Does Revival Come Softly?

Does revival always come with a "bang?"  Is there always a overt outpouring of the Spirit, or does he ever use subtler means?  When you hear about revivals and awakenings in the past, the stories include police men with no crime to stop, bars closed down for lack of patronage, families reunited, communities transformed, increased evangelism and missions work, animals unable to recognize their owns because of the drastic changes in personality, and multitudes of people turning away from sin to the living God, through Jesus Christ, and becoming fruit bearing followers who transformed their world.

These are the types of stories we hear most often in relation to revival.  But is that how all revivals happen? Are there any accounts were revival comes softly?  Are there examples where churches and communities have found themselves in the middle of a transformation that had occurred through the accumulation of a thousand tiny changes?

Come to think of it, how does one know when revival has come (or is coming)?  I think we can say the marks of revival are:

• Dissatisfaction with the status quo.  This is an awareness that all is not the way it should be.  Believers begin to realize that they have slipped into complacency, and desire to get out of the rut.
• The return to the spiritual disciplines.  This would include prayer, Bible study, meditation, evangelism, worship, etc.
• The desire for and pursuit of personal and corporate holiness.  Believers become increasingly aware of their sinfulness, and yearn to be more holy.
• The fruit of the Spirit is clearly visible among God's people.  During seasons of revival the fruit of the Spirit is in full bloom.  His presence makes people more loving, more merciful, more generous, more desirous of peace, etc.
• Genuine conversions that result in fruitful disciples.  During genuine revival, even the lost become increasingly aware of their sinfulness, and flee to Christ to be rescued.  Their lives are marked by change, sometimes drastic, sometimes more subtle, but the change is evident (and permanent).

The marks listed here give us a good starting point for answering the question, "How do we know revival is coming (or already upon us)?".  As I am thinking about these marks, it seems that they can happen in both subtle and dramatic ways.

Imagine a person sitting in church for years, and during a course of time coming to realize that there is something missing in his life.  Although he can't quite put his finger on it, everything just seems off to him.  As time passes, this uneasy feeling grows.  One Sunday, during the singing or the sermon, the Lord reveals to him what's missing: he has drifted away from the Lord, his affection has grown cold.  This situation is more subtle in nature, because the person gradually drifts toward the point of confrontation.

Now imagine a person sitting in church one day, unaware that anything is wrong.  Yet, during the singing or the sermon, the Lord reveals to her that she missing something.  Her heart has grown cold, and she no longer delights in the Lord.  This situation is more dramatic, because this person is confronted more abruptly.

Both individuals come to a similar point in their lives, but they take different roads to get there.  It just may be that sometimes revival comes softly.  Maybe it sneaks up on some people before they have the chance to harden their hearts, stiffen their necks, and muster a resistance.  Maybe it's just the patience of God expressed toward the object of his love--the church.

What do you think? Does revival ever come softly?  What are some of the marks of revival you look for?  How do you know when you have been revived?  I would really love to hear your thoughts.

FAQs Mondays: What is the Fourth Commandment?

Last week, we looked at the third commandment.  You can read that post here.  This week, we will seek to answer the question, "What is the fourth commandment?".

Which is the fourth commandment?

The fourth commandment is, "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.  Six days shall you labor and do all your work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates: for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested the seventh day.  Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy" (Ex.20:8-11).

What is required in the fourth commandment?

The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he has appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath to himself.  The Lord says, "You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:30).  Moses said, "Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you" (Deut. 5:12).

Which day of the seven has God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?

From the creation of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath.  In Genesis 2:3 we read, "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."  Although no New Testament passage explicitly describes the transition between the seventh day Sabbath and the first day Lord's Day, it is clear that this pattern emerged within the Church.  John tells us that it was on the first day of the week that Jesus first appeared to his disciples after his resurrection (John 20:19).  Luke tells us that the church was gathered on the first day of the week to break bread together, that is, to celebrate the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7).  Celebrating the Lord's Supper was part of corporate worship. Paul mentions setting aside money on the first day of the week for a special collection for the saints in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1-2).  This implies that churches were worshiping on the first day of the week.  In the book of Revelation, we find John worshiping in the Spirit on the "Lord's Day," (i.e. Sunday, see Rev. 1:10). 

How is the Sabbath sanctified?

One day in seven should be especially devoted to corporate worship and other spiritual exercises that restore the soul's rest in God and zeal for His name.  It should provide physical refreshment and fit one for a week of devoted service to Christ.  The Lord compels his people,

If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isa. 58:13-14).  

Paul states, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all day alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.  The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God" (Rom. 14:5-6).  In Matthew 12:1-14, Jesus explains the how we should understand the Sabbath regulations.  The regulations should not be seen as something to bind us, but as a blessing.  Elsewhere Jesus explains, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for Sabbath" (Mark 2:27).

What is prohibited in the fourth commandment?

The fourth commandment prohibits dishonoring the Lord's Day by actions or thoughts that divert the soul from spiritual refreshment, or deprive the body of renewed energy or distract the mind from its special Sabbath focus on the Lord.  The Scripture is clear that the Lord's Day is to be a day of worship and rest.  Consider these verses: Ezekiel 22:26, 23:38; Jeremiah 17:21; Nehemiah 13:15-17; Acts 20:7; Mark 2:23-28; and Romans 14:5-6.

What are the reasons attached to the fourth commandment?

The reasons attached to the fourth commandment are, God's creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh and his blessing the Sabbath day.  Exodus 31:16-17 states, "Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever.  It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made the heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed."  See also, Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:9-11.

Summary

The fourth commandment calls us to set aside one day in seven, for corporate worship and personal rest. In honor of the resurrection, Christians observe the Lord's Day, Sunday, as their day of worship and rest.  It should be a day of spiritual and physical renewal.

Next week, we tackle the question: "What is the fifth commandment?"

Sunday Recap 8-29-10

Morning: The sermon was entitled, "Empire of Dirt," and the text was Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.  The book of Ecclesiastes captures the reflections of a man in the throws of regret.  Solomon had it all: fame, wealth, power, wisdom, knowledge, women, etc., but he threw it all away.  As a young prince, he was hand-picked by God, to be the replacement of David and to build the temple.  He was a reservoir of potential, the picture of promise. However, he abandoned whole-hearted worship of the Lord, and began worshiping false gods.  His idolatrous ways would cost his son the kingdom.

