I was sent this link recently - love it!
We've got to be continually aware of the creeping insidiousness (is that a word?) of religion. we lapse so easily into the elder-brotherishness of Luke 15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY&feature=related
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Doubting with Confidence
On Sunday we were talking about John the Baptiser. Jesus was having a massive go at people for being unbelievably childish....wanting God to dance to their tune "you're too serious"/"you're not serious enough" etc...and he holds John up as a great example of an authentic follower.
In fact he said that no one greater had ever walked the face of the planet. That's a pretty bold claim to make and it certainly gets your attention. (I remember listening to Gordon Ramsey on Desert Island Discs and hearing him say that his all time favourite book about the world of catering was Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. That got my attention so I bought the book and took it on holiday in the sure knowledge I'd get to hear someone really worth listening to.) But then we hear that John, for all this tremendous accolade, was full of doubt, confusion and disappointment.
"Go and find Jesus", he tells two of his own followers, "and ascertain whether he really is the One because it sure doesn't feel like it from this prison cell in Machaerus Fortress...." He wants to know what on earth is going on. Don't we all face that. "God, what are you doing with all the power you have because I don't get it!"
Jesus doesn't offer any explanation for the confusing stuff but simply says, "Look at what I am doing not what I'm not - you know the stuff you think I should be doing." Jesus lists the things he's doing and invites John to focus on that. The lesson is simple. it's OK to have doubts and confusion about the stuff that we see around us but we need to focus on what Jesus is doing and supremely on what he has done on the Cross.
Verse 23 of chapter 7 is a stinger: Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me or...
Blessed is the person who doesn’t give up on God because they’re disappointed with the way I choose to operate.
How many of us give up or are tempted to give up on God because he doesn't dance to our tune delivering what we think he should. The antidote....focus on the amazing grace of God shown to us in the Cross, the work he has done.
In fact he said that no one greater had ever walked the face of the planet. That's a pretty bold claim to make and it certainly gets your attention. (I remember listening to Gordon Ramsey on Desert Island Discs and hearing him say that his all time favourite book about the world of catering was Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. That got my attention so I bought the book and took it on holiday in the sure knowledge I'd get to hear someone really worth listening to.) But then we hear that John, for all this tremendous accolade, was full of doubt, confusion and disappointment.
"Go and find Jesus", he tells two of his own followers, "and ascertain whether he really is the One because it sure doesn't feel like it from this prison cell in Machaerus Fortress...." He wants to know what on earth is going on. Don't we all face that. "God, what are you doing with all the power you have because I don't get it!"
Jesus doesn't offer any explanation for the confusing stuff but simply says, "Look at what I am doing not what I'm not - you know the stuff you think I should be doing." Jesus lists the things he's doing and invites John to focus on that. The lesson is simple. it's OK to have doubts and confusion about the stuff that we see around us but we need to focus on what Jesus is doing and supremely on what he has done on the Cross.
Verse 23 of chapter 7 is a stinger: Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me or...
Blessed is the person who doesn’t give up on God because they’re disappointed with the way I choose to operate.
How many of us give up or are tempted to give up on God because he doesn't dance to our tune delivering what we think he should. The antidote....focus on the amazing grace of God shown to us in the Cross, the work he has done.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Game-Changer
"Based on what we know of God, what would God expect of us".
That was the question Nigel put to us the other Sunday morning and it's an absolute stonker! Rightly understood and rightly applied, with faith-ful confidence, humility, wisdom and courage it is, as they say, a game-changer.
All we do, everything we say, think, believe....it should all come out of what we know of God and the grace he has shown us in Jesus. When we've got that properly squared away and we're living "under this" then what God expects is pretty obvious and the implications huge.
We get sidelined for a promotion or we miss out on something we think we deserve:
based on what we know of God....we feel the pain and the disappointment but trust that God is totally for us and he will provide what we need.
We're let down by someone close to us, we feel hurt and betrayed:
based on what we know of God....we feel the pain, the sadness and the anger but remember that we serve one who experienced all the betrayal we have experienced and the knowledge of this helps us to forgive, extending grace instead of hate and we move on.
We suffer a financial loss and we're not sure what the future may hold:
based on what we know of God.....we feel the fear and the anxiety but we believe that if God did not spare his own Son but gave him for us he will, therefore, certainly supply all our needs.
