Let Go!

Interesting time of year Easter always is. For me this year it seems to be busier than ever. Maybe that is because for the first time in my life, I am the one preaching the Good Friday and Easter services. In the weeks prior to this coming weekend, I have been somewhat concerned, and apprehensive. Not really sure why. I guess it being my first Easter service, I so desired to correctly present Jesus Christ and the atoning act of his life, death and resurrection that I almost missed him in all the details.

Then this week as I was immersed in my studies seeking to trace the line of God’s redeeming work towards us his creation, from its beginning to the cross where it was completed, God spoke and the immensity of his word caught my attention.

The story of redemption doesn’t necessarily begin in Egypt, however God’s plan unfolds in an incredible way here. And unfortunately it starts with death. Sadly on this day, the first passover, many died, the firstborn of the family regardless of whether you were a human or animal. However, it didn’t just being at death, you see it begins in the heart of man. One man that couldn’t seem to let go of something he so greatly desired to hold on to. One man that chose not to listen to God. One man who thought he could be a god.

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’ ” ² But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 5:1-2

Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. God begins all this making it clear to Moses that He (God) will harden Pharaoh’s heart–and this is a repeated phrase throughout the plagues–but scripture also says that Pharaoh himself hardened his heart, Exodus 8:15. Nevertheless, Pharaoh by his own words, makes the proud statement, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice.” As a result the final plague on Egypt is what we now know as the passover. A lamb was to be chosen, introduced into the household like a pet and then on the evening of the 14th day, that lamb was to be killed. Blood was to be taken and spread on the door frame of each household, and at midnight when the Angel of death passed by, the blood would be a sign and the Angel would pass over that house. The blood was a sign.

Pharaoh lost his firstborn that night, and the following day, the Israelites were freed. So it begins with a lamb, and a nation was freed from slavery. But that isn’t the end of the story, you see this coming weekend–Easter–is the rest of the story. For Christians, those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, Easter takes the story of the first passover, the first lamb that was slain to redeem a people from slavery and traces its purpose throughout the history of the Old Testament all the way up to the cross two thousand years ago. The lamb throughout the Old Testament is an earthly picture of what Jesus would become for us. It is documented throughout the Bible. Isaiah 53:7 prophesied about “the lamb that is led to the slaughter.” In John 1:29 John the Baptist, the forerunner for Christ said, “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” Acts 8:32 repeats the passage in Isaiah reminding us of the lamb that is silent before its shearer. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul reminds us that “Christ, our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” And the Book of Revelation tells us in 5:12 that in heaven there will be thousands upon thousands and more saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…”

So Jesus has become all of this for you and for me. And on the cross he took all the guilt and shame of my sin, and your sin, and Colossians tells us that the father laid it on Jesus, and the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands–death (Romans 6:23)–God set aside, and He nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14) the righteous for the unrighteous. And in doing so, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ bought the final redemption of the entire world. A world born into the slavery of sin, with no hope of freedom or inheritance.

And yet, with all the excitement of being able to think hard about and remember what Jesus did for me this Easter season, my mind is stuck on Pharaoh. Why? Well that is the whole reason for writing. I kept going back to those words of Pharaoh, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go?” And I realize, that after all these thousands of years, God is still calling out to his creation, longing for and desiring a people that will “let go.” For me it was the desire to find perfection in a service that has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Christ Jesus. And for weeks, I have held on strongly to that prideful desire. So, I broke off the studies, long enough to write to you, and compel you this Easter season, to stop and listen to the voice of God. He is still the same, and he is still calling out to us to let go. Will you harden you heart, and refuse to give in to the Lord of lords, and King of kings, or will you allow Christ to break open your heart and have Lordship over you. The choice is always yours. But as in the beginning, death is on the line. Is eternity worth it, when the price has already been paid for you in full.

Let Go,

Study to know Him,

Is the Bible Trustworthy, is the Bible Authoritative?

