Friends can tell each other anything, if they have their "friends" hats on.

Some notes (including some things cut in delivery) from my sermon today ("How to Win Enemies and Influence People") at Providence Church on Galatians 4:16

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (ESV)

How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People:
1. Don't criticize, condemn, or complain.

In contrast, Paul doesn't soften the truth to make or keep friends, nor should we.

Paul’s potentially harsh words:
• 1:6 embracing another gospel, deserting Christ
• 3:1,3 "foolish" Galatians who’ve been bewitched
• 4:8-9 implied they’re becoming idolators

Ironically, Paul had been warmly received because of the truth, in spite of his limitations. Now, in spite of the former great relationship, Paul is treated like an enemy because of the truth.

3 Areas wherein we might make enemies by telling the truth:

1. Evangelism – Telling someone they are sinners in need of an exclusive Savior. (N.B. Solus Christus - "His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.")
   
2. Sin (hypothetically/generically defining sin & specifically ("You are sinning by doing X."))
3. Doctrinal Precision (e.g., Reformed theology & orthodoxy)

“A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” ~John Calvin

“There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.” ~Martin Luther

You probably won’t make many enemies being tolerant and accepting all ideas as equally valid.

"He that hath truth on his side is a fool as well as a coward if he is afraid to own it because of other men's opinions." ~Daniel Defoe

3 Practical Suggestions:

1. Speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15)

Far too many of us pursue certainty over truth. (Prov 23:23)

• Truth – Don’t compromise … but don’t be an obnoxious, arrogant, petty nitpicker.
“Doctrine divides” … yes, it divides truth, from error & blasphemy from praise.

• Love – Prioritize what’s best for Christ and the person, not yourself. Beware of cowardice under the guise of being loving.

Evangelism - These are the words of Jesus, not mine. (e.g., John 14:6)
Not arrogant or perfect - I recognized that I'm a sinful human being who can only be right with God because of another (i.e., Jesus).

"To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable." ~Barry Goldwater
Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Proverbs 28:23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.

Check your motives … love?
Q: Am I really saying this because I care about this person and I can care about Christ’s reputation?
N.B. I’m not asking myself do I love that person and do I love Jesus? I’m asking myself is that what’s motivating me in this moment. It may very well be that I learn something about myself and get to speak the truth in love to myself in the process.

2. Reckon yourself dead in Christ (Gal 2:20)

Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

It will probably never happen here (though it's happening worldwide), but determine beforehand the worst they can do is kill you and you're already dead.

John 15:18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Matt 10:22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake.

Risk hurting feelings …
"You've got to run the risk of offending the people you love the most, to bring them to Christ." ~Walter Martin

3. Be open to receiving a rebuke, especially from those who care about you.


Remember, you may very well be God’s instrument of restoration.
James 5:19-20 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

I don't care about the money...it's all the stuuufff.

Sunday at Providence Church I preached on the 10th Commandment, the prohibition against coveting. The following are some notes & quotes, the latter of which were particularly complimented.

(Click to Listen)

Alistair Begg ~ “The 10th commandment forbids wrong attitudes towards the possessions and position which other people hold. The 10th commandment teaches us to be content with what God has given us.”

Q: Why is coveting so bad?

1. Coveting is the engine that drives many of our conflicts and sins. (cf. James 4:1-3)
2. Coveting leads to discontent. Contentment and coveting are enemies.

Q: How do you keep from coveting?The secret is contentment in Christ.

1. Contentment comes through a relationship with Christ, not circumstances. (cf. Phil 4:10-13)
2. Contentment comes through an eternal perspective. (cf. Matt 6:19-21)
3. Contentment comes through trust in our heavenly Father. (cf. Matt 6:25-34)
   

Unknown ~ “I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet.”

Augustine ~ "You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they can find rest in you."

John Piper ~ “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Jeremiah Burroughs~ “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

Oswald Chambers ~ “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.”

Phillips Brooks ~ “I hear men praying everywhere for more faith, but when I listen to them carefully, and get to the real heart of their prayer, very often it is not more faith at all that they are wanting, but a change from faith to sight. Faith says not, "I see that it is good for me, so God must have sent it," but, "God sent it, and so it must be good for me." Faith, walking in the dark with God, only prays Him to clasp its hand more closely.”

Gunny ~ "Contentment and coveting are enemies."

Gunny ~ "Christianity is contrary to Marxism, but Christianity is also contrary to the dark side of Capitalism, namely greed/materialism."

Hartman Family et al ~ "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."

Gunny ~ "God doesn't want me to have that? I'm okay with that, because I trust Him, knowing He has my good in mind." (cf. Rom 8:28)

The Rolling Stones ~ "You can't always get what you want. But, if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need."

Louis CK ~ “Everything is amazing right now and nobody’s happy.”

Edwin Starr ~ "War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Say it again."

Pink Floyd ~ "With. Without. And who'll deny it's what the fighting's all about?"

Edmund Clowney ~ “Sin starts in our hearts before it slips merchandise into our pockets, with or without a credit card.”

Recommended Reading:

• Prov 30:7-9; Luke 3:14; Phil 1:19; 4:19; Col 3:1-2, 5; 1 Tim 6:6-10; Heb 13:5
• Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

Snowman, you got your ears on?

A few weeks back I preached on the 4th Commandment and mentioned that "Sunday morning starts Saturday night," with the implication being an impetus to prepare for the Lord's Day/Sabbath.

