The Jonah Poem

While preaching through the Old Testament book of Jonah, I summarized each chapter in rhyme. Each of the four enumerated sections of the poem correspond to its parallel chapter in Jonah. In the fifth and final section, I draw a few concluding applications from the book as a whole.

This month-long project has been a great joy for me personally. My prayer is that the reader will understand afresh the significance of this historic account, and how this story relates to the greater Story of redemption. Soli Deo Gloria!

1. The Lord told Jonah to arise
And go to Nineveh. God’s eyes
Had seen their sin. Their time was up,
And soon they’d drink God’s wrath-filled cup.
But Jonah didn’t want to go
To preach this dreadful word of woe.
So down to Joppa Jonah trod
To try to get away from God. 
He got on board a ship that day
And sailed for Tarshish far away. 
In vain the prophet tried to flee;
God sent a storm upon the sea.
Each sailor quickly grabbed an oar
And vainly tried to row to shore.
The prophet told them ‘bout his sin
And said, “You’ll need to throw me in,
If you want God this storm to end
And make the waters calm again.”
With heavy hearts they followed through
And tossed him in the ocean blue.
The Lord then sent a great big fish
To swallow up this tasty dish. 
Three days & nights God’s man was there.
In chapter two we see his prayer:

2. "I called to God in my distress, 
Surrounded by the ocean's depths,
Where weeds were wrapped around my head;
I thought I was as good as dead.
Yet in that deep, dark, dreadful place,
God showed me mercy, love, and grace -
The things that I could not perceive,
But chose by faith to still believe.
From fish's gut I give my praise
To You, the sov'reign God who saves."
'Twas then God did the fish command;
It threw up Jonah on dry land.

3. With slimy Jonah back on shore,
God spoke to him just like before. 
Determined this time to obey,
The prophet left without delay
For Nineveh, that no-good town,
Where God would rain his judgment down.
“In forty days, you’ll be o’erthrown!”,
The prophet said in somber tone. 
The people listened and believed.
They fasted, prayed, and greatly grieved
O’er all their sin, from which they turned
To serve the one true God they’d spurned.
With mighty mercy God the Lord,
Despite their sins which He abhorred,
Withheld the judgment they deserved
When their repentance He observed.

4. And what of Jonah? you may ask.
Upon completion of his task,
He made his great displeasure known
To God for all the grace He’d shown.
“That’s why I fled from You at first – 
Because You love the very worst!
Your grace is great, Your anger slow.
Why must You such great mercy show?”
Then, angry as a man can be,
He said, “Lord, take my life from me.”
But God replied, “Do you do well
To be so mad?” – And then, do tell,
The prophet sat beneath the shade
Wrought by a plant the Lord had made.
This set-up made old Jonah smile,
And he felt happy for awhile.
But then a worm sent by the Lord
Ate up that lush, gigantic gourd.
The sun beat down on Jonah’s brow.
He faintly prayed, “Lord, kill me now.”
Then came this answer from the Lord:
“You showed such pity for the gourd – 
A plant not made or grown by you, 
And here for just a day or two.
Should I not care for Nineveh
Whose multitudes are lacking the
Discernment to choose right from wrong – 
One hundred twenty thousand strong?
Remember, there are cattle too,
Which may not mean that much to you;
But they are worth more than a gourd
And matter much to me, the Lord.”

And on this note the story ends.
What difference will it make, my friends,
In our own lives as we think through
The lessons here for me and you?
When God commands, will we obey,
Or will we run the other way?
Is mercy just for me and you,
And not for other peoples too?
The sign of Jonah points today
To Jesus Christ, the living Way.
He died and rose to save the lost.
Let’s spread the news whate’er the cost.

Roof Repair and Soul Care: Five Similarities

The flat, rubber roof on top of our worship center is in need of major repair. Thankfully, it doesn't need to be altogether replaced, but significant work needs to be done. To save money, we're trying to do most of the labor in-house. As a team of us were working on the roof yesterday afternoon, it dawned on me that roof repair and soul care have much in common. Below are five similarities that came to mind:

1. Clues - We noticed there was a problem when water began leaking into the sanctuary. Even though the water was the presenting problem, it wasn't the primary problem. The presenting problem could be solved by putting out buckets, but to fix the primary problem, we had to repair the roof. Likewise, words and behavior present clues that there's a deeper problem in the heart that needs to be addressed (see Matthew 12:33-35; Mark 7:20-23).
2. Crust - After removing the layer of rocks on the rubber roof, we noticed that there was a crust of silt covering the rubber membrane. This crust had built up over time and needed to be scrubbed off before any protective covering could adhere to the membrane. It wasn't easy getting through that hard external covering. We had to scrub, scour, rinse, and repeat. Some spots were harder than others and required a lot more attention. Likewise, the human heart can become encrusted by resentment and bitterness, unresolved conflict, emotional scars and such. There are no quick fixes in such cases. Spiritual cleansing requires a lot of time and painstaking effort. But the Word of God, rightly administered, can penetrate the hardest of exteriors and get to the heart of the matter (Hebrews 4:12).
3. Care - While working to get the crust off the roof, we had to be careful not to damage the membrane itself. So while being conscientious, we also had to be careful. The same is true when addressing heart issues. Our goal is to kill sin without doing unnecessary damage to the spirit. "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18). 
4. Collaboration - Repairing a roof is a daunting task and can be a bit overwhelming if you attempt to do it alone. That's why there are roofing crews. There is strength in numbers! Scripture says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor" (Eccl. 4:9). The same is true in counseling. While one person is talking, the other counselor can be praying silently, taking notes, or picking up on non-verbal cues from the counselee. Beyond the structured session itself, all believers should be counseling one another in a general sense. They have the two essentials for doing so: the Word of God and the Spirit of God. In writing to a local church, Paul confidently stated, "I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another" (Romans. 15:14). 
5. Cost - Our roofing project here at church is costing us thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer man-hours (and woman-hours!). Yet our congregation believes this project is worth it, because they rightly see our building as a stewardship that God has entrusted to us. If that's true of a building, how much more so of believers, who are "like living stones ... being built up as a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5), "a dwelling place for God" (Eph. 2:22), i.e. "God's temple" (1 Cor. 3:16). Biblical counseling, done rightly, requires a significant investment of time, money, volunteers, and other resources in the church. But the benefits far exceed the cost as lives are changed by the power of the gospel, and the church "grows into a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21). 

