In God's work, everyone matters!

Do you ever feel that your work goes unnoticed and unappreciated? Do you ever wonder if what you're doing really makes a difference? If so, take a look at Nehemiah 3. It's a long chapter filled with unfamiliar names and uninteresting details -- just a bunch of people working on a wall. Yet those names and those details are recorded in Scripture for a reason. They remind us that in God's work, everyone matters!

Years ago, I remember watching a movie along with some other family members with my uncle Ted. As soon as it was over, the rest of us got up to leave but Uncle Ted just sat there, watching the screen. I said, “C’mon, Uncle Ted, the movie’s over!” He said, “Hold on. I want to watch the credits. These people worked hard on the movie and deserve to be recognized.”

Think of your favorite movie. You probably remember the main actors. You might even remember who directed it or who did the soundtrack. But do you remember all the other people who worked on the movie? Who designed the set? Who produced the costumes? Who worked in the makeup department? Who orchestrated the sound? Who created the visual effects? I looked up one movie that had 800 people working on the visual effects alone! Each of them had a specific job to do, and that was noted next to their name. Without them, the movie would not have been made. As my uncle said, such people work hard and deserve to be recognized. That is, after all, why they call them the credits. Nehemiah 3 is the credits of the Jerusalem construction project.

This text says a lot more about the God who wrote it than about us who read it. It reminds us that God is mindful of everyone who serves -- whether anyone else takes notice or not. "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do" (Hebrews 6:10).

The title of my sermon on Nehemiah 3, "No Little People," was taken from the following quote by Francis Schaeffer: 

We must remember throughout our lives that in God’s sight there are no little people and no little places. Only one thing is important: to be consecrated persons in God’s place for us, at each moment. Those who think of themselves as little people in little places, if committed to Christ and living under his Lordship in the whole of life, may, by God’s grace change the flow of our generation. And as we get on a bit in our lives, knowing how weak we are, if we look back and see we have been somewhat used of God, then we should be … “surprised by joy.”

It's a wonder that God would use any of us, let alone remember our work and reward us for it. But that's the kind of God we serve -- a God of infinite grace.

Shouldn't that motivate us to serve him all the more?

A Church With or Without Walls?

On Sunday mornings, our congregation has been studying the book of Nehemiah. He was cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes who went back to Jerusalem "to seek the welfare of the people of Israel" (Neh. 2:10). Nehemiah cared about the wall because he cared about the people. He knew that the wall was essential to their protection and well-being.

Nehemiah was opposed on all sides (even in a literal sense, geographically) by Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. After exhorting the people, "Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem," Nehemiah told their enemies, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem" (Neh. 2:20). In other words, because Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem did not belong to God's people, they had no say in the matter. Why? Because they had no legitimate claim or connection to God's covenant people.

That is something the church must keep in mind today as God's new covenant people. We hear a lot about breaking down walls, but not much about building a wall. Yet the church must do both.

We must break down walls that impede the gospel, that are not part of the gospel. The apostle Paul tried to find common ground with everyone, doing everything he could to save them (1 Cor. 9:22). In commenting on this verse, John MacArthur notes that Paul would "modify his habits, his preferences, his entire life-style if any of those things caused someone to ... be offended, or to be hindered from faith in the Lord." MacArthur then adds, "What [Paul] did in this regard was not part of the gospel; it had nothing to do with the gospel. But it helped many unbelievers to listen to the gospel and be more open to receive it." 

We must build walls that commend the gospel. Some churches try so hard to create a sense of "belonging" among unbelievers in their midst, that they lose their distinctiveness as a new covenant community. The idea is that if these unbelievers feel like they belong, they'll eventually believe. So they're encouraged to usher, join the music team, help out in children's ministry, etc. Michael Lawrence summarizes this approach well, saying, "Everyone is included; everyone belongs, regardless of belief."

Yet Scripture never condones such a thing. The same apostle who strove for common ground with unbelievers also referred to them, in the very same letter, as "outsiders" multiple times (see 1 Cor. 5:12, 13; 1 Cor. 14:16, 23, 24). While Christians must strive for common ground with unbelievers in order to proclaim Christ, we must never forget that our community as believers is marked by commonality in Christ. Michael Lawrence is spot-on when he declares, 

The local church is a community, and at the end of the day, a community is defined, not by its documents, buildings, or programs, but by its people -- and a people whose lives participate in the new creation realities of love and holiness, thereby creating new plausibility structures.

Lawrence goes on to reiterate this point, saying, "the church can be a plausibility structure for faith only if it consists of people who have faith." That's why "belonging before believing" is a bad idea. It "fundamentally redefines the church, which in the long run undermines the power of the church's witness."

Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). A Christian community marked by Christ-like love for one another "will provoke those on the outside not only to recognize they are outside, but to desire to come in." So there is a wall, but it's not like a brick wall, It's more like a glass wall -- what Michael Lawrence calls a "transparent barrier." I'll close with this beautiful picture of church community and its compelling witness that Lawrence describes:

The image that comes to mind is of a bakery on a cold, snowy day. Whiffs of delicious bread and hot chocolate occasionally waft outside. And a child has his nose pressed against the window pane. That glass is a barrier. Without it, the warmth and delicious smells would soon disperse in the cold wind, and no one would know there was anything good to be found there. But it’s a transparent barrier, allowing that child to see the good things inside and invite him in. And there is a way in, a narrow door that he must walk through. Until he does, he can see and appreciate what’s inside, but it’s not his to enjoy. Once he walks through, it’s his for the asking.
When non-Christians encounter your church it should be like standing at that window, not staring blankly at a brick wall. They should feel the warmth of your love, as you welcome them and engage them as people made in the image of God. They should see the depth of relationships, as they witness people who have no reason to care for one another go out of their way to serve. They should taste the richness of the gospel, as God’s word is preached and taught in a manner that connects with their lives. And they should hear the inviting sounds of a joyful community, as they listen to the praises and prayers of a people who worship our crucified and risen Lord.
So go out of your way to create a community that welcomes the outsider. Give thought to the language you use. Be deliberate in your hospitality. And be strategic in your transparency. Like a bakery that pumps the delicious smell of its bread outside, publicly celebrate the stories of grace and transformation that are happening in your midst. And then, when you’ve done all else, make the gospel clear and invite people to respond to it in repentance and faith. Call them, not to walk an aisle, but to enter through the narrow door, and join with you in the riches of faith in the gospel.
If the church is to display the good things of the gospel, the barrier of belief must not be removed, for it is that shared belief on display that works most powerfully to invite people in.

Self-Analysis and Spiritual Paralysis

Years ago the sister of a well-known pastor created, at his request, a simple card to post on the wall beside his desk. On the card was printed a simple, three-word question:

WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVE?

That's an important question to ask, because motives matter to God. "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Prov. 16:2). Motives are the underlying reasons for our actions. A pastor-friend of mine often says, "We do what we do because we want what we want." 

After Jesus fed the five thousand, he got into a boat and headed to the other side of the lake. The people he had just fed soon got into a boat and went looking for Jesus. 

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." (John 6:25-26 NIV).

God is all-knowing. He is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and we will give an account to him for these things (Heb. 4:12-13). Therefore, we should regularly examine our hearts to make sure that our motives are pure.