Along those lines, I share the following from John Piper.

10 things you can do Saturday evening and Sunday morning in preparation for hearing the Word of God preached:

1. Pray that God would give you a good and honest heart. (Lk 8:15; Ezek 36:26; Jer 24:7)
2. Meditate on the Word of God. Read portions of your Bible with a view to stirring up hunger for God.
3. Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment. (James 1:21)
4. Trust in the truth that you already have. (Jer 17:7-8)
5. Get a good night’s rest on Saturday night.
6. Forebear one another [before the service] without grumbling and criticism.
7. Come in a spirit of meek teachability. (James 1:21)
8. Be still as you enter the room and focus your mind’s attention and heart’s affection on God. (Ps 46:10)
9. When the worship service begins, think earnestly about what is sung and prayed and preached. (1 Cor 14:20; 2 Tim. 2:7)
10. Desire the truth of God’s Word more than you desire riches or food. (Ps 19:10-11; Pr 2:3-5)

~From the Sermon, "Take Care How You Listen" – Part 2 on Luke 8:4-18 (February 22, 1998).

Any other suggestions?

A boy's best friend is his mother.

From my sermon Sunday on Exodus 20:12, the 5th Commandment ...

4 Ways We Dishonor Our Parents:

1. Disobedience dishonors parents. Ergo ... Obey your father and mother.*
2. Decision making independent of parents dishonors them. Ergo ... Value the counsel of your parents.
3. Disregarding your parents in their old age dishonors them. Ergo ... Make time for those who made you.
4. Making them look bad dishonors your parents. Ergo ... Make mom & dad look good.

*To the extent such obedience does not conflict with God's prescription for behavior.

Click to listen:


Below is the Bear Bryant commercial referenced in the sermon.

Shomer shabbos!

My sermon Sunday on the 4th Commandment was one of my longest on record. So many things were cut on the fly, including the following quote, which I hated to eliminate.

Setting aside the scandal caused by His Messianic claims and His reputation as a political firebrand, only two accusations of personal depravity seem to have been brought against Jesus of Nazareth. First, that He was a Sabbath-breaker. Secondly, that He was "a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners" -- or (to draw aside the veil of Elizabethan English that makes it sound so much more respectable) that He ate too heartily, drank too freely, and kept very disreputable company, including grafters of the lowest type and ladies who were no better than they should be.

For nineteen and a half centuries, the Christian Churches have laboured, not without success, to remove this unfortunate impression made by their Lord and Master. They have hustled the Magdalens from the Communion-table, founded Total Abstinence Societies in the name of Him who made the water wine, and added improvements of their own, such as various bans and anathemas upon dancing and theatre-going. They have transferred the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, and, feeling that the original commandment "Thou shalt not work" was rather half-hearted, have added to it the new commandment, "Thou shalt not play."
~ Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957)

Click to listen:

You make me want to be a better man.

I'm presently preaching through the book of Judges on Sunday mornings at Providence Church. Consequently, I've spent more time in Judges the past few months than ever before and I've had to rethink some things.

One thing that has become clear to me is a misunderstanding of the role and significance of Deborah in the book of Judges and in the Bible in general.

In Judges 4 & 5 many see Deborah as God's leader appointed over the nation, primarily because there were no men willing to step up.

But, (1) rather than validating the leadership of women, she reveals how bad things are in Israel that the menfolk are such spiritual slackers. In other words, the text is not trying to normalize women in spiritual, military, or national leadership, but is criticizing the state of affairs in Israel.

Couple Deborah's role with that of Jael in Judges 4-5 and you see a woman rallying the men to fight (Deborah) and one getting the glory for killing the enemy leader (Jael), instead of Barak (Judges 4:9).

(2) Deborah is not actually the hero of the stories; Jael is. Jael kills the enemy commander, but she does so using her skills acquired as a housewife. Why doesn't anyone want to emulate she who is "most blessed" among women? (Judges 5:24)

(3) Deborah does not see a lack of leaders and take charge. Deborah is not actually the leader, but God's spokes(wo)man to the leader (i.e., Barak). God uses her, not to lead, but to get the leader to do his job.

"Deborah does not take over when men don't lead. She inspires men to lead. There is a world of difference in those two statements."
- Bob Deffinbaugh

That being said, although Deborah doesn't seem to aspire to leadership in Israel, she is the most spiritual person around. That's why they go to her for a word from God, as His prophetess. She's pretty much the lone spiritual light shining in that darkened land.

In fact, I would submit that God raised up Deborah and Jael to shame Israel and to humiliate Israel's enemies (e.g., Sisera, the enemy commander).

"it was also an act of humiliation for the Jews, for they lived in a male-dominated society that wanted only male leadership. ... For a captain to flee from a battle was embarrassing; for him to be killed while fleeing was humiliating; but to be killed by a woman was the most disgraceful thing of all (9:54)."
- Warren Wiersbe (cf. Is 3:12)

The role of women in Scripture should not be denigrated, but rather applauded, especially the deeds of Deborah and Jael in Judges 4-5. At the same time, we shouldn't make the text say what we want, what it doesn't, in order to make a point of our own.

Click to listen to my sermon on Judges 4, "Girl Power."

Captain, I'm concerned about this vessel. It's taking on water. Why does that concern you? I can't swim.