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism: Part 5

Last month I had the opportunity to sit down with one of our neighbors in their home and share the gospel with them. In essence I told them (in a little more detail) the summary of the gospel that I presented in part 2 of this series:

The word gospel means "good news" -- a message that God has made known to us through Scripture. In fact, in a very real sense, the Bible is God's love letter to humanity. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about God and about ourselves. God, who is holy, made us in his image so that we could truly know and love him. But we sinned against God and became separated from him as a result. Yet because of his great love, God sent his one and only Son Jesus to rescue us from our sin. Jesus, as the God-man, is the one great mediator between God and man. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. He then rose from the dead, showing that God accepted his sacrifice for all who would repent and trust in him alone for salvation. Those who do so are forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life. By trusting in Christ, they become born again and begin a new life-giving relationship with God that will never end.

When I was done, the gentleman said nothing. He just looked at me with an emotionless expression. Talk about *crickets*. After a few seconds of awkward silence, his wife said, "We watch reruns of 'Touched by an Angel' on Sunday evenings." 

What? Are you kidding me? Have you heard anything I've said? -- Truth is, I didn't even know how to respond. It was just downright awkward. 

That's why it's good to wrap up this five-part series on evangelism by addressing the question: What should we do after we evangelize? This is a good question to consider, because we will most likely get all sorts of responses. In his book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, Mark Dever gives some examples and how to engage with people at that point.

Negative Responses:

"I'm undecided." Folks may hem and haw for a few different reasons. Maybe there's still a mental hang-up in terms of God or the gospel, i.e. they're not sure what to believe. It could be that they're apathetic and indifferent, not really convinced of their perilous condition. Whatever the case, you can't be undecided and still be a disciple. Jesus said, "He wh his not with me is against me" (Matt. 12:30; Luke 11:23). We can't force people to make up their minds, but we can inform them that when it comes to Jesus, there's no such thing as neutrality. You're either for him or against him. 

"I want to wait." Some folks understand the gospel but aren't yet ready to commit their lives to Christ. No matter how politely they say it, "wait" is another form of "no." It means that they don't want Jesus to take control of their lives. Yet at the same time they may want to continue their relationship with you. They may appreciate the fact that you're a true friend who can be there for them, pray for them, be a positive influence on them, etc. It may also be that they are seriously considering the claims of the gospel and counting the cost of being Jesus' disciple (Luke 14:28-33). In that case, it's good to take stock before taking the plunge. This is where we need to pray for wisdom as to how to respond. The Lord could very much be at work in their lives, and their conversion could be just around the corner.

"Not now." This is a little different than "I want to wait" in that it's a little more definitive. In some cases the response may be even more resolute and definitive: "No, never." This response shows how strongly the person feels. It's a good reminder that we have no power to convert anyone. Non-Christians by nature are spiritually blind. They are dead to the things of God. The best thing we can do is to pray for them and also to expose them to our lives, our character, our Christian community.

Positive Responses:

When people actually repent and believe the gospel, a whole new life and love relationship with Jesus Christ begins. There is much truth to be learned and lived. Thankfully, the Bible gives us all the instructions and guidance we need. It is the very Word of God.

One of the most important things for a new Christian to do, according to Scripture, is to get plugged into the local church. Now that they are part of God's family, they're to be given all the family privileges and family responsibilities. They are to be baptized and admitted to the Lord's Table. They are to be given guidance and counsel, love and support, prayer and teaching. Mark Dever reminds us, "The good news is not merely about the commuting of an eternal sentence but about the commencing of an eternal relationship. Truly trusting Christ will always show itself by following him" (p. 91).

In some cases we'll see people respond positively to the gospel, but then after time they seem to lose interest. They still claim to know Christ, but following him is of little practical concern to them. Jesus spoke to this issue by telling a parable about plants that sprang up quickly but then died (Mark 4:5-7). This parable reminds us that some professions of faith, while appearing to be sincere, are actually false. The 18th century evangelist George Whitefield said, "There are so many stony ground hearers, who receive the Word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgement till I know the tree by its fruits. I cannot believe they are converts until I see the fruit brought back; it will never do a sincere soul any harm" (p. 92).

Evangelism is an adventure, motivated by our love for God, our love for others, and our desire to please the Lord who gave his life for us. I close with these stirring words from Mark Dever (p. 112):

This good news of Jesus Christ is crucial. ... When the message of the cross captures your heart, then your tongue -- stammering, halting, insulting, awkward, sarcastic, and imperfect as it may be -- won't be far behind. As Jesus said, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). 

What is your heart full of?

What do you spend your words on?

... We do not fail in our evangelism if we faithfully tell the gospel to someone who is not subsequently converted; we fail only if we do not faithfully tell the gospel at all.

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism: Part 4

A few years ago, a funny incident occurred at a convenience store, involving my dad and my stepmom Betty. She was waiting in the car, which was left running while Dad ran into the store to grab something. When he came out, he got in the car and could barely squeeze into the seat. He said, "Betty, what are you doing messing with the seat?" He then began backing the car out of the parking space. As he turned to look behind him, he noticed that the lady in the seat next to him wasn't his wife Betty. It was a terrified older woman! Dad had gotten into the wrong car!

Mistaken identity can also happen in evangelism. People can think they're doing evangelism when they're really not. The consequences can be more serious than embarrassment. So in chapter five of his book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, Mark Dever mentions five things mistaken for evangelism.

