The Scripture testifies to Jesus

Genesis: He's the One who will crush the serpent's head. He's the Lamb that God provides in the place of Isaac. He's the Joseph who goes down into Egypt and suffers to save the world.

Exodus: He's the Passover Lamb.

Leviticus: He's the Scapegoat who carries away our sins on the Day of Atonement.

Numbers: He's the Star that shall come out of Jacob.

Deuteronomy: He's the Prophet who will arise like Moses.

Joshua: He's... Joshua! He's the second Joshua who will give His people rest.

Judges: He's the One who, like Sampson, will, in His death, deliver His people from their oppressors.

Samuel: He's the Son of David, who will reign forever.

Kings: He's foreshadowed by Elisha's healing ministry.

Isaiah: He's the suffering Servant.

Jeremiah: He's the Lord, Our Righteousness.

Ezekiel: He's the Prince, who inhabits a new temple.

Hosea: He's the Bridegroom.

Jonah: As Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish, so Jesus spent three days in the belly of the earth.

Micah: He's the King who will be born in Bethlehem.

Haggai: He's the Signet Ring.

Zechariah: He's the Priest-King, who builds the church.

Malachi: He's the Lord, who will suddenly come to His temple.

Psalms: He's the Anointed One, who is established on Zion.

Job: He's the Redeemer and the Intercessor.

Proverbs: He's Wisdom.

Ruth: He's the Kinsman Redeemer.

Daniel: He's the One like a Son of Man.

Chronicles: He's the Son of God, who will go up to the temple of the Lord and lead His people home from exile.

(Taken from Mike's sermon today on John 5:31-40)

Sermon Interruptus

Not overthrown by scholarship

The conviction was growing in me that life is too short and the church is too precious for a minister of the Word to spend his life trying to recreate a conjectured Jesus. There was work to be done—very hard work—to see what is really there in the God-given portrayal of Jesus in the New Testament Gospels. [... T]he portrayal of Jesus in the four Gospels has not been overthrown by scholarship. The appearance of overthrow arises from the unwarranted creation of criteria of authenticity that by definition will rule out aspects of the New Testament portrayal. Thankfully, God has raised up several generations of careful, rigorous, and faithful scholars who are not cowed by the radical critics and who patiently go about their work establishing the historical credibility of the four Gospels. I thank God for them. I don’t mean that they provide proof of the Gospels. I mean they show that the attacks on the historical validity of the portrayal of Jesus in the Gospels are not compelling.

-John Piper, "What Jesus Demands from the World" (pp. 32, 33)

Piper on the Prosperity "Gospel"

The prosperity gospel is alive and well in America... but it is "a gospel contrary to the one [we] received" (Galatians 1:9) and a message which "will turn [people] away from listening to the truth" and cause them to "wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4:4).

It is good to our souls to hear truth spoken out against it:

The Gospel is for believers!

Now, here's the point that feels most important to me this morning:

I want you to see that the Gospel is the power of God... for all of that! Not just for conversion, not just for justification; for salvation, for the whole thing!

And so we need to hear the Gospel again, and again, and again, because it is not only the power of God that converts us. It is the power of God that sanctifies us! It is the power of God that sustains us! It is the power of God that keeps us persevering in the faith!

Faith comes from hearing the message, and that doesn't just meant justifying faith. Sanctifying faith comes from hearing the message! Persevering faith comes from hearing the message! And that's why Paul said in verse 15 that he is so eager to preach the Gospel to believers! The Gospel is for believers!

-Mike Shea, on Romans 1:16

The Gospel is the POWER of God!

Now, does not this understanding of the Gospel motivate you to proclaim it? Don't you just wanna tell it to someone?! Just to see what happens?! I became more liberated to preach the Gospel when I came to understand that the Gospel is not a product that you pitch! It is the power of God!

I don't wanna overstate the point, and say that all persuasion and apologetics is unnecessary, but primarily your job is not to persuade, and convince, and cajole people into believing! Your job as an ambassador of Christ is simply to deliver the message, and the message is able, all by itself, to give sight to the spiritually blind, and awaken the spiritually dead!