We see someone screw their life up through a series of ridiculous life-style choices:
based on what we know of God....we acknowledge the brokenness and the wrong choices that led to it but we realise that if God extended radical grace to us when we deserved utter condemnation we can never, ever disdain or disparage another person.
We feel disappointed with ourselves and our repeated failures to be who we want to be:
based on what we know of God....we make our confession, naming our sin (where appropriate) but rejoice in the fact that God accepts us at our worst (and this is all by grace) and so we move forward with confidence.
We feel really rather pleased that we're doing so well for God:
based on what we know of God.....we give thanks for what he has enabled us to do but we remember that any good in us is only by his grace and that without his undeserved intervention in our lives we would be nothing (at best). And so, we move forward with humility.
The work of God in Christ - the gospel - changes everything. It means we do the radical, unexpected thing. The stuff of Luke 6 and Matthew 5-7 in fact.
That was the question Nigel put to us the other Sunday morning and it's an absolute stonker! Rightly understood and rightly applied, with faith-ful confidence, humility, wisdom and courage it is, as they say, a game-changer.
All we do, everything we say, think, believe....it should all come out of what we know of God and the grace he has shown us in Jesus. When we've got that properly squared away and we're living "under this" then what God expects is pretty obvious and the implications huge.
We get sidelined for a promotion or we miss out on something we think we deserve:
based on what we know of God....we feel the pain and the disappointment but trust that God is totally for us and he will provide what we need.
We're let down by someone close to us, we feel hurt and betrayed:
based on what we know of God....we feel the pain, the sadness and the anger but remember that we serve one who experienced all the betrayal we have experienced and the knowledge of this helps us to forgive, extending grace instead of hate and we move on.
We suffer a financial loss and we're not sure what the future may hold:
based on what we know of God.....we feel the fear and the anxiety but we believe that if God did not spare his own Son but gave him for us he will, therefore, certainly supply all our needs.
We see someone screw their life up through a series of ridiculous life-style choices:
based on what we know of God....we acknowledge the brokenness and the wrong choices that led to it but we realise that if God extended radical grace to us when we deserved utter condemnation we can never, ever disdain or disparage another person.
We feel disappointed with ourselves and our repeated failures to be who we want to be:
based on what we know of God....we make our confession, naming our sin (where appropriate) but rejoice in the fact that God accepts us at our worst (and this is all by grace) and so we move forward with confidence.
We feel really rather pleased that we're doing so well for God:
based on what we know of God.....we give thanks for what he has enabled us to do but we remember that any good in us is only by his grace and that without his undeserved intervention in our lives we would be nothing (at best). And so, we move forward with humility.
The work of God in Christ - the gospel - changes everything. It means we do the radical, unexpected thing. The stuff of Luke 6 and Matthew 5-7 in fact.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Either Way.....
I was talking with someone in our church last week who has cancer. It's lying quite low, not terribly advanced...but it's there....and it shouldn't be.
It was noticeable that they didn't seem terribly troubled and were seemingly relaxed about the forthcoming oncology appointment. I pushed and poked around a little, as you do as a Pastor, trying to discover more about where this peace was coming from. I asked at one point whether there was any trace of anxiety at all. "None at all", came the reply.
"And why do you think that is?" After all, no matter how confident we are in God, no matter what wonderful track record we have of His sufficient grace, we wouldn't begrudge someone a smidgen of worry, would we.
"Because either, way I win."
You cant argue with that.
Not when the Apostle Paul said much the same (Phil. 1:21).
And this person meant it. They really did.
Very humbling. A testimony to God's grace indeed.
It was noticeable that they didn't seem terribly troubled and were seemingly relaxed about the forthcoming oncology appointment. I pushed and poked around a little, as you do as a Pastor, trying to discover more about where this peace was coming from. I asked at one point whether there was any trace of anxiety at all. "None at all", came the reply.
"And why do you think that is?" After all, no matter how confident we are in God, no matter what wonderful track record we have of His sufficient grace, we wouldn't begrudge someone a smidgen of worry, would we.
"Because either, way I win."
You cant argue with that.
Not when the Apostle Paul said much the same (Phil. 1:21).
And this person meant it. They really did.