1. Imposition. Some people don't practice evangelism because they think they're imposing their beliefs on others. While some people are definitely guilty of giving that impression, such is not the nature of true evangelism. The gospel is not an opinion or even a belief; it is a fact. "That's why sharing the gospel can't be called an imposition, any more than a pilot can impose his belief on the passengers that the runway is here and not there." (p. 70) Even though we must convey a sense of urgency in presenting the gospel (see part 3 in this series), true evangelism involves no coercion but only the truth proclaimed in love. Biblical Christians know that we can't force anyone to believe in Christ. That is a work of God (see 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:4-6).
2. Personal Testimony. Sharing your testimony is a wonderful thing. The psalmist is a model of it: "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me" (Ps. 66:16). We should delight to tell others what God has done for us, but we must realize that sharing our testimony is not doing evangelism -- unless we include the gospel. This is something that I (Matt) must repeatedly emphasize with believers who are preparing to be baptized. As they get ready to share their testimony, they must not assume that everyone knows that the gospel is. Therefore, the message of Jesus' substitutionary death and resurrection for the salvation of sinners must be intentionally and explicitly tied into the testimony. "An account of a changed life is a wonderful and inspiring thing, but it's the gospel of Jesus Christ that explains what it's all about and how it happened. And it's the gospel that turns sharing a testimony into evangelism." (p. 73)
3. Social Action and Public Involvement. Caring for orphans, feeding the hungry, volunteering at the local crisis pregnancy center are all good things. They show love to our neighbors, benefit our community, and can improve society. "But none of them, not even the best, are the gospel of Jesus Christ" (p. 75). However, they can and do commend the gospel. That's why Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16; cf. 1 Pet. 2:12). Some years ago, I (Matt) latched on to a helpful statement from my friend, Tim Beougher (Professor of Evangelism at Southern Seminary), who said, "Your walk gives credibility to your talk, and your talk gives clarity to your walk." The second half of that statement is every bit as important as the first. If we do good deeds without sharing the gospel, then people could very well think that we're simply  upstanding, moral people who are good enough to go to heaven. That is not the message we want to send, which is why it's important that our good works are accompanied by gospel proclamation. 
4. Apologetics. Here is another helpful activity that Christians should be engaged in. Scripture says that we are to be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have (1 Pet. 3:15). That's what apologetics is -- answering questions and objections people may have about God or the gospel. Dever writes, "Apologetics can present wonderful opportunities for evangelism. Being willing to engage in conversations about where we came from or what's wrong with this sword can be a significant way to introduce honest discussions about the gospel" (p. 77). But, as Dever also points out, "the greatest danger in apologetics is being distracted from the main message" (p. 78). To do evangelism, we must follow Jesus' agenda. We must make the message about him and the way of salvation through him.
5. The Results of Evangelism. This last area is a good reminder for me (Matt) personally. Unless people come to faith in Christ, I can tend to think that I haven't really done evangelism. But that's not the case at all. Evangelism is the simple telling of the gospel message; it must never be confused with its fruit. John Stott correctly stated, "To 'evangelize' ... does not mean to win converts ... but simply to announce the good news, irrespective of the results" (italics mine). The apostle Paul wrote, "We are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life" (2 Cor. 2:15-16). The same message produces two entirely different results. No matter how people respond, we as witnesses for Christ are still a pleasing aroma to God. With this in mind, Dever writes,

We don't fail in our evangelism if we faithfully tell the gospel to someone who is not converted; we fail only if we don't faithfully tell the gospel at all. ... Evangelism is telling people the wonderful truth about God, the great news about Jesus Christ. When we understand this, then obedience to the call to evangelize can become certain and joyful. Understanding this increases evangelism as it moves from being a guilt-driven burden to a joyful privilege. (p. 82)

Amen! So let's get out there and share the gospel with others!

But what should we do after we evangelize? How do we interact with people in light of their responses? That will be the subject of our fifth and final article tomorrow.

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism: Part 3

This week we're providing a five-part overview of Mark Dever's helpful book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism. In part one of this series, we considered reasons why we don't evangelize, followed by 12 steps to remedy the problem. In part two, we clarified what the gospel is, and what it is not. In this post we'll look at how we should evangelize. 

Simply stated, we evangelize by declaring God's Word with others (Rom. 10:17), spreading the message of salvation wherever and whenever we can.

But how exactly should we do that? 

The key, says Dever, is balance. As Jesus' witnesses, we want to maintain a balance of honesty, urgency and joy in evangelism. Too often we're characterized by just one or two of these qualities but not all three. Yet each of these are essential if we are to appropriately represent Christ and the gospel.

Honesty: We need to shoot straight with people when sharing the gospel. We can't pull any punches just to get converts. To be faithful evangelists, we must talk about sin, guilt, and divine judgment. We must make people aware of their lost and sinful condition, telling them that they need to repent, i.e. turn from the sins that they love to the God that they're called to love. 

Urgency: Without in any way attempting to manipulate people into an immediate decision, we must emphasize the urgency of the situation. They have no guarantee of tomorrow, let alone the rest of today. They shouldn't wait until a "better deal" comes along. There is no better deal. There is no other way. Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6). If Christ is the only way, then what are they waiting for? Thus Scripture says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Ps. 95:7-8; Heb. 4:7). Mark Dever writes, "It's not manipulative or insensitive to bring up the urgent nature of salvation. It's simply the truth. The time of opportunity will end." (p. 58)

Joy: If the above two qualities are employed in our witness, then we are going to come across as "grim evangelists" (p. 59). We must remember that not only is the gospel true news and urgent news, but it is also good news. After all, we're telling people that they can be fully forgiven of all their sins and fully restored in their relationship with God -- forever! Though it will cost them much to follow Christ, the sacrifice is worth it! As the missionary martyr Jim Elliot famously said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 

Balancing these three qualities -- honesty, urgency, and joy -- is biblical. When our presentation of the gospel gets off-kilter, God's Word provides the necessary corrective. Dever explains: 

Honesty and urgency with no joy gives us a grim determination (read Philippians). Honesty and joy with no urgency gives us a carelessness about time (read 2 Peter). And urgency and joy with no honesty leads us into distorted claims about immediate benefits of the gospel (read 1 Peter).