“Our high calling is to be in the world, not of the world. It is not our being in that world that ruins us, but our suffering the world to be in us: just as ships sink, not by being in the water, but by the water getting into them.”
-Andrew Robert Fausset, A Critical and Expository Commentary on the Book of Judges

I used the above quote/analogyin Sunday's sermon on Judges 2:1-23 at Providence Church.
(click to listen)


It reminds me of the tension where it's easy to retreat from the world, so it doesn't "stain" you (cf. James 1:27), but then again you also have no impact on it. Likewise, it's not that hard to be in the world, to learn of it and become acclimated and assimilated. Yet, it is quite hard to be in it and not of it, rather making a positive influence on it.

Or, keeping with the analogy, ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are made for.

I hope it feels so good to be right. There's nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the short comings of others, is there?

Some slooge from my recent Providence Church sermon on Matthew 7:1-6, which includes the most popular legitimate* Bible verse among Americans: "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Key: This passage does not teach that judgments should never be made (cf. 7:16), but that hypocritical judging and judgmentalism are reprehensible for Jesus' followers.

The Pharisees took it upon themselves to arrogantly pronounce judgment upon others, while blind to their own glaring faults. The Christian should operate in an opposite manner: critically judging his or her self first.


I. When not to Judge
A. When you’re heart is not right.

B. When your lifestyle won’t allow it. ~ N.B. Those addressed in this passage are “hypocrites” (Matt 7:5)

II. When to Judge
A. When choosing personnel for positions (e.g., Leadership positions, teachers, those interacting with children, future spouse, etc.)

B. When a self-professed believer is in sin, our Christian obligation (cf. 1 Cor 5:9-11; Matt 18:15-20) ~ Reason for judging: Not to tear down, but to build them up in Christ (Prov 27:17) and restoration (James 5:19-20)

C. When contemplating evangelism

D. In all things (1 Cor 2:15)

III. How to Judge
A. With humility - After cleaning the plank out of your own eye first

B. With understanding

"when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are two things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. And second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her."
- F.B. Meyer

C. With concern for the other person

IV. How not to Judge
A. Judging [merely] according to outward appearances (cf. James 2:2-5; 1 Sam 16:7)

B. Judging prematurely (cf. 1 Tim 5:22, 24)

C. Judging hypocritically (Matt 7:3) ~ It’s difficult to see another’s sin properly, with impaired vision

(Click to listen)

* The most popular Bible verse among Americans when polled is "God helps those who help themselves." However, it's actually NOT in the Bible. In fact, the Bible teaches that God helps those who cannot help themselves.

As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again.

The following are some of my notes from Sunday's sermon at Providence Church,"Fasting and Feasting."

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18, ESV)

Click to listen:

Principle & Application:

• Principle - Do your righteous deeds to please God, not to impress others (Matthew 6:1)
• Application - Giving (6:2-4); Prayer (6:5-15); and Fasting (6:16-18)

Definition: Fasting - “a Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.” (Don Whitney, Spiritual Disciples for the Christian Life)

10 major categories of purpose in fasting:

1. To Strengthen Prayer
2. To Seek God’s Guidance
3. To Express Grief
4. To Seek Deliverance or Protection
5. To Express Repentance and Return to God
6. To Humble Oneself Before God
7. To Express Concern for the Work of God
8. To Minister to the Needs of Others – Giving away the money you’d have spent on food.
9. To Overcome Temptation and Dedicate Yourself to God
10. To Express Love and Worship to God

(Don Whitney, Spiritual Disciples for the Christian Life)

“In Scripture we see several purposes for fasting. It’s part of the discipline of self-control; it’s a way of sharing that we depend on God alone and draw all our strength and resources from him; it’s a way of focusing totally on him when seeking his guidance and help, and of showing that you really are in earnest in your quest; it’s also, at times, an expression of sorrow and deep repentance, something that a person or community will do in order to acknowledge failure before God and seek his mercy.” (J.I. Packer)

“It is sobering to realize that the very first statement Jesus made about fasting dealt with the question of motive. To use good things to our own ends is always the sign of false religion...Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained...Fasting reminds us that we are sustained by ‘every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4)...Therefore, in experiences of fasting we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God. Fasting is feasting!” (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline)

How NOT to fast (Matt 6:16) - Looking somber, complaining about hunger, telling people who don’t need to know. (Cf. Luke 18:9-14)

Per the prophets, without right conduct fasting was/is in vain (e.g., Isaiah 58:1-12; Jer 14:11-12)

Hot to fast (Matt 6:17-18) - Fast for God’s eyes, not to impress others.

Fasting is feasting, but on a different kind of food. (Matt. 4:4; Deut 8:3)

Fasting is a good reminder of our frailty and dependence on God and that nothing else in life really satisfies but the Lord Himself.

“Now, remember, you will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything else but Christ." (Charles Spurgeon)

You oughta have more respect, mister. If you say stuff like that to him again ... I'm gonna lay you out.

The following are some quotes and points made from Sunday's sermon at Providence Church on Matthew 6:9b, part of the Sermon on the Mount series.