-Mike Shea, on Romans 1:16

God's response to Moses's request to see His glory

Another snippet from Mike's second sermon:

"So in chapter 9 Paul will teach us about God's election with these words:

And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

Now, that's a quotation from Exodus 33, which tells the story of Moses going up on the mountain to intercede for the salvation of idolatrous Israelites and to receive the new tablets of the law. And while he's up there enjoying God's presence he makes a bold request. I'll read from Exodus 33:18 and 19-

Moses said, "Please show me your glory." And [God] said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name (for the sake of His name)... my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Now get this; get this! ...

Moses asked for glory... and God showed him election!"

God is the Gospel

So, I haven't had much time lately to do much reading outside of preparing for my M.A. exams (ahh!! next week!!), but I have been able to listen to some sermons on the way to/from school. I thought I might start posting some excerpts of stuff that I hear. Right now, I'm starting from the beginning of the several-year series on Romans that my pastor is currently doing. Here's something he said during the second sermon:

"In Isaiah 48:11, God says:

For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,
for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another.

We're going to encounter some difficult doctrines as we go through the book of Romans: total depravity, election, predestination. But the glory of these difficult doctrines will begin to appear to you when you understand that God does everything for the sake of His name! The Gospel is not ultimately the gospel of salvation, it's the gospel of God. It's all about His glory among the nations... and He saves people in a way that maximizes the display of His splendor!"

Expository Notes: Psalm 2

What is the structure of this psalm?

-The nations rage against the Lord and His anointed (1-3)
-The Lord in heaven holds them in derision and wrath (4-6)
-The Son proclaims the decree of His anointing and inheritance (7-9)
-Advice is given to the kings to yield obedience to the Lord’s anointed (10-12)

1) The nations rage against the Lord and His anointed (1-3)

-Who is in opposition to God here?

-The nations, the people

-All kinds of people are against God

-The rulers of the people

-Those in power are often the most hard-hearted
-It is often not the great people who are chosen (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

-Why are they raging?

-They believe that bonds have been placed on them

-The freedom of Christ is as bondage to those who cannot see the kingdom of God (2 Cor. 1:22-25; Romans 9:32; John 3:3-5)

2) The Lord in heaven holds them in derision and wrath (4-6)

-What is God the Father’s response to man’s “vain thing”?

-He laughs!

-He doesn’t even bother to rise up against them in battle, for He knows the futility of their reaction against His holy Anointed One!

-He speaks!

-His words alone are completely effective, bringing distress even to those who do not trust in Him!

-He declares!

-What are the effective words that God speaks to the nations, words which bring distress to them? He has anointed His Son in Zion!
-“yet”

-The ways of man, rage and plotting, are no match for God’s providential power.
-“In spite of your plans, I have set My King on My holy hill!”

-Man’s plotting against God and His anointed is a vain thing (vs. 1)

3) The Son proclaims the decree of His anointing and inheritance (7-9)

-What is the Christ’s first decree to the rebellious nations?

-He is God’s Son!
-Jesus does not begin with the declaration of His inevitable victory over evil, but with a declaration which may be even more powerful: the One who has been sent by the LORD of the earth is His own Son, the only One begotten of YHWH!

-His mission shall certainly not fall short of its goal, for God sends Himself, His own divine nature, to fulfill His will of an atoning sacrifice.

-What is the power that Christ brings with Him, in the name of the Father?

-He needs but ask of the Father, and all will be given to Him.

-The power of God is in the very One who lives always to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).

-This is a great encouragement to us, for we find therein our assurance.

-For the believer, even the times of our temporary rebellion are providentially ordained (Luke 22:31-32).
-Jesus has already prayed:

-that we might be part of the holy communion of the saints (John 17:20-23)
-that we might be sanctified (John 17:17, 19)
-that we might be protected from sin (John 17:15)
-that we might receive Christ’s glory (John 17:22)
-that we might give Christ glory in heaven (John 17:24)

-Why does Christ possess the Father’s anointing power in this way?

-Because, in Him, the Father is well pleased (Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22)

-What is the inheritance that is given to Christ when He asks the Father?

-The nations, the ends of the earth

-Christ is not only given all glory, but all things, even the very enemy nations which rebel against His reign.

-What will Christ do with His eternal inheritance?

-For those who have been given to Christ by the Father (John 17:2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24), it is sure that they will be called, justified, sanctified, and glorified (John 17; also Romans 8:30).
-For those who are against the Anontined One, they will be broken with a rod of iron, and dashed to pieces likes a potter’s vessel.

-Why are they to be broken?
-God’s wrath against sin must be displayed in order to show His glory in merciful salvation.