Thus Dever proceeds to list specific suggestions to help us keep a biblical balance when presenting the gospel:

1. Pray. "Salvation belongs to the Lord" (Psalm 3:8; Jonah 2:9). God is at work in evangelism; it is never you and I alone. We pray about much less significant matters every day. So why not pray for God to bless your witnessing efforts and bring people to Christ?
2. Use the Bible. After all, it's not just for the preacher or for your personal devotional time with God. Employ God's Word in evangelism! "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). A good example of this is the gospel conversation between Philip and the Ethiopian official in Acts 8. He had been reading Isaiah 53, a famous prophecy about the Messiah. Luke tells us in Acts 8:35 that Philip "began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus." Using the Bible shows people that what you're sharing is not your own opinion, but the very truth of God.
3. Be clear. When we're speaking to our non-Christian friends about the gospel, we need to make sure that they understand what we mean. It's okay to use terms like salvation and sanctification, so long as we explain them accurately.
4. Provoke self-reflection. Don't just tell people something; talk with them. Have a conversation. Ask questions that get them thinking -- questions about the origin of life or about why bad things happen in this world. We can ask them about their own burdens or struggles in life. We can even ask them about death, the after-life, and what they think about God, heaven, Jesus, or their definition of a Christian. Ask good questions and listen carefully to their answers. Have a conversation. That's what we do with people we love, and aren't we commanded to love our neighbor (Matt. 12:37-40)?
5. Use the church. That is, invite non-Christians to church, where you know they'll hear the gospel and see Christian love in action. We put the gospel on display. As Dever puts it, "we are God's picture, God's billboard, in our city." That's why we're told, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" (Phil. 2:14-16). If you want to "be a star," then let your gospel light shine in your relationships with your local fellowship of believers!

Remember: "The people around us are lost in darkness; we have the wonderful and attractive call to live out a new life in our congregations -- a good life that reflects the good news. Think about the role of your church in your evangelism. ... That may be to them as a shining star in the dark night of their lives. That may provoke them to do some honest soul searching."

What other suggestions do you have for witnessing, in addition to the ones listed here? Feel free to share a comment. 

Now that we've talked a bit about evangelism, tomorrow we'll look at what isn't evangelism. Stay tuned!

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism: Part 2

Early this morning during a haircut, my barber asked me what my plans were for the day. I told him that I'd be studying most of the morning, and I had counseling appointments throughout the afternoon. When he asked me what I was studying, I said, "The book of Jonah. You know the story of Jonah, right?" He said, "No." I said, "You're kidding me. I thought everybody knew the story of Jonah -- you know, the prophet of God that got swallowed by a huge fish." At that point my barber said, "Oh, yeah, I think maybe I heard a story like that." He then yelled over to one of his colleagues and said, "Have you ever heard the story of Jonah?" "Nope," she said.

At that point a customer broke in and said to them, "You know the story of Moby Dick? It's basically the same thing."

Jonah is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. So I naturally thought that most people had heard about it, even non-religious folks. But, clearly, I was mistaken.

We can make the same mistake when it comes to the term "gospel." Many folks have probably never heard of the term. And many who have don't know its meaning. So it's important to clarify exactly what the gospel is. That's what Mark Dever does in his book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism. 

The word "gospel" literally means "good message" or "good news." So the term itself conveys something positive and encouraging! The problem is that many people are confused about what the "good news" is, even when they hear the expression "the good news of Jesus Christ." For this reason, Dever explains what the gospel is not:

1. The Good News is not simply that we are okay. The Bible teaches that our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God -- and they passed on that sin nature to us, as well as the consequences of sin: death. Not just physical death (the separation of soul and body), but also spiritual death (the separation of us from God). We are sinners by nature and by choice. To "sin" means literally "to miss the mark" or "to transgress." The fact is, none of us measure up to God's standard of perfection. We have all rebelled against him and transgressed his commands. Our sins separate us from God, who is utterly holy. Therefore, we are not okay!
2. The Good News is not simply that God is love. The statement "God is love" is certainly true. The problem is that many people have a distorted view of God's love, and they ignore his other attributes, such as his holiness, righteousness, justice, etc. In fact, Scripture says, "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). The fact is, God requires holiness of all who would be in a loving relationship with him. So, yes, God is love -- but he's also a whole lot more.
3. The Good News is not simply that we should live rightly. The gospel is not about cleaning up our lives. It's not about mere moral reform. The fact is, we can never be good enough to get to heaven. Because we are by our very nature sinners, we are unable to satisfy God's righteous demands. Only one human ever did that: Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life we never could. He was punished in our place. He rose from the dead, thus proving that God the Father had accepted his sacrifice for all who would repent and rely on Christ alone for salvation. The following stanza from Augustus Toplady's hymn Rock of Ages sums up the matter well: "Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and Thou alone."
4. The Good News is not simply that Jesus wants to be our friend. His earthly mission was to rescue us, not merely to befriend us. Speaking in reference to himself, Jesus declared, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). We are born to live; Jesus was born to die. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "So," as Mark Dever plainly states,

Christ isn't just our friend. To call him supremely that is to damn him with faint praise. He is our friend, but he is so much more! By his death on the cross Christ has become the lamb that was slain for us, our redeemer, the one who has made peace between us and God, who has taken our built on himself, who has conquered our most deadly enemies and has assuaged the personal, just wrath of God.

As you can see, it's important that we're clear on what the gospel is, and what it is not. 

If you were to summarize the gospel in a minute or less, what would you say? This is a question I typically ask people who want to become members of our church. Their answer says a lot about their understanding of the gospel. If I were asked that question, I'd say something like this:

The word gospel means "good news" -- a message that God has made known to us through Scripture. In fact, in a very real sense, the Bible is God's love letter to humanity. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about God and about ourselves. God, who is holy, made us in his image so that we could truly know and love him. But we sinned against God and became separated from him as a result. Yet because of his great love, God sent his one and only Son Jesus to rescue us from our sin. Jesus, as the God-man, is the one great mediator between God and man. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. He then rose from the dead, showing that God accepted his sacrifice for all who would repent and trust in him alone for salvation. Those who do so are forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life. By trusting in Christ, they become born again and begin a new life-giving relationship with God that will never end.

Try to summarize the gospel in your own words -- simple statements that take no more than a minute to say. Repeat it to yourself often so that (1) you are reminded of your great salvation, and (2) you're ready to share it with others when opportunities arise.

Now that we know what the gospel is, tomorrow we'll consider how to present it.

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, Part 1

In the time it took to watch a typical length movie, I did something far more beneficial. I read Mark Dever's delightful book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism. I don't know about you, but as a Christian, evangelism is something I'm always trying to do more and better. In this book, Mark shows us how -- not as some sort of "evangelistic expert" but as one who identifies with our common fears and failures. Mark freely confesses, "not only am I sometimes a reluctant evangelist, sometimes I'm not evangelist at all.... If there is a time in the future when God reviews all of our missed evangelistic opportunities, I fear that I could cause more than a minor delay in eternity" (p. 15).