"hallowed be your name"(ESV)

Click to listen:


“God has often forgiven sinners, but He never forgives sin; and the sinner is only forgiven on the ground of Another having borne his punishment.”
- Arthur W. Pink, Attributes of God, 46

“All contempt for his glory is duly punished, either on the cross, where the wrath of God is propitiated for those who believe, or in hell, where the wrath of God is poured out on those who don’t.”
- John Piper, Desiring God, 296, n.7

“God’s holiness is manifested at the cross. Wondrously and yet most solemnly does the atonement display God’s infinite holiness and abhorrence of sin. How hateful sin must be to God for Him to punish it to its utmost deserts when it was imputed to His Son!”
- Arthur W. Pink, Attributes of God, 46

HOW IS GOD’S NAME HALLOWED?

A. When sinners repent of their sins and honor the Holy One with their faith and obedience.

B. When God’s people respond rightly to Him.

1. in Worship – Responding to who He REALLY is, ascribing worth to Him (worship = Worthship). We must never forget worship is about God, not us.

2. in Prayer – We must balance “Our Father” with “Hallowed by Thy Name” - We could use a little less “What I’d really like dad is to borrow the car keys. See you later, can I have them please?”

3. in Evangelism – We’re telling everyone how special God is and what He’s graciously done for a rebellious world. It’s not that we’re so enamored with humanity, but we're consumed with extolling His greatness, regardless of whether seeds planted or watered bear fruit in our presence.

4. by Holy living ... and not our lips only.
Jesus in Matt 15:8-9 (quoting Is 29:13) ... “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Luther’s catechism:
Q: How is God’s name hallowed among us?
A: When both our doctrine and our life are truly Christian

“for God’s name to be hallowed means a burning desire that the whole world may bow before God in adoration, in reverence, in praise, in worship, in honour and in thanksgiving. Is that the thing that is always uppermost in our minds whenever we pray to God?”
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

*See also "The Holiness of God and His People," which I presented at the 3rd Annual Fellowship of Reformed Churches’ conference: 'The Character of God in Everyday Life,' 11/2007, Fort Worth, TX.
Click to listen:

He gets down to the end of his life and he looks back and decides that all those years he suffered, those were the best years of his life ...

The following are some quotes and points made from my sermon on Matthew 5:10-12.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV)

Click to listen:

I shared Six ways to learn everything you ever need to know about a man before you decide to marry him:

1. Watch him drive in heavy traffic.
2. Play tennis with him.
3. Listen to him talk to his mother when he doesn’t know you’re listening.
4. See how he treats those who serve him (waiters, maids).
5. Notice what he’s willing to spend his money to buy.
6. Look at his friends. And if you still can’t make up your mind, then look at his shoes. A man who keeps his shoes in good repair generally tends to the rest of his life too.

-Lois Wyse, Good Housekeeping, April 1985

Just as those things reveal the character of a man, so how one responds to suffering shows the character of a Christian. Also, the Beatitudes in general reveal the character of one who has been changed by the Holy Spirit into a new creation.

Difficulty/suffering is part of the (normal) Christian life. EASY Christianity is a misconception and a lie. (Phil 1:29; Matt 10:22; 1 Pet 4:12-19; 2 Cor 4:8-9; John 15:18-20; 2 Tim 3:12)

“There are worldly people who tell us they admire Jesus Christ, but that is because they have never seen Him. If they saw Him, they would hate Him as His contemporaries did. He does not change; man does not change. So let us be careful that our ideas about Christ are such that the natural man cannot easily admire or applaud.”
-Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Why 2 “blessed”s (μακάριοι)?

• Emphasis to expect persecution
• Reassurance that you're doing the right thing(s)
• Happy because of God's blessing, knowing your reward is great
  

Why are they/we persecuted?

• For righteousness sake (v. 10)
• on Christ's account (v. 11b)

“Being righteous, practicing righteousness, really means being like the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore they are blessed who are persecuted for being like Him.”
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Jesus tells the people that they will be persecuted like the "prophets" i.e. those who proclaimed the Word. Like the prophets we are susceptible to persecution due to proclaiming God's truth, particularly about Jesus, His person & work, in evangelism.

Natural humanity will be at best indifferent, apathetic, and bored. Yet, more often than not, Jesus as the cure for their pervasive sinfulness will be met with hostility and hatred.
Evangelism is not changing their opinion about Jesus. Evangelism is informing them of the biblical Jesus, so that hearts changed by the Spirit might have someone in whom to believe.

The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is not so much seen in times of prosperity, but when times are hard.
What’s the difference between the two when mistreated? (e.g., Stephen, contentment & seeking forgiveness for persecutors, instead of retaliation, resentment, and discouragement)

A Christian Perspective … 5 Benefits of Persecution:

1. Comfort from God
2. Grow in faith/dependence
3. Kingdom expansion
4. A Great reward (v. 10b; 12a; 2 Cor 4:17-18)
5. Assurance of identity (Matt 5:10-12; Luke 6:22-23 vs. 6:26)

“By thus persecuting you the world is just telling you that you do not belong to it, that you are a man apart; you belong to another realm, thus proving the fact that you are going to heaven.”
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

QUOTES:
“He needs not fear confiscation, who has nothing to lose; nor banishment, to whom heaven is his country; nor torments, when his body can be destroyed at one blow; nor death, which is the only way to set him at liberty from sin and sorrow.”
- Eusebius

"You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy."
- John Calvin

"It's good to know who hates you and to be hated by the right people."
- Johnny Cash

