Spiritual Songs: "This Is Your Life" by Switchfoot

Some songs force you to stop and think. They drive you to consider your life, and ask hard questions. This song by Switchfoot is one of those. The chorus strikes out, "This is your life. Are you who you want to be?" Well, are you. Life isn't something that we can live in reverse. We have to seize the moments given to us, and make the most of our situation. "This Is Your Life," resonates with me for that reason.

I couldn't find the original video, so I picked a simple one with the lyrics. I hope you enjoy.

FAQs Mondays: "How do we get saved?"

Last week, we finished looking at the 10 Commandments by answering the question, "What do we do with the 10 Commandments?". You can read that post here. That post also finished part two of the catechism. Now, we turn our attention to part three of the catechism which deals with the subject of salvation. In this week's post we will begin answering the big question, "How do we get saved?".

What is a covenant?

A covenant is an agreement between two or more persons.

What is the covenant of grace?

It is the agreement God made with his elect people to save them from their sins.

How does God save people?

The Lord Jesus Christ became a man to rescue us from our sins.

When Jesus became a man, did he ever sin?

No; he obeyed God's law perfectly.

Why did Jesus die?

Jesus died on the cross, in our place, to take the punishment which we deserve.


From these questions and answers, we learn that salvation begins with God. God has determined to save us from our sin. To that end, Jesus came into the world to bear our punishment and bring us life. Next week, we will see how he brings us life when we answer, "What does Jesus' death accomplish?" Feel free to leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you.

Sunday Recap 5-29-11

Morning: The message, "Teach Your Children Well," explored Proverbs 22:6.  Solomon explains that the direction we set for our child is the direction they will most likely follow throughout the course of life. Some believe that Solomon is suggesting we should shape our instruction to fit each individual child. Some believe that he is suggesting that our instruction should be on the level of a child. Others, perhaps the majority, suggest he is telling us to direct our children's path. Each possibility has merit. Parents are given the responsibility of shaping their children.

Evening: In VBS clinic, we looked at Day 4: Connect with Others. During Discipleship Training, we looked at John 4:1-42. This passage relates the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. That story gives us a glimpse at how Jesus evangelized. Concerning this passage, Robert E. Coleman in his book, The Master's Plan of Personal Evangelism, offers 10 observations. Here are some of them:

1. There are no racial or cultural barriers to the gospel.

2. We should not hesitate to acknowledge our need for help, even if only for a drink of water.

3. A conversation is sure to get attention when we start at the point of the other person's concern.

4. The simplest things of ordinary experience can be turned into spiritual object lessons, making theological truth easier to grasp.

5. Listening to people brings their gratitude and affection.

6. In talking to people, it is well to anticipate response and plan ahead how to answer.

7. Marginal issues should be avoided.

8. One person excited about Jesus is the best advertisement for the gospel.

Thursday Humor: Tim Hawkins and Others "On Teenagers"

I thought this was a funny clip. I hope you enjoy it.

Watch Out!

In 2 John 7-11, John warns against allowing false teachers to gain ground. The church should be a place that is inhospitable to false doctrine and false teachers.

Second John 7, compels us to remember that deceivers are lurking about. John is speaking specifically about teachers who teach that Jesus didn't come in the flesh, but his words apply to other false teachers as well. False teachers not only deceive, but they also function as the antichrist. They are empowered and employed by the antichrist. They serve his ends.

For this reason, John compels his readers to keep themselves from being carried away by such doctrine. He points out the danger of doctrine that "runs ahead," or teaching that "does not" continue in the apostolic teaching. False teachers usually have some extra-biblical knowledge that gives them insights into deeper meaning hidden in the texts or opens all new texts to them. John says too much is at stake to be carried away by their false doctrines.

The only practical solution is to ignore unbiblical teaching. In fact, John encourages us to create an inhospitable environment for false teachers. We are not to let them into our homes or churches. He tells us not to even say, "Hello." People might see us speaking kindly to false teachers and assume that we agree with them.