Solomon sums up his earthly pursuits with desperate words. Solomon's vision isn't all gloom-and-doom.  He is still confident in God.  One of the keys to understanding Ecclesiastes is the phrase "under the sun."  Solomon uses the expression, "under the sun," to indicate a life that is not lived in submission to God.  We are striving under the sun, because we don't trust the One enthroned above the sun. the Solomon tells us, there is no meaning, there is no profit in toiling under the sun, there is nothing new under the sun, and there is no memory of us when we are gone.

• There is no meaning.  The KJV says, "'Vanity of vanities', saith the Preacher, 'vanity of vanities; all is vanity'" (Ecc. 1:1-2). The term translated "meaningless" (NIV) or "vanity of vanities" (KJV) can literally be translated mist or vapor.  Solomon used the term to express the futility of trying to cling to this life and the promises it holds.

• There is no profit in toiling under the sun.  Man gains nothing from his labors under the sun.  All of his wealth, or lack thereof, will not stop the had of death.  Death visits the young and old.  Even the healthy eventually die.  All of our striving changes very little in this world.  The Teacher uses the sun, wind, and water to demonstrate his point.  Live grinds on in a wearisome rut.  We never satisfied with what we have or what we know.

• There is nothing new under the sun.  People pursue innovation.  Smoke signals were a type of wireless communication.  Wells and "ice boxes" functioned like refrigerators.  The hopes and dreams of mankind haven't changed.  Neither has their vices or fears.  We sacrifice so much, because we think newer is better.  Solomon says don't by the hype.

• There is no memory of us when we're gone.  In a matter of generations, hardly anyone will remember our names, what we did for a living, ect.  Should the Lord tarry a few hundred years more, no one will probably remember us.  Our names and deeds will pass away.

Bleak. Dark. Depressing.  But remember, this is the way it is with life under the sun.  Life is Christ has meaning.  In Christ, there is great gain.  What God did in Jesus was a new thing, and in him we are new creatures.  In Christ, our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, so that we'll never be forgotten.  If we waste our life toiling under the sun, we'll only inherit a empire of dirt.  But if we devote our lives to the glory of Christ, we'll inherit an eternal kingdom.

Evening:  We began a study I'm calling, "Foundations."  This is a study that will look at key stories in the Old and New Testament to give us a good foundation for understanding all of Scripture better.  Tonight, we begin with a look at Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-5.  Some of the principles we looked at are:

• God is.  The Genesis passage doesn't try to define or defend God. It simply expresses the reality of his existence.

• God alone creates from nothing.  An implication of this truth is that God needs nothing.

• God exists in plurality and unity.  God is one being, one substance, one essences, but three distinct persons.  What the Old Testament hints at, the New Testament explains.  God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The God-head is not a board, nor a committee.

• God exists in community.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have always existed in a perfect, eternal, love relationship.  The great mystery is that they have willing displayed their love to us.  We express the image of God, in part, by living in community.

• God is powerful.  With his word, God can create.

• God is orderly.  He transforms the empty chaos into glorious display of his might and power.

• God is sovereign.  He speaks and his will must come into existence.

Thirsty for God

"As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before God?  My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me continually, 'Where is your God?'" (Ps. 42:1-3).

This is a psalm of the sons of Korah.  It expresses a deep longing rooted in a overwhelming sense of abandonment.  The author(s) cry out, "Why have you forgotten me?  Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of my enemies?" (Ps. 42:9-10).  The psalmist has become an object of ridicule, because his enemies no longer God at work in his life.

In the midst of his struggle to understand what is happening to him, the author expresses his unrelenting trust in the Lord.  He reasons, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (Ps. 42:5).  Again he reminds himself, "By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his songs are with me, a prayer to the God of my life" (Ps. 42:8).

Both his external battles and his internal battles create a yearning with him.  This son of Korah wants the joy of his salvation back.  He wants to worship with fullness of heart and soul.  He wants the freedom to rejoice once more in the steadfast love of his God, the Rock of his salvation.  He describes this yearning as a thirst.

He pictures a deer stomping through the wilderness in search of a fresh flowing stream. I imagine a deer with it's tongue sticking out, sucking in air, in the hopes that it will quench it's growing thirst.  But the heat of the day or sound of hunters drawing closer, have the deer in a panic.  Thirsty and weary, the deer is frantically searching for a drink--something that will slake his thirst and renew his energies.  The psalmist is that pursued deer, that deer who desperately needs to drink deeply from the stream of God's mercy.

His spiritual walk has dried up.  At one time, he was a leader--showing others the way of worship.  Now, he feels as if the chastising hand of God has come upon him.  He is wrestling with his feelings, which suggest God has left him to the wolves, and the reality he knows, God's love is steadfast.  He wants to go back to feel that zeal and joy again, and to savor the sweetness of the praises of God.  Others have told him that he has been abandoned by God, and he can't help but wonder.  And yet, he finds himself persuaded that God is for him, and will eventually come to his rescue.

Maybe you're in the same place.  Your relationship with God isn't what it was, and you want to go back.  Maybe it has been a long time since you praised the Lord for his steadfast love.  Maybe you are being oppressed by the lie that God has abandoned you.  Maybe your soul thirsts for the living God.  Maybe you want your life to overflow with the joy of his presence.

I can't speak for you, but I know I feel like that deer.  There is a part of me that fears I may die, if I can't be close to God.  With the psalmist, I cry out, "When will I come and appear before God?".  How long, Father, must I endure this deadness in my heart?  How long will they be able to say to me: "Where is your God?" You are the God who is there, my Rock and my Fortress.  In you, I place my trust.

A thirst for God is not a fearful thing, as one might first suppose.  It is a joyful thing.  For it is God who, as someone once put it, "salts the oats," and creates the thirst for himself within us.  Being thirsty for God is an indication that God has shown us favor.  As Jesus put it, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matt. 5:6).