"The Christian who is not conscious of being opposed had better watch himself, for he is in danger. Such unrealism is not requirement of Christian discipleship, but is rather a mark of failure in it."
- J. I. Packer

"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified."
- Leonard Ravenhill

What does it say about you if you’re unwilling to undergo persecution? (cf. Acts 5:40-42)

“So we should all examine ourselves to see if we are playing a kind of cowardly Christian incognito. And if so, we should repent and resolve to be more sincere in the expression of who we really are.”
- John Piper

No fightin' in the building. You got a grudge against someone, fight him Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday's sermon at Providence Church dealt with horizontal peacemaking (i.e., among humans), from Matthew 5:9.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (ESV)

(click to listen)

“Peacemaking tries to build bridges to people. It does not want the animosity to remain. It wants reconciliation. It wants harmony.” -John Piper

I had essentially 4 points or contentions:

1. Be a peacemaker between yourself and others.

• This may entail being taken advantage of (Matt 5:38-41) and taking the initiative to love your enemies (Matt 5:43-48).
• However, as Martyn Lloyd-Jones notes, after conversion we see (a) ourselves differently, (b) others differently, and (c) the world differently (i.e., the purpose being the glory of God).
• So we forgive, as we have been forgiven (Col 3:13). We overlook an offense (Prov 19:11), knowing it is better to be wronged than to embarrass the church in court, for example (1 Cor 6:1-8). We may have to sacrifice our rights and privileges to live peaceably with the weaker or less mature Christians (Rom 14:13-19).
• Try to reconcile relationships as best you can (Heb 12:14; Rom 12:18), but even if the other party will not entertain the idea, you can always pray for softened hearts to allow for reconciliation in the future.
• Remember, fractured horizontal relationships jeopardize the experiential peace of the vertical relationship.(Matt 5:23-24; 1 Pet 3:7)

2. Be a peacemaker for others.

• Following Paul's example, we don't assume devout Christian people will work out their disagreements on their own. To prevent factions and threats to church unity, we must intervene to make peace (Phil 4:2-3).
• When you hear a Christian talking about another, bashing, belitting, and carrying on, suggest he/she talk with that person to get right the relationship. Offer to help them reconcile, though it be potentially costly and draining for you to do so.

3. Peace in the church glorifies God in the world.

• Sadly, the world does a better job of striving for peace than the church does. Ironically, the church knows the root problem is sin and the cure is the gospel. Until people have vertical peace, there's no chance for real horizontal peace.
• Sadly, the world puts a greater value on diversity than the church does. In contrast to the homogeneity principle, regardless of how much easier it makes church growth, unity in diversity around the cross glorifies God and gets the worlds attention. A good church for you is not necessarily one where there are many like you, but one where you can benefit from there being many unlike you.
• Christians in the church ought to handle conflict differently than the world does. Sadly, when there's a conflict in the church, the peaceful option is for someone to leave. Even in a Christian marriage, when conflict arises, someone will leave. But reconciliation of relationships is what glorifies God.

4. We do not pursue peace "at all costs."

• We do not pursue peace to the sacrifice of purity (Matt 5:8), of ourselves or the Gospel message. We do not contextualize to the point of espousing another gospel to get decisions or get along.
• We do not pursue peace to the sacrifice of righteousness (Matt 5:10-12) in behavior or doctrine. We do not sacrifice truth/doctrine to be ecumenical. J.C. Ryle wrote, "Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace."
• We do not sacrifice our relationship with Christ to get along with others, even family members (Matt 10:34-37).

Still prayin'! Still prayin'! Gettin' right with Jesus!

My sermon yesterday at Providence Church was on Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

(click to listen)

Peacemaking is a characteristic of those who have been born again and are children of God, with all the rights, privileges thereunto from "sonship." I broke our peacemaking obligation up into two varieties, the vertical and the horizontal.

Yesterday we focused on making peace between people and God (i.e., vertically):

• positionally (e.g., Rom 5:1) - through proclaiming the peacemaking power of the cross in evangelism (Is 53:5; Col 1:20)
• experientially (e.g., 2 Thes 3:16) - through repentance, prayer (Phil 4:6-7), restorative church discipline (Matt 18:15-20), and church involvement (Heb 10:24-25)

Next week we'll focus on making peace between people (i.e., horizontally).

The following are a few quotes I shared in yesterday's sermon:

"It's been said that peace is that glorious brief moment in history when everyone stops to reload."
-John F. MacArthur, Jr.

"My pappy was a pistol; I'm a son of a gun. Dang me. Dang me. They oughta take a rope and hang me. High, from the highest tree. Woman would you weep for me?"
-Roger Miller, “Dang Me”

"even though by nature we are rebels against God and have committed high treason and are worthy to be eternally court-marshaled and hanged by the neck until dead, nevertheless God has sacrificed his own Son and now declares amnesty free and clear to any who will lay down their arms of independence and come home to faith."
-John Piper

It ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

My sermon this morning at Providence Church was on Matthew 5:8.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.



Click to listen to “Pursuing Purity.”


The following are some related quotes (some not in sermon) as well as my threefold application to HOW we are to be pursuing purity.

“Sin is the dare of God's justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.”
- John Bunyan

“There are only two kinds of religion in the world. One is the religion of human achievement, which comes under every name imaginable. It teaches that you can earn your way to heaven. The other is the religion of divine accomplishment, which affirms that God brings salvation through faith in Christ alone and that people can't make it to heaven on their own. The many forms of the religion of human achievement all serve to propagate Satan's lies.”
– John F. MacArthur, Jr.