This passage has a lot to say about how the church should respond to false teachers. Some of the implications for us are:

1. We must know the truth. We come to know the True and Living God though Jesus Christ the      Truth as the Spirit of Truth applies the Word of Truth to our hearts.

2. We must walk in the truth. It isn't enough to know it, we have to live it.

3. We must be vigilant. If we ever let our guard down, it could lead to grave consequences.

4. We must despise all false teaching. Although we should oppose all false teaching and false teachers, we must be gentle in our approach toward those who have been caught up in that teaching.

Spiritual Songs: "The Only Thing (That's Beautiful in Me)" by Rush of Fools

I'm prone to pride. I can be brutish and hardheaded. I shudder to think what would happen if my appetites were given free reign. In spite of all I know about myself, I still like to consider myself a "good" guy. I try to put others first, try to keep a reign on my baser instincts, I try to be nice. Yet none of that sounds like the gospel.

The gospel teaches me that I am sinful and in need of a Savior. It warns me that my heart is sick beyond repair and needs to be replaced. The message of Christ reminds me of the fact that God in his grace has pursued me with an everlasting love. He sent his One and Only Son to die in my place, to be buried, and be raised again on the third day. By his grace, I live through faith.

Rush of Fool's "The Only Thing," reminds me that God has brought beauty into and through my life. The good that is manifested in my life is a sign of God's work in me. To paraphrase Paul, I know that nothing good dwells in my flesh (earthly nature). But the Spirit works in us to bring about the beauty of God. I hope you enjoy the video:

FAQs Mondays: "What Do We Do with the Ten Commandments?"

Last week, we answered the question, "What do the last six commandments teach us?" You can read that post here.  This week we finish our look at the commandments.

Can anyone keep these Ten Commandments?

Nobody since the fall of Adam, except Jesus, ever did or can keep the Ten Commandments perfectly. Note: Younger children can be prompted to give a shorter answer like, "No one, except Jesus."

Of what use are the Ten Commandments?

They teach us our duty and show us our guilt and our need of a Savior.

What do we do with the commandments? We learn from them. They teach us of God's expectations of humanity and humanities inability to meet those expectations. The commandments drive us to seek shelter in Jesus Christ. Next week, we move on to part 3 which deals with salvation. We will seek to answer the big question, "How do we get saved?" Feel free to comment. I would love to hear from you.

Sunday Recap 5-22-11

Morning: The sermon, "Love/Hate Parenting," focused on Proverbs 13:24. In this passage, Solomon warned that failure to discipline is a sign of hatred. We are reminded that our actions speak louder than words as Solomon encourages parents to discipline their children. Failure to discipline is called hatred because,

      1. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child (and correction is needed),
     
      2. Folly leads to death (both physical and spiritual),

      3. Spiritual death is eternal.

Therefore, failure to disciple is called hatred because it leads to hell. Loving parents discipline their children. They teach them right from wrong, and continually point them to Christ. The goal in discipline is to correct and redeem. Discipline should expose the sinful heart that is behind the behavior, and invite that heart to find forgiveness and strength in Jesus Christ.

Evening: At 5:00 PM we had VBS Clinic for Day 3: Connect to Trust. Discipleship training focused on John 3:1-18 and 19:38-42 where Nicodemus learned how to trust Jesus.

Thursday Humor: Unbelievable Dog

I'm sure you have seen this a dozen times already, but I think this is pretty funny. Sophia didn't know what to think about a talking dog. She kept saying, "What'd he say?" Enjoy a little laughter.

Praying for Arnold

Like most boys in the '80's, I grew up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger films. His powerful physique was matched by his heavy Austrian accent. Whether he was playing the "bad guy" in Terminator, or the "good guy" in almost every other film, he exuded toughness. His menacing edge was blunted by comedic one-liners that often lightened the mood in otherwise dark and violent movies. I loved watching him punish the bad guys.