Most of us have felt that way at one time or another. Thankfully, that doesn't have to be the case. With God's help, we can become faithful witnesses for Christ and create a culture of evangelism in our churches. That is Mark's aim in writing this book.

So for the rest of this week I'll walk you through the book by summarizing its primary points. But I would encourage you to get a copy of the book itself, because it contains some wonderful illustrations and other anecdotes that you'd otherwise miss.

With that said, let's consider the basic excuses for why we don't evangelize:

1. "I don't know their language."
2. "Evangelism is illegal."
3. "Evangelism could cause problems at work."
4. "Other things seem more urgent" (e.g. family responsibilities, praying, schoolwork, etc.).
5. "I don't know non-Christians."

Some of these excuses are more valid than others, yet none of them is insurmountable. Why? Because "with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26). The fact that God can save anyone should encourage us in our evangelism. The key, Dever says, is to plan to stop not evangelizing. To counteract our non-evangelism tendencies, we can take 12 steps to make sure that evangelism happens:

1. Pray. Many times the reason we fail to evangelize is because we leave God out of it. We try to make it happen in our own power. That's a recipe for failure! If we don't ask God for opportunities to evangelize, we shouldn't be surprised when opportunities don't arise. God wants people to be saved. So pray to him confidently, asking him to open doors of opportunity.
2. Plan. Think of all the appointments and priority tasks you work into your schedule. If evangelism is important (which it is), then why not make time to build relationships, putting ourselves in positions where we'll be able to have meaningful conversations with non-Christians? "We plan for so many less important things; why not plan for our evangelism?" (p. 24)
3. Accept. Don't think of evangelism as someone else's job (e.g. the pastor). Realize that it is your responsibility to share the gospel with others. God has placed within your particular sphere of influence people he wants you to evangelize. Accept responsibility!
4. Understand. Just because you don't have the spiritual gift of evangelism doesn't mean that you're not meant to do it. Not all Christians have the gift of mercy, but all Christians should show mercy to others. Not all Christians have the gift of faith, but all Christians should exercise faith. The same is true with respect to evangelism.
5. Be faithful. "Maybe," suggests Dever, "we are more concerned about people's response than God's glory. Maybe we are more concerned about their feelings than God's. God does not like having his truth suppressed, and that's what the non-Christian is doing (Rom. 1:18). Good manners are no excuse for unfaithfulness to God" (p. 25).
6. Risk. To be a faithful witness for Christ, we must be willing to break out of our comfort zones. Even if we don't share the gospel outright, we can at least invite people to church where we know they'll hear the gospel. We can share a book with them or a story from our own lives. We must be willing to risk in order to evangelize.
7. Prepare. Think through what you'd say if given the opportunity. How would you transition the conversation? How might you respond to this or that question?
8. Look. If we're praying for opportunities and planning for opportunities, let's not be surprised by opportunities when they come. Rather, let's be on the lookout for them! Dever quips, "We must not only close our eyes in prayer for opportunities, but we must then open our eyes to see them" (p. 27).
9. Love. We share the gospel because we love people, which also means that we don't share the gospel because we don't love people. Instead, we fear them. We don't want things to get awkward. We don't want to look foolish. "We protect our pride at the cost of their souls. In the name of wanting to look weird, we are content to be complicit in their being lost" (p. 27). Friend, read that quote again and let the words sink in. Wow. Talk about convicting.
10. Fear. We shouldn't fear people, but we should fear God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9:10). So if we want to behave wisely toward unbelievers, we must revere God and live accordingly.
11. Stop. We should stop blaming God for whatever keeps us from evangelizing. We should stop making excuses. Instead, we should read from the Word that God is calling to himself people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This fact will fuel our evangelism. (Read Acts 18 to see how it encouraged Paul in Corinth when he was discouraged.)
12. Consider. That's what the writer of Hebrews tells us to do: "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12:3). If we fail to consider what Christ has done for us, "our hearts grow cold, our minds grow smaller (more taken up with passing concerns), and our lips fall silent" (p. 28). Meditate much on God's great love, and you'll become a much better evangelist. "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). Dever notes, "A fire [of love and gratitude] so enflamed by God will have no trouble igniting our tongue" (p. 29).

Tomorrow we'll consider exactly what the gospel is (and what it is not).

Purpose in our Pain: Seven Reasons for Suffering

In last Sunday's sermon, I touched on the matter of suffering and quoted Paul's words in Philippians 1:29: "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." I pointed out that our mission in making the gospel known involves suffering.

The next day I got an email from a church member who confessed, "the anticipation of [suffering] always terrifies me and yet in my head I know it will conform me to [Christ's] death" (see Phil. 3:10). This dear sister in Christ proceeded to ask questions pertaining to the nature of suffering, the difference between suffering that comes from persecution (as a direct result of our witness) versus suffering that stems from the trials of life (through which we can still make Christ known), and how one would explain the purpose of suffering to a non-Christian as opposed to a Christian.

These are good, relevant questions we all need to consider, because pain and suffering are part of everyday life. So I took a few moments to answer these questions in light of certain Scripture passages that immediately came to mind. This list is by no means exhaustive, but I trust it is helpful in thinking through the purposes for suffering (which may be defined loosely as "physical and/or mental anguish; the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship").

1. Some suffering arises from persecution. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12). Now, the degree and type of persecution that takes place will vary greatly among believers, depending on our culture, circumstances, etc. But the principle still holds true. There will always be a price to pay for being a Christian, because the world system is at enmity with God (see James 4:4). Suffering is our lot as followers of Christ. "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
2. Suffering for the right reasons in the right way is pleasing to God. "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God" (1 Peter 2:20). 
3. Some suffering can be a form of divine chastisement for sin. "This is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned along with the world" (1 Cor. 11:30-32; cf. Heb. 12:5-11). Of course, not all suffering is the direct result of sin, which is why we must be careful not to cast judgment on others. The disciples were guilty of this very thing, and Jesus corrected their way of thinking: "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:1-3). - This leads to the next point:
4. Suffering is designed to display the glory of God in and through us. Paul talks about this in relation to his own life, such as in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, where he writes, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you." Suffering reminds us of our own weaknesses and inadequacies, forcing us to depend on God rather than ourselves. God displays his power through our weakness to accomplish his work in our lives and to produce the life of his Spirit in those around us.
5. Suffering should drive people to repentance. In Luke 13, when people asked Jesus about some recent tragedies that had taken place (one the result of violence and the other the result of a natural disaster), Jesus took the opportunity to tell them, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). When tragedy occurs, people tend to ask, "Why did those people die?" -- when the question they ought to be asking is: "Why am I still alive?" The fact is, we all deserve to die, because "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). God out of sheer grace and mercy allows people to continue living in order to give them opportunities to repent and trust in Christ. Suffering and death reminds us that one day we will all die and must prepare to meet our God (Amos 4:12). Note: Scripture also says, "God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance" (Rom. 2:4). So when witnessing to others, remember that God uses both blessings and burdens to bring people to himself. 
6. Suffering helps us to comfort other Christians. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
7. Suffering on earth is preparing us for the glories of heaven. This future focus is what keeps us from discouragement. "So we do not lose heart.... For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:16-17). One beloved hymn conveys this truth well: It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of his dear face all sorrows will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ!