“…the Christian faith is ultimately not only a matter of doctrine or understanding or of intellect, it is a condition of the heart.”
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“The heart is what you are, in the secrecy of your thought and feeling, when nobody knows but God. And what you are at the invisible root matters as much to God as what your are at the visible branch.”
- John Piper

“How many today rest satisfied with a head religion, supposing that all is well if their creed be sound; and how many more have nothing better than a hand religion—busily engaged in what they term ‘Christian service.’ ‘But the Lord looketh on the heart’ (1 Sam 16:7), which includes the mind, conscience, affections and will.”
- Arthur W. Pink

“Christian people can see God in a sense that nobody else can. The Christian can see God in nature, whereas the non-Christian cannot. The Christian sees God in the events of history. There is a vision possible to the eye of faith that no-one else has. But there is a seeing also in the sense of knowing Him, a sense of feeling He is near, and enjoying His presence. … Another way we see Him is in our own experience, in His gracious dealings with us. Do we not say we see the hand of our Lord upon us in this and that? That is part of the seeing of God.”
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“… one of the most conclusive evidences that we do possess a pure heart is to be conscious of and burdened with the impurity which still indwells us.”
- Arthur W. Pink

How are we to pursue purity?

1. Pursue purity by reading your Bible, to facilitate the renewing of our minds. (cf. John 17:17; Rom 12:2)
2. Pursue purity despite discouraging setbacks. (cf. James 3:2; 4:6-10; Phil 1:6; 2:13)
3. Pursue purity for God’s glory (i.e., not your own).

“So often when we sin we are more vexed at the lowering of our self-esteem than we are grieved at God's dishonor. We are irritated at our lack of self- control in subjecting ourselves to some unworthy habit. ... God does not honor these self-centered desires. This is one reason we do not experience more of his enabling power in our day-to-day struggles with so-called besetting sins. God does not give us power so that we can feel good about ourselves; he gives us his power so that we can obey him for his sake, for his glory.”
- Jerry Bridges, Pursuit of Godliness

Mercy?! I'm afraid that my condition has left me cold to your pleas of mercy.

The following are some quotes I used in my sermon yesterday at Providence Church, “Mercy Me, Mercy You,” and a few that I ultimately had to leave out.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
-Matthew 5:7

Click to listen.

“Mercying others shows that you’ve been mercied by God.”
-Gunny

“The Christian gospel places all its primary emphasis upon being rather than doing. The gospel puts a greater weight upon our attitude than upon our actions. … A Christian is something before he does anything; and we have to be Christian before we can act as Christians.”
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“[The cross] is God, I say, looking down upon man in his pitiful condition as the result of sin, and having pity upon him.”
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“My willingness to mercifully forgive others demonstrates that I have been mercifully forgiven.”
-Gunny

“If, when you sin, you see it and in repentance go to God, and there on your knees immediately realize that you are not forgiving somebody else, you will have no confidence in your prayers; you will despise yourself.”
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“We proclaim, therefore, whether we have received forgiveness or not by whether we forgive or not.”
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“If you are not merciful there's a good possibility that you aren't a Christian. Those who show mercy are merciful because they have received that characteristic from God.”
-John F. MacArthur, Jr.

“If I am not merciful there is only one explanation; I have never understood the grace and mercy of God; I am outside Christ; I am yet in my sins, and I am unforgiven.”
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

To be merciful “is a melting disposition whereby we lay to heart the miseries of others and are ready on all occasions to be instrumental for their good.”
-Thomas Watson

“No merciful man could forget the poor. He who passed by their ills without sympathy, and saw their sufferings without relieving them, might prate as he would about inward grace, but grace in his heart there could not be.”
-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”
-Jesus in parable of unmerciful servant (Matt 18:33)

You're the worst kind. You're high maintenance, but you think you're low maintenance.

The following is a quote I shared in Sunday's sermon on Matthew 5:4. I think it speaks for itself.

“If you think you’re not bad, then you’re worse than everybody else.”
- John F. MacArthur, Jr.

Click to listen to "Mourning Comes before Strength."

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
-Matthew 5:4 (ESV)

It occurs to me that the best way you hurt rich people is you turn them into poor people.

I started a new sermon series at Providence Church on the Sermon on the Mount this past Sunday, beginning with Matthew 5:3.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (ESV)

Click to listen to "Becoming Poor to Get Rich."


In the sermon I shared 7 ways you can know you're poor in spirit from a 1978 John MacArthur sermon, "Happy Are the Humble." After researching those 7 in print, I realized that Johnny Mac got them from Thomas Watson's The Beatitudes.

Some Thomas Watson for your reading pleasure ...

If poverty of spirit be so necessary, how shall I know that I am poor in spirit? By the blessed effects of this poverty, which are:

1 He that is poor in spirit is weaned from himself. 'My soul is even as a weaned child' (Psalm 131: 2). It is hard for a man to be weaned from himself. The vine catches hold of everything that is near, to stay itself upon. There is some bough or other a man would be catching hold of to rest upon. How hard is it to be brought quite off himself! The poor in spirit are divorced from themselves; they see they must go to hell without Christ. 'My soul is even as a weaned child’.