-“That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.” (Romans 9:23)

4) Advice is given to the kings to yield obedience to the Lord’s anointed (10-12)

-How is the advice to be received?

-It is to be received as wisdom from God.

-It is wise to receive instruction and advice… especially when it leads to a soul’s salvation!

-When is the advice to be heeded?

-Now therefore, be wise! Not later!
-The chosen Messiah is no fool, and will not be taken for one. He will come on His own terms, in His own timing (Matt. 24:36-44). Waiting is not a reliable option for he who is still relying upon his own filthy rags of righteousness (Isaiah 64:6)! If you don't come to the Cross now... you might never come.

-What is the advice given by Christ?

-The earth is called to serve the Lord, and rejoice, with fear and trembling.
-For those who do serve God, they are called to rejoice!

-Contemplating our eternal destination is scary business, but for those who have been purchased by the blood of the Anointed Lamb, they have great reason to rejoice in their security!
-But we cannot forget the nature of the grace which has been given as a gift:

-“Fear, without joy, is torment; and joy, without holy fear, would be presumption.” (Charles Spurgeon)

-Why is the advice given?

-Be sure of this one thing: the wages of sin is surely death (Romans 6:23), and all those who will spend eternity apart from God receive a just sentence.

-Of anything that can strike fear and trembling into the heart of man, I can think of nothing greater than this truth.

-Who obeys this advice, and what will happen to them?

-Those who put their trust in Christ will have reason to rejoice!
-These will be blessed eternally!

-The true righteousness of the Son, imputed to us, is the greatest blessing that can ever be!

Expository Notes: Psalm 1

Alli and I have started a weekly Bible study on the book of Psalms, and plan on going through one each week together. I thought I might start putting up my notes that I prepare for the study. Feel free to agree, disagree, or just comment!

----------------
An introduction to Psalms, a preface to the entire book. The themes of the book are already represented here in the first chapter.

How does one recognize the man of God?

-Negatively:
-He walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.
-He stands not in the path of sinners.
-He sits not in the seat of the scornful.

(Note the downward gradation, the corruption of sin: walk, stand, sit.)

-Positively:
-He delights in the law of the Lord.
-Not under, but in.
-He meditates on His law, both day and night.

How is the man of God blessed?

-Finds delight in God’s word.
-Is always near to God’s word, as a source of water.
-He will bring forth fruit.
-His leaf will not wither.
-Whatever he does shall prosper.

Images of water and growth:

-How is God’s word represented? As life-giving water.
-An ever-flowing stream, one that will never cease to give life.
-Man who meditates on God’s law = tree planted by the rivers of water.

-The tree is planted and cultivated by God, not a wild growth.
-Secure: “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” (Matthew 15:13)

-How does a leaf wither?
-From lack of water.
-From lack of fruit-bearing. If there are no nutrients to bear fruit, there will not be any to keep the leaf from withering either.
-Perseverance of the saints and necessary fruit-bearing! :o) !!!

What about the ungodly?

-They are not eternal, their ways will not stand.
-Like the chaff which the wind drives away.
-The way of the ungodly shall perish.

-They shall not stand in the judgment.
-Doesn’t say that they will not face judgment, but that they will not stand up against their final judgment. They will have no defense to give. Their mouths will be made silent.

-Similarly, sinners will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.
-Our earthly congregations may be filled with both wheat and chaff, but in heaven it will not be so.

The righteous are saved because the Lord knows their way.

-The translation in Hebrew is closer to is knowing their way.
-God is constantly looking on the way of His children, and although there will be times when the path may be dark or obscure for us, we can be sure that He certainly knows our way.

-They delight in His law.
-They meditate on His word, day and night.
-His word and presence is as important and supporting to them as water to a tree.
-They bear fruit.
-Their leaf does not wither.

A Righteousness That Is By Faith

I can't encourage you enough to download this morning's amazing sermon on justification, Law, and faith! Please, please. I'm serious. (Just click, and then go to "File", "Save Page As" when the new page pops up)

Don't think you have enough time right now? Download it, and keep it around until you do.

Think that you don't need to because you already heard a sermon this morning? Well... I ate physical food this morning... and sort of plan on doing it again later today. Why not the same for spiritual food??

I don't want to give anything away by commenting on it here, so I'll just put a verse from "Before the Throne of God Above" (which I've posted here before), followed by a few of my notes from this morning:


My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heav'n He stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.