What about you, are you thirsty for God?  Are you panting after him yet?  Keep pursuing him, until you find yourself drinking deeply from the stream steadfast love.

Why Does Revival Tarry?

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear" (Isa. 59:1-2).

I'm still asking the question, "Why does revival tarry?".  Why aren't more hearts broken and contrite?  Could it be that our "iniquities have made a separation" between us and the LORD?

Sin is an ugly and resilient monster.  Unfortunately, sin isn't a monster that attacks us from the outside, but one that devours us from the inside.  It doesn't die easily.  It keeps popping up here and there. We tend to harbor it as if it were a stray kitten.  But in reality, it is a ravenous lion seeking to devour everyone in its path.

Sin separates us from God.  It functions as a dividing wall of hostility.  God, the Holy One, is angry at our unrighteousness.  His holy justice rages against our iniquity.  We cannot approach God while still in our rebellion.  Sin has cut us off, and muffled our voices so that our prayers are not heard. 

Revival may tarry because we harbor sin in our hearts.  Our prayers go unheard when there is sin in our hearts.  Our sin "hides" us from God's face.  For this reason, we need to confess our sins to restore our relationship.   We have to abandon sin, if we want to see revival.

Are you ready to experience revival?  Are you ready to make a break with sin?

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Whatever Happened to Contrition?

I have heard it said that contrition is a feeling easier felt than defined.  However, years of experience and observation have lead me to believe that contrition is not only hard to define, but hard to feel.  Dictionary.com says that contrition, in a theological sense, means "sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment, arising from a love of God for His own perfections (perfect contrition), or from some inferior motive, as fear of divine punishment (imperfect contrition)."  That definition is a good working definition.  To be contrite, one must feel sorrow over and hatred for the sin in their life, and desire, out of a love of God, to rid themselves of it.

Thinking of contrition as a state of sorrow for and hatred of sin, is it any wonder that David says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Ps. 51:17, ESV).  But why not?  Why doesn't God despise a broken and contrite heart?  Simple, God give grace to the humble, but opposes the proud (see Jas. 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:5, Prov. 3:34). While it should amaze us, it shouldn't surprise us, when the Lord says, "Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite'" (Isa. 57:15, ESV).  The Lord also says, "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word" (Isa. 66:2b, ESV).

These verses raise the question, "If the Lord looks to the one who is humble and contrite, dwells with the one who is humble and contrite, and does not despise the one who is humble and contrite, why don't we experience more contrition?".  Why don't we nurse the feelings of godly sorrow that work repentance in our life?  Why are we so quick to quench the convicting work of the Spirit, when he points our sin in our lives?

When we push these feelings of contrition away, we are pushing ourselves farther away from Christ.  If the Lord opposes the proud, then logically, pride places us opposite of God.  If God dwells with "a contrite and lowly spirit," then logically, he doesn't dwell with the proud of heart.  This is why Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3).  The poor in spirit are those people who are humble and contrite.

If we are meant to dwell in a spirit of contrition before the Lord, why isn't contrition more apparent within the church among God's people?  How is it that the hammer of God's Word can fall on our sin-hardened hearts, and not break them into millions of pieces?  Let's look at a few possibilities:

1.  God's Word isn't powerful enough to do the job.  Hebrews tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb. 4:12, ESV). We know that the word is perfect, converting the soul (see Ps. 19:7).  We know that the Word cannot go out and return void, but must fulfill its purpose (Isa. 55:11).  Beyond the biblical testimony, most of us know of at least one person whose life has been radically changed by trusting in Christ.  These changed individuals, including ourselves, are corroborating evidences to the truthfulness of Scripture.  Therefore, we dismiss this possibility because it contradicts Scripture and fails to account for the lives transformed by God's Word.

2.  God's finished with those who have long heard, but disobeyed his Word.  This is a terrifying option.  Is it possible that contrition is so rarely experienced in many professing believers lives, because God has left them to their rebellion?  Does God abandon people to their sin?  The Lord said to Isaiah, "Go, and say to this people: 'Keep hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed" (Isa. 6:9-10, ESV).  Of his ministry, Jesus said, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that 'they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven'' (Mark 4:11-12, ESV).  Does God cut people off?  Yes.  Even after Christ? Especially after Christ. The author of Hebrews reminds us: 

For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him in contempt (Heb. 6:4-6).

 3. God will not do the work for us.  God not only appoints the ends, but the means as well.  Paul states, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12-13, ESV).  He has given everything we need for godliness, but he expects us to build upon it (2 Pet. 1:3-11).  We can be confident that in Christ our labor is not in vain, but a necessary element of our sanctification and growth.

My mind bounces back between option two and three.  When I think about option two, I shudder.  Deep inside I feel a cry rising up--"Dear God, don't let this be the reason!"  If option two is the reason, then contrition is not possible, and neither is the accompanying repentance.  We are doomed.  For some this option may be reality.

But most likely, the lack of contrition within the church today is due to spiritual laziness.  We don't want to do the hard work of cultivating humility and contrition.  We don't want to learn about a holy God who requires that we be holy, as he is holy.  We don't want to do the hard work of reading, studying, and memorizing the Scripture.  We don't want to take the time to think deeply about the truths of God.  We don't want to cultivate a prayer life that requires intimacy with God and our neighbors, because then we might actually sow in tears.  We don't want to do the hard work of putting off sin, dying to self, and esteeming others as better than ourselves.  We are spiritually undisciplined, yet expect the Lord to zap us into holiness.  He will work the desire in our heart and give us the strength we need, but he expects us to devote all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength to see it through.

Why do you think contrition is rare in church life today?  How do you cultivate contrition in your life? I would really love to hear from you.

Four Keys of Revival

I'm thinking about message preached tonight during revival.  Bro. Paul Parks preached out of 2 Chronicles 7:12-25.  It is a fairly common Scripture for revival services.  I couldn't even tell you how many times I have heard it preached during revivals.  But something struck me at the outset of the message--maybe we hear it so often because we never do what it says.

