Keeping the Bond of Peace

Ephesians 2:14-16

"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."

When we give or believe bad reports about others without warrant, without doing the hard work of confronting sin, or without covering it completely in love, then we hinder communion. We are putting up walls, or leaving up what others put up. Jesus took down walls of hostility. God’s toward us in our sin. Our hostility toward God. And our enmity that grows like weeds against each other if we let it.

This table also reminds us that God DID arise in His anger and judge His enemies, as David asked in Psalm 7 [sermon text], and He did this at the cross. The Son of David took all God’s anger and judgment on Himself, though He was perfectly innocent of every charge. The punishment was fully deserved by us, and taken by Him.

6/9/13

Smooth going down

Proverbs 5:1-4
    My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
          Lend your ear to my understanding,
    2      That you may preserve discretion,
          And your lips may keep knowledge.
    3      For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey,
          And her mouth is smoother than oil;
    4      But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
          Sharp as a two-edged sword.

The specific case here is the immoral woman who tempts you. But all sin is like this. It feels right in the moment. It’s honey and oil, sweet and smooth. But it’s bitter and sharp in the end. It reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when the bad guy drinks from the cup seeking eternal life. Sin offers such great promises, and delivers none of them. Sin is trading what you want most for what you want now.

We now have a time to tell God where we fell for this trap, and to ask Him to show us where we are STILL falling for it.

6/9/13

Review: Abortion: A Rational Look At An Emotional Issue

Abortion: A Rational Look At An Emotional Issue by R.C. Sproul

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Sproul calmly and persuasively argues for the pro-life position.

The strength of this book is that he does not preach to the choir, but assumes his audience is either on the fence or pro-choice. Sproul first sets forth his position, delving into issues of law, when life begins. He then answers the pro-choice arguments: a woman's right to her body, dangerous black-market abortions, inconsistency with capital punishment.

The take I appreciated most was the critique of the middle-ground position, that if I'm not sure abortion is morally right or wrong, then I default to let a woman choose. The change to this position from the default of life was made in the 1970s, both before and after Roe v. Wade. Sproul answers this ably, and calls on us to speak with those we know on the fence.

One of the failings of the church has been to only preach to the choir. We just get angry at people who are really unsure about this issue. We have little patience with them. So how can we possibly persuade them?

But Sproul gives us Biblical, sound and useful arguments to bring to friends, congressmen, etc.

He also includes a chapter gracefully asserting that abortion is not the unforgivable sin. Guilt is real and can be an overwhelming feeling, but it can be removed in God's sight.

There is a long and interesting appendix about whether frozen embryos are alive, or should be treated as persons.


This is must reading for pastors and pregnancy center volunteers, and anyone who finds they have pro-choice friends open to talking about it.



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What Are Your Children Reading?

I review a lot of children's books on this blog.
If you wonder why, the Wall Street Journal's Children's Book Reviewer has a good answer for you.

"Books tell children what to expect, what life is, what culture is, how we are expected to behave - what the spectrum is. Books don't just cater to tastes. They form tastes. They create norms."

She has an excellent argument against the dark and gothic novels for teens.
While trying to acknowledge the reality of awful things some teens go through, we are normalizing dysfunction and pathology.

Earthly Things Point to Him

Luke 16:9 - "make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home."

God asks us to make friends using earthly things.

God draws us to Himself using earthly things. 

He points you to Himself with food, family, weddings, clothes, rainbows, water, bread and wine. The very rocks will cry out in praise of God if we do not praise Him. The heavens declare the glory of God. Food reminds us of our dependence on His provision, that He made our stomachs. Children remind us we are His children. Husbands remind us Jesus is the groom. Wives remind us we are loved by God, being made lovely by Him. Weddings remind us of His coming for us, of a relationship long enjoyed and the anticipation of consummation of all creation in Christ. Clothes remind us of our shame from sin, but also of our covering by Christ, with creativity and dignity. The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to preserve the world for us to live on. Water reminds us of cleansing. In baptism we are cleansed and united with Christ. 

Bread and wine remind us of sacrifice that satisfies and sustains. The body and blood of Christ were broken, He bled, to satisfy God’s justice against our sin. And to sustain us forever in living union with Him. 