I have kept up with Arnold through the years, reading articles here and there. Thanks to the VCR, Arnold was a big part of my childhood. Having spent so much time with him in my formative years, I have thought of his as a friend. Of course, I realize that he doesn't know me, and in light of recent revelations, I realize now that I never knew him either.

Schwarzenegger was always larger than life. I viewed him as a hero. The characters he played always seemed to have a moral code, and I assumed that it was the same code I lived by. In hindsight, his characters lived by a "might-makes-right" code of ethics. You can hear that ethic echoed in most of his interviews. It's the will to power.

Over the years, I hoped that his marriage would last. I hoped that he and his bride would be able to navigate the dangerous waters of celebrity. After all, he was my friend. As silly as that may sound, I hurt for his wife and children. I hurt for the others he has dragged into this firestorm of shame and disgrace.

As I read the headlines, I am reminded of past interviews I have read. Interviews where he openly questioned the existence of God, and ridiculed those of faith. Read through biographies, old interviews, or other resources, and you will discover Schwarzenegger's self worship. He has been, and apparently still is, highly impressed with himself. To hear him tell it, he is the determinate shaping force in his life.

I wonder what he thinks of the shape of things now. He doesn't have the strength to heal this rift, but it can be healed. For that to happen, he will have to find a strength that he has yet to display--humility. The only hope for salvaging his family is for Arnold to find salvation. Schwarzenegger must humble himself, acknowledge God's existence, and seek God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

He is no different that anybody else. His sins are more visible only because there are dozens of individuals who dedicate their lives to ferreting out "the truth" of celebrity lives. Should a mob of unscrupulous investigators descend upon any one of us, terror would seize us. I don't write these words in order to condemn Arnold Schwarzenegger, but voice my hope for his redemption.

There is a lesson in this tragedy: we cannot hide sin indefinitely. It will always come out. It is always destructive. The season of pleasure sin promises is always followed a season of death. How many dreams were killed by this infidelity? How many hearts torn in two? These are questions that, most likely, went unasked ten years ago.

But these are questions we must ask daily. When temptation strikes, will we be prepared? Will we terminate temptation? Or will temptation terminate our dreams? We must be vigilant, watch, and pray because temptation has promised, "I'll be back!" Pray of the Schwarzenegger family. Pray for your family, too. May God open eyes to the greatness of his glory through this tragedy.

Spiritual Songs: "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns

This is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. The Lord used it to minister to me through very difficult times. Every time I hear it, I feel compelled to acknowledge his greatness. Even in the storms of life, God is worthy of our praise. If we forget that truth, the storms will overwhelm us. But if we live that truth, we will see the Lord enthroned above the storms. He is glorious and mighty. May his name be praised. Enjoy the video.

FAQs Mondays: "What Do the Last Six Commandments Teach?"

Last week, we tackled the first four commandments and what they taught us about our duty to God. You can read that post here. Now we turn our attention to answer "What do the last six commandments teach?"

What is the fifth commandment?

The fifth commandment is, "Honor your father and mother."

What does the fifth commandment teach us?

To love and obey our parents.

What is the sixth commandment?

The sixth commandment is, "You shall not murder."

What does the sixth commandment teach us?

To avoid hatred and murder.

What is the seventh commandment?

The seventh commandment is, "You shall not commit adultery."

What does the seventh commandment teach us?


To be pure in heart, language, and conduct

What is the eighth commandment?

The eight commandment is, "You shall not steal."

What does the eights commandment teach us?

To be honest and not to take the things of others.

What is the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment is, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does the ninth commandment teach us?

To tell others the truth and not to speak evil of others.

What is the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment is, "You shall not covet."

What does the tenth commandment teach us?

To be content with what we have.

These commandments map out the course of proper human interaction. We are to live with the interest of others in mind. We need to help our children wrestle with the commandments. They need to develop a clear moral compass. However, we need to be careful, or we will create moralists. We want children to develop a healthy moral core. Yet, at the same time, we want them to understand that they can never achieve moral perfection in their own strength. We teach them the commandments, to pave way for the gospel. They need to understand that they can't do it on their own.