God's People and Good Works

In his commentary on Titus 3:1-8, John Stott points out that the apostle Paul uses the expression "good works" (kala erga) fourteen times in the pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus). That's quite a few occurrences, considering the brevity of these letters. But Paul is conveying to pastors the vital role of good works in the lives of God's people. Indeed, Paul tells Titus, "I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works" (Titus 3:8). 

Having considered all fourteen occurrences of "good works" in the Pastorals, Stott concludes that Paul seems to be emphasizing five points:

1. The very purpose of Christ's death was to purify for himself a people who would be enthusiastic for good works (Titus 2:14).
2. Although good works can never be the basis of salvation (Titus 2:5; 2 Tim. 1:9), they are the essential evidence of salvation (Titus 3:8, 14).
3. It is therefore expected that all Christians will be "equipped" and "eager" to do good works (2 Tim. 2:21; 3:17; Titus 3:1; cf. 1 Tim. 2:10; 5:10; 6:18).
4. Since pastoral oversight is itself a good work (1 Tim. 3:1), all Christian leaders should be conspicuous (easily recognizable) by the good works they do (1 Tim. 5:25; Titus 2:7). This behavioral pattern stands in contrast to the false teachers who "claim to know God, but ... deny him by their works" (Titus 1:16).
5. It is above all by good works that the gospel is adorned (made to look attractive) and so commended to outsiders (Titus 2:9-10; cf. Titus 2:5).

No wonder God's people should "be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people" (Titus 3:8).

What good works will you do today?

No Time to Burn

If you want to know how fast time flies, talk to an octogenarian. That's what I did today when my dad called to share a poem that he wrote over 40 years ago, when he was ten years younger than I am now. At the time, my dad had been married just a decade and had five children, all under the age of ten. While holding down a full-time job, he had just completed multiple years of night school to earn his M.B.A. and had undergone six intense weeks of study to pass his C.P.A. exam. 

With all this formal education now behind him, Dad thought that he would have "time to burn." But life taught him otherwise. How thankful I am that my father learned this lesson early on, because time is one commodity you can't get back once you spend it.  "Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time...." (Ephesians 5:15-16).

No Time to Burn

By: James W. Fletcher

With years of study now behind,
I felt so certain I would find
That I’d have extra time galore
And not be busy anymore.

But still, each evening’s spoken for,
And weekends crowded even more
With things that clamor for my time;
(It took an hour for just this rhyme.)

The kids all need some time from Dad
For things they’ve never really had,
Like fishing trips and woodland hikes,
And fixing up their little bikes.

And Bev, for all her married life,
Has been an oft neglected wife.
She’s had her share of gifts and flowers,
But far too few of husband’s hours.

Our church continues in its need
For workers who will sow the Seed,
And visit door-to-door at night
To share with folks the Gospel light.

To meet these needs, and many more,
I’m just as busy as before;
There’s more to do than hours permit,
And there’s no time to idly sit.

But I have found, to my surprise:
I wouldn’t want it otherwise.
It took nigh forty years to learn
There’s no such thing as “time to burn.”

To Post or Not to Post: That Is the Question

Let's be honest: Most of us tend to put our best foot forward on social media. Including me.

Does that make us hypocrites?

Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on our motives. If we're presenting ourselves as something different than we really are, then that's hypocrisy. If we're simply wanting the approval and affirmation of others, then that's vanity. 

But if we're trying to encourage others and point them to Jesus -- despite our own imperfections -- then that's commendable.

The problem is that "the human heart [the seat of our thoughts, desires, and motives] is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jer. 17:9 NLT). The answer is: Nobody except the Lord. Even someone as godly as the apostle Paul confessed, "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Cor. 4:4 NIV). 

So we, like Paul, should do our best to examine ourselves and maintain a clear conscience before God and all people (Acts 24:16). At the same time, we must also be careful not to let critics keep us from using social media as a platform for doing a lot of people a lot of good.

Some professing Christians never post any Scripture or anything pertaining to the Lord online. They also never "like" such posts by other people. Instead, they criticize and accuse them of trying to appear "spiritual" so that others will admire them. The same people that hurl such accusations take pride in the fact that they never post such things because they're not hypocrites.

If that's you, well then, congratulations. That makes you guilty of one less sin. You can even thank God for that. May I suggest beginning your prayer this way: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men..." -- just like the Pharisee did (Luke 18:11). 

What do you expect people to do -- hang out all their dirty laundry so that everyone can see how "real" they are? Going back to Paul, I don't see him doing that in Scripture. Although he was quick to acknowledge that he was the foremost sinner (1 Tim. 1:15) and that he struggled greatly with sin (Rom. 7:14-25), Paul spent most of his time instructing people in the way of the Lord. If Paul were alive and on social media today, I don't think he would post things like:

• I just lusted after a gorgeous babe who walked by.
• You wouldn't believe the cuss word I just uttered under my breath!
• I couldn't help but laugh at this dirty joke I heard.....

No, Paul was honest about his sin but spent the bulk of his time building people up in the Lord. He chose to focus on God's greatness rather than his own sinfulness.

Furthermore, there's a difference between posting, "During my hour-long devotions this morning at 5:00 a.m., here's a verse the Lord gave me..." versus posting a Scripture verse with a few thought-provoking comments that the Lord genuinely impressed on your heart and that you believe will also encourage others. There's a difference between constantly posting selfies to draw people's attention to yourself versus posting Scripture to draw people's attention to the Lord.

