Expressions: Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 - The Cloud of Witnesses
Fiber Art by Christy Berry

Click on image for larger view.

Are we drunk and foolish?

Perhaps you are already answering the question in your mind..."Surely not Steve. Your asking us this question at 8:00 AM. It's not even "the third hour of the day" in Peter's words. Plus - we're Baptist; the strongest thing we drink is Chai Tea!"

But I am not speaking of drunkenness from wine or the foolishness from the immorality of the wicked world around us. I ask in the context of Ephesians - that great work that calls us to consider the New Covenant Temple, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Are we drunk with the wine of family and personal ambition and therefore become foolish architects/builders of the Temple that we are to be focused upon?

In our previous studies at Heritage, we have seen how the letter to the Ephesians is filled with construction language. Some of the language is clear in English translations, some is not. In Ephesians 5, we are faced with a question. Has the light of Christ shone upon us? If so, we must arise and if we are wise, we must redeem the time.

What is it to be "wise"? A builder/architect was demonstrated to be wise by the quality and durability of his work. An example of this is found in the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27. The builder of the strong, secure house was called "wise". The builder of the house destroyed by the rain and the floods was called "foolish".

So, are we wise?

• How are we doing at building up the New Covenant Temple, composed of both Jew and Gentiles (Ephesians 2.14-21)?
• How are we doing at understanding the glory and importance of the Church as this temple, which Paul prayed God would reveal that we see the magnificence of it in its splendor and glory (Ephesians 3.14-20)?
• How are we doing at utilizing our spiritual gifts that we were equipped with through the resurrection of Jesus so that we each hold one another together and support one another and grow together in the Corporate Temple (Ephesians 4.10-15)?

If we are wise builders, and not fools, then we will redeem the time. The prophets rebuked Israel for not being concerned with (re)building the Temple. Zechariah was one of these prophets. As he encouraged Israel to give effort to build the physical temple, his words were prophetic of the true Temple to come. In Zechariah 4:6 the word of the Lord says, "Not by strength, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the sovereign Lord".

In Ephesians 5, we are commanded to be "filled" with the Spirit. "Filled" is a construction term that is used to speak of the materials of a building being incorporated into one another during construction. As Zechariah promised, God is building his temple by his Spirit.

So, are we redeeming the time? If we do not do so, weeks will fly by, months will disappear, and the Temple will be left degrading instead of being built up.

Let me suggest a few practical things:

• Pray with the apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:18), that you and your family will understand the glory of the New Covenant Temple.
• Pray that the Spirit of God will use you in the "filling" of the Temple, so that you and your family will help the whole Body to grow in love, being integral "fittings" and "supporting ligaments" (Ephesians 5.18 and 4.16).
• Commit in every way possible to being involved with the meetings and studies in the church.
• Find ways to use Christian conduct and the gifts of the Lord Jesus to build one another in the the Body.
• Do not let other things take you away from this great work.

Let us be wise builders. May the Spirit provide this strength to us.

At Your Fingertips

There is a tremendous resource that you should be aware of at http://books.google.com.



This resource allows anyone to search for book titles and other information, including "Limited Previews" of a large number of relevant books. Other sites have attempted this, most notably Amazon.com, but with these sites the preview function often limits your views to about 10 pages or so.

Google's site takes a different approach, posting almost the entire contents of the book online, and then omitting a couple of pages every now and then. Users with a free Google account can create their own "library" of books. The image above is a screenshot of some of the books in my library that I have started to create.

I was very impressed to find that most - if not all - of the commentaries from the NICNT and NIGNT volumes were available with the limited preview. There is also a great collection of Lloyd-Jones' books. For example, try the following link to a chapter on the holiness of God:

Lloyd-Jones: Studies in 1 John

David has recommended Beale's commentary on Revelation as a good resource for study (not that we agree with everything in it, or even some of his basic conclusions) while we are studying through it. So, by clicking on the link below, you will find Beale's commentary on the passage we looked at yesterday!

Revelation 3:6 in the NIGTC

If you look in the frame on the right side of the screen, you will find an option to search for words or phrases inside the book you are viewing!

You will also find the full text of older books online as well, however these are often scanned from volumes of public libraries and the quality is not always the most desirable. However, I found full volumes such as the Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Josephus, and the Olney Hymns.

You can view my library here. As you will find, right now it is mainly commentaries and also a bunch of Lloyd-Jones and D.A. Carson. Please note that although most of the books on my library are good and solid, they are not necessarily whole-hearted recommendations. From time to time I add books to my library for convenience as I am research topics or studies. However, these books may take a completely different stand than I believe or even find acceptable...so don't think I am encouraging the book just because it is there!

