comfortable doing so, and am curious what other readers think about this subject.
For those of you who love sports, how do you feel about celebrating and cheering for athletes who are openly living their lives in rebellion against the God whom we love and worship?
The most recent allegation is that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted a 20 year-old woman in a bar bathroom in Georgia. Last summer he was served with a civil lawsuit by a hotel worker who accused him of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel where the woman worked. Of course these are only allegations and I do believe a man is innocent until found guilty.
But there is more. He almost killed himself in 2006 when he had a motorcycle accident while riding without a helmet, and has a reputation in Pittsburgh of skipping out on his restaurant tabs. And when I did a search of his name to insert a photo into this post, this photo of an obviously drunk Roethlisberger was one of the first to come up.Ben Roethlisberger is a sinner. And so am I. I'm not bringing up a record of his sins in order to cast judgment on the man. To do so would be to cast judgment on myself, for I am the greatest sinner that I know. The question on my mind is this: should Christians celebrate this guy, and others like him, by wearing his football jersey? Going to school at Penn State, I know many Christians who watch their beloved Steelers on Sunday afternoons wearing a Roethlisberger jersey.
I personally wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. In fact, my Chase Utley Phillies T-shirt now serves as a dust rag after he dropped the F-bomb in a pre-planned speech on live TV after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008. Yet I still have and wear my Jimmy Rollins shirt, though for all I know he may well use the F-word as often as Utley and get drunk as much as Roethlisberger. And when I go to Phillies games, I sometimes wear an authentic Ryan Howard Jersey that my wife got me for a great price at a yard sale a few years ago. Maybe that is hypocrisy; I've not got this all figured out.
As a Christian, I desire that my whole life reflect a hunger for God's glory. That includes my enjoyment of sports. I certainly do it very imperfectly, and I don't think there are absolutes when it comes to areas of Christian liberty like this.So let me be clear: I'm not suggesting that Christians who wear Ben Roethlisberger's jersey are sinning by doing so. I'm simply saying that I am not comfortable doing so, and am curious what other readers think about this subject.
For those of you who love sports, how do you feel about celebrating and cheering for athletes who are openly living their lives in rebellion against the God whom we love and worship?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Grace Changes Everything
This looks like a valuable new resource from Tim Keller: Gospel in Life: Grace Changes Everything. Keller's emphasis on the gospel each and every week in his pulpit ministry has been immensely useful in my own spiritual growth and my emphases as a preacher.
Trailer for Gospel in Life from Redeemer City to City on Vimeo.
"The Fundamental Task of Parenting"
Michelle and I read this last night in This Momentary Marriage. What a humbling calling it is to raise children (biological or spiritual):
"The most fundamental task of a mother and father is to show God to the children. Children know their parents before they know God. This is a huge responsibility and should cause every parent to be desperate for God-like transformation. The children will have years of exposure to what the universe is like before they know there is a universe. They will experience the kind of authority there is in the universe and the kind of justice there is in the universe and the kind of love there is in the universe before they meet the God of authority and justice and love who created and rules the universe. Children are absorbing from dad his strength and leadership and protection and justice and love; and they are absorbing from mother her care and nurture and warmth and intimacy and justice and love—and, of course, all these overlap.
"The most fundamental task of a mother and father is to show God to the children. Children know their parents before they know God. This is a huge responsibility and should cause every parent to be desperate for God-like transformation. The children will have years of exposure to what the universe is like before they know there is a universe. They will experience the kind of authority there is in the universe and the kind of justice there is in the universe and the kind of love there is in the universe before they meet the God of authority and justice and love who created and rules the universe. Children are absorbing from dad his strength and leadership and protection and justice and love; and they are absorbing from mother her care and nurture and warmth and intimacy and justice and love—and, of course, all these overlap.
And all this is happening before the child knows anything about God, but it is profoundly all about God. Will the child be able to recognize God for who he really is in his authority and love and justice because mom and dad have together shown the child what God is like. The chief task of parenting is to know God for who he is in many attributes and then to live in such a way with our children that we help them see and know God. And, of course, that will involve directing them always to the infallible portrait of God in the Bible."
Monday, March 8, 2010
Springtime and Salvation
I went for a run outside today for the first time since early December. The temperature is in the low 60's, and it seems like Spring is arriving in the Northeast.I can't recall ever feeling so excited about the arrival of Spring as I do right now. And I imagine that is because I've never experienced a Winter as harsh as the one we've experienced this year.
It's a little parable of our lives in Christ, isn't it? The glory of our coming salvation gets sweeter and sweeter in light of the bitterness and pain of this present life. As Paul says, "Our light, momentary afflictions are producing for us a weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Going out running today, I kind of felt like I was in Narnia, knowing that Aslan was on the move. How precious it will be, when the true and better Aslan returns to make all things new.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Don't Waste Your Pulpit
A good reminder this morning as I prepared to stand before our congregation and preach from God's Word:
Friday, March 5, 2010
Who Did Jesus Die For?
No, I'm not thinking of the third point of Calvinism (if you're interested in thinking about the question that way, I'd recommend this sermon).