2 He that is poor in spirit is a Christ-admirer. He has high thoughts of Christ. He sees himself naked and flies to Christ that in his garments he may obtain the blessing. He sees himself wounded, and as the wounded deer runs to the water, so he thirsts for Christ’s blood, the water of life. Lord, says he, give me Christ or I die. Conscience is turned into a fiery serpent and has stung him; now all the world for a brazen serpent! He sees himself in a state of death; and how precious is one leaf of the tree of life, which is both for food and medicine! The poor in spirit sees all his riches lie in Christ, 'wisdom, righteousness, sanctification . . ‘. In every exigency he flies to this magazine and storehouse. He adores the all-fullness in Christ.

They say of the oil in Rheims, though they are continually almost spending it, yet it never wastes. And such is Christ’s blood; it can never be emptied. He that is poor in spirit has recourse still to this fountain. He sets an high value and appreciation upon Christ. He hides himself in Christ's wounds. He bathes himself in his blood. He wraps himself in his robe. He sees a spiritual dearth and famine at home, but he makes out to Christ. 'Show me the Lord (says he) and it sufficeth’.

3 He that is poor in spirit is ever complaining of his spiritual estate. He is much like a poor man who is ever telling you of his wants; he has nothing to help himself with; he is ready to starve. So it is with him that is poor in spirit. He is ever complaining of his wants, saying, I want a broken heart, a thankful heart. He makes himself the most indigent creature. Though he dares not deny the work of grace (which were a bearing false witness again the Spirit), yet he mourns he has no more grace. This is the difference between an hypocrite and a child of God. The hypocrite is ever telling what he has. A child of God complains of what he lacks. The one is glad he is so good, the other grieves he is so bad. The poor in spirit goes from ordinance to ordinance for a supply of his wants; he would fain have his stock increased. Try by this if you are poor in spirit. While others complain they want children, or they want estates, do you complain you want grace? This is a good sign. 'There is that maketh himself poor yet hath great riches' (Proverbs 13:7). Some beggars have died rich. The poor in spirit, who have lain all their lives at the gate of mercy and have lived upon the alms of free grace, have died rich in faith, heirs to a kingdom.

4 He that is poor in spirit is lowly in heart. Rich men are commonly proud and scornful, but the poor are submissive. The poor in spirit roll themselves in the dust in the sense of their unworthiness. 'I abhor myself in dust’ (Job 42: 6). He who is poor in spirit looks at another’s excellencies and his own infirmities. He denies not only his sins but his duties. The more grace he has, the more humble he is, because he now sees himself a greater debtor to God. If he can do any duty, he acknowledges it is Christ's strength more than his own (Philippians 4: 13). As the ship gets to the haven more by the benefit of the wind than the sail, so when a Christian makes any swift progress, it is more by the wind of God's Spirit than the sail of his own endeavour. The poor in spirit, when he acts most like a saint, confesses himself 'the chief of sinners’. He blushes more at the defect of his graces than others do at the excess of their sins. He dares not say he has prayed or wept. He lives, yet not he, but Christ lives in him (Galatians 2: 20). He labours, yet not he, but the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15: 10).

5 He who is poor in spirit is much in prayer. He sees how short he is of the standard of holiness, therefore begs for more grace; Lord, more faith, more conformity to Christ. A poor man is ever begging. You may know by this one that is poor in spirit. He is ever begging for a spiritual alms. He knocks at heaven-gate; he sends up sighs; he pours out tears; he will not away from the gate till he have his dole. God loves a modest boldness in prayer; such shall not be non-suited.

6 The poor in spirit is content to take Christ upon his own terms. The proud sinner will article and indent with Christ. He will have Christ and his pleasure, Christ and his covetousness. But he that is poor in spirit sees himself lost without Christ, and he is willing to have him upon his own terms, a Prince as well as a Saviour: 'Jesus my Lord' (Philippians 3: 8). A castle that has long been besieged and is ready to be taken will deliver up on any terms to save their lives. He whose heart has been a garrison for the devil, and has held out long in opposition against Christ, when once God has brought him to poverty of spirit, and he sees himself damned without Christ, let God propound what articles he will, he will readily subscribe to them. 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do’ (Acts 9: 6). He that is poor in spirit will do anything that he may have Christ. He will behead his beloved sin. He will, with Peter, cast himself upon the water to come to Christ.

7 He that is poor in spirit is an exalter of free grace. None so magnify mercy as the poor in spirit. The poor are very thankful. When Paul had tasted mercy, how thankfully does he adore free grace! 'The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant' (1 Timothy 1: 14). It was super-exuberant. He sets the crown of his salvation upon the head of free grace. As a man that is condemned and has a pardon sent him, how greatly he proclaims the goodness and clemency of his prince! So St Paul displays free grace in its orient colours. He interlines all his epistles with free grace. As a vessel that has been perfumed makes the wine taste of it, so St Paul, who was a vessel perfumed with mercy, makes all his epistles to taste of this perfume of free grace. They who are poor in spirit, bless God for the least crumb that falls from the table of free grace. Labour for poverty of spirit. Christ begins with this, and we must begin here if ever we be saved. Poverty of spirit is the foundation stone on which God lays the superstructure of glory.

What I object to is that you automatically treat me like an inferior!

Last Sunday's sermon at Providence Church was on Luke 17:7-10.