We remember past propitiation. 

We enjoy present Communion. 

We anticipate future consummation.

6/2/13

Bringing Ourselves up Short

As always, we pause early in our worship service to acknowledge our sins to God. It is far more important to do this, to interrupt ourselves in praising God for a moment, than to gain some kind of emotional momentum with a continued series of songs. 

This is probably a significant difference in our worship experience compared to other churches. We aren’t stoics who deny emotion. But we don’t want to be carried away by our feelings, either. Some believers chase that feeling, that ecstasy. We are glad when God gives us happiness and emotional joy. But we seek its source more than the feeling or the musical vehicle that produces the feeling. 

The source of joy is confessing our sin. Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven. Our bones grow old when we keep silent, when we don’t confess, when we hang on to sin. It is a blessed relief to confess sin honestly to God, and to be forgiven. Come receive that blessing now.

6/2/13

Praying for Presidents

This was a good article on praying for politicians.

"It is surely the duty of every church in the United States... to pray for President Obama - and let me dare to suggest that it not be a 'smite the Amalekites' style of prayer."

Review: Between Babel and Beast: America and Empires in Biblical Perspective

Between Babel and Beast: America and Empires in Biblical Perspective by Peter J. Leithart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



America is not the savior of the world. But we often assume it to be true, functionally.

Leithart describes Babel and Beast Biblically, showing the pros and cons of empires as a political reality. Part of his point is that empires aren't always bad. Then he fits America onto the grid. The result is fascinating.

The book is a heavily foot-noted footnote itself to "Defending Constantine." Some of his language is deliberately provocative (America is a "heretic nation") designed to get you think. I'm afraid it will turn off and turn away too many.

I found it a helpfully objective view of America, even if one-sidedly critical at times. He will give one paragraph to the merits of America in some aspect, and the rest of the chapter catalogs our violations of justice or Scripture on that point. The section on our foreign policy supporting democracy is excellent, and applies directly to Egypt right now.

As often with Leithart, there is much very insightful Biblically, and then a couple points where he is stretching to make a point that probably isn't there.

Most provocative perhaps is his point that the American experiment stumbled when it put the church in the backseat. The first amendment essentially dilutes the church's needed voice, to speak God's Word to a nation which claims to be "under God." This can sound like he wants the church over the state, which he doesn't. But it's helpful to get us thinking about the role of the church in public policy.



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Review: By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me

By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me by Sinclair B. Ferguson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Solid.

Ferguson hits a double or triple every time. Maybe not out of the park, wow, but always useful. His work is Biblically accurate, doctrinal and helpful.

Chapters address freedom from bondage, unconditional love, Christ's passion, our security in God's favor, and being dead to sin so we can live for God.

I read this at the same time as DeYoung's Hole in our Holiness. DeYoung is a more interesting writer. Ferguson lingers longer on each topic, which can lessen interest, but is more helpful pastorally at points. The fiery darts from Satan in chapter 5 were really good.



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Review: The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness

The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Kevin DeYoung is a balanced, Biblical, lively and pointed writer.

He nails the balance between receiving grace and striving for obedience, between declarations of grace to us and decrees for us. He roots our holiness in Gospel grace, union with Christ, and gratitude.

He references a lot of Scripture, and it is always used appropriately, to make his point, which is that Scripture's point, too. This is rare, these days!

He is interesting. From camping to Star Wars to donuts, DeYoung can show that he is normal, AND pursuing holiness. This is important. Too often we think holiness is just for super Christians like missionaries and pastors. But every believer is to pursue godliness. People who like Superman ice cream can be holy? Yes!

He is specific. He doesn't leave things at the general platitude level, but gets down to brass tacks. The chapter on sexual morality was especially good, without being salacious.

It helps that he's a Michigan RCA guy, as I used to be!

I would have liked to see a bit more church-oriented chapter. He addresses fellowship and sacraments as means of grace, but teasing out how fellowship prods us on to holiness is needed these days.

Also, there was surprisingly little on our desire for holiness, which he says up front is the hole in our holiness. Still, an excellent reminder of what God saved us FOR.



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Here's Your Sign!