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes:
"We have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
So Paul says that Jesus died for us ("for their sake", v.14). It is good and right for a Christian to say and love the truth, "Jesus died for me." But in the same sentence he writes that Jesus died for us, so that we might live for Him.
So did Jesus die for us, or for Himself?
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes:
"We have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
So Paul says that Jesus died for us ("for their sake", v.14). It is good and right for a Christian to say and love the truth, "Jesus died for me." But in the same sentence he writes that Jesus died for us, so that we might live for Him.
So did Jesus die for us, or for Himself?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Alright Baseball Fans...
Since common grace is on my mind today, let's talk baseball! One Spring Training game is under our belt, so it's time to ask for some predictions. I'm still somewhat amazed that the guy widely regarded as the best pitcher in baseball actually wanted to play for the Phillies and signed a contract extension for less money because he was so serious about playing here. That makes me an instant fan of Roy Halladay, though I'm not thrilled with seeing Cliff Lee depart after only half a season with the Phils.
So what do you see happening this season? Tell me who you think will play in the World Series, and who will take the crown this year?
What Gifts of Common Grace are You Thankful For?
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"Common Grace" is a bit hard to define, but essentially it refers to the grace God gives to all people (believers and unbelievers) which enables them to make valuable contributions to the world's culture, to do civic good and sustain earthly life and blessing (see Matthew 5:45).Today, in the midst of fighting a wearying head cold, I am exceedingly grateful for the common grace gift of Afrin nasal spray. Whoever created this product has surely been an instrument of God's grace and kindness in my life, supplying me with the gift of breathing!
What's a gift of God's common grace that you are grateful for today?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Matt Chandler: The Gospel on the Ground, and In the Air
This past Sunday, I did my best to answer as plainly and clearly as I could from 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 the question: what is the gospel?
According to Matt Chandler, I only hit the gospel "on the ground" in that sermon. I didn't get into the gospel "in the air". But I'm with him wholeheartedly that both are precious and ought to be unpacked regularly. In fact, if I'd gone on in 1 Corinthians 15 I would have gotten there, but only so much can be said in 45 minutes!
Check out this video to see what he's talking about:
According to Matt Chandler, I only hit the gospel "on the ground" in that sermon. I didn't get into the gospel "in the air". But I'm with him wholeheartedly that both are precious and ought to be unpacked regularly. In fact, if I'd gone on in 1 Corinthians 15 I would have gotten there, but only so much can be said in 45 minutes!
Check out this video to see what he's talking about:
Matt Chandler - 20/20 2010 Session 1 from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Humble Orthodoxy
From Josh Harris' new book Dug Down Deep:
“We should strive to hold our beliefs with a charity and kindness that won’t embarrass us in heaven.”
“We should strive to hold our beliefs with a charity and kindness that won’t embarrass us in heaven.”
Monday, March 1, 2010
Defending and Delighting in Penal Substitution
For anyone interested in thinking through (and worshiping through) the doctrine of penal substitution which I referred to in yesterday's sermon, I highly recommend Pierced for our Transgressions. Reading it will require careful thought and attention, but I can't think of anything more worthy of our careful thought than understanding what Jesus accomplished for His people on the Cross.
The Cross Under Attack
In my sermon yesterday, I mentioned that many of the main points that make the gospel such wonderfully good news are being attacked or belittled from within the ranks of those calling themselves evangelical Christians.
For the sake of time, I did not get into any of those attacks in the sermon. If I'd had the time, I would have at least mentioned this quote from Steve Chalke and Alan Mann in their book, The Lost Message of Jesus.
“The fact is that the cross isn’t a form of cosmic child abuse—a vengeful Father, punishing his Son for an offence he has not even committed. Understandably, both people inside and outside of the Church have found this twisted version of events morally dubious and a huge barrier to faith. Deeper than that, however, is that such a concept stands in total contradiction to the statement: God is love”. If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by his Son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus’ own teaching to love your enemies and to refuse to repay evil with evil.”
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this statement is blasphemous. What's most alarming is that, from what I understand, Chalke is considered the face of evangelical Christianity in London. And the book in which this quote is found is published by Zondervan, the biggest Christian publisher in the business.
What the Apostle Paul said to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:29ff) is obviously just as true today as when it was written nearly 2,000 years ago:
"I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert..."
For the sake of time, I did not get into any of those attacks in the sermon. If I'd had the time, I would have at least mentioned this quote from Steve Chalke and Alan Mann in their book, The Lost Message of Jesus.
“The fact is that the cross isn’t a form of cosmic child abuse—a vengeful Father, punishing his Son for an offence he has not even committed. Understandably, both people inside and outside of the Church have found this twisted version of events morally dubious and a huge barrier to faith. Deeper than that, however, is that such a concept stands in total contradiction to the statement: God is love”. If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by his Son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus’ own teaching to love your enemies and to refuse to repay evil with evil.”
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this statement is blasphemous. What's most alarming is that, from what I understand, Chalke is considered the face of evangelical Christianity in London. And the book in which this quote is found is published by Zondervan, the biggest Christian publisher in the business.
What the Apostle Paul said to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:29ff) is obviously just as true today as when it was written nearly 2,000 years ago:
"I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert..."
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