It brought to mind the story of a young preacher in his first church:

During his trial sermon he preached a fiery message of "Repent! Repent! The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  The message was so powerful that he was voted in unanimously.  The next Sunday he preached the same message, "Repent! Repent! The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  The crowd had largely forgotten what he had preached on the previous Sunday, so they thought he did a wonderful job.  He preached the same sermon the next Sunday.  And the next.  By this time the people had caught on, and were concerned that he only had one sermon.  They charged the deacons with the task of sorting out the matter.

When the deacons approached the young preacher, he was cordial.  They said, "Preacher, we can't help but notice you keep preaching the same sermon."  "Yes," he said. "I do."  One deacon asked, "Do you have different sermons?"  "Oh, yes," said the young preacher. "I have many sermons."  Another deacon responded, "Wouldn't you like to preach a different sermon?"  "Yes," he answered, "I would love to preach a different sermon."  The Chairman spoke up, "Well then, why in the world don't you?"  "That's simple," said the preacher, "when you obey this message, I'll move on to the next."

I'm sure this story never happened, but it does make an important point.  There is a danger in assuming that we understand something simply because we have heard it before.  Hearing is just not enough.  We are to be doers of the Word, not hearers only.  During Jesus' earthly ministry  many heard his teaching and were astounded by his authority.  However, they never combined their hearing with obedience.

Bro. Paul did an excellent job of opening up the passage to explain the four keys of revival.  In order to experience revival of the magnitude of the First Great Awakening, God's people must humble themselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from their wicked ways.

• The first key is to humble one's self.  Humbling one's self is the process of expunging all the pride in our lives.  It means we have to tackle our fear of man.  If you have ever asked, "What will people think?" (or some variation), then you fear man.  Humbling one's self, means we put down all pretenses (masks), and acknowledge who we really are.  A person is sufficiently humbled when they acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy before God and man.  In the Bible, this humbling is often signaled by the tearing of clothes, the putting on of sackcloth, and the covering one's self in ashes.  It was a public display of brokenness.

• The second key is to pray.  Prayer was (and is) an essential part of Jesus' ministry.  In fact, Jesus' disciples were so impressed by his prayer life they asked him to teach them how to pray.  If prayer was (and is) essential to Jesus' life, shouldn't it also be essential to our lives?  We need to move beyond quick prayers over meals, rote prayers that repeat the same things over and over, formal prayers that use big words that we don't normally use, and weak unbelieving prayers.  We should to relearn and practice the postures of prayer: standing, kneeling, lying face down on the floor, etc.  We need to be so burdened that we learn to weep freely when we pray.  We need to pray with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  God has appointed prayer as a means to transforming hearts and lives in our world.  We must not neglect it any longer.

• The third key is to seek God's face.  It is a terrifying thing to come face to face with God.  If a person, in their sin, were to see God face to face they would die.  The holiness of God would strike them dead (see Ex. 33:20).  So why does the Lord instruct his people to seek his face?  The ultimate blessing is to have God's face shine upon you (see Num. 6:23-26).  Although Moses never actually saw God's face, God is said to have talked face to face with Moses, as a man talks to his friend (Ex. 33:11). This passage means that Moses communed in the presence of God.  In Moses' time, God's presence was displayed in a pillar of cloud/fire.  In our times, God's presence is mediated through the indwelling Spirit.  We are always in the Lord's presence.  We can speak to him as a child to his father, a servant to his master, and even as a friend to his friend.

• The fourth, and final, key is we must turn from our wicked ways.  Sin is a part of the human condition, and has been since Adam's rebellion.  However, believers in Christ are dead to sin.  Sin no longer has mastery over us.  James does an excellent job of explain the mechanics of sin (see James 1:13-15).  Paul goes farther, and explains the reason why we still continue with sin (see Romans 7:15-25).  But in Christ, through the power of the indwelling Spirit, we must make a break from sin.  To make the break, we must stop the sin, repent of it, confess it to the Lord and other offended parties, make restitution (where necessary), and continually seek the Lord's assistance.  He doesn't expect us to do it on our own, because he knows we are incapable.

So when will we see revival?  I guess when we start seeing God's people, who are called by his name, humbling themselves, praying, seeking his face, and turning from their wicked ways.  Until then, it's hard to say how much lasting change we'll experience.  May God grant us obedient hearts!

FAQs Mondays: What is the Third Commandment?

Last week, we answered the question, "What is the second commandment?".  You can view that post here.  This week, we tackle the question, "What is the third commandment?".

Which is the third commandment?

The third commandment is, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name" (Ex. 20:7).

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, words, and works.  Throughout the Scriptures we are called to, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness" (Ps. 29:2, ESV).  As we search the holy pages we are reminded that, "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is his name" (Ps. 111:9, ESV).  David states, "I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word" (Ps. 138:2, ESV).  Concern God, Moses said, "For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice.  A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he" (Deut. 32:3-4, ESV).  Jesus stressed the holiness of God's name when he taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed [regarded as holy] be your name" (Matt. 6:9, ESV).

We see the right response to God in Revelation 4:8, "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.'"  Revelation 15:3-4, also demonstrates the proper response, "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!  Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?  For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.'"

What is forbidden in the third commandment?

The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of anything whereby God makes himself known.  The LORD warns, "You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:12, ESV).  The Lord states,

A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  If then I am a father, where is my honor?  And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of host to you, O priests, who despise my name.  But you say, "How have we despised your name?" By offering polluted food upon my altar (Mal. 1:6-7a, ESV).

What reason is attached to the third commandment?

The reason attached to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the LORD our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment. As the Lord warned his people, "If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting" (Deut. 28:58-59, ESV).  Again he warns, "If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings.  Indeed, I have already curse them, because you do not lay it to heart" (Mal. 2:2, ESV).

Summary

It is clear that the third commandment forbids the misuse of the Lord's name.  The Lord's name is synonymous with his glory.  He will not allow his glory to be diminished, nor will he share it with another.  His name is to be revered as holy--sacred, and not used as a by-word.   Next week, we will answer the question, "What is the fourth commandment?". 

Sunday Recap 8-22-10

Our fall revival services kicked off this morning and will go until Wednesday.