With this in mind, we must also guard against the kind of self-analysis that leads to spiritual paralysis. Some Christians spend so much time examining their possible motives for doing something, that they never get in motion to do it! 

Take fasting, for instance. One may ask, "Will I do this because I'm hungry for God, or because I want to lose weight?" Or how about church attendance: "Will I go because I want to worship God and build up my brothers and sisters in Christ, or because I want others to think well of me?"

These are good questions to ask, so long as they don't become so consuming that they keep us from doing the very things God wants us to do. Truth is, God uses some of these very actions as a means of grace -- to help mature and purify us as his people.

A good example of this appears in Psalm 73, when Asaph (a worship leader of Israel) was envious of the wicked. When Asaph saw how much they prospered and how "problem-free" their lives were, he began thinking that living for God was a waste of time. He hadn't started talking this way, but he was already thinking this way. That is, he says, "until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny" (Psalm 73:17). Asaph goes on to confess, "Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant..." (vv. 21-22a). Asaph didn't wait to get his thinking 100% straight until he went to God's temple. Rather, it was then and there at God's temple that Asaph's thinking got straight! David derived the same benefit in prayer, saying, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24).

Bible reading, prayer, and corporate worship are just a few means that God can use to prick our hearts and purify our motives. So don't wait until you're positive that your motives are perfect before engaging in these spiritual activities, because the truth is, you'll never get there. We will never achieve perfection this side of heaven. Instead, we should strive for a clear conscience as we go about our business. We should be able to say with the apostle Paul,

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:4-5)

How to Cultivate a Sense of God's Presence

Today my wife Ruthie was painting in the children's ministry area of our church building. At some point in the afternoon, I walked over from my office at the other end of the building to check in and see how she was doing. She laughed at me and shook her head. "Earlier you walked right past me two times and never even noticed I was standing here!" 

I thought, "No way!" But then I did remember walking by that stairwell to take out some trash between meetings. Apparently, I had passed Ruthie once on my way to empty the trash, and then a second time on my way back to my office. My wife was there, but I didn't sense her presence. 

The same can happen to us as believers in our relationship with God. The Lord is always with us, "for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Heb. 13:5). Yet, just as I didn't have a clue that my wife was standing close by, because I was preoccupied with other things, so we can be unaware of God's presence for the same reason.

God's Presence.jpg

God is there, but are we aware? That's the question. And it's worth taking the time to answer, because in God's presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). So, what can we do to cultivate a sense of God's presence? 

  1. Meditate on God's Word. Don't just read it; reflect on it. Mull it over in your mind. Apply it to yourself. In his classic book, Knowing God, James Packer describes meditation as "an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God." The prophet Jeremiah testified, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts" (Jer. 15:16). By giving ourselves to meditation, we like Jeremiah can experience the joy of God's presence.
  2. Confess and forsake any known sin. Sin creates a gap between us and God (Isa. 59:2). In order to draw near to God, we must deal with our sin (James 4:4). "If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). The word "confess" literally means "to say the same thing." It's calling sin for what it is, as God sees it, rather than making excuses or minimizing it. When David sinned, he was miserable until he confessed his sin to God (see Psalm 51). David asked the Lord to restore to him the joy of his salvation, so that once again he could sing and declare God's praise (Ps. 51:12-15). God forgave David's sin and restored his joy (Psalm 32), and God will do the same for us (1 John 1:9).
  3. Pray in the Holy Spirit. The New Testament writer Jude wrote, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God..." (Jude 20-21). Just as the Word of God is our foundation for living, so the Spirit of God is our fountain for living. Romans 8:15 refers to him as "the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father!'" They Holy Spirit assures us that we are God's children, that we have been accepted into God's family, that God is our Father, and we can share with him all that is on our hearts. We can cast all our cares on him, knowing that he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). The Holy Spirit is the conduit through which God the Father pours out his love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5). By praying in humble reliance on the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate a greater sense of God's presence.
  4. Fast to the Lord. In his book, A Hunger for God, John Piper contends, "If we don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great." Fasting is a way of expressing, and even increasing, our soul's appetite for God. Jesus predicted that the time would come when his disciples would fast - the time when Jesus would be taken away from them (Matthew 9:14-17). Fasting is a way of saying that we're homesick for heaven (see point #9 below). Dave Butts wrote, "Christians today are returning to fasting and prayer as a means of waking us up to our great need for the presence of God."
  5. Sing to the Lord. I've heard people say many times that the job of a worship leader is to "lead us into the presence of God." Are you kidding me? Jesus Christ alone can do that, and he has already opened up the way for us through his death and resurrection (Hebrews 9:12-14; 10:19-25). However, we can remind ourselves and one another of what Christ has already accomplished for us by "singing and making melody to the Lord with [our] heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:19-20). By exercising faith in the finished work of Christ, we draw near to God and are "filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18). As John MacArthur notes in his commentary on this verse, "To be filled with the Spirit is to live in the consciousness of the personal presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, as if we were standing next to Him...." 
  6. Go to church. Not just any church, but a church that is centered on the gospel and the word of God as a whole. Go to a church where the the gospel is portrayed (through the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper), sung, spoken, prayed, and lived out in the context of Christian community. Such a church is the temple of the Holy Spirit - God's dwelling place (1 Cor. 3:16). Become an active, participating member of such a church, and you will experience God's presence. In fact, Scripture declares that even an unbeliever who enters a church where God's word is clearly communicated will come under conviction, "and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you" (1 Cor. 14:25).
  7. Be a generous giver. John Wesley said, "When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, let it find a way into my heart." Scripture warns us that love for money and the desire to be rich entices people, ensnares them, and plunges them "into ruin and destruction" (1 Tim. 6:9). But generous givers experience great joy. Such was the case with the churches in Macedonia in the first century. The apostle Paul testified, "In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity" (2 Cor. 8:2). Even though these believers were physically poor, they were spiritually rich. They experienced the grace of God and enjoyed the presence of God. This should not surprise us, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:21). When giving is a priority, we experience God's presence.
  8. Tell others about Jesus. When giving his command to "make disciples," Jesus assured his followers, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20). One of the best ways to experience God's presence is to obey Jesus' command to make disciples. 
  9. Think much of heaven. In his classic devotional book, The Saint's Everlasting Rest, the 17th century Puritan pastor Richard Baxter wrote, 
Why are not our hearts continually set on heaven? Why dwell we not there in constant contemplation? ... Bend thy soul to study eternity, busy thyself about the life to come, habituate thyself to such contemplations, and let not those thoughts be seldom and curry, but bathe thyself in heaven's delights.

Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us, so that where he is, there we may be also (John 14:3). Jude says that one of the ways we keep ourselves in the love of God is by "waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life" (Jude 21). Paul says that we wait for God's Son from heaven (1 Thess. 1:10), and that we're to "seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1). Two verses later, Paul says, "your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). Boy, talk about the inner sanctum - the very heart of God's presence! Yet that is our position in Christ as believers. To experience that reality, we must be heavenly-minded.

Can you think of more ways that we can cultivate a greater sense of God's presence in our lives? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. I'd love to hear from you!

Monday Musings: "Is there something we can do to ensure God is blessing our efforts?"