Again, I realize that the latter action can still be fueled by the same sinful motives as the former. But doesn't love believe the best about others and give them the benefit of the doubt (1 Cor. 13:7)? And aren't we as Christians to avoid speaking evil against one another and judging one another (James 4:11-12)? 

Oops, there I go again, quoting Scripture. I must be a hypocrite!

Perhaps it would be better to post only silly, trivial stuff -- or better yet -- incendiary comments and articles that get people all fired up and throwing stones at one another. Why build people up when you can tear them down or get them to tear each other apart? Why direct their thoughts toward God when I can fill their minds with frivolous, superficial things?

Sorry, but that makes no sense to me. There are already countless people providing that sort of substance (or lack thereof) on social media. 

I don't want to be hypocritical or come across as "hyper-spiritual." I'm also acutely aware of my desire for other people's affirmation and approval. But I'd rather examine my conscience and run the risk of being judged by others, than to let my sinful inclinations or theirs prevent me from pointing people to Jesus.

Shoe-Leather Love

Last Sunday I preached on the spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, prayer, fasting, exercising faithful stewardship, serving in the local church, evangelizing the lost, etc.). A few days later I saw on the bookshelf in our family room a book by Jerry Bridges that I read years ago, titled The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness. I picked up the book and began reading it with a desire to refresh my own understanding of how grace fuels sanctification (the process of becoming less sinful and more like Jesus). As Bridges puts it,

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

That's a foundational principle -- not only to Bridges' book but to all of Christian living. The transforming effects of the gospel impacts every aspect of life, including our relationships. After all, Jesus did say that to love God supremely with our entire being and to love our neighbor as ourselves are the first and second commands (Matt. 22:37-39). The apostle Paul reinforced this concept when he wrote, 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:1-2)

The command to "walk in love" emphasizes the practical nature of this supreme virtue. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul lists some of the "active ingredients" of love, saying, 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

To help him put "shoe leather" on the concept of love, Jerry Bridges paraphrased the above verses into action statements. I found these to be very helpful, especially in light of the gospel-centered motives that produce such action.

• I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.
• I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.
• I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to have the best.
• I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.
• I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.
• I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.
• I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.
• I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.
• I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you, and "love covers a multitude of sins."

How are you doing in your day-to-day practice of love? Is there any room for self-righteousness? Indeed, we all fall short of God's standard. That's why we need his grace. (Refer again to Bridges' quote at the top of this article!) Let's ask the Lord to renew our hearts and to help us put on love's walking shoes!

What Is Godliness?

To enhance my summer reading, I've joined Tim Challies' group, Reading Classics Together.  We'll be going through The Godly Man's Picture by Thomas Watson. As Challies points out, this book is not just for men. "It is, in reality, The Godly Person's Picture and simply looks to Scripture to describe the marks of a Christian." 

(Note: If you'd like to join the reading group, click here.)

I just began reading the book myself. Today I leafed through chapter two, which asks, What is godliness? 

Watson provides the following answer: "Godliness is the sacred impression and workmanship of God in a man...." That's a simple definition, but Watson enlarges our understanding of godliness by laying down seven maxims, which I'll comment on briefly, mixing my own remarks with Watson's:

1. Godliness is a real thing, it is not shadow, but substance. It's not the figment of a deluded person's imagination. Rather, it has truth as its foundation (Psalm 86:11). If God be true, then godliness is true.
2. Godliness is an intrinsical thing; it lies chiefly in the heart (Psalm 51:6). "The dew lies on the leaf, the sap is hid in the root. The moralist's religion is  all in the leaf, it consists only in externals: but godliness is a holy sap which is eradicated in the soul."
3. Godliness is a supernatural thing, whereas by nature, we inherit nothing but evil. We naturally crave sin, sucking it in like a baby does her mother's milk. But godliness is "breathed in from heaven. God must light up the lamp of grace in the heart; weeds grow of themselves, flowers are planted." Isaiah refers to godly people as "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified" (Isa. 61:3).
4. Godliness is an extensive thing; it is a sacred leaven that spreads itself throughout the whole person (1 Thess. 5:23). Says Watson, "Grace is called the new man (Col. 3:10), not a new eye or tongue, but a new man; he who is godly is good all over; tho' he be regenerate but in part, yet it is in every part."
5. Godliness is an intense thing; it does not lie in a dead formality or indifference, but is "fervent in spirit" (Rom. 12:11). A godly heart boils over in holy affections.
6. Godliness is a glorious thing; as the jewel is to the ring, so is piety to the soul. "Godliness is near a kin to glory (2 Pet. 1:3)... Godliness is glory in the seed, and glory is godliness in the flower."
7. Godliness is a permanent thing. "Godliness is a fixed thing: there is a great deal of difference between a stake in the hedge and a tree in the garden; a stake rots ... but a tree, having life in it, abides and flourisheth." Scripture declares, "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him..." (1 John 3:9) - and it abides to eternity.

In thinking on these qualities, we may be inclined to cry out with David, "Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!" (Psalm 12:1 NLT). Yet the Holy Spirit responds, "what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives" (2 Pet. 3:11). Yes, we should. Indeed, we can! "For God is working in [us] giving [us] the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Phil. 2:13).

So, join us in this quest for godliness!

A Tale Older Than Time

Last week my family went and saw the much-anticipated movie, Beauty and the Beast. The animated classic was released in 1991, the same year that our first child was born. She was followed by four more, so all our kids enjoyed from their youngest years the "tale as old as time."

When the 2017 adaptation of the fairy tale appeared in theaters, my now 25-year-old daughter and her husband purchased tickets well in advance so that they could see the musical on its opening night. A week later, the rest of our family saw the movie.

It did not disappoint. We enjoyed it immensely.

As we left the theater, I asked my family,

Where do story writers and movie producers come up with themes such as the liberating power of love, the restoration of a human being from his beastly condition, the concept of resurrection, and the yearning for everything that's wrong being made right?

All these themes are found in a tale older than time -- the gospel. This tale is told through the grand narrative of the Scriptures -- "a gospel that is scaled to the glory of God" (Matt Chandler, The Explicit Gospel, p. 172).