Next week, we answer, "What do we do with the 10 Commandments?". Feel free to leave a comment. How are you help your children to develop a good moral foundation? How are you preparing them for the good news of Jesus Christ? I would love to hear from you.

Sunday Recap 5-15-11

Morning: The sermon, "Foolish Hearts," examined Proverbs 22:15. This proverb teaches us that self-reliance is engrained within the human experience. Children need loving guidance (and occasionally, they need corporal punishment). Parents have the task of guiding their children's hearts toward the Lord. All correction should be redemptive in focus.

Evening: VBS Clinic Day Two. We looked at the lesson for day two. Then during Discipleship Training, we looked at Luke 7:36-50.

Friday Funny: "Shallow Small Group Bible Study"

Here is a humorous clip about small groups. I hope you enjoy it. Just don't get caught in the shallows.

The End of the Road

Have you ever wanted to quit praying for somebody? Maybe you were like, "Lord, they're just not worth it." Or "They're hopeless. Why bother?" Yes, I know that seems like such terrible thing to say. Even if we don't voice our frustrations with their lies and lack of repentance, we often (silently) stop praying for those who rub us the wrong way. But is that biblical. Is it ever right to stop praying for someone?

1 John 5:16-17 helps us answer that question. John speaks about a sin that doesn't lead to death, and the remedy for that situation is prayer. When we see a believer wondering in sin, we pray and God grants them life. This promise hints at restoration. However, John warns that there is a sin that leads to death. Here he doesn't instruct us to pray which implies that he doesn't intend for us to.

We are not to pray for those who sin the sin that leads to death. We are left wondering the exact nature of that sin. Unfortunately, we do not possess the same level of familiarity with John's teaching that the early church had. They would have understood the context of this from previous lessons John had taught. We are left to guess, but not wildly.

There have been several attempts to understand John's meaning. Some have understood the sin that leads to death is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That sin is unpardonable, but the context of this passage doesn't lead us to immediately conclude that John had it in mind. Other have suggested that John was dividing sin into categories of degree (later called mortal and venial). Some have thought that John was speaking about sin that brought immediate consequences. Others have thought that he was thinking about apostasy, or falling from the faith. The immediate contact suggests that he may have been thinking about idolatry (see 1 John 5:18-21).

It may have been that John was warning the church about idolators. The presence of idolators among God's people has a corrupting influence. John is saying don't pray for those who abandon Christ to follow false gods. They have choose their path, they must learn the hard way.

It would appear that there is a time to stop praying for individuals who sin the sin that leads to death. However, it is not clear exactly what that sin is, or how we will know when they are practicing it. Here are some practical implications from this passage:

• Our gut-level instinct (default position) should be to never stop praying. In 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel explains that failure to pray for God's people would be a sin against God. Prayer is an ordained means to God's ends. God has appointed prayer as a vehicle through which to move his people. If we neglect it, we are being disobedient.

• It is possible that not praying for an individual leaves them in Satan's hands. In 1 John 5:18-19, John speaks of the evil one and of the fact that he can touch those who are not God's children. Paul speaks of handing people over to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:19-20. The individuals mentioned by Paul in those passages were caught up in unrepentant sin. However, he doesn't speak of praying for their restoration, but rather of their being handed over. Paul's goal was redemptive, not destructive.

• We should only stop praying for someone when God tells us to stop. Jeremiah 7:17 speaks of an event where God commands Jeremiah not to pray. Unless we have an equally clear command from God, we shouldn't quit praying. We might be led to pray a lifetime for someone before God opens their heart. But if God tells you it is time to quit praying, quit praying. Until then, persevere in prayer.

We may never get to the end of the road in prayer. God may have appointed us to pray for those individuals for whom no other is appointed. If we stop prematurely, we sin against God, and it might also be that we are leaving them in the devil's hands.