Psalm 86:15-17

          "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, 

          Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 

    16      Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! 

          Give Your strength to Your servant, 

          And save the son of Your maidservant. 

    17      Show me a sign for good, 

          That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, 

          Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me."

We seek a sign that the Lord has turned back to us, from rebuke and chastening to favor and forgiveness. Faithful parents show their children this turn, they show love, encouragement, and assurance when the child turns back toward the right way. God gives this to us, in His Word and here at this Table. Here is your sign for good from God. The Heidelberg Catechism asks why God speaks of this meal as participation in the body and blood of Jesus. It answers with assurance. God wants to assure us that as surely as this bread becomes part of you, you have part in Christ and His salvation. No matter how discouraged or despairing you have been or are right now, trust and rest in God’s promises for your good.

5/26/13

Time to Wake up

Luke 13:1-9

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them,  “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” 
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” 

Again we have heard of natural disasters, tornadoes in Oklahoma, taking the lives of adults and children. There are moral evils, like Pilate brutally killing Pharisees to make an example of them. And there are natural evils, like tornadoes and hurricanes. We know that God is in control of all things, that God is good and not the author of evil. We know that all evil is rooted in sin in some way, and that we can’t always trace a direct cause from that sin to this tornado. These are mysteries hard to understand. Jesus gets practical, instead of philosophizing: use such things as a wake-up call to repent. You don’t have all the time in the world to repent. God is patient, but there is an end; a time appointed to cut down the trees not bearing fruit.

5/26/13

Women Prospering in the Church

This is a great interview with the Housewife Theologian.
Find your identity as a woman, not in a career or in your housekeeping or in your marriage, but in Christ.
On patriarchy and modesty at 16:50-19:50.
On the ministry of the church for women at 21:00-23:50.

Review: Pastoral Graces: Reflections on the Care of Souls

Pastoral Graces: Reflections on the Care of Souls by Lee Eclov

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Decent.
Nothing in here really wowed me, but it was a refreshing read, intended as such for weary pastors, the back cover said.

The emphasis on ministering grace and being a "wordworker" was really good.



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Review: The Path Between the Seas

The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Here was some "change-of-pace" reading for me.

The historian who brought you 1776 and John Adams was already at it 25 years ago, writing of the Panama Canal. What a fascinating story!

A French visionary had the idea first, but he was an idealist and the huge scheme ran out of money, leaving many French bankrupt for his pains.

The Americans took it over, at Teddy Roosevelt's behest. The intrigues are wonderful. Although the French had begun in Panama, most Americans wanted a canal through Nicaragua. (It was closer for American trade.) The vote in the Senate was 42 to 34 for Panama over Nicaragua.

But then Colombia played hardball, and got greedy. So TR welcomed a Panamanian revolution, bringing better terms for the US of A.

Then there was the building itself. The work was of such a scale that the main thing was not the main thing. Digging was pressed over everything else at first, mainly by TR, but it backfired. Provision for workers via the infrastructure was chaotic, morale poor, and disease high.

Once the leadership gave the doctors free reign to combat the mosquito, everything turned around. 5600 died from disease and accident under the Americans, and 20-25 thousand altogether - 500 for every mile of the canal.

262 million cubic yards of earth were moved, four times the original estimate.

$639 million dollars were spent, which doesn't seem like much now. But all national territorial acquisitions up to then (Louisiana, Florida, California, Alaska, etc) was $75 million, combined! Wages for the low level digger were 10 cents an hour, 10 hours a day. 61 million pounds of dynamite were used.

The locks are 110 feet wide, 81 feet high walls, and 1000 feet long, making the largest equipment there look miniature in scale. It took 2 million cubic yards of concrete poured. The engineering feat was marvelous.

The First World War broke out just as the canal was finished.

Today, the canal handles about 15,000 ships a year, over 100 million tons, collecting $100 million in toll revenue.

The engineer for the Sault Ste. Marie locks worked on Panama, too.
One of the CEOs of the project went on to reorganize the Trans-Siberian railway later.

The fascinating facts go on and on.
This was not just a wow from the technical and engineering side, but also very interesting from the sociological aspect of nations and banks involved in visions cast of the largest of projects.

Recommended reading!



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