Morning:  Bro. Jorge Garcia brought a wonderful message entitled, "Running on Empty."  He message looked at Luke 3:21-22 and other verses to explore the theme of being full of the Holy Spirit.  His message was an important reminder that we should try to live the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit.

Evening. Bro. Tim Burden brought us another great message entitled, "What Will You Do with Jesus?".  This message focused on Matthew 27:22-23.  The message focused on Pilate's dilemma during the trial of Jesus.  Listeners were encouraged to answer the question, "What will you do with Jesus?"

A Word to the Wise

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan 

that can succeed against 

the LORD."

Proverbs 21:30, NIV

Pity Party Called Off Because of Reign

Have you ever had one of those days where it feels like your stuck in mud?  It feels like no matter how hard you try to pull out of it, you just can't break free.  You might find yourself hanging the streamers for a pity party.

Life comes at us with reckless abandon.  It's like driving down a curvy country road, you don't always know what's around the next bend.  On days like that, you just got to slow down a bit and keep it between the lines.

Sometimes, we need to say with the Psalmist, "Why are you down, O my soul? Trust in the Lord."  There is very little in life that is easier than saying you trust in the Lord.  However, actually trusting the Lord is much harder.  Worry, anxiety, fear, and yes, pity-parties are a sign of distrust.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to "shake-off" disappointment.  It isn't an easy thing to accomplish.  So the next time you feel tempted to throw in the towel or quit trying, don't.  Don't throw in the towel.  Don't sit in a corner sucking your thumb.  Don't hid under the bed.  Put down that quart of ice cream.

Call your heart in for questioning.  Remind it that the Lord is in control, he sees your pain, and he loves you.  You don't have to know all the reasons behind what is happening.  You just need to trust the Lord.  He is faithful.  The Lord reigns, so there is no reason to throw a pity party.

De-grudged--Letting Go of What Others Have Long Forgotten

What is the longest you have ever held a grudge?  In times past, I have been known to nurse a grudge or two.  I was thinking about my propensity toward obsessing over small things.  I began to search my memory banks to see how much time I have wasted being petty.  Unfortunately, the initial research proved to be too overwhelming.  I had to forget the project, because apparently I have struggled with  pettiness for a long time.

Whenever I think about grudges, I always remember a certain person who borrowed a dollar from me in the third grade.  I'll call them "student x."  All through middle school and high school,  I couldn't stand student x.  I couldn't get that dollar out of my mind.  After we graduated high school, I thought about less and less, because student x wasn't there to remind me.  As  time when by, I assumed I had forgotten about it, because I thought about it less.  But I was wrong.  That feeling of betrayal sat silently in the cold darkness of my heart, like some forgotten leftovers pushed to the back of the refrigerator, waiting for some curious onlooker to uncover its moldy foulness.

Eventually, the light of the Lord dawned upon my heart, and challenged my feelings for vengeance.  My transgression against the Lord was greater than student x's failure to pay back that dollar.  My debt was greater than I could ever repay.  I had sinned against a holy God, and instead of holding a grudge he offered me forgiveness.

So, in time and by God's grace, I learned to forgive student x.  Although I think about that dollar from time to time, I no longer hold a grudge.  That debt has been forgiven.  So student x, (you know who you are), I just wanted you to know, I forgive you.  Let's forget about that dollar (because I know you already have).

Student x the next time I see you at the mall, I won't avoid contact and dodge into a store just to keep you from recognizing me.   I won't wonder who your borrowed the money from to buy that $150 purse.  I won't entertain the notion that you are spending your rent check while coming up with some sob story to tell your landlord.

If I see you stranded on the side of the road, I won't drive by with a smile on my face.  I won't laugh at the delicious sense of poetic justice, because that would be wrong.  I might even stop and see if you need any assistance (but I probably won't lend you money).  This time, if you need it, I'll give it to you-no strings attached.

God in his graciousness has truly blessed me.  He has forgiven me of much, and therefore, much forgiveness is required.  Your debt has been paid, and I don't just mean the dollar.  I mean that all of us, every human being, has an outstanding sin debt to the Lord that has been paid for with the blood of Christ.  If you will seek forgiveness by trusting him, you will find forgiveness and cleansing from all your sin.

Maybe you'll never see this post.  Maybe you don't have clue what I'm talking about, because you don't remember borrowing a dollar in the third grade.  But forgetting isn't the same thing as being forgiven, and forgiveness isn't the same thing as forgetness.  Willie Nelson was right, "Forgiving you is easy, but forgetting seems to take the longest time."

So the next time I tempted to think about that dollar, I'll remember the words of Jesus, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:14-15, ESV).  Then, I'll remind myself that your trespass has been forgiven, because my soul is worth more than a buck.  And so is yours.

I hope and pray that those of you reading this will find yourselves ready to de-grudge, and find forgiveness and healing through giving forgiveness.  How long have you held that grudge?  And who is that has been hurt the most by it?  Student x probably forgot that dollar before a week went by, but I lost a friend (and a little bit of my friendliness).  Life's too short to hold onto a grudge.  Aren't you ready to let it go?  Let me hear from you.

Releasing Obsessions

Do you ever get a thought stuck in your mind? Do you find that no matter how hard you try to dislodge it, it keeps poking and prodding you?  If I'm not careful, I can let a thought drive me.  At times, a single-minded focus is a good thing, but at other times it can be counter-productive.

I have been looking (and looking and looking) for an article I read some time back.  The article shared tips for increasing the amount one reads and understanding more of it.  However, I can't remember the site, the author, or the title of the article.  I have searched all the places I thought I would help me find it, but alas, no luck.

Apart from the consumption of time (as if there is any to spare), this particular obsession is relatively harmless.  What about the things we obsess about that aren't harmless?  Maybe we let something someone said years ago still determine our opinion of ourselves.  Maybe a lie has come to rest in our heart, because we continue to believe it.

There are countless ways that a negative single-minded focus can enslave and imprison us.  There comes a point where we have to abandon the obsession.  We have to learn to let it go.  If we don't we find ourselves trapped in a holding pattern.

