Blog - Page 33 of 140 - Christ Church

Grace & Peace: Proverbs 20:22

Douglas Wilson on January 5, 2024

At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16: 11)

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee”
Proverbs 20:22

The Scriptures do not teach us that vengeance is sinful and wrong, but they do teach that vengeance belongs to the Lord . . . and to those the Lord has plainly deputized as His agents of vengeance.

When someone does the believer an evil turn, the carnal impulse is to strike back, to get even, or—as these things usually go—to get ahead. This proverb is very clear that this impulse must be mortified, put to death. Do not say that you will make things level. Rather, step aside. Wait on the Lord, and He will undertake for you.

This is precisely the pattern that Paul follows in Romans 12 and 13. He quotes Deuteronomy 32:41—“vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” But he does this right after he has told the Roman Christians not to take vengeance into their own hands. This is precisely the pattern urged by our proverb. Don’t take it up yourself, but step aside and let God do it.

But the apostle adds one more layer to this. His exhortation to the Romans is that they “give place unto wrath,” but then, just a few verses down, in Romans 13, he teaches us that the civil magistrate is God’s appointed deputy. He is a deacon of wrath, a deacon of God, assigned to execute vengeance on the one who does evil.

And so this is what we are to do when we are declining to settle things ourselves. We do not go home to get our gun into order to go make things even. Rather, we step aside, and let God do it. But this is not inconsistent with calling the cops. In fact, it is exactly what we are instructed to do.

Grace & Peace: Proverbs 20:18

Douglas Wilson on January 5, 2024

At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16: 11)

“Every purpose is established by counsel: And with good advice make war”
Proverbs 20:18

There is a common assumption about that spontaneity represents that which is genuine and sincere, while planning something out beforehand is somehow artificial and contrived. This comes out frequently in discussions about devotion or worship, where a planned liturgy is assumed to be something that will quench the Spirit.

In contrast to this, our proverb says that good counsel is the foundation upon which every purpose is to be established. And the proverb goes on to emphasize the same thing again if the enterprise is one of great important . . . like a war. You should not find yourself in a war because one of your high-ranking officials lost his temper. Neither should you find yourself in a war ill-prepared because of some impetuous action by the enemy. Planning, foresight, preparation, and thoughtfulness are all to be commended.

A 19th century Prussian general once observed that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. From this, some might conclude that plans are worthless. Why plan and prepare if all of that goes up the chute as soon as you begin to execute it?

The paradox was highlighted by Dwight Eisenhower, who once said that “plans were useless, but planning is indispensable.” The person who plans, provided he does so in wisdom, is more likely to be adaptable than the person who didn’t think about anything beforehand and was caught flatfooted. This means when that first contact with the enemy occurs, one of the features of the wise planning would include the necessity of adapting to the new circumstances.

If a man is wise and has a sincere heart, there is no downside if he thinks through what he is going to do beforehand. While it remains true that man proposes and God disposes, the man who proposes wisely is aware of this. His plans have budgeted for that possibility. He does not say that he is going to go this town or that one and make a pile of money. He rather says. “If the Lord wills . . .” (Jas. 4:15).

Christ Church Troy Exhortation

Zach Browning on December 31, 2023

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28

This exhortation is specifically aimed at the men.

So Men, you are fighting in a war. Sometimes the battle will be fierce, and at times it may even feel impossible. But make no mistake, this is a war that you cannot afford to lose. The war against lust is at the very center of all of life. “Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” I Corinthians 6:18 – So, either you will wage the fight against lust or the alternative is that you will be fighting to destroy your own body. There’s no middle ground. When you give into sexual sin, you are setting a grenade off in your life, and you cannot control the destructive consequences.

So, first, you must reject the lie from the world that this is just how men are, and it is normal to look at porn occasionally or enjoy the tight outfits at the gym. Second, reject the lie from some Christians that this a battle that you will always struggle with but never win. Is God’s arm too short to save you out from this sin? Remember, “God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13.