The Scriptures teach that the universe was created as a theater of God's glory. Man was the crown of God's creation and made in the image of God himself. Everything was perfect ... until "sin entered into the world, and death through sin" (Rom. 5:12). Can you see how this truth is reflected in the first lines of the movie?

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was selfish, spoiled, and unkind.

Just as the prince's self-absorption and tragic choice had devastating effects both on him (turning him into a beast) and everything around him, so humanity's fall into sin carried tragic consequences on both a personal and cosmic level.

On a personal level, man became alienated from God and no longer resembled God the way he once did. As Calvin says, the image of God is not totally annihilated by the Fall but is frightfully deformed. Hence the prince became the beast. 

On a cosmic level, "all creation was subjected to God's curse" (Rom. 8:20 NLT) -- much like the prince's companions, all of whom live in a dark and gloomy castle.

Only through the love of another can the spell be broken. Otherwise, "he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time." 

Unlike the Disney movie, the gospel is not a fairy tale but a true tale. It's the Story of a loving God who restores a broken world and reconciles a lost humanity to himself. How? Through the renewing work of Jesus Christ.

"God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him" (1 John 1:9).

"In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself" (2 Cor. 5:19).

"And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death" (Rom. 8:2 NLT).

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free" (John 8:36 NLT).

“The total work of Christ is nothing less than to redeem this entire creation from the effects of sin. That purpose will not be accomplished until God has ushered in the new earth, until Paradise Lost has become Paradise regained.”

— Anthony Hoekma

If you would like to know more about the gospel and its eternal significance for you personally, watch the following video.

The Rainbow: Did You Know...?

The winter season tends to linger here in upstate New York, where I live. This year Old Man Winter went out fighting with a massive one-two punch: a massive windstorm followed by a snowstorm. Folks around here have been anxious for spring to arrive. As of today it has -- though you'd never know it by all the snow still on the ground.

March winds bring April showers, and with rain comes rainbows. They're a beauty to behold, but certain facts about rainbows can brighten our outlook and deepen our appreciation for them even more. Did you know:

• The first rainbow appeared after the worldwide flood, as a sign of God's promise that he would never again destroy living creatures with floodwaters (Gen. 9:12-17). 
• There is no Hebrew word for rainbow; it's just the ordinary term for an archer's bow. The distinguishing feature is that it "appears in the clouds" (Gen. 9:14; cf. Ezek. 1:28).

Why would God choose a bow, a weapon of war, as a sign in the clouds of his gracious covenant with all the living creatures on earth? Stephen Wellum explains:

“The rainbow, then, is a physical picture that God has “laid his weapons down,” as indicated in the promise, “never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” It is interesting that the bow set in the clouds is always aimed or pointed up toward the heavens, and never downward at us on the earth.”

— Kingdom Through Covenant (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012), p. 170-171

One final observation to be made is that the bow is the only covenant sign which can be given by God alone. (All the other covenant signs, such as circumcision and baptism, are given by the human partner.) And that covenant is still in effect today.

Praise God that he is long-suffering toward us and never goes back on his promises. These are truths we can celebrate any time of the year.

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)

Poetic Recap of Haggai

Having just completed a four-part sermon series in Haggai, I thought I would attempt a "poetic recap" of this prophetic book. Here it is:

It was 520 B.C. when Haggai came to town.
He went right to the temple site, but no one was around.
The people said, “Now’s not the time to build; it’s just too tough.
So we’re working on our own homes, though we never have enough.”

“Do you know why?” the prophet cried, speaking God’s own word.
“Your plans I wrecked ‘cause you neglect the temple of the Lord.
Go to the hills and bring back wood and build my house, I say, 
Then I’ll be pleased and glorified. Get busy and obey!”

The people did. They feared the Lord and did what they should do.
God stirred their hearts to do the work and assured them, “I’m with you.”
Some weeks went by, then came a cry from the older citizens
Who knew this temple wouldn’t match the glory of Solomon’s.

God knew their thoughts and said, “Is this like nothing in your eyes?
I know that you’re discouraged, for your feelings you can’t hide. 
But I promise you the future of this temple will be bright – 
So great, that Solomon’s will seem as nothing in your sight.”

“Be strong for I am with you. The heavens and earth I’ll shake
Until the treasures of all the nations come in for My name’s sake.
This temple you build will soon be filled with peace,” declares the Lord.
“From this day on the curse is gone. I’ll bless you – trust My word.”

“And you, Zerubbabel, don’t fear, when heaven and earth give way.
I’ll make you like my signet ring and guard you come what may.
Because you are My servant, and I, the Lord, have chosen you, 
You’re safe with me, and equipped to lead My people as I lead you.

My father is a far better poet than I am and pays much closer attention to the metrical pattern. My poem was mean to be said, not read, so it worked fine in the pulpit. But I asked my dad to revise my poem according to proper metrical standards, which he was happy to do. Here it is:

In 520 BC, Haggai came to town;
He went to the temple site-- no one around.
The people said, “Building right now is too tough--
We’ll work on our own things; we’ve never enough.”

“But do you know why?” the old prophet inquired,
In speaking for God by Whom he’d been inspired;
“The temple’s unbuilt by your shameful neglect;
And that is the reason your plans have been wrecked.”

Thus saith the Lord God, the Ancient of Days,
“Repent, O my people; consider your ways.
Bring wood from the mountains and turn not aside;
Start building and I will be pleased, glorified.”

The people responded and set out to do
The work that their God had directed them to. 
They all feared the Lord, and their spirits were stirred,
And claiming His promise, their hearts were assured.

But as is so often, contention arose--
Some elderly citizens looked down their nose,
Said, “Even if we do exactly as told,
It will not match Solomon’s temple of old.

But God knew their hearts, saw their faces downcast.
Said, “though you think things will not rival the past.
The future of this temple’s glorious and bright—
So great that the former will pale in your sight.

Be strong, I am with you--the nations I’ll shake,
Their silver, and also their gold, will I take.
And I, Lord of Hosts, will give peace in this place,
And all of it granted by sovereign grace.

Zerubbabel, you need not fear nor dismay,
When heaven and also the earth shall give way.
You’ll be like my signet ring, safe as can be,
For thou art my servant and chosen by Me.”

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 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!