The question in the subject line was texted to me on Sunday night by a teen in our church. Here is the full text message that I received (I am reprinting it here with the young person's permission):

Hi! I have a question about your sermon today. Towards the end you said something along the lines of "God can either bless our efforts or take his blessing from them." Is that what you said? I wanna make sure I'm getting it right! If that is what you said, is there something we can do to ensure God is blessing our efforts? Otherwise they're useless. Especially if it's an attempt to grow spiritually.

Before formulating a response to the question, I thought, "Praise God for young people that want to make sure that they understand the Scriptures and live accordingly!" May their tribe increase!

The question came in response to a sermon I had preached that morning on Haggai 1, where God is dealing with the procrastination of his people in rebuilding the temple. In verse 9, the Lord says,

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.

The people were working hard but had nothing to show for it. It's like they had holes in their pockets. Their money was getting used up faster than they could earn it! God told them that he was behind it all, because his house (the temple) had taken a back seat to their house. God was disciplining them so that they could "consider their ways" and reorder their priorities.

So this teenager wanted to find out how we can be sure that God is blessing our efforts rather than blowing them away. It was a good question. Here was my response:

Yes, I said (based on Haggai) that God can bless or frustrate our efforts. Of course that needs to be taken in conjunction with other Scriptures, such as 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. So God blesses the one who relies on him and looks to honor him in all his/her endeavors. Another good text to read is Psalm 1, which talks about how the righteous person bears fruit like a tree planted by rivers of water "In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so...." God will always bless our efforts to please him, even if it doesn't always appear that way (due to trials, etc. - but even those are for our good - Rom. 8:28; cf. James 1:12). Sometimes those whose priorities are out of place look better off than the righteous and can cause us to lose perspective. So Psalm 73 is a great text to help us maintain a right view of things. What I said must be understood in the context of Haggai, Scripture as a whole, and be kept in balance with other scriptural principles. Hope this helps!

Thankfully, it did, and that's why I got permission to post our correspondence here with you.

In closing, I'll leave you with a question that each of us should consider: "Why do I give to God?" Admittedly, giving money to the local church as the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16) isn't the only way that we build God's house. But it sure is a big part of it, because Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). So, back to the question: Do you give (or serve) to get something from God, or do you give simply because you love God? 

I raise this issue because the question that the young person texted to me opens the door to a much deeper discussion on the "prosperity gospel," a dangerous doctrine espoused by many popular preachers today. This false gospel teaches that God wants to fulfill our every desire to make us healthy, wealthy, and happy. In their excellent book, Health, Wealth & Happiness, David Jones and Russell Woodbridge note,

The Bible contains many verses that declare God's blessings toward us and we should rejoice at this. God blesses us in order to meet our needs and enable us to give generously. The book of Proverbs teaches that hard, diligent work can lead to prosperity, but the prosperity gospel goes beyond these ideas and makes prosperity the goal of life. The prosperity gospel leads to idolatry: people worship God's blessings instead of God himself.

As we seek to ensure God's blessings in all that we do, let us be sure to keep our motives in check. To quote Jones and Woodbridge again: "If you give to God in order to get something from Him, then you have adopted a framework similar to that of the prosperity gospel."

In the end, we must take God at his word. If he has declared that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58), and that whatever we do will prosper (Psalm 1:3), then we can be confident that we will be rewarded -- maybe now (maybe not), but definitely throughout eternity.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Cor. 4:16-18 NLT)

Protecting Life: What's Race Got to Do With It?

Our current sermon series at Webster Bible Church is "God and Politics." We've hit on some sensitive issues for people all over the political spectrum. Last week I received a note from a college student who wrote, in part, "I'm so glad our church is not beholden to any party, candidate or political ideology, but to Christ." Amen! That's our goal! 

Two Sundays ago my associate, Pastor Kaynenn Parker, preached part one of a message on racial reconciliation. He was supposed to preach part two this past Sunday, but he got sick. So I went ahead and preached the next topic on the schedule: The Protection of Life. I began by showing a clear link between the issues of racism and abortion. Yet in the days following my sermon, I realized that I had only scratched the surface. More on that in a moment.

A second thing was pointed out to me by a local pregnancy center representative that I had invited to our church that morning. He said that much more attention needs to be given to the men's side of the abortion issue. He proceeded to tell me about a video produced last year that features the Grammy award winning Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae, theologian John Piper, and international pregnancy-help advocate John Ensor. In this video Lecrae opens up a conversation about the remorse of abortion and healing that comes from the gospel, by sharing a part of his past. John Ensor goes on to state that 45 million abortions worldwide means that 90 million persons are involved (i.e. both women and men), which makes abortion the most commonly shared experience of this generation.

That last statement bears repeating: Abortion is the most commonly shared experience of this generation. Furthermore, it ties directly into the racial issue, which is no trivial matter itself. Says Piper,

I just long for these two issues to just go right together in the preaching of the pastor. I just think it would give incredible authenticity to many churches and many pastors if they got serious about both issues together, rather than choosing, "We'll be an anti-abortion church," or "We'll be an anti-racism church." Let's just be pro-life-wholeness relationally and pro-life-wholeness with our little ones in our wombs.

In the following video, which opens with LeCrae's testimony, you'll see how the issues of racism and abortion converge in a way that most of us have never considered. I urge you to watch this video in its totality (37 minutes). Its message is significant. 

Finally, I want to encourage everyone who lives locally to join us this Sunday at Webster Bible Church for part two of Kaynenn Parker's sermon on racial reconciliation. Earlier today both Kaynenn and I remarked how God in his providence, caused my sermon on protecting life to be sandwiched in between his two sermons on racial reconciliation. These issues cannot, and should not, be divided. The only way to continue an honest conversation about either one of them is to talk about both of them. 

All-out Worship

This morning I read 2 Samuel 6, when David and tens of thousands of his fellow Israelites brought the ark of God to Jerusalem. In Old Testament times, the ark represented the Lord's presence among his people. The trip started out wonderfully, with a lot of music and celebrating. 

But the party died when Uzzah died. You see, the people weren't carrying the ark in the manner that God had prescribed. They loaded it on a new cart pulled by oxen. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah put out his hand to steady the ark, and God killed him for his irreverence, because no one was permitted to touch the ark. It was a hard lesson to learn, but God's swift act of justice reminded everybody that worshiping God is no trifling matter. It is to be done with the utmost reverence and regulated according to God's word.

But that doesn't mean that worship must be drab. Far from it! In the second half of the chapter, as the Ark is brought into Jerusalem (this time the right way), "David danced before the Lord with all his might" (2 Sam. 6:14). The rest of the Israelites joined in with shouts of praise and celebration.

But then we're told, "As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart" (2 Sam. 6:16). The text goes on to reveal that Michal cared more about her husband looking dignified than the Lord being glorified. As a result, Michal missed out on the celebration and incurred the Lord's discipline.

As I processed this story in my own mind and heart, I thought about our own worship as God's people. Our worship content here at Webster Bible Church is solidly rooted in Scripture. We read the Word, preach the Word, pray the Word, sing the Word, and see the Word (through the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper). Praise God for Word-centered worship!

But here's the nagging question: Are we just as committed to honoring God in our spirit of worship? Are we more concerned about God being glorified, or us looking dignified? Do we, like Michal, look with contempt on other people who are more expressive in their worship than we are?

I realize that that in corporate worship we must be careful not to draw undue attention to ourselves. But at the same time our primary concern should not be what people think of us, but showing God what we think of Him!