What obsession do you need to release?  How long are you going to wait until you are ready to taste the freedom offered you by Jesus?

Jealous Is His Name

"For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex. 34:14, ESV).

What does it mean to say that God is jealous?  In this verse, God not only states he is jealous, but his name is Jealous.  What does it mean?

Usually when we think about jealousy, the image of some overbearing abusive husband springs to mind.  He keeps his wife under lock and key, because he distrusts her and everyone else.  We might think about some nagging wife who is always afraid her husband will run off with some woman.  Another image that springs to mind is of a person who envies a neighbor or coworker because of a their success.

These images don't help us in tackling the question, "What does it mean that God is a jealous God?".  God is holy, without the ability to sin and he can't be tempted by sin.  God's righteousness is the very definition of righteous.  God always does what is right, according to his perfect, holy moral character, and he cannot deviate from his own nature.  Thus, we cannot attribute human concepts of jealousy to God without slandering his character and blaspheming his name.

When God says that he is jealous, he does not mean that he envies other gods, as if to say he sure wishes he had their followers.  God isn't in heaven saying, "I wish someone would follow me."   God is complete.  He needs nothing outside of himself.  God is the only true God.  There are no other gods beside the Lord.  The gods of the nations are worthless idols.  Therefore, it would be absurd to think that God envies non-gods and the worship they receive by fallen human beings.

Also, God does not mean that he envies humanity.  He is not jealous of mankind.  God created man in his image.  Mankind exists because it pleased God to make us, not because he needs us.  When mankind rebelled against God, it pleased him to redeem us from our sin.  God does look at who we are and what we have and wish he had what we have.  He already possesses it.  Everything is his by right of creation, and by right of redemption.  The whole universe, all of creation, belongs to the Lord.

So, what does God mean when he says he is a jealous God?  The Holman Bible Dictionary states there are three ways in which the term "jealousy" is used in the Bible.  When speaking of people, it either means a "disposition of rivalry or unfaithfulness" or "hostility toward a rival or one believe to enjoy an advantage."  But when speaking of God, it denotes "intolerance of rivalry or unfaithfulness."  That is to say, God will not tolerate divided loyalties among his people.

Let's go a little farther and ask, "Why doesn't God tolerate the worship of other gods?".  I have given a few reasons already, but I'll restate them.  First, the biblical God is the only true God.  He isn't just the top God among many. No other gods exist (the "gods" are really demonic spirits who lead people away from the one true God).  Second, he created the universe and everything in it (including mankind) for his own glory.  God alone is Creator, all other beings are created.  God has no beginning, he is, always has been, and always will be.  Third, all of creation is under his sovereign rule.  He holds the whole of creation together by his might word.  Fourth, he redeemed mankind their sin through the crucifixion and resurrection of the eternal Son of God, Christ Jesus.  Fifth, the worship of false gods leads to the farther destruction of humanity and the world. Idolatry enslaves and blinds its worshipers.

To sum up,  God alone is God.  There is no other god.  Therefore, God cannot tolerate the worship of other "gods," because they keep people from seeing their sin and crying out for deliverance.  The god of this age has blinded unbelievers (see 2 Cor. 4:4).  They have exchanged the glory of the one true God, to worship that which isn't God (see Rom. 8:18-25).  God is jealous, because he alone is worthy of worship.

Have you ever provoked God to jealousy by false worship?  More importantly, have you turned from worthless idols to the living God and found forgiveness?

FAQs Mondays: What is the Second Commandment?

Last week, we answered the question, "What is the first commandment?".  You can read that post here.  This week we will be answering the question, "What is the second commandment?".  The first commandment stated that we are not to worship or serve any other gods.  There is only one true God, he alone is to be worshiped and served.  The second commandment builds off the first.

Which is the second commandment?

The second commandment is, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and forth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments" (Ex. 20:4-6).

What is required by the second commandment?

The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances, as God has appointed in his Word.  The Lord states, "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do.  You shall not add to it or take from it" (Deut. 12:32, ESV).  Moses warned, "Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to you children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law" (Deut. 32:46, ESV).  Jesus commanded his apostles, "Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20, ESV).

What is forbidden by the second commandment?

The second commandment forbids the worship of God by images, or any other way that draws the heart away from his glory rather than towards his glory.  Paul warns, "Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immoral God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (Rom. 1:22-23, ESV).  Moses stated, "Therefore watch yourselves very carefully.  Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making carved images for yourself, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female" (Deut. 4:15-16, ESV; see also Col. 2:18).  Paul urges, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31, ESV; see also Col. 3:17).

What are the reasons added to the second commandment?

The reasons added to the second commandment are God's holy jealousy for his name, and the zeal he has for his own worship. Paul said, "No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.  I don not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.  You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?  Are we stronger than he?" (1 Cor. 10:20-22, ESV).  The Lord commanded the Israelites to destroy all the worship sites in the promise land, "For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex. 34:14, ESV).

Summary

The second commandment forbids the worship of God through the use of images (carved or imagined), and informs us that God is deeply concerned about the substance and form of worship.  That is to say, God cares about how we worship.  Next week, we will answer the question, "What is the third commandment?".

Sunday Recap 8-15-10

Morning:  The sermon entitled, "Waiting on the Lord," looked at Psalm 33:20-22.  These verses are an expression of great joy.  The author begins by informing us that we are those who wait in hope for the Lord, because he is our help and our shield.  The Lord helps us in our weakness, strengthens us, and directs our paths.  He shields us from our enemies and his wrath through the work of Christ on the cross.

We rejoice in the Lord because we trust in his holy name.  As the Lord awakens our heart to love him, a desire grows in our heart to know him.  He won't let his name be dishonored.  He will uphold its glory.

His unfailing love covers us like a blanket.  As we hope in him, the knowledge of his love for us strengthens our faith.

Evening:  We looked at the question, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?," from Psalm 11:3.  Ultimately, we must find refuge in the Lord, and rest confident in his sovereign grace.