This is no substitute for buying a good book, but if you find your book fund money going to buy gasoline and you just want to get the main points of a good book, or if you are doing research give Google Books a shot!

Happy Googling!!!

PTTS: Ephesians 2:1-3

Praying Through the Scriptures

Ephesians 2.1-3: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

My Savior and my God,
Thank you for rescuing your people from the death of sin. We have sinned greatly against you. We were bound to sin and controlled by it, but this was in accordance with our depraved will. We have loved the things of darkness, served the ruler of sin and lived to satisfy sinful lusts. We cared nothing for you or your ways of righteousness, rejecting the Lord of Lords in pride and hatred.

Let us be reminded of this again. For now we have been rescued from sin by the grace of Jesus and by his atoning work, but we never ought to forget the depth of our despair. Let us never look to others who have not be redeemed and think that they are different than we once were, and still would be if not for your sovereign grace. Prevent us from looking upon others as if we care not to see them saved!

May you send forth the Gospel in the power of the Spirit! It grieves us to see those whom we love still in the grips of sin. We long to see them rescued by the Gospel and ask now that you would extend your saving hand of mercy to them.

Teach us Father how to communicate the reality of sin and enmity to others who reject your Son. Help us to speak words of truth in a sober, but loving and graceful manner. As Paul now understood his sinfulness though he once considered himself righteous, let us show others that they are in great peril - they are children of Your wrath - and let us plead with them, in a manner that shows that You yourself were appealing to them through us to trust in the righteousness of Jesus.

And Lord, please continue to sanctify us by the power of the risen Lord Jesus. Deliver us from sins and trespasses and from the temptations of our lust, our greed, and our pride. We have no strength alone, but we trust in the power of the resurrection through our union with Christ through faith.

Cleanse us we pray,

Amen.

There is no "i" in c-o-r-p-o-r-a-t-e.

Please note, this entry is simply to relay my own personal thoughts...it is not meant to be critical in any way.

Over the past several years, the Spirit has been gracious to us at Heritage and impressed upon us through the Holy Word that we must value one another in the Body of Christ. I am quite grateful for this and my eyes have been opened to see the great frequency in which the Scriptures deal with this issue.

Recently, I have developed a keen sense of hearing when it comes to congregational singing. (Don't worry Matt, I'm not talking about hearing those who sit behind me!) I am speaking of a sense of hearing the words of the hymns which we sing, and the focus, or lack thereof, in these words concerning the Body vs. the individual. This development has been the result of hymns that felt incredibly gripping compared with other hymns that seemed to be good and solid, but lacked something.

I have found that the difference to me in many cases was found in pronouns. There are hymns that we sing that speak of "me" and then there are hymns that speak of "we". The "we" hymns have seemed to resonate in my heart as we sing them much more than the "me" hymns.

Please don't take my words as a condemnation of hymns that focus upon self-reflection. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with them. I especially enjoy meditating upon these "personal" hymns and other such songs in private, and I am not against singing them in corporate settings. I also am not saying at all that we should not be self-focused in the proper manner and degree in corporate worship.

All I want to bring up is that, to me, it does take something away when we corporately sing about "Me" such as:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

and I have realized that there is something very special when we corporately sing of "Us" such as:

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
Savior may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.

Both hymns quoted above are wonderful. I just really love the way Corporate Hymns are crafted for public worship, calling us to consider our faith in light of the great work of God in the Body of Christ.

Let us (no matter what we sing) be built up by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in our corporate heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ! (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Today, the Gospel will be proclaimed...

Let us be faithful to ask the Lord to bless the work of Camp Del Haven, which begins the camp season today. May God's sovereign grace be displayed and may the Gospel be effectual to save for the glory of the Lord Jesus.

Sunday, June 15

Hymns:
Come, Christians, Join to Sing.
I Stand Amazed at the Presence.
Heaven Came Down.
Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult

Sermon:
Stan's text was from Matthew 5:21-26

Bible Study:
David led us through Revelation 3:1-6

PTTS: Ephesians 1:20-23

Praying Through the Scriptures

Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Our Great God,
Wake us from our slumber and remove from us the fascination with temporal and trivial things. There is immense power on display before us in Your strength. It has not only been displayed around us, but it has be accomplished for us. Cause us to rejoice in your power, to be in awe of your power.

As believers, Jesus has been raised as our Lord. Your power raised Him from the dead and now this power is active as He reigns over the Kingdom. His Kingdom is above every kingdom. His Name is exalted above every name! He - the Word of God - has not returned to You void, but He has accomplished what You have sent Him to do. He has redeemed us to be His inheritance.