“If the Bible is considered merely to contain the Word of God, rather than actually to be in toto the Word of God, there is naturally a decreased sense of responsibility to study its text minutely, or to systematize its theology, or authoritatively to declare its message.”  –Merrill F. Unger  Principles of Expository Preaching

What you believe about the Holy Scriptures, in their entirety, will or has already become for you the foundation of how you live, teach and or preach, in this life, and eternity to come.

Truth

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The birth of Christ was spoken of by the prophets, the Old Testament has documented within its pages what this Savior, this Messiah would do and what He would accomplish. So it is such an incredible announcement when the angels burst onto the scene to those shepherds in the fields that night two thousand years ago. With all the celebration of the heavenlies these angels did what they were created to do, and what they have been doing for all time, proclaim the glory of the Lord of lords, and the King of kings:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Yet history tells of one who’s birth very similar words had been written of, “The providence which has ordered the whole of our life, showing concern and zeal, has ordained the most perfect consummation for human life … by filling him with virtue for doing the work of a benefactor among men, and by sending in him, as it were, a savior for us and those who come after us, to make war to cease, to create order everywhere… ; the birthday of the god was the beginning for the world of the glad tidings that have come to men through him…”

Upon first glance, or a quick reading it might seem that Jesus’ birth and life had already been proclaimed through another who had been born September 23, 63 BC. But these words were written in tribute to the birth of one Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. Better known as Caesar Augustus. Even Caesar’s title “Augustus,” given to him by the Senate, means “to increase.” This title symbolized an approval of authority over humanity, and in fact nature. Even after his death in August 19, AD, Augustus was deified.

However, make no mistake, Caesar Augustus failed to make good on the promises proclaimed at his birth. Prior to his time as Augustus, he was known as Octavian during which time he self-titled himself, Divi filius, “Son of God,” to further his cause in military power. Wars still came, order though maybe temporary soon collapsed around Rome, and the glad tidings which might have come to men under Augustus, were only to those who showed allegiance to Rome. Even Augustus’ self proclamation as pontifex maximus, the high priest of the collegium of the Pontifices, the most important position in Roman religion, couldn’t sustain the claims given to him at his birth.

Jesus however, speaking truth came to set men free (Jn 8:32). Jesus Christ died on a cross in the greatest act of salvation that no one before, and no one since can and ever will be able to duplicate. But if the story ended there, there would be no great salvation, because Jesus would still be dead. And there can be no good news if death remains victorious. But the resurrection of Christ three days later is the truth of the all prophecies. Hebrews makes this truth clear saying, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Hebrews 4:14 If Jesus’ death and substitutionary atonement were false, and worthless then Hebrews 4:14 couldn’t be true.

Hebrews goes on to state that “Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’” Hebrews 5:5

Make no mistake, because of Jesus’ sinless life, His death for your sin and mine, and the proof of his resurrection, there is absolute TRUTH in the scriptures when it says, “And being made perfect, he (Jesus the Christ) became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedeck.” Hebrews 5:9-10

Study to know Him,

Preaching the Cross

“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 ESV

A great friend of mine and Christian Brother is just getting settled in Louisville Kentucky, preparing to begin a new season in his and his families life. Edward is about to begin his studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is seeking to follow God’s direction into the Pastorate. It is great to be able to look back over the past half a dozen years and see how both Edward and I have grown spiritually. Both of us now with families, both in our 40’s, both of us working through God’s calling in our lives to leave the secular world and move into full time vocational ministry preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. And all of that time was spent under the guidance and direction of a pastor both Edward and I would agree typifies what preaching the cross, and godliness by example is all about.