It's a Love/Hate Relationship

There is a scene in the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings where Frodo discovers that Gollum has followed the fellowship into the mines of Moria.  When he reports his discovery to Gandalf, Frodo learns that the ring has drawn Gollum to them.  Gollum, we are told, has a love/hate relationship with the ring, and with himself.  Because he can never be free from his need of the ring, Gollum can never be free of self-loathing.  Believers seem to struggle with a love/hate relationship, as well. 

Much like the ring, sin pollutes the heart and enslaves those who tinker with it (which is all of us). The ring enslaved and transformed the creature Smeagol, into the wretched beast Gollum, just as sin enslaves and transforms humanity into wretched rebels.   We are born into this world bent toward sin.  Thus, we develop a taste for sin very early.  When God, in his grace, sees fit to reveal his Son to us through the preaching of gospel and the witness of the Spirit, he calls us out of the darkness, and into his marvelous light.  By exposing our sin for what it was, God creates a holy hatred for sin within our hearts.  Our past experience with sin and the introduction of a new heart within us creates tension within us. Paul describes this tension well:

I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I don not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin living in me that does it. . . What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me form this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom. 7:15-20, 24-25, NIV).

When the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart through regeneration, he changes the desires of our heart so that we desire to do the will of God (see John 3:1-21; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:24-27).   Even with this new heart, we still wrestle with the desires of the flesh.  We are torn in two directions.

The new heart wants to be obedient to God, but the sin present in our bodies wants to continue to rebel against the Lord.  The good news for us is that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ (see Rom. 8:31-39).  Although we might relate to Gollum's dilemma, we cannot say that it is exactly our dilemma.  While there is certainly a love/hate relationship with sin raging inside a believer, the Scripture is clear we are to live as if we are dead to sin.

Sin no longer has dominion over us.  We have been set free, through faith in Christ, from sin and death.  We have a continual cleansing presence in our lives, the Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 John 1:9).  Our sin, and the debt it has incurred, has been nailed to the cross.  If we did not have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we would have no way of overcoming our sin natures. But, in Christ, we do have the Spirit within us.  Therefore, we can walk in the power of the Spirit, and overcome the desires of the flesh.

Gollum's story, although fictional, is a sad one, because he could never be free of his need of the ring.  But our story is not, because Jesus has freed us from the penalty of sin (the lake of fire), and because he will, ultimately, rescue us fully and finally from the influence of sin when he comes in his glory.

Do you wrestle with a love/hate relationship to sin?  Do you find yourself doing what you hate?  How do you recover peace of mind?  How do you overcome self-hatred?  I would love to hear from you.

Where to Begin

Some days it is difficult to know where to begin.  You might want to discuss the many ways in which God has blessed you, or you might want to air the grievances of your heart.  Maybe you want to sit out under the stars and watch the infinite vastness swirl around you.  Maybe you want to to rise early and watch the sun burst forth arrayed in splendor.

Some days you might want to stay under the covers, and hope the world doesn't find you.  Other days, you march right outside and grab the bull by the horns.  Your time might be well organized and utilized to the fullest possible potential.  Then again, maybe your time slips through your fingers like grands of sand, and some days dozens of opportunities are lost.

Knowing where to begin is as much an art as it is a skill.  Like an art, there is a certain "feel" to it.  Like a skill, it can be built upon.  When it comes to life, knowing where to begin is essential.

A life that pursues God, begins with the fear of the Lord.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Fearing the Lord has more to do with reverence than terror, but there is still an element of terror present.  It is a good thing if our anxiety over our sins drives us to repentance.  However, if a dread falls upon us that makes it impossible for us to approach God in search of forgiveness, it is bad.

Fear of the Lord is birthed in us by the grace of God.  Grace teaches our heart to fear, then it stills that fear within us.  Once grace has stirred the slumbering giant of the fallen conscience, it then moves to enable the heart to believe.  The Spirit of God is the agent that works this grace within our hearts.  Therefore, his presence is a reminder of God's gracious intentions toward  us.  God's intentions never fall short of their goal.

Having this reality in mind, we must approach those situations where we are uncertain about our course of action with confidence in the love of the Lord.  He loves us even when we don't know it.  He has a plan for us even when we aren't sure of it.  So, the next time you're tempted to throw the covers over your head (unless your sick), ask the Lord to help you.  Ask him to show you what needs to be done, and for the strength to do it.

How good are you at waiting on the Lord?  Do you always know where to begin?  How do you face difficult days?

A Word to the Wise

"Leave the presence of a fool,

for there you do not meet words of knowledge. 

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, 

but the folly of fools is deceiving."  

Proverbs 14:7-8

Out on a Limb

I had a notion back in 2009 to challenge Monticello to baptize 10 people by October 10, 2010 (10-10-10).  However, I let fear creep in and keep me from making the challenge.  Fear came masquerading as a sound advice, but it was still fear.  I told myself, "You know how much we hate gimmicks."  And 10 by 10-10-10, sure sounded like a gimmick (and still does), but it could have also been a rallying point.

I bring all of this up because I blurted out a challenge during my sermon Sunday.  It was one of those moments where my tongue let loose, before my brain could stop it.  I asked, "How many people do you think this church could baptize in a year?  Somebody give me a number."  My heart started beating a mile a minute, but began to slow down when my challenge was greeted by silence.  Then I heard my voice again, "Come on, somebody give me a number."  Silly tongue, what are you doing to me?  Then the silence was broken by one word, "Fifteen."  I got a number just as I requested, it just happen to be higher than I anticipated (after hearing myself ask the question).  Then I heard something else, it was my voice asking, "Do I hear 20?"  Fortunately, there were no takers.

The temptation is to pretend like I didn't throw the question out there; to forget that someone, in good faith, gave an answer; and to assume no one expects me to act on it.  I have been tempted to let it go, but I can't.  The challenge has been issued, and if I walk away it will be a victory for fear.  It would be easy to say, "We can't reach 15 people in a year."  And it might even be true, but we'll never know what God can do through us if we don't try.

Although I am a bit leery of setting a numerical goal for baptisms, I am beginning to see that it is equally dangerous to operate without some sort of goal in mind. So the challenge has been issued.  Now all I can do is labor diligently to see that we succeed.  It means intentionality, prayerfulness, delegation, training, fasting, etc.  It means seeking the face of God. 