Many years ago, I attended a pastor's conference in Chicago. A nationally recognized pastor shared a testimony from the platform that I'll never forget. He said that he grew up in a very conservative church, where raising one's hands was   frowned upon, viewed as too "charismatic." He said that many times he wanted to lift up his hands in praise to the Lord but didn't out of fear of what others would think.

Later, this same pastor contracted a degenerative disease that slowly took away his mobility and eventually his life. That day at the conference he shared that he no longer physically able to raise his hands in worship, and he regretted the many times he could have raised his hands but didn't. 

His testimony made an impression on me that I never forgot. Up until that point in my life and ministry, I don't think I had ever raised my hands in worship. Like that pastor, I grew up in a conservative congregation where that was a no-no. But who says? Certainly not God! Scripture affirms such dynamic expressions in worship, when they are offered in sincerity. In Psalm 63:3-4, David exclaimed,

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

The point of this email is not to pressure you into raising your hands or shouting "amen!" or "Hallelujah!" during a church service. I realize that some of us have more quiet and reserved dispositions than others, and worship is ultimately a matter of the heart.

But, c'mon. Haven't there been times when you wanted to raise your hands, clap, or shout praise to the Lord, yet ignored this impulse because of what others might think, or simply because it wasn't a part of your upbringing? Is that really a good reason not to raise your hands, jump for joy, or shout to the Lord?

Brothers and sisters, let us worship the Lord without regret -- "in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him" (John 4:23)!

A Prayer in Memory of Elias Michael Kosiorek

Elias Michael Kosiorek was born on February 19, 2016. Elias is the Latin transliteration of the Greek name Ἠλίας, which is the Hellenized form of the Hebrew: אליהו, Eliyahu, meaning "Yahweh is my God". 

EliasMichaelKosiorek

Elias Michael Kosiorek was borne to heaven on August 27, 2016. In keeping with the meaning of Elias' name, the following verse appeared on the front of his memorial service program: "The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). Elias' parents, Josh and Courtney (my niece), asked me to deliver the closing prayer at his memorial service. I felt incredibly humbled and honored to do so.

I had much in my heart that I wanted to say, but I found it impossible to express in words. The Lord repeatedly brought to my mind the opening portion of Psalm 8, and from there the words spilled out. They are woefully inadequate, which is why I'm thankful that "the Spirit helps in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words" (Romans 8:26). In the end, here is what I prayed at the close of the service:

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants you have established strength,
Silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.
- Psalm 8:1,2

Lord, as we think of little Eli and his brief life here on earth, we see the awesome truth of this psalm on display. This precious baby, who was as weak and vulnerable and helpless as a baby can be, displayed the greatness of your power in ways that leave us amazed, humbled, and awed at the wonder of your grace. We think of . . .

  • The thousands of Christians all over the world who became united in prayer for Eli, Josh and Courtney. 
  • The sanctifying work you have done at an accelerated rate in the lives of Josh and Courtney. Here is a couple who come from solid Christian homes and already had a close walk with you and with one another. Yet we have seen their genuineness of their faith proven and strengthened through this trial you have ordained for them.
  • We have been blessed by the comfort and encouragement that you have provided through the body of Christ – specifically the congregation here at Grace Baptist Church. 
  • We have witnessed the care and capabilities of the medical team who attended to Eli’s needs before/during/after his birth. At the same time we have witnessed the limitations of modern medicine. Our times are in your hands. Christ Jesus alone has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

We thank you, Lord, that this is not the end of Eli’s story. "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." O Lord, we look forward to that grand reunion, when we will be “caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” O Lord, may we "encourage one another with these words.” May we also be reminded that our own lives our a vapor.  – that only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last. Therefore, help us Lord to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord [our] labor is never in vain" (1 Cor. 15:58).

 

The Original Hooker

Most people know that "hooker" is a slang term for a prostitute or someone who exchanges sex for money. What most people don't know, however, is how the term originated. Admittedly, I was one such person. But I happened to stumble across this tidbit of information last night while reading A. Lincoln: A Biography, by Ronald C. White, Jr.

In January of 1863, Union General Ambrose Burnside was removed as commander of the Army of the Potomac, after serving in the role for just two months. President Lincoln decided to appoint Joseph "Fighing Joe" Hooker as Burnside's replacement. Hooker had been one of Burnside's two senior officers and often criticized Burnside behind his back. Despite Hooker's "loose lips," Lincoln appointed him as the new commander because of his proven courage, his loyalty to the Union, and his popularity among the troops.

Lincoln summoned Hooker to the White House and told him,
I think it best for you to know that there are some things in regard to which, I am not quite satisfied with you.... I think that during Gen. Burnside's command of the Army, you have taken counsel of your ambition, and thwarted him as much as you could, in which you did a great wrong to the country, and to a most meritorious and honorable brother officer.... Of course it was not for this but in spite of it, that I have given you the command.
Lincoln later recorded all this in Hooker's letter of appointment, which also included words of affirmation and admonition, mingled with humor. Months later, Hooker mentioned the letter to a reporter, saying, "That is just a letter as a father might write to a son. It is a beautiful letter, and although I think he was harder on me than I deserved, I will say I love the man who wrote it."

When Hooker took command of the Army of the Potomac, the troops were already demoralized due to poor health. Hundreds of soldiers were dying for lack of proper medical care in their winter quarters. Furthermore, the majority of them opposed Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which was published the same month that Hooker assumed his role as commander. Biographer White notes, "Desertions numbered two hundred per day." But then White immediately adds,
Ill will turned to good will, however, as Hooker initiated changes. New hospitals were built and older ones revamped. Improved rations, especially vegetables, suddenly appeared. Hooker stated, "My men shall be fed before I am fed, and before any of my officers are fed." 
Hooker also instituted badges of different colors that were worn with pride on the caps of the men in each corps. Moreover, he implemented "the orderly observance of the Sabbath," in accordance with the President's directive months earlier.

Without a doubt, Joseph Hooker had some fine qualities that earned the respect of his troops and improved their morale. But, as White points out, 
Hooker was still not without his detractors. Women and whiskey have always followed soldiers, but Hooker's headquarters became a gathering place for female camp followers who acquired a name that stuck long after the Civil War--"hookers."
As I read that paragraph just before bed last night, I thought, "Ohhh ... so that's where the term hooker comes from!"

Now every time I hear that word, I'll associate it with "Fighting Joe" Hooker.

The reason I share this piece from American history because Thomas Hooker is long dead, but his name lives on -- not as a Civil War hero, but as a synonym for whore, harlot, or prostitute. Despite his courage, care for his troops, and contributions to the preservation of the Union, Joseph Hooker will be remembered for his loose lips and even more so for his loose morals.

How will people remember me when I'm gone? How will they remember you? 

"A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches..." (Prov. 22:1 AMP).

Battling Discontent

God's providence never ceases to amaze me, particularly when it comes to reading.

Yes, reading. Particularly when I'm reading Scripture or a book based on biblical truth.

I've been reading from a number of resources in preparation for a new sermon series in the fall. One book that I'm reading through (for the second time) is The Compelling Community, by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop. In a chapter titled "Protecting Community," they talk about addressing discontent in the church. To do so, they draw some helpful insights from Acts 6. (The main points plus any statements in quotations are direct quotes from the book.)