Very humbling. A testimony to God's grace indeed.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Be Yourself
I was talking with someone the day before yesterday about the need we all have to be the people God has made us to be. There are certain roles we have to fulfill but within that we need to be true to ourselves....that sort of conversation.
The next day I came across this extract from one of CH Spurgeon's lectures (another Spurgeon quote I'm afraid!) that both encouraged and challenged me. (Usual caveats about culturally-bound sexist language apply)
There is not only a work ordained for each man, but each man is fitted for his work. Men are not cast in moulds by the thousand; we are each one distinct from his fellow. When each of us was made, the mould was broken;—a very satisfactory circumstance in the case of some men, and I greatly question whether it is not an advantage, in the case of us all.
If we are, however, vessels for the Master's use, we ought to have no choice about what vessel we may be. There was a cup which stood upon the communion table when our Lord ate that passover which He had so desired to eat with His disciples before He suffered; and, assuredly, that cup was honored when it was put to His lips, and then passed to the apostles. Who would not be like that cup? But there was a basin also which the Master took, into which He poured water, and washed the disciples' feet.
I protest that I have no choice whether to be the chalice or the basin. Fain would I be whichever the Lord wills so long as He will but use me. But this is plain,—the cup would have made a very insufficient basin, and the basin would have been a very improper cup for the communion feast. So you, my brother, may be the cup, and I will be the basin; but let the cup be a cup, and the basin a basin, and each one of us just what he is fitted to be. Be yourself, dear brother, for, if you are not yourself, you cannot be anybody else; and so, you see, you must be nobody.
How you prevent this becoming a liscence for being obnoxious....I am what I am.....this is me/my style/my personality...... I don't know. Still - worth reflecting on.
The next day I came across this extract from one of CH Spurgeon's lectures (another Spurgeon quote I'm afraid!) that both encouraged and challenged me. (Usual caveats about culturally-bound sexist language apply)
There is not only a work ordained for each man, but each man is fitted for his work. Men are not cast in moulds by the thousand; we are each one distinct from his fellow. When each of us was made, the mould was broken;—a very satisfactory circumstance in the case of some men, and I greatly question whether it is not an advantage, in the case of us all.
If we are, however, vessels for the Master's use, we ought to have no choice about what vessel we may be. There was a cup which stood upon the communion table when our Lord ate that passover which He had so desired to eat with His disciples before He suffered; and, assuredly, that cup was honored when it was put to His lips, and then passed to the apostles. Who would not be like that cup? But there was a basin also which the Master took, into which He poured water, and washed the disciples' feet.
I protest that I have no choice whether to be the chalice or the basin. Fain would I be whichever the Lord wills so long as He will but use me. But this is plain,—the cup would have made a very insufficient basin, and the basin would have been a very improper cup for the communion feast. So you, my brother, may be the cup, and I will be the basin; but let the cup be a cup, and the basin a basin, and each one of us just what he is fitted to be. Be yourself, dear brother, for, if you are not yourself, you cannot be anybody else; and so, you see, you must be nobody.
How you prevent this becoming a liscence for being obnoxious....I am what I am.....this is me/my style/my personality...... I don't know. Still - worth reflecting on.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
A New Year Thought
It's a been a while.....
I thought I'd break this extended blog fast with a quote from Spurgeon that has encouraged me at the begining of the New Year.
I've always got mixed feelings about NY because you look ahead and you just have no idea what's going to happen. Will I be celebrating and rejoicing or weeping and mourning? You just don't know! It's a good thing we don't know what lies ahead....had I known what was ahead last year I....well I've no idea, let's just say that it's a pretty good thing I was clueless!
But God knows, He really does, and that truth is indeed the pillow upon which I rest my ahead.
Anyway here's CHS:
But here is the joy, here is the peace of Christians, that our salvation is a finished one!
We have not a farthing to pay to complete the ransom of our souls.
We have not a stitch to set to finish the robe of our salvation.
We have not an act to perform, a prayer to offer, a tear to weep, a thought to think in order to finish the work of our redemption!
I know that all these things shall be worked in us and, that by the Spirit of God we shall be made to do them — but all that shall not be with any view to the completion of our salvation — that was finished in the Person of the bleeding Lamb of Calvary! . . .
Either Christ completed all that was necessary for your salvation, or he did not!