Spirtual Songs: "Homesick" by MercyMe

Grief is a part of reality for all people whether they believe in Jesus or not. All of us have lost someone who was near and dear to us, and most of us still grieve that loss. MercyMe's song, "Homesick," captures both sides of Christian grief. It capture the mourning and the hope that accompanies it.

In Christ, believers have a reason for hope. Death is not the end. For those in Christ, absence from the body means they will be in Christ's presence. The sometimes heartbreaking, gut-wrenching pain we endure in this life serves to remind us that this world isn't our home. No matter how wonderful things are here and now, we have a greater home waiting.

When I listen to this song, I stirs the sadness that rests in my heart. It helps me to touch my own grief, to remember what I have lost. But it doesn't leave me there. Even as it touches my grief, it lifts my soul upward. It drives my heart heavenward, and reminds me that Jesus is my hope and my home. It has been a balm to my soul in times of need, I hope it will encourage you as well. Enjoy.

FAQs Mondays: "What Do the First Four Commandment?"

Last week, we looked at the nature of the 10 Commandments. You can read that article here. Now we will look at the first four commandments and ask, "What do the first four commandments teach?"

What is the first commandment?

The first commandment is, "You shall have no other gods before me."

What does the first commandment teach us?

To worship God only.

What is the second commandment?

The second commandment is, "You shall not make for yourself an idol, nor worship, nor serve it."

What does the second commandment teach us?

To worship God in the right way and to avoid idolatry.

What is the third commandment?

The third commandment is, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God."

What does the third commandment teach us?

To respect God's name, Word and works.

What is the fourth commandment?

The fourth commandment is, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."

What does the fourth commandment teach us?

To Keep the Sabbath Holy.

What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?

The first day of the week, called the Lord's Day.

Why is it called the Lord's Day?

Because by rising from the dead on that day Christ made it his own.

How should the Lord's Day be kept?

In resting from our work, in prayer and praise, in hearing and reading God's Word, and in doing good to others.

The first four commandments give us the guidelines for how we are to relate to God. He alone is worthy of our worship. His name is to be respected. Although there is some debate as to how a Christian should approach the "Sabbath," this catechism offers some sound advice. We should set aside the Lord's Day as a time of worship and study.

Next week, we will seek to answer the question, "What do last six commandments teach?" Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 5-8-11

Morning: The sermon, "Mama Tried," focused on Proverbs 10:1.  In this verse, Solomon warns his son that wrong choices will bring grief.  In the song, "Mama Tried," Merle Haggard sang,

No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried,
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied,
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried.

His words echo Solomon's warning.  Solomon urges his son to choose a path: either wisdom or folly. Wisdom is walking in the fear of the Lord, and in means to hate evil and love good. Folly walking without fear of the Lord, and it includes hating good and loving evil. "Loving" and "hating" have more to do with practicing, rather than feeling.

Solomon reminds his readers that the path they choose will determine their destination. If they choose wisdom, they will experience joy (and their joy will cause their parents to rejoice). If they choose folly, they will experience grief (and thus, grieve their parents).

Lessons we can learn from this proverb.

• Choose wisdom. Choosing wisdom ultimately means placing faith in Jesus Christ. James advices, "If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask of God, who give generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

• Don't grieve your mama (or your daddy). The Lord calls on us to honor our fathers and our mothers. When we choose a life of sin, we bring our parents to grief.

• Mothers (and Fathers) you are your child's moral compass. You set the pace for them. You are to lead them to know and to do what is right. 

Parenthood is not without its struggles, but it is not without it's rewards as well. Parents seek to honor the Lord with your parenting. Children honor the Lord with your obedience.

Evening: No services.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I have always been close to my Mom. She has been a constant source of encouragement to me through the years, and I thank God for her influence.

She is a tiny lady with a big heart. She has taught me the value of hard work and determination. She is also a woman of unshakable faith. I have witnessed her cling tenaciously to her faith through many difficult trials.

I am blessed with a special mom. She has always been there for me. Mom, I thank God for you, and I thank you for all your love and support.

Happy Mother's Day, Delia!