  1. Threats to church unity deserve the attention of church leaders. In Acts 6, a complaint arose over the care of widows (or lack thereof). Nowadays, any number of issues can spark a spirit of discontent among God's people. "Unity is precious, but unity is also precarious. When unity is threatened, church leaders should take notice.
  2. But ultimately it is the congregation's job to protect unity. In Acts 6, the apostles showed initiative in resolving the issue but also expected the congregation to do their part. "Leaders must lead, but protecting unity is ultimately the church's responsibility. After all, who does Paul urge in Ephesians 4:3 to be 'eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?' The congregation. Too often, Christians throw problems straight to church leaders for solution. As a leader, you won't serve your church well if you assist them in abdicating their responsibility. Instead you should lead the congregation to address its own unity problems."
  3. Be reluctant to take sides. In Acts 6, the apostles were careful not to side with the Hebrews or the Hellenists. "So often, we have limited visibility into the root of complaints that people bring us." Rather than get involved in the minutiae of the issue, the apostles focused on the bigger issue, exhorting the congregation to care for one another. 
  4. Act in response to tangible, structural problems. "As church leaders, we often hear from unhappy people. Too often, we feel our job is to make everyone happy. But that is neither realistic nor biblical." The record of Acts 6 shows that, "rather than responding to a general sense of discontent or discomfort, the apostles were slow to act until they saw an issue that was structural and tangible."
  5. Temper expectations for what church leaders can do. One word that is particularly striking in Acts 6 is the word "neglected." Despite their best efforts, the apostles were unable to provide sufficient care for everyone in the congregation. "Similarly, we must take care not to oversell our abilities as church leaders." We can only do so much in addressing problems that plague the church. As pastors & elders, "[we] can pray that God would ignite real change; [we] can teach the congregation of God's priorities in his inspired Word; and [we] can address structural issues as they appear. But the problems that most pain us in our congregations are problems of the heart - and only God can do that work."
  6. Put your hope in what they Spirit can do through the congregation. Church leaders should pay attention to problems that threaten church unity. We should take care to address such issues from Scripture, while recognizing that it is ultimately the congregation as a whole that must preserve its unity. We should avoid taking sides, but seize opportunities to address concrete solutions as we can. "In doing so, we should have a realistic understanding of what church leaders can do, but unbridled optimism for what God's Spirit can do."
Amen! And we should most definitely praise the Lord when the truth of the gospel displays its power through the preservation of our unity. That's something worth fighting for -- in our family and in our church family. The psalmist said it best: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!" (Ps. 133:1).

Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?

In case you didn't notice, the title of this blog article was inspired by the 1989 animated musical, All Dogs Go to Heaven. But do they?


The passing of our pet beagle, Buster, brought to mind a similar question that was posed to theologian R. C. Sproul. I came across this question and Dr. Sproul's answer twenty years ago in his book, Now, That's a Good Question!, and I never forgot it. That's why it came to mind so readily when our family faced the heartache of losing our beloved pet. Here is the precise wording of the question, followed by Dr. Sproul's answer:

What happens to animals when they die? I know that some people get very attached to them.
I can't answer that question for sure, but I don't want you to think for a minute that it's a frivolous question. People do get very attached to their pets, particularly if the pet has been with them for a long time....
Within the Christian church there are different schools of thought on the issue. Some people believe that animals simply disintegrate; they pass into nothingness and are annihilated, which is based on the premise that animals don't have souls that can survive the grave. However, nowhere does Scripture explicitly state that animals do not have souls.
The Bible tells us that we have the image of God in a way that animals do not. Now is the "image of God" what differentiates between a soul and a nonsoul? Those who take a Greek view of the soul--that it is this substance that continues indestructibly forever--may want to restrict that to human beings. But again, there's nothing in Scripture I know of that would preclude the possibility of animals' continued existence. 
The Bible does give us some reason to hope that departed animals will be restored. We read in the Bible that redemption is a cosmic matter. The whole creation is destined to be redeemed through the work of Christ (Rom. 8:21), and we see the images of what heaven will be like; beautiful passages of Scripture tell us about the lion and the lamb and other animals being at peace with one another. Whenever heaven is described, though it may be in highly imaginative language, it is a place where animals seem to be present. Whether there are animals newly created for the new heavens and the new earth, or they are the redeemed souls of our pets that have perished, we can't know for sure. 
All of this is sheer speculation, but I would like to think that we will see our beloved pets again someday as they participate in the benefits of the redemption that Christ has achieved for the human race.
I would like to think the same thing too, Dr. Sproul.

And he who was seated on the throne said,
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
Also he said, “Write this down,
for these words are trustworthy and true.”
- Revelation 21:5 -


My Heart Is Deeper Than You'll Ever Know

The last 24 hours have been full of emotion for me, and for a few others as well. Yesterday morning I visited a couple who have been married for 59 years, and have been members of our church for more than 35 years. The wife has been suffering from cancer and, together with her husband, decided it was time to go on hospice. That same day, the same decision was made by another elderly couple in reference to the husband, who also has been suffering from cancer.

And to top it all off, my wife and I decided yesterday that today would be the day that we would lay our beloved beagle, Buster, to rest. He's been our family pet for 13 years. Our five children were between the ages of 3 and 11 when we brought Buster home as a young pup. Now my kids are all grown up.


As I thought about this sad turn of events over the course of the last day -- a husband and wife getting ready to part ways, a son saying goodbye to his dad, a family burying their beloved pet -- it hit me that each person goes through his or her private pain in his or her own way. The same could be said for the times of celebration. The book of Proverbs states the matter clearly:

Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
- Proverbs 14:10 -

I appreciate the way The Expositor's Bible devotes a lengthy treatment to this verse. But unless you or someone extremely close to you is in the throes of heartache at this present season, you probably won't bother to read the extended commentary below. Nevertheless, I'm posting select portions of it below, for those who can appreciate the language and tenor of these devotional insights:

WE know each other’s appearance, it is true, but there, for the most part, our mutual knowledge ceases. Some of us unveil nothing of ourselves to anyone; some of us unveil a little to all; some a good deal to a few; but none of us can unveil all even to the most intimate friend. It is possible to live on terms of complete confidence and even close intimacy with a person for many years, to become thoroughly acquainted with his habits, his turns of expression, his modes of thought, to be able to say with a certain infallibility what course he will take in such and such circumstances-and yet to find by some chance uplifting of a curtain in his life that he cherished feelings which you never even suspected, suffered pains of which you had seen no trace, and enjoyed pleasures which never came to any outward expression.

 How true this is we realize at once if we turn inwards and review all the thoughts which chase each other through our brain, and all the emotions which throb in our heart for a single day, and then deduct those which are known to any human being, known or even suspected; the sum total we find is hardly affected at all. We are quite startled to discover how absolutely alone we live, how impossible it is for a stranger, or even for an intimate friend, to meddle with more than a fragment of our inner life. This is not because we have any wish to conceal, but rather because we are not able to reveal, our silent unseen selves: it is not because others would not like to know, but because they have not the instruments to investigate, that within us which we on our part arc quite helpless to express.
This is not because we have any wish to conceal, but rather because we are not able to reveal, our silent unseen selves.
The circumstances of a man’s life do not give us any clue to his sorrows; the rich have troubles which to the poor would seem incredible, and the poor have troubles which their poverty does not explain. There are little constitutional ailments, defects in the blood, slight deformities, unobserved disabilities, which fill the heart with a bitterness untold and unimaginable. There are crosses of the affections, disappointments of the ambitions; there are frets of the family, worries of business; there are the haunting furies of past indiscretions, the pitiless reminders of half-forgotten pledges. There are weary doubts and misgivings, suspicions and fears, which poison all inward peace, and take light out of the eye and elasticity out of the step. These things the heart knows, but no one else knows.