As I have written before, Men like Edward have been one of the greatest growth catalyst for me during my walk and because of so many of them, my state of spiritual maturity is where it is today. Edward and I do our best to call and encourage one another, as well as listen and discuss important issues occurring in each others thoughts and lives. It is not at all odd then to have a phone conversation with Edward yesterday, and in the process of our talk hear the topic move to the aspect of preaching the Cross. I brought it up, since I am reading the book, Preaching the Cross - Together for the Gospel. What I didn’t know is that a few days earlier Edward had already blogged on this subject.

http://pasturesoftruth.blogspot.com/2007/07/history-repeated.html

Our hearts were already on the topic long before we ever discussed it verbally over the phone. I of course didn’t fully realize how much so till this morning as I logged into WordPress to write a post on R.C. Sproul’s Chapter The Center of Christian Preaching: Justification by Faith, and clicked on Edwards blog just to see if he had written anything new. Well, I couldn’t have written it any better and I agree with Edward’s thoughts. One of Edward’s recommendations for those who have been called by God to preach is worthy to be quoted here. It is a reminder to all of us to be diligent and with purpose when we preach,

“To my brothers who are already serving in pastoral capacities, I urge you to never forget the urgency of your calling to proclaim the gospel “all the way” and shepherd the flock to the pastures of godly obedience.”

R.C. Sproul writes in the book, Preaching the Cross,

“So let me tell you what the good news is. I despair of my righteousness; I acknowledge my sin. I put my trust in Christ and Christ alone. And the good news is that at the very instant I do, all that Jesus is, and all that Jesus has, is mine, and for the rest of my days he has me covered. The Father looks beyond my impurities and all my sin, and he sees the cloak of the righteousness of Jesus. … Is there any better news than that in the whole world?”

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8 ESV

All of this rings soundly in my ears as I remember the passage Kevin preached to me and those present at my ordination service from Jeremiah 15:19, “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth.”

Pastor’s, seek that which is precious, live it and preach it. And may we never cease striving to hold one another accountable to that great task. For we are all sinners, saved by grace, for the glory of God.

Study to know Him

In Dust and Ashes

“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6

In the closing verses of Job it is interesting to see the grace and mercy of God towards those who were “friends” of Job. God’s anger burned against Job’s friends because of the way they spoke against Him. However because of Job’s understanding and faithfulness they were spared from God’s wrath. Their offering coupled together with Job’s interceding prayers preserved their lives.

In v. 3 of Chapter 42 scripture says, “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

For Job, coming to the true understanding of who God is, and then beginning the process of repentance and humility begins in the dust and ashes. What a place for restoration to begin, the dust and the ashes of all that used to be! Sitting in the worthless remains of all that was of worth to Job, Job’s understanding that God is bigger than all that man can build, and all that man can gather for himself slowly became clear. And in the presence of God, Job learned that it can all be reduced to nothing more than dust and ashes.

So in the place where Job believed it all would end, covered from head to toe in sores with nothing he deemed valuable remaining in this life, God became personal to Job and life truly began. Job was blameless and upright, feared God and turned away from evil (Ch. 1 v.1) yet not until the end of the Book do we fully understand that Job now sees God clearly with his spiritual eyes. I believe the end of the Book of Job is really just the beginning of real life and an incredible relationship with the Lord.

Job lived out his days with a clearer vision of God than what he began with, because he met him face to face. Not just from hearing what other men had to say about Him. But by the relationship born through trial and tribulation.

In the dust and ashes, covered with sores, reduced to nothing but the man, Job deals with his thoughts and presuppositions of who God is and what God is about. And his vision afterwards is never clearer. Job lives out his days not only with greater fortune and family than before. More importantly Job lives out the remainder of his days with a deeper and truer relationship with the God he now knows intimately, and personally.

Maybe it doesn’t have to take loosing all before we come face to face with the God who created all. My prayer is that daily we open God’s word, read, meditate and pray, desiring to see God clearly, and personally. And in doing so we might know a better life lived through a deep and abiding relationship with Him through His only Son, Jesus Christ.

David’s charge to his son Solomon is fitting for us. David wrote,

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” 1 Chronicles 28: 9

Study to know Him,