I am truly blessed in many ways. I'm married to a wonderful woman who is my best friend. She is also the mother of my children.

During Ellie's brief life, Delia demonstrated a tender, resilient heart. Even in grief, she was a constant source of joy and comfort. I found myself leaning on her for strength and comfort.

Watching her now with Sophia is a delight. The way they laugh and carry on is a wonderful thing to witness. Both Mommy and her daughter love to laugh. Their laughter is a delightful sound that lifts the spirits.

I am thrilled that I get to go through the adventure of parenthood with her because I couldn't imagine parenting with anyone else. Her example makes me strive to be a better father. I'm grateful to God for her influence, both in my life and in the lives of our children. Delia, I love you and I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day every year.

Can Reading Fiction Help?

Me with Stephen Lawhead

I once that people who read fiction tend to have better interpersonal relationship skills. While I can't testify to the the truthfulness of the statement, I can say that my recent experience with fiction has thinking that it may be true. With fiction, as in life, you encounter a many types of people. Although it may be true that each is unique, there is also a lot of common ground between people.

In life, the first impression of a person often dictates the flow of the relationship. If they make a pleasing first impression, you may find yourself trying to build a friendship. If they strike in a negative way, you might find yourself avoiding that person. First impressions are often wrong, or at least slightly off the mark.

As you encounter characters in the works of fiction, you are given ample time to measure the person through their actions. You may not initial like a character, but through the events that change and shape them you come to love or admire them. Or you may find that your initial positive feelings for a character are unwarranted. These things can be said of life as well, but we tend to give real human being less opportunity to change our minds.

Fiction, then, can give us a framework to approaching the people that we meet. Watching a life unfold in a novel can help you to see the big picture. The future brings many twists and turns, many opportunities for change and growth, failure and betrayal. If a person reads widely in different genres of fiction, they will encounter many different types of characters. From that pool of characters, they will be able to more readily find common ground with people in the real world. Reading of this sort helps us to temper both our gullibility and our cynicism.

Individual who have no difficulty with meeting new people may find this a bit odd, but introverts often struggle with developing relationships. Earning their trust comes at a great price. However, I have found myself a little less apprehensive about approaching new people. The opportunity for friendship and adventure is great to risk throwing it away. I think the Spirit has been using fiction to help me becoming more discerning and more caring.

The imagination can be a powerful ally to growth. It can also be a great ally to the gospel. The Scripture is filled with vivid imagery. That imagery pulls you into the story, connects you to the people in those stories. Scripture is not fiction, but it still takes advantage of the story format. Story is important on an instinctive level.

I encourage you to read the Bible for the truth it teaches. Get lost in the stories, connect to the character, and try to understand their motives. It will help you to grow. But also remember that other stories echo some of the great stories of Scripture. You'll read about the ruin of sin, the role of providence in life, justice, forgiveness, and redemption. Just as Jesus taught great truth in parables, so to fiction can teach us great truths. Most of the fictional character you'll encounter in your stories are composites of real people. And most likely, you'll run into someone who is similar in some way.

I encourage you to find some good fiction, and devote some time to developing your imagination. Realize the authors worldview shapes not only the story he tells, but how he tells the story. Reading authors who write from a distinctly Christian worldview helps to reinforce the biblical world view for you. Reading authors who write from a non-Christian worldview give you a peek behind the curtain, so to speak. They help you to see how they wrestle with the implications of their worldview.

I'm not an expert on fiction, and my tastes run toward fantasy and science fiction. Although, I also like historical fiction and literature some. Some of my suggestions would be C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and his Space Trilogy; J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (Trilogy); I loved the Song of Albion trilogy, The Pendragon Cycle, Byzantium, and The King Raven Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead (I'm a big Lawhead fan); Peter Pan was a good book; John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is a must read (even if you have to do it in modern English); and there are plenty of others. 

What works of fiction have you read and found helpful? Who are some of your favorite characters? What books would you recommend? Why not leave a comment?