 What adds to the pathos is that these sorrows are often covered with laughter as with a veil, and no one suspects that the end of all this apparently spontaneous mirth is to be heaviness. [Proverbs 14:13]

The bitterness which surges in our brother’s heart would probably be unintelligible to us if he revealed it; but he will not reveal it, he cannot. He will tell us some of his troubles, many of them, but the bitterness he must keep to himself.

 How strange it seems! Here are men and women around us who are unfathomable; the heart is a kind of infinite; we skim the surface, we cannot sound the depths. 

 We are confined as it were to the superficial effects, the lights and shadows which cross the face, and the feelings which express themselves in the tones of the voice. We can guess a little of what lies underneath, but our guesses are as often wrong as right. 

 It has been very truly said, "Man is only partially understood, or pitied, or loved by man; but for the fullness of these things he must go to some far-off country." In proportion as we are conscious of being misunderstood, and of being quite unable to satisfy our longing for sympathy and comprehension at human fountains, we are impelled by a spiritual instinct to ask for God....

 Have we not found a solution of the paradox? The human heart is isolated; it longs for sympathy, but cannot obtain it; it seems to depend for its happiness on being comprehended, but no fellow-creature can comprehend it; it knows its own bitterness, which no one else can know; it broods over its own joys, but no one can share them. Then it makes discovery of the truth that God can give it what it requires, that He fully understands, that He can enter into all these silent thoughts and unobserved emotions, that He can offer an unfailing sympathy and a faultless comprehension. In its need the lonely heart takes refuge in Him, and makes no murmur that His coming requires the searching, the chastisement, and the purging of sin.

 No human being needs to be misunderstood or to suffer under the sense of misunderstanding. Let him turn at once to God. It is childish to murmur against our fellows, who only treat us as we treat them; they do not comprehend us, neither do we comprehend them; they do not give us, as we think, our due, neither do we give them theirs; but God comprehends both them and us, and He gives to them and to us accurately what is due.

 No human being is compelled to bear his bitterness alone, for though he cannot tell it or explain to his fellows, he can tell it, and he need not explain it, to God. Is the bitterness an outcome of sin, as most of our bitterness is? Is it the bitterness of a wounded egotism, or of a remorseful conscience, or of spiritual despondency? Or is it the bitterness which springs from the cravings of an unsatisfied heart, the thirst for self-completeness, the longing for a perfect love? In either case God is perfectly able and willing to meet the need. He delights to turn His knowledge of our nature to the purpose of cleansing and transforming the sinful heart: "By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many," He says. He is ready, too, to shed abroad His own rich love in our hearts, leaving no room for the hankering desire, and creating the peace of a complete fulfillment.

Finally, no human being need be without a sharer of his joy: and that is a great consideration, for joy unshared quickly dies, and is from the beginning haunted by a vague sense of shadow that is falling upon it. In the heart of the Eternal dwells eternal joy. All loveliness, all sweetness, all goodness, all truth, are the objects of His happy contemplation; therefore every really joyful heart has an immediate sympathizer in God; and prayer is quite as much the means by which we share our gladness as the vehicle by which we convey our sorrows to the Divine heart. 


Pastor vs. President

"Leading a family of faith is the hardest job in America. Some people might say being the president is hardest. But I think the president should try leading a local church for a while. He’ll probably be happy to get back to being the president after that. It’s a daunting task for anyone. It’s the highest calling and the most challenging opportunity." - Louie Giglio

 http://www.outreachmagazine.com/interviews/16578-louie-giglio-passion-for-a-generation-part-1.html/2

How a Dead Evangelist Can Help Us With Daily Examination

For the last few weeks my spiritual life has been greatly enhanced by Tim Keller's book, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God.

One feature I've appreciated about Keller's book is his emphasis on biblical, cross-focused meditation. His exposition of Psalm 1 in this regard is outstanding.

But that's not my primary emphasis for this post. Rather, I want to share how the right kind of cross-centered meditation can help us to examine ourselves, confess our sin, and experience God's forgiveness. The bulk of what appears below is a summation of chapter 13, which is titled "Free Forgiveness; Infinite Cost."

Exodus 34:6-7 says that God "maintains love to thousands, and forgives wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished." Based on the back-to-back statements in these verses, Keller rightly declares, "God is forgiving yet also is so holy that he cannot let injustice and wickedness go unpunished." How can God maintain both his holiness and love in forgiving sinners? The answer is the cross of Jesus Christ. "Because of the Cross, God can be both just toward sin and yet mercifully justifying to sinners."

This is an amazing truth! Pay attention closely now to what Keller writes:
It means that no son can now bring us into condemnation, because of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It also means that sin is so serious and grievous to God that Jesus had to die. We must recognize both of these aspects of God's grace or we will lapse into one or the other of two fatal errors. Either we will think forgiveness is easy for God to give, or we will doubt the reality and thoroughness of our pardon. 
Both mistakes are spiritually deadly. To lose our grip on the costliness of forgiveness will result in a superficial, perfunctory confession that does not lead to any real change of heart. There will be no life-change. To lose our grip on the freeness of forgiveness, however, will lead to continued guilt, shame, and self-loathing. There will be no relief. Only when we see both the freeness and the cost of forgiveness will we get relief from the guilt as well as the liberation from the power of sin in our lives.
You'll have to read Keller's book to see how he expounds this principle in a compelling manner. But for the purpose of this article I want to show a quote he utilized by the 18th century evangelist George Whitefield:

God give me a deep humility,
a well-guided zeal,
a burning love
and a single eye,
and then let men or devils do their worst!

"Those four features," writes Keller, "make a good summary of the Christian life. Here is how we could turn the four features into a daily self-examination." (The following section is comprised of Keller's own words.)

Deep humility. Examination: Have I looked down on anyone? Have I been too stung by criticism? Have I felt snubbed and ignored? Consider the free grace of Jesus until I sense (a) decreasing disdain, since I am a sinner too, and (b) decreasing pain over criticism, since I should not value human approval over God's love. In light of his grace, I can let go of the need to keep up a good image--it is too great a burden and is now unnecessary. I reflect on free grace until I experience grateful, restful joy.

A well-guided zeal. Examination: Have I avoided other people or tasks that I know I should face? Have I been anxious and worried? Have I failed to be circumspect, or have I been rash and impulsive? Consider the free grace of Jesus until there is (a) no cowardly avoidance of hard things, since Jesus faced evil for me, and (b) no anxious or rash behavior, since Jesus' death proves that God cares and will watch over me. It takes pride to be anxious, and I recognize I am not wise enough to know how my life should go. I reflect on free grace until I experience calm thoughtfulness and strategic boldness.