7"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? 8Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? 9Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" (ESV)

In the sermon I dealt at great length with the issue of pride, because I think that's our primary obstacle to realizing our full potential as unworthy servants doing our duty.

In the sermon I shared some good quotations along the way. For example ...

"In place of true humility we learn certain words or phrases that we believe make us sound humble: ‘Oh, really, it was nothing’ or ‘Anyone could have done it.’ We cast our eyes down and shrug our shoulders or maybe even blush. Of course, we don’t really mean it—inside we’re congratulating ourselves for how humble we look and feel. We want that reputation but don’t know how to get to the reality. Like children playing dress-up in their parents’ clothes, we’re only acting humble; none of it really fits us."
-Joshua Harris

"Being critical and/judgmental of others is not a spiritual gift, but a mark of pride. Dealing graciously with others is a sign of diminished pride, especially those who offend you."
-Gunny Hartman

"And if I’m arrogant, I need to remember God doesn’t sympathize with me in that arrogance; He is opposed to the proud."
-C. J. Maheny

"We even get offended when people act as if they see us better than we see ourselves."
-Paul David Tripp

"... boasting and self-pity as two forms of pride. Boasting is the response of pride to success. Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. Boasting says, 'I deserve admiration because I have achieved so much.' Self-pity says, 'I deserve admiration because I have sacrificed so much.' Boasting is the voice of pride in the heart of the strong. Self-pity is the voice of pride in the heart of the weak. Boasting sounds self-sufficient. Self-pity sounds self-sacrificing. The reason self-pity does not look like pride is that it appears to be needy. But the need arises from a wounded ego, and the desire is not really for others to see them as helpless but as heroes. The need that self-pity feels does not come from a sense of unworthiness but from a sense of unrecognized worthiness. It is the response of unapplauded pride."
-John Piper

"Obedience doesn't mean you want to; it just means you do."
-Gunny Hartman

"Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, “I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.” Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size."
-John Stott

I also gave some characteristics of a godly servant:

• Humility (1 Peter 5:5-6; Phil 2:3, 5-11)
• Submission to authority - Jesus came not to do His will, but that of the Father (John 6:38)
• Inconspicuous - does not draw attention to self (John 3:30)
• Even serve the unworthy - Jesus even washed Judas' feet (John 13:1-18, 30)
• Builds up the master, serves God's glory (Matt 5:16; 1 Cor 10:31)
• A love for Jesus Christ that prompts you to obedience (John 14:21)

This week Joe Thorn shared some offspring of pride from a Richard Mayo sermon, adding his own musings to each of the progeny. He notes that pride gives birth to:

1. Covetousness - because you believe you deserve something more than others.
2. Ungodly ambition - because you believe that you are most qualified, and the idea of someone else being preferred over you is an insult to your perceived worth.
3. Boasting - because everyone should know who you are and what you have accomplished.
4. Contention - because in picking fights you feel a sense of superiority over those who may (or may not) be in error.
5. Unthankfulness - because you deserve everything you get!
6. Selfishness - because others do not!
7. Self-deceit - because it’s easier to believe you are something, when in fact you are nothing.
8. A judgmental attitude - because you believe the errors of others are much more serious than your own.
9. Gossip - because you look so much better when telling others how awful someone else is. Mayo said that the proud “endeavor to build their own praise upon the ruins of others’ reputation.”
10. Complaining - because God should have consulted you before orchestrating the events of your day/life.
11. Hypocrisy - because you must hide the truth, your own failures, in order to avoid shame and accumulate praise.

And yesterday I came across 5 Symptoms Of A Proud Heart:

1. You get defensive at the first sign of criticism or correction. Proverbs 13:1 says, "A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." A humble man eagerly receives rebuke, correction, and criticism. I on the other hand, am quick to be defensive. What about you? When you receive correction from others at work, or at church, or in the family, how do you respond?


2. You are quick to speak and slow to listen. Proverbs 18:2 says, "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." I'm often not interested in others or what others have to say, but only in voicing my own opinion. The humble person on the other hand, is slow to speak and eager to hear the input and wisdom of others. When you're with other people, are you quick to voice your own opinion, or are you eager to hear the opinions of others?


3. You're convinced that you're always right. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." I'm very proud, which in turn causes me to be certain that I'm right in all situations, at all times. The humble person is keenly aware of their blind spots, and aware that they could be wrong. When a debate arises, are you convinced that your way is the right way?


4. You're quick to criticize and slow to encourage. I'm aware of people's deficiencies and unaware of God's grace at work in people's lives. The result? Much criticism and little encouragement. The humble person however can identify with Paul when he said, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Tim 1:15) Are you more aware of people's faults or the grace of God at work in their life?


5. You become overwhelmed when life gets chaotic. When life gets chaotic and I'm loaded down with responsibilities, I can be easily overwhelmed. Why? Because I'm self-sufficient. In my pride, I rely on my own strength to carry out my plans. However, when things get chaotic, I get anxious. The humble person depends on God to carry out and execute plans, and thus experiences God's peace.

Most of us really don't want to be humble or strive for humility. Instead, we only want to appear humble and be thought of as humble by others.

Our pride gets in the way of our service to God and/or others, because such activity is unworthy of us. If we do serve, our pride resents the experience if we're not given sufficient praise. Plus, those people are deemed unworthy of our service, so we automatically treat others as inferior.

"At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend."
-John Stott