Now, Father, grant to us power. Raise us up with Christ! Grant to us willing hearts. Grant to us wisdom, love, patience, perseverance. For we are the Church, and He is our Head. We are His Body, and He is crafting us perfectly - completely - according to Your will.

Oh Father, let us be faithful servants of the King. We long to see the Gospel proclaimed all around us. We long to see the world transformed by Christian love. We long to see righteousness and godliness abound.

Please send the power of Your Spirit to enable us fully and to compel us to only seek the Glory of Christ.

Oh No.

I'm so sorry for linking to this...

http://www.youvebeenleftbehind.com/index.html

In the beginning was the Word...

Why is Jesus called the "Word"?

Perhaps a better question may be this: What is the significance of the fact that Jesus is called the Word?

By no means can I attempt to answer this question in full here in a little blog entry, nor do I claim to understand every facet of such significance, but I call us each to consider this today.

Matthew Henry writes:
"The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world."

I think this is a common thought in response to such questions as raised above. I agree with Henry's statement. However, consider two passages from Isaiah that I believe to be Messianic statements concerning our Lord:

Isaiah 45.23: I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness, And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Isaiah 55.11: So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

These two passages take my breath away in light of John 1.1 and Revelation 19.13. I believe we must be mindful of these passages as we refer to Jesus as the Word. Perhaps the significance of referring to Jesus as "the Word" is not only that in Him we see the Father's mind revealed, but also because in Him, the Father's plan is assured.

Jesus is the Word sent forth from God in righteousness and it is certain that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. (What a wonderful proof of the deity of Christ!) Jesus is the Word, which has gone forth from God and certainly did not return empty, but accomplished what He desired, and succeeded in purchasing a people with His blood!

Jesus is the Word...the promised One of God! Let us have full assurance and therefore let us gird ourselves up to serve the risen Lord. May God grant that we bring about His glory through the exaltation of His name as we proclaim the beautiful good news of the victory of Jesus!

Tolerated Sins

Jerry Bridges has a book out that I am very interested in using for a study, perhaps on Wednesday night. It is titled Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate.

Here are some of the chapter headings which give us an idea of the sorts of things that Bridges believes are often tolerated instead of being viewed as sinful:

• Ungodliness
• Anxiety and Frustration
• Discontentment
• Unthankfulness
• Pride
• Selfishness
• Lack of Self-Control
• Impatience and Irritability
• Anger
• Judgmentalism
• Envy
• Sins of the Tongue
• Wordliness

These headings should lead to very fruitful, important, and convicting discussions. I am especially glad to see the chapter dedicated to "ungodliness". I think that this is a very important concept to understand and that it gets to the heart of what sin is. Romans 1 makes it clear that God's wrath is being poured out because of the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.

My question to you (I'm curious to hear your thoughts) is...what else do you think we can add to this list? Obviously, any sort of sin could be described as "ungodly", so let's try to be more specific. What are things that you see emphasized over and over throughout the Scriptures that tend to be ignored by churches today as if they are not really a big deal?

I'll throw a couple out for starters.

First, I think that one such "respectable sin" is a lack of intense love for our brethren. Second, I think that another is a lack of zeal for the proclamation of the Lordship of Jesus through the Gospel.

O.K., let me add one more. I think perhaps another of the most dangerous respectable sins is to assert that the Gospel is something that it is not. In other words, it is often heard throughout churches today to "Invite Jesus into your heart" but the actual Gospel is not proclaimed. Therefore, a person may believe that they have been saved by praying that Jesus will enter his or her heart but yet that person has not been instructed in essential matters of the Gospel such as the Resurrection, the sacrificial atonement, and justification by faith. Is this not a horrible sin that is tolerated throughout churches?

Photos from the Rockies

We had a wonderful time on vacation last week.


Here are links to some of our favorite photos:

Drive over the Rockies via Trail Ridge Road...
http://picasaweb.google.com/wardmailbox/TrailRidgeRoadJune42008

Evening in the valley of Moraine Park...
http://picasaweb.google.com/wardmailbox/MoraineParkJune22008

Jaime and I hiked up to the frozen Emerald Lake...
http://picasaweb.google.com/wardmailbox/DreamAndEmeraldLakesJune32008

Hiked with the kids to Alberta Falls...
http://picasaweb.google.com/wardmailbox/GlacialGorgeTrailheadToAlbertaFallsJune22008

I hope to get back into updating the blog this week, so check back for more!