A burning love. Examination: Have I spoken or thought unkindly of anyone? Am I justifying myself by caricaturing someone else in my mind? Have I been impatient and irritable? Have I been self-absorbed, indifferent, and inattentive to people? Consider the free grace of Jesus until there is (a) no coldness or unkindness, as I think of the sacrificial love of Christ for me, (b) no impatience, as I think of his patience with me, and (c) no indifference, as I think of how God is infinitely attentive to me. I reflect on free grace until I feel some warmth and affection.

A "single" eye. Examination: Am I doing what I do for God's glory and the good of others, or am I being driven by fears, need for approval, love of comfort and ease, need for control, hunger for acclaim and power, or the fear of other people? (Luke 12:4-5). Am I looking at anyone with envy? Am I giving in to even the first motions of sexual lust or gluttony? Am I spending my time on urgent things rather than important things because of these inordinate desires? Consider how the free grace of Jesus provides me with what I am looking for in these other things.

Keller then concludes, "Perhaps the most life-giving and crucial part of repentance is found in using the joy and benefits of the gospel to both convict and assure you at the same time."

I agree and can testify that my own time with the Lord has been greatly enhanced by Whitefield's quote as a platform for such thought-provoking questions. When we truly give ourselves to self-examination and heartfelt confession, then we experience more fully the wonder of God's forgiveness and the joy it brings.

Seven Ways to Glorify God

Yesterday I preached a sermon titled "Give God the Glory" based on Acts 12:20-24:
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Herod learned the hard way that you can't fight God and win. You can't steal glory from God and get away with it. Those who want glory for themselves are at war against God, and will lose.

 The Bible says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). That is an all-encompassing command. It applies to every facet of our lives. Still, I find it helpful to look at specific ways in which Scripture tells us that we can give glory to God. The following list is not a comprehensive list, but it's a helpful start. What I did was look up, in a typical English translation, all the Scripture passages that use the expression "glorify" God or "give glory" to God. These texts gave us seven specific ways that we can be intentional about doing so.


1.  Praise God when he gets you through a trial. 

The Lord says in Psalm 50:15, "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." If you pray, asking God to see you through a trial, then be sure to praise him when he does! Don't stay silent about it; tell others what great things God has done for you. That brings him glory!

2.  Treasure the Word of God.

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). We show God how much we treasure his Word when we trust and obey him, when we act in faith on what we've heard. The psalmist declared, "You have exalted above all things your name and your word" (Ps. 138:2). Therefore, we exalt God when we embrace his Word.

3.  Desire and celebrate the salvation of all peoples. 

“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name” (Psalm 86:9). God calls all nations and peoples to join in the holy joy that he offers. This leaves no room for racism or prejudice in our hearts. God loves and welcomes people of all ethnicities into his family. We glorify God when we do the same.

4.  Pursue sexual purity.

“For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). Though this verse could apply to a number of areas regarding the physical stewardship of our bodies, such as proper eating, exercise, sleep, etc., the surrounding context of that particular verse has to do with sexual purity. God has designed sex to take place in marriage between husband and wife. Anything outside of that, such as premarital sex or adultery, dishonors him by failing to reflect the beauty and purity of the gospel.

I want to camp out on this point for a couple of paragraphs because of the prevalence of pornography, especially among men. Pornography glorifies oneself rather than God. There is a close connection between pornography and pride. In his book, Finally Free, Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace, Heath Lambert states, “Only arrogant men look at pornography” (p. 108).
Men look at pornography out of an arrogant desire to see women in a way that God does not allow. They show arrogant defiance to God's commands, rejecting the delight of sexual intimacy in marriage and deciding for themselves what they believe is better — looking at naked women in porn. They show arrogant disregard for God's call to selfless marital love. They show arrogant derision for the female actresses whom they should be seeking to respect as women who need to hear the good news of Jesus. They show arrogant disdain for their own children by hiding their sin and inviting the enemy into their home and their marriage. They show arrogant disrespect toward all those who would be scandalized if their sin were known. The root problem with men who look at porn is not neediness — it is arrogance.
- Finally Free, p. 110
While these are strong words, Lambert is careful to remind us in his book that every instance of lustful gawking is paid for by Jesus in his death for sinners, and that Jesus’ grace to rescue and change us is stronger than pornography’s power to control and destroy us. As we lay hold of God’s grace in our fight for sexual purity, we glorify Christ.

5.  Give generously from a yielded heart. 

Scripture encourages us to give to those in need, especially fellow Christians: “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ” (2 Cor. 9:13 NLT). When we give generously to those in need, we reflect the love and kindness of God as revealed through the gospel. God gave his most precious gift – his one and only Son – to meet our greatest need: forgiveness. Giving generously and sacrificially to people in need is yet another way to give God glory.

6.  Suffer graciously as a Christian.

“But if anyone suffers as a ‘Christian,’ he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name” (1 Peter 4:16). Acts 11:26 says, "And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." It was meant to be a term of derision, but Jesus' followers wore it as a badge of honor. So should we, even if we have to suffer for it. When we patiently endure suffering as Christians, we show Jesus that he is worth it. That glorifies him.

7.  Confess, rather than cover up, your sin. 

Do you remember Joshua and the battle of Jericho in Joshua chapter 6? Do you remember a man named Achan and what he did during the battle? He stole some goods that were dedicated to God. Achan hid them in an attempt to cover up his sin. But God exposed Achan's sin. “Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me” (Joshua 7:19). The Lord is the "God of truth" (Isa. 65:16), whereas the devil is the "father of lies" (John 8:44). Thus Scripture says, "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy" (Prov. 28:13). Confession is good for the soul, but it also brings glory to God.

As I stated earlier, this list of seven ways to glorify God is not exhaustive, but it's a good place to start.


Christian Dialogue (on Terrorism, Immigration, etc.)

The terrorist attacks in Paris have heightened discussions on how to deal with ISIS, immigration, and other national security issues. These very subjects are already dominating the G20 Summit.

As you read various blogs, tweets, etc. on social media, you'll notice that widely divergent views exist even among conservative evangelical Christians. That's because the Bible does not give us black-and-white answers on national security issues, at least not explicitly as it does on other matters like abortion or same-sex marriage. The fact is, a number of biblical principles come into play, and they must all be given due consideration. The wise person will seek to formulate his or her views based on the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 20:27).

With this in mind, I'd like to suggest three ways to promote and profit from Christian interaction on these issues:

1.  Appreciate the value of dialogue.

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines dialogue as "a discussion between two or more people or groups, esp. one toward exploration of a particular subjects or resolution of a problem." Based on this definition, dialogue is a good thing - and we must not lose sight of that. Rightly done, dialogue increases understanding, strengthens relationships, and increases critical thinking and decision-making. On the other hand, "a fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion" (Proverbs 18:2).



2.  Ask questions.

The previous point concerns our attitude; this second point has to do with our actual approach. If we truly value dialogue, we will look for opportunities to ask questions rather than merely to spout off answers. I already hold my present perspective on an issue because of certain information I have or assumptions I've made. Since the goal of dialogue is to explore an issue more thoroughly to improve our understanding and/or to resolve a problem, then we are best served by seeing the issue(s) from another person's vantage point.

Dr. Russell Moore, President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, provides a good example of looking at an issue from two different sides in his recent blog article, "Should We Pray for the Defeat of ISIS, or Their Conversion?" Therein he writes, "we sometimes forget that we are called to be a people of both justice and justification, and that these two are not contradictory."

