Jan
2
4 big ideas: #1-Truth
Filed Under Christian Living, Four big ideas, Justification, The Church | Leave a Comment
In preaching through Galatians last year I identified four big ideas that run through Paul’s letter. Those four big ideas should form and shape how ministry is carried out in the day-to-day life of the Church. I am trying to embody them in my own ministry and to impart them to our leaders at First, Kosciusko. In this and the next three blog posts I’ll share some thoughts on each of them. The four big ideas are: truth, authority, integrity and love. (Editorial note: Yes, I realize that the form the acronym TAIL, but I am not fond of the use of acronyms, nor am I about to go around reminding people, ‘Hey, remember now, it’s all about TAIL.’)
TRUTH: This is simple: God always gets the last word. His agenda trumps all others. We must embrace tightly the truth of the gospel, especially at those points where the truth is most under assault. Paul does this in Galatians through his defense of justification by faith alone in Christ alone. I trust I don’t need to spend a lot of time writing about the importance of the truth of Scripture. We live in a time when the claims of materialism, naturalism, relativism, Islam and other religions ring loudly in the ears of many. Thus, the exclusivity of the gospel of Christ is an affront to many people. Ours is a time when we must contend for the truth once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
Moreover, on a personal level we all need to hear, speak and embrace the truth. The deceitfulness of sin, our tendency to let our emotions rage and rule over us, and our patterns of unbiblical thinking need to be confronted by biblical truth. And, as I noted in a recent post, that truth is not simply a theological system or philosophy, nor is it a set of principles and purposes. It is a person named Jesus. In Christ we hear the call to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness along with the comfort of free grace that paid for all our sins. Hear the truth, know the truth, speak the truth. Without the truth that God has revealed, I have nothing to offer, nothing to say.
Peace and mercy be upon all those who walk by this rule…
Dec
13
In Evil Long I Took Delight
Filed Under Christian Living, Evangelism, Justification | Leave a Comment
In evil long I took delight, unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight, and stopped my wild career.
I saw one hanging on a tree, in agony and blood,
Who fixed his languid eyes on me, as near his cross I stood.
Sure, never to my latest breath, can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with his death, though not a word he spoke.
My conscience felt and owned the guilt, and plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins his blood had spilt, and helped to nail him there.
Alas! I knew not what I did! But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid? For I the Lord have slain!
A second look he gave, which said, “I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid; I die that thou mayst live.”
Thus, while his death my sin displays in all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace, it seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief, and mournful joy, my spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy, yet live by him I killed!
-John Newton (1725-1807) from OLNEY HYMNS (1779).
You can find a version at www.cyberhymnal.org
Oct
6
Manton Quotes
Filed Under Justification, Puritans | Leave a Comment
I was reading a sermon by Thomas Manton this morning on the redemption purchased by Christ. The sermon was from Colossians 1:15. He had an excellent point concerning the dignity of Christ’s person which I include below for you to think on.
There are three things that commend the value of Christ’s sacrifice - the dignity of his person, the greatness of his sufferings, and the merit of his obedience. But the two latter without the former will little quiet the heart of scrupulous men. His sufferings were great, but temporary and finite - the merit of his obedience much; but how shall the virtue of it reach all the world? And if he be but a mere creature, he hath done what he ought to do. I confess a fourth thing may be added - God’s institution, which availeth to the end for which God hath appointed it; but the scripture insists most on the first - the dignity of his person - which putteth value on his sacrifice.
We can think much on the suffering of Jesus for poor sinners. We can think much of the perfect obedience offered on our behalf. But neither of these truths carry biblical or redemptive weight unless the suffering and obedience of Jesus are subservient to his eternal dignity and value. The glory of Jesus Christ is what makes his sacrifice for sin possible. The glory of Jesus Christ is what lends eternal value to his suffering and obedience.