So, take heart. Pull out the sword and slay the dragon. Your weapon is the Word of God. Be immersed in the word and prayer. First thing in the morning, late at night. Secondly, remember the wisdom from Solomon, “though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” If you are struggling, seek out a Godly older man, one of the elders, confess to him and ask him to hold your line with you in the battle so that you may not be pushed back.

This is no trivial matter. If you want your family to flourish, if you desire to see reformation and revival in this land, if you want to see abortion abolished, if you care about your freedoms. Right here is where to start the fight. Kill lust, kill it dead, then cut off its head.

Zach Browning – December 31, 2023

Christ Church Downtown Exhortation

Jeremiah Jasso on December 31, 2023

Recently there’s been a lot of cultural excitement over the prospect of becoming a high-value man. As Christians we need to be examining these things in light of scripture and it’s relevant to both men and women because you either are a man, married to one, raising one, or you’re going to be married to one.

A high-value man has a six-pack, makes a ton of money and can get any girl he wants. He also owns his own business, doesn’t spend time with those “below him”, and is of course more valuable than his wife because “what does she bring to the table?”

It is no coincidence that the top influencers in this space are nietzsche-quoting, god-hating, men. This is because the soul of nietzsche’s teaching is that you would become the top guy, the “ubermench” as he would call it. For nietzsche it’s all about man. You see the problem? The Bible says that wisdom begins with the fear of God, nietzsche says it starts with the love of man. The sons of nietzsche preach self-centered power, the sons of God preach humble submission to another man, Jesus Christ.

Now the answer is not to Jesus-juke your way into an effeminate, beta Christianity where it’s okay to be bad at your job and unambitious. No, men were made to chase glory (2 Cor 3:18). This innate desire, the desire for glory, is what’s twisted and perverted in our culture today. But glory is not found in having multiple sexual partners. Glory is found in having one smiling wife surrounded by glowing children like Saturn & her moons. Common signs of glory are spit-up on your tie, bags under your eyes & a wife that’s happy to see you. Glory is being so diligent in your work that you stand before CEO’s and stuff money away for your grandchildren.

Above all a man who really desires glory has trusted in Jesus Christ, he has confessed his sins, and humbled himself before God. In Christ is true value which outperforms our culture’s monopoly money value system any day of the week. In Christ is true glory & value.

Jeremiah Jasso – December 31, 2023

Technology is a Tool – King’s Cross Exhortation

Toby Sumpter on December 31, 2023

Technology is a tool, and modern communications technology is no different. Cranes and bulldozers are tools for lifting and carry heavy objects and moving earth. Smart phones and messaging and texting and social media platforms are tools that make the heavy lifting and moving of words and communication easier. So all by themselves, tools are gifts from God, and therefore the fundamental question is: what are you using them for? You can use a crane with a wrecking ball or a bulldozer to break things (and if that’s what needed to be done, that’s great).

Scripture teaches that the tongue is like a sword, like a flamethrower, like the rudder of a great ship, and therefore, communication technologies amplify the power of the tongue, for good or for ill. While social media can spread lies, slander, propaganda, pornography, and destruction, by the same token, it can be used for great good: spreading the truth, knowledge, gratitude, the gospel, and some measure of community.

So what are you using these tools for? How are you teaching your family to use these tools? A father who buys his ten year old son a wrecking ball for Christmas may be considered the greatest dad ever for about fifteen minutes, until the first house on the street is leveled. But just as firearms and chain saws are dangerous but have good and lawful uses, parents who do not give any teaching or training for the right use of phones and social media are not preparing their children for the real world.

There is certainly freedom for greater or lesser use of various tools. But do not kid yourself in either direction. Do not pat yourself on the back for rejecting smart phones and social media apps, and do not pat yourself on the back for embracing them. This is really no better than congratulating yourself on whether or not you allow the use of hammers in your house. The question is: how is the tool being used? Are you talking about it? Are you discussing it? Are you checking in and walking together in wisdom? Don’t assume anything. Your goal is to love God and love one another with these tools in true wisdom.

Toby Sumpter – December 31, 2023