Loving Our Enemies and Justice

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

The recent news concerning the death of Osama Bin Laden has me thinking. Just how should we respond to the news of his death? I mean, as Bible believing, followers of Christ, how should we view his death. Jesus gives us the guidelines for relating to our enemies in Matthew 5:43-48. The ultimate goal is to be "perfect . . . as your heavenly Father is perfect." Many remind us that the term translated "perfect," might be better translated "complete" or "mature." Even is we were to translate it "mature" or "complete," it still leaves us with an impossible goal. Jesus is reminding us that we need him to make it a reality. Without his righteousness, we cannot be mature or complete or perfect like the Father.

But in Christ, we can become more like the Father. We can love our enemies. The biblical idea of love goes beyond what most Americans mean when they use the term. We often use the term to mean that we favor something. For example, I love a good steak. We also use it to mean that we have warm or affectionate feelings toward someone (or something). A person can be said to love their spouse, child, or pet. The biblical idea is more about doing good or showing kindness to another. Biblical love is about pursuing the other person's welfare ahead of our own.

We demonstrate this love by praying for those who persecute us. Persecution includes rejection, insults, abuse, imprisonment, and death. Jesus himself demonstrates this reality. Even as he is being nailed to the cross, Jesus prays for his tormentors. Jesus connects love and prayer. Our enemies need us to intercede on their behalf, because they don't know who to pray to or, as in some cases, that they should pray. They are blinded to the truth, and need God to open their eyes. To that end, we pray.

All of this is done, so that we can show ourselves to be the children of God. If we are to be like our heavenly Father, then we must do good to our enemies. Jesus stresses this with two examples. Both examples draw on images that had both positive and negative connotations. He used the sun rising and the rain falling. Jesus said that the sun rise on the righteous and the unrighteous. He also said that the rain fell on the righteous and the unrighteous. In a society that depended on farming, the natural (and normal) pattern of sun and rain was crucial to survival. If the sun was never accompanied by rain, drought would occur. If the rain was never accompanied by the sun, a flood would occur. The righteous and unrighteous share the blessing of a normal growing season. They both share the burden of a drought or flood. We need to recognize that God shows his love for his enemies the same way he shows his love for his people--through loving kindness.

We are called to love by a higher standard. The world loves those who love them. In this, Jesus warns that there are no higher rewards. What you give is what you get. All of humanity, even unbelievers show love to those close to them. God loves differently. The Father loves those who do not love him. He pursues them with that love, so that they might be transformed by it. Jesus calls us to love like that.

So what do we do when God judges our enemies? Here are some things we need to remember:

          1. God hates sin. (see Ps. 5:4-6; 11:5)

          2. God take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (see Ezk. 18:23)

          3. God is a righteous judge. (see Ps. 9:8; 75:7; 96:10)

          4. God's judgment of others isn't proof of our righteousness. (see Luke 13:1-5)

          5. We must approach the hardships faced by our enemies with gracious humility. (Pv. 24:17-18)

When we remember all of these things, it helps us to understand the mix of emotions we feel. We might feel relief, satisfaction, or joy in the face of justice. The rightness of justice resonates deep within the human heart. There is no reason to feel shame about recognizing the rightness of justice. At the same time, we may feel a profound sense of grief. The fate of unbelievers is clear: they are cut off from the mercies of God. They are left alone to face his holy indignation. The wicked suffer under the wrath of God for all eternity. God's holiness demands it. His judgments are right.

When our enemies receive justice here on earth, it reminds us of the judgment to come. However, we must also remember that these people aren't that much different from us. Were it not for the grace of God, we might be just as blind. In a case like Bin Laden's, one who was the cause of so much death, it is easy to demonize. But he, too, bore the image of God. He was a husband and father. He was also a sinner--a blinded sheep gone astray. A sheep that never met Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Tonight, he is in torment. He'll never find peace.