Some would say, "It can't be done."  If they mean, we cannot do it in our strength alone, they are right.  However, if they mean that it is beyond what is possible, I would strongly disagree.  With God all things are possible.  We must never forget that truth. 

It seems that I have gone out on a limb.  I could drop the ball, so to speak.  I could fall on my face.  But I would rather run the risk of falling on my face, then fail by not doing anything.  If our church labors at prayer and evangelism, there will be a harvest.  If we do not labor at these tasks, we have no right to expect a harvest anyway. 

So pray for us as we endeavor to answer the challenge.  It is hard to know where the next 51 weeks will take us, but I'm looking forward to finding out.  Do you know anyone who needs the Lord?  If you send me a message, I'll begin praying for them.  Pray that God would bless us with 15 conversions, by his grace and for his glory.

A Stronghold for the Blameless

"The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers" (Prov. 10:29).

There are times that I have to scratch my head when I read Scriptures.  This verse is one of those places.  What does it mean when it says "blameless"?  At face value, it means those without blame.  Logically, we might conclude this meant sinless people.  However, many (all) of those who have found refuge in the Lord have been sinners.

Thus, blameless must not mean sinless.  Maybe it means those who cling, in faith, to the Lord without waiver.  Again, many of God's people wrestled with doubt, like Gideon and Thomas.  So blameless cannot mean doubtless.

Maybe it means that the Lord, in his grace, does not hold the believer "guilty," because another has bore the penalty of their sin.  Within the confines of the Old Covenant it would have been the sacrificial animal, in the New Covenant it would be the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Thus, to be blameless is to be counted as innocent, by grace through faith.  Those who seek refuge in the Lord find him to be a stronghold.  Those who reject his gracious provision destroy themselves.

Solomon's words remind us that two paths stretch before us.  We can chose to follow the Lord (wisdom) or turn from his way (folly).  To walk in the way of the Lord is life, but to ignore it is death.

Which way will you walk?  Is the Lord your stronghold? Or is he your opponent?

FAQs Mondays: What Is the First Commandment?

This post failed to publish last week, I apologize for the delay in the series.  We looked at the preface to the Ten Commandments two weeks ago. You can find that post here. This week, we will look at the first commandment.

Which is the first commandment?

The first commandment is, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3).

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.  Each generation must answer the challenge laid down by Joshua, "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, chose this day whom you will serve, where the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh. 24:15).  Moses informed the people that their commitment had been noticed, "You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice" (Deut. 26:27).  After being tempted by Satan, Jesus replied; "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord you God and him only shall you serve'" (Matt. 4:10).

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbids us to deny or not to worship and glorify the true God as God and our God; and to give that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto him alone.  David warns, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good" (Ps. 14:1).  Paul states,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be know about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but in their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. . . Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen (Rom 1:18-21, 25).

What are we especially taught by these words, "before me," in the first commandment?

These words "before me" in the first commandment teach us that God, who sees all things, takes notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having any other god. The Lord warns, "But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall perish.  You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess" (Deut. 30:17-18).  The sons of Korah extend this warning, "If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God discover this?  For he knows the secrets of the heart (Ps. 44:20-21).

Summary

We have sought to answer the question, "What is the first commandment?".  The answer is simple, "You shall have no other gods before me."  This commandment is a prohibition of idolatry.  We were created to worship and glorify the one true God.  It is rebellion to fail to honor him alone.  Thus, the cornerstone of the Ten Commandments is laid.  The rest of the commandments will build off of this one.  Next Monday, we will answer the question, "What is the second commandment?".

Sunday Recap 8-8-10

Morning: The message, "The 'Abba' Cry," focused on Romans 8:15-16.  Paul reminds us that we are not subject to fear.  In this he means, that we do not fear God, as if he were unjust or unrighteous; and that we do not fear our circumstances, as if somehow they could be greater than God's ability.  He also tells us that we have been given the Spirit of adoption, or sonship, through which we cry out "Abba, Father."  It is, in Christ Jesus, an all access pass to the heavenly Father.  Finally, Paul remind us that the Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we belong to Jesus.  This is an inner confidence that God has received our faith as righteousness.

Evening:  We had an ice cream social followed by our monthly business meeting. 

Sunday Recap 8-1-10

Today was Homecoming Sunday at Monticello.  During the Sunday school hour, the church was encouraged by the music of  Higher Ground, a Bluegrass band.  They did a fantastic job.  They also did several numbers during the worship service.


The sermon looked at "The Power of a Moment," drawing from Moses' prayer in Psalm 90:12.  Moses asked of the Lord, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we might gain a heart of wisdom."  We looked at three reasons we should number our days.

• First, we should number our days, because they have been numbered.  David tells us that all of the days ordained for us were written down in God's book before we even lived one of them (see Psalm 139:16).  Hebrews 9:27 informs us that, "it has been appointed once for man to die, and after this judgment."  We must come to realize that our days are numbered, and they are few.

• Secondly, we should number our days, because they are few.  In Psalm 39, David says that man's days are a few handbreadths, a breathe, and a shadow/phantom (see Psalm 39:4-6).  Even though we grieve the loss of an aged loved one, we are consoled by the fact that "it was their time" or that "they lived a good, long life."  Yet, when a child dies we feel as if this is somehow wrong or "untimely."  Each day is a gift, appointed by God, to us.  Some are gifted with more, so with less, but each one is a gift.  We number our days, because they are few, and we want to make the most out of the time we have been given.  We do this by walking the path of wisdom.

• Thirdly, we should number our days, because we want a heart of wisdom.  Wisdom is the ability live in the way that pleases God.  It is the path of righteousness and holiness.  If we fail to walk in wisdom, then we chose the path of foolishness.  Foolishness is rebellion to God's Word.  We are born into the world bent toward foolishness, but God in his grace has offered us peace and a place in his family.

God calls us today, and everyday, to build upon his past faithfulness and his promises of a future, as we live for his glory here below.  They day is coming when our struggles will cease, when sorrow will be no more, and when death is finally and fully defeated.  While we wait for that day, let us number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom.

No Evening Services