"The Law, in principle, is able to give life; but the Law, in fact, cannot give life because of sin."

"Righteousness was indeed the goal of the Law, but that goal could only be attained apart from the Law, by faith in Christ."

"We cannot be saved by practicing the Law of Moses, nor can we be saved by practicing the Law of Christ."


Listen, and by most blessed, brethren.

Overwhelmingly fantastic!!

Wow. When I moved here at the beginning of last year, the pastor of my church was in the middle of an exegesis of the book of Romans.

Well, I just read this sermon that he gave from the year before... and I'm now determined to hit the archives this summer and catch up on all of the pure gold that I missed!

Here are a couple of excerpts if you don't want to read the whole sermon (but I strongly suggest that you do!! It's not that long!):

The reason why people accuse the true gospel of being antinomian (licentious, lawless), is because they are ignorant of the power of the true gospel alone to transform lives. They think they need to add in some law to keep grace from leading people to run wild. But the truth is that preaching grace produces holiness and preaching law does not.
-Mike Shea

Wicked men will drown themselves in the rivers of truth as readily as in the pools of error…Many people think that they ought to guard the gospel, but it is never so safe as when it stands out in its own naked majesty. It needs no covering from us.
-Charles H. Spurgeon

Give Men Time

Wow, wow, wow... wow.

This blog post is great, and was really good for me to read, I think. I'd like to share it with you only because, even though it seems the author is referring to specific doctrines within the beliefs of Christianity, I think it has a direct extension to the whole of the Gospel, and our commandment to preach it to the world:

"It is easy to be frustrated with people for not being able to see and accept the truth instantly... Instead of those realities being seen for what they are (majestic and glorious) they are often seen through a vision that has been distorted by misrepresentations, and by expectations moulded by caricatures of the real thing."

It's funny that I read this today, because I was just having a discussion on this very topic with a friend last night. The Gospel itself is, in its very nature, offensive to the rebellious hearts of men. Until the scales fall from our shrouded eyes, we won't understand it, we can't understand it. What's more, the world sees misrepresentations of it all around. It would do us good to remember this.

We should remember that it is not our job to convert unbelievers, only to preach to them of the hope, glory, and joy of Christ's atoning sacrifice on a wooden cross. We cannot possibly know what kind of soil will catch the seeds that are planted by means of our proclamation of the Gospel: that is not our work, but the Spirit's. We need only plant, plant, plant, and not be impatient with people if we do not see immediate, direct evidence of the growth of those seeds.

The growth is God's business, not ours. We need but plant, be patient, and pray that God would give growth to the seed.

Preaching Quote Quiz - he said it!

I was hoping for some more responses, but thank you, Peter, for pitching in a guess!

Nope, not Piper... think a little further back in the Church's history...

...actually, to the beginning of the Protestant movement, not to give too big of a hint.

That's right, it was Martin Luther who put such a strong emphasis on the teaching and understanding of doctrines, especially the doctrine of justification by faith alone. It was at the very core of the Gospel for those who believed in a reformation of the merit-based religion of Rome.

But why teach these doctrines, you ask? Isn't that a bit cold? a bit calculating? a bit formulaic?

I don't believe so, no.

Learning, understanding, and preaching solid, Scripturally-sound doctrines is a way of knowing about God.

"But I love God! I don't need to know about Him!"

Hmmm... try that with your spouse or significant other:

"Honey, I love you... but I don't know your birthday, or the color of your eyes, or your favorite song. But I certainly love you, don't I?"

Anyway, I thought it was interesting when I heard it, so I thought I'd throw it up here. Now back to the grind for me...

Preaching Quote Quiz - who said it?

The following quote is from a well-known minister, and I'd like to see if anyone reading this can guess as to who said it. I will reserve commentary, because I don't wish to offend anyone who reads this, but I will say that it is my opinion that these words cut to the heart of the seemingly lax preaching of the Gospel in the hands of the modern American Church:

I gladly grant the honor to those who are preferred to me as eloquent preachers, and I don’t envy them. But they are praised because the common people admire them when they hear them tell clever stories and illustrations and play with words and allegories. They sleep and cough when we preach doctrines - especially the doctrine of justification - but prick up their ears at stories.

Now, no cheating! Just try to guess who might have said this about preaching in the Church... Post your guess as a comment, and I'll give the answer in a few days.