I feel a slight tinge of survivors guilt. I know that my own sin was deserving of death. For I, along with everyone else, have sinned and fall short of God's glory. My sin was an affront to a holy God. I should have been condemned and executed. But God had mercy on me. In Christ, I have found cleansing and renewal. It is nothing that I did, but rather something that has been done for me. I don't deserve to live under the blessing of God. But I do, and for that, I'm grateful.

What do we do when God judges our enemies? We praise him for his holy, just nature. The thank him for the reminder that none can escape judgment.We remind ourselves of cross of Christ, and the blood shed to purchase our freedom. We mourn the eternal loss of an image-bearer. We weep with those who are bereft of their family. Then we reach out to a lost and dying world, and boldly proclaim the gospel as only means of escaping the judgment of God. We respond by shining forth the glory of God.

Spiritual Songs: "A Thousand Things" by Christa Wells

God is always at work in the lives of his people. Difficulty isn't a sign that God has abandoned us. It just points to the reality that there is more going on than we can understand. This song helps us to see the big picture. It moves us beyond our momentary grief to see how God might use that situation for his greater glory.

This is an awesome song.  It can be found on Christa Wells' album, "Frame the Clouds." It is one of several excellent songs from that album (you can download a sample for free from Noisetrade, see the link below). I think the top three songs on Frame the Clouds are "Weightless," "My Best Remedy (Amazing)," and "A Thousand Things." I encourage you to check it out. Here is a video of "A Thousand Things": 



Here are the words:

A Thousand Things

You're gonna cry yourself to sleep
You're gonna soak the pillow
For many weeks
Why?
Why me?
But in spite of the ache
that doesn't go away
You'll be sharing your story
One rainy day
And at the next table somebody catches your words
He hears a truth that he's never heard
He takes it back to the marriage he'd given up on
Hands it down to his daughter
Who writes it into song
You didn't know

Chorus

A thousand things are happening in this one thing
Like a thousand fields nourished by a single drop of rain
So honey, wrap yourself in promise
While you wait the morning light
A thousand things are happening tonight

You're going to cry yourself to sleep
'Cause for the moment all that you can see
Is what you've lost, lost
Why Me?
But in the midst of the most exquisite pain
You're drawn into a peace you cannot explain
And the praises you sing of a sovereign God
Reach the girl whose last hope is gone
She never thought there was purpose in anything here
Now the see has been planted and it's taking root there
You didn't know.

Chorus

A thousand things are happening tonight
You're gonna cry yourself to sleep
A thousand miracles you'll have to wait and see

FAQs Mondays: "What is the Nature of the Law?"

Last week, we finished looking at part one of A Catechism for Boys and Girls. You can read that post here. Now we turn our attention to part two which deals with the 10 Commandments. Over the course of the next few weeks we will explore those commandments. Today, we will look at questions and answers that help us to understand the nature of the 10 Commandments?

How many commandments did God give on Mount Sinai?

Ten commandments.

What are the Ten Commandments sometimes called?

God's moral law.

What do the first four commandments teach?

Our duty to God.

What do the last six commandments teach?

Our duty to our neighbors.

What do you learn from the Ten Commandments?

To love God with all my heart and my neighbor as myself.

Who are you neighbors?

All the people around me are my neighbors.


The 10 Commandments express God's moral law. The law teaches us how we are to relate to God and to others. The sum of the Law is to love God and to love our neighbors. Next week, we will answer the larger question, "What do the first four commandments teach?"

Sermon Recap 5-1-11

Morning: The sermon, "In Our Place," focused on 1 Peter 2:24-25. In this passage, Peter reminds us of what Jesus did on our behalf, why he did it, what it accomplished, and what it all means.  Jesus took our sins upon himself, so that we might be forgiven and experience righteousness. Through his wounds our relationship to God was healed. All this means that we have been brought to Christ, our Shepherd and Overseer. Peter's reminder helps to motivate us to live a life worthy of the gospel.

Evening: We began our VBS clinics tonight. We learned a couple of the songs from Lifeway's Big Apple Adventure, and we looked at Day 1: Connect by Faith. It looks like we are going to have an exciting VBS.