If he did finish it, then rest in him and be glad, and say, "I am secure forever because my salvation is finished. I have nothing to do but to live to the honor of him who has completely saved me by his Grace, his blood, his righteousness.
I thought I'd break this extended blog fast with a quote from Spurgeon that has encouraged me at the begining of the New Year.
I've always got mixed feelings about NY because you look ahead and you just have no idea what's going to happen. Will I be celebrating and rejoicing or weeping and mourning? You just don't know! It's a good thing we don't know what lies ahead....had I known what was ahead last year I....well I've no idea, let's just say that it's a pretty good thing I was clueless!
But God knows, He really does, and that truth is indeed the pillow upon which I rest my ahead.
Anyway here's CHS:
But here is the joy, here is the peace of Christians, that our salvation is a finished one!
We have not a farthing to pay to complete the ransom of our souls.
We have not a stitch to set to finish the robe of our salvation.
We have not an act to perform, a prayer to offer, a tear to weep, a thought to think in order to finish the work of our redemption!
I know that all these things shall be worked in us and, that by the Spirit of God we shall be made to do them — but all that shall not be with any view to the completion of our salvation — that was finished in the Person of the bleeding Lamb of Calvary! . . .
Either Christ completed all that was necessary for your salvation, or he did not!
If he did finish it, then rest in him and be glad, and say, "I am secure forever because my salvation is finished. I have nothing to do but to live to the honor of him who has completely saved me by his Grace, his blood, his righteousness.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Looking with Luke
On Sunday we started a new series in Luke's gospel and I've not been this excited about a new series for a while.
It's partly getting back to some systematic exposition where the bible really sets the agenda, where we don't pick and choose the bits we want to expound - we just do the next bit (pastorally that's really helpful because you avoid people saying: "Ahhh, you picked that text because of what I told you last week" - "No, actually it's just the next bit....but funny how God knows you're life....!")
It's also because I know we need to look closely at Jesus so that we might be certain of what we're being called to....which interestingly is the exact same reason that Luke says he's writing his book. He wants Theophilus to be sure that following Jesus is worth all that's it's inevitably going to cost a man of his stature and position. Luke says "I've investigated, I've looked carefully, I've interviewed people I've not just relied on others, I've done the leg work myself, and I've done it so that you can know that Jesus is worth everything." We owe Luke a tremendous amount . This humble, self effacing , intelligent, thorough man has contributed more to the New Testament than any one else (knocking out even more text than Paul!)
I'm excited! Looking forward to part 2 this w/e.
To listen to last Sunday click here: http://lymingtonbaptist.org/sermons.html
Here are some of the points raised and the questions we asked ourselves:
In pain but not in despair (5-7) what’s ultimate for you?
God sees and hears… (8-17) where are you struggling to believe?
I am Old……...I am Gabriel (18-19) I am_________ I am Jesus
God disciplines His children (20-22) how is God trying to get your attention?
God removes our disgrace (23-25) will you reach out to Him in faith?
It's partly getting back to some systematic exposition where the bible really sets the agenda, where we don't pick and choose the bits we want to expound - we just do the next bit (pastorally that's really helpful because you avoid people saying: "Ahhh, you picked that text because of what I told you last week" - "No, actually it's just the next bit....but funny how God knows you're life....!")
It's also because I know we need to look closely at Jesus so that we might be certain of what we're being called to....which interestingly is the exact same reason that Luke says he's writing his book. He wants Theophilus to be sure that following Jesus is worth all that's it's inevitably going to cost a man of his stature and position. Luke says "I've investigated, I've looked carefully, I've interviewed people I've not just relied on others, I've done the leg work myself, and I've done it so that you can know that Jesus is worth everything." We owe Luke a tremendous amount . This humble, self effacing , intelligent, thorough man has contributed more to the New Testament than any one else (knocking out even more text than Paul!)
I'm excited! Looking forward to part 2 this w/e.
To listen to last Sunday click here: http://lymingtonbaptist.org/sermons.html
Here are some of the points raised and the questions we asked ourselves:
In pain but not in despair (5-7) what’s ultimate for you?
God sees and hears… (8-17) where are you struggling to believe?
I am Old……...I am Gabriel (18-19) I am_________ I am Jesus
God disciplines His children (20-22) how is God trying to get your attention?
God removes our disgrace (23-25) will you reach out to Him in faith?
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