We have much to learn by listening. "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent" (Proverbs 17:28). That is to say, even if we don't get where another person's coming from, we'll still appear perceptive and wise simply because we were willing to listen!


3.  Communicate graciously.

Scripture calls us as believers in Christ to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders.... Let your speech always be seasoned with salt..." (Colossians 4:5a, 6a). If this is how Christians are to interact with nonChristians, how much more should we treat our fellow believers with courtesy and respect? "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Specifically, we are called to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Even after we ask questions, and it's time for us to share our thoughts on a given matter, we must make sure that we do so in a manner that is consistent with Scripture - not only in terms of our content (what we say) but in terms of our tone (how we say it).
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let all that you do be done in love.
- 1 Corinthians 16:14
I saw two well-respected Christian brothers exemplify such a spirit earlier today in their conversation on the refugee crisis. Trevin Wax (Managing Editor of The Gospel Project) and Denny Burk (Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) engaged in a helpful dialogue over Trevin's recent article in The Washington Post titled, "Should We Really Close the Border to Refugees? Here's Why Fear Drives Out Compassion." At the bottom of this post I've pasted a copy of their dialogue on Twitter. I would encourage you to read it.

Furthermore, in closing, I invite you to share any comments you might have on this whole subject of Christian dialogue. Why not take this opportunity to put these principles into practice?




    1.  11 hours ago
      Could "prudent compassion" include a moratorium at least in the short term?
      1 retweet7 likes



    2.  11 hours ago
      Depends on how feasible. For some it is already life-or-death. I want prudence for security & compassion, not an excuse for fear.
      5 likes



    3.  10 hours ago
      20 refugees apply to US for asylum. 10 are women and children. 10 are single men in their 20's. Let them all in on their word?
      2 likes



    4.  10 hours ago
      Of course not. That wouldn't be prudent or wise. If terrorists use hospitals and civilians as shields, they'll use refugees too.



    5.  10 hours ago
      But we don't shut down our hospitals or close off compassion completely out of fear of what might happen. Prudence + courage.
      2 likes



    6.  10 hours ago
      What our govt must not do is allow a policy that says, "We accept all refugees on their word and release them into the homeland."
      4 likes



    7.  9 hours ago
      I agree with Denny. Accepting refugees solely based on thier word, how is that showing compassion to Americans?


    8.  9 hours ago
      I never argued we just accept refugees based on their word.


    9.  8 hours ago
      I don't have a solution. But I do think our government has to take responsibility for every refugee that it receives.
      2 likes



    10.  8 hours ago
      I don't disagree with you on the legitimate security risks. Prudent compassion, though, not fear as motivator.
      3 likes

What Christians Can Learn from Senator Cruz

After a long day of ministry, I was looking forward to kicking back and watching the GOP debate on CNBC. Given the liberal tendencies of the mainstream media, I was expecting the moderators to take somewhat of an adversarial stance toward the Republican candidates.

The moderators exceeded my expectations. Rather than focus on the critical issues facing our nation, they chose instead to incite conflict among the Republican candidates. 

At first, their ploy seemed to be working. The GOP debaters threw a few jabs at one another. But then, at an opportune moment, Senator Ted Cruz pummeled the moderators with a series of verbal blows that sent them reeling. 


The senator's rebukes were both justified and effective. The audience cheered. The moderators were were left shamed and defenseless. The candidates pulled together as a team and spoke to the issues facing our nation at this critical time. Even where they disagreed, they displayed unity as they championed the same essential values and principles that brought them together in the first place.

As I watched this play out on television, I saw this as a good lesson for the church. Too often trouble-makers are allowed to create division in the body of Christ. They sow discord among the brethren, thereby weakening the unity of the church and crippling its witness to the world. The Great Commission gets replaced with great conflict and confusion. This is a telltale sign that the enemy is at work.

What the church needs are Christians who take a Cruz-like stance against the trouble-makers who pit God's people against each other and undermine the unity and mission of the church. Indeed, this is precisely what the Lord tells us to do:
2 Timothy 2:23-24: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
2 Timothy 2:14: “Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words. It is of no value and only ruins those who listen.”
Titus 3:10: “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” 
Proverbs 6:12-15: "A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing."
The Bible tells us all these things "so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Cor. 2:11). Christians in general, and pastors in particular, are called by God to promote the unity of the church and to protect it from Satan’s greatest weapon – disunity. It's not an easy task, but with the Holy Spirit's help, we'll be up for the challenge.


Don't Just Congregate. Participate!

This past Sunday I woke up, poured myself a cup of coffee, and opened up my Bible to Psalm 107, which begins with this hearty exhortation:
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble....
- Psalm 107:1, 2
The psalmist then goes on to describe four accounts of people in distress whom God rescued:
  • Some were homeless, hungry and thirsty
  • Some were confined to prison or hard labor
  • Some were suffering as a result of their own sin
  • Some were on ships caught in a deadly storm
In each case God delivered them in a miraculous way, thereby demonstrating his steadfast love. Thus each account ends with this refrain:

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
(vv. 8, 15, 21, 31)

After the fourth and final refrain, those whom God has rescued are called on to express their thanks to the Lord publicly, when the whole worship community is gathered together: 

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
(v. 32)

According to this psalm, the primary way we express such thanks is through congregational giving and singing: "And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" (v. 22). The psalm closes with this appeal: "Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD" (v. 43).

As God's people, we should constantly be meditating on the many ways in which God has blessed us, and looking for ways to express our thanks, particularly through our singing and our giving in the public worship gatherings of the church. John Piper asserts,
... the realities of God and Christ, creation and salvation, heaven and hell are so great that when they are known truly and felt duly, they demand more than discussion and analysis and description; they demand poetry and song and music. Singing is the Christian's way of saying: God is so great that thinking will not suffice, there must be deep feeling; and talking will not suffice, there must be singing.

As church leaders (pastors and elders), we should structure the worship service in such a way that encourages congregational participation, especially when it comes to singing. In an article entitled "My Congregation Barely Sings; How Can I Help?", Mark Dever and Matt Merker offer several helpful suggestions, like:
  • Occasionally sing a cappella
  • Model enthusiastic singing
  • Look for a balance between new and old songs
  • Vary the way a song is sung
  • Use songs that represent a broad range of human experience and emotion
Probably the most helpful suggestion of all was to choose "congregational" rather than "performance" songs.
Here is a general (not absolute) principle: the more a song depends on the musical accompaniment and cannot be sung by a couple of children in the car on the way home, the more performance-oriented and less congregational it probably is. Congregational songs tend to have singable and memorable melodies. Just because a Christian artist has created something wonderful does not mean it is appropriate for the congregation. The melody may not be very melodic. It may be too high, too low, or wide of range. It may be too rhythmic, perhaps syncopated in a way that’s difficult for untrained singers. It may be too complex through bridges, tags, or multiple keys. Such music might sound wonderful with the recorded accompaniment. Maybe the praise band can perform it just fine. But the more a congregation needs the musicians up front to get through a song, the more you can expect them to mouth the words while watching the band do its thing.
What else can we do to promote better congregational singing? How can we promote better congregational participation in other aspects of the worship service? I'd love to hear your suggestions!