New Testament Archives - Page 128 of 208

The Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

Christ Church on June 3, 2018

The Text

“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. ¹³Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, ¹⁴knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. ¹⁵Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

¹⁶For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; ²⁰knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:12-21).

As a Dying Man to Dying Men

I’ve been stirred by Richard Baxter’s words, “I preached as never sure to preach again; And as a dying man to dying men.” Peter knows that he will soon die so he does not want to waste his time or his words. What he says is of the utmost importance. And so his hearers had better listen. Imagine if your grandpa was dying and beckons you to his bed. He rallies his ragged breathing. With your ear close to his mouth, you suddenly feel a buzzing in your pocket––phone call. “Sorry, Gramps, hold on. I got a call.” You’d be a fool to disregard your Gramps. Peter is now an old man, a father in the faith, a best friend of Jesus, and he beckons you to come close.

Knowing that his end is near, Peter aims to stir up Christians to godly living because the Lord Jesus Christ will soon come in power. In verses 12-15, Peter wants to stir up his brothers and sisters to godly living. Peter gives the motivation for this––the certainty of Jesus’ promised coming. Verse 16 introduces the central theme for the rest of the book, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths (that’s what the false teachers are saying) when we made know to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In verses 16-21, Peter presents two reasons for the hearers to have sure knowledge that Jesus indeed will come in majesty and power. 1) Testimony of Peter as an eyewitness at the Mount of Transfiguration 2) Testimony of Jesus’ prophetic word before the Transfiguration that he would come in the lifetime of some of his disciples. This prophesied coming, parousia, of Christ was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (Preterist view), and Peter knows that he and his readers do not have long so he stirs them up because the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon.

Stirred Up to Remember (vs. 12-15)

vs. 12 “Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth you have.” Peter’s therefore of course refers back to the previous verses where he charges Christians to make every effort to add these qualities to their life––faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love. For if these qualities are 1) yours and 2) growing, then you will not be ineffective and unfruitful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your life will be full of the fruit of faith, virtue, knowledge, godliness, self-control. And you know what? All this godly fruit in your life gives evidence that you are connected to the godly root of Jesus Christ. Verse 10, “Brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall” How do yo know if you’re an apple tree? You grow apples. How do you know you are a real apple tree? You grow real apples. The apples are not cardboard cut-outs or plastic with the shinny *ding* taped to your life. “For if you practice these qualities (Are you practicing them––how did the last two weeks go? Make a list of these Christian character qualities, put them on your mirror. Ask you wife, “How’s my self-control been? Am I growing in knowledge?” Seriously, get after them) for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (vs. 10-11).

Therefore, in order that you may be fruitful, that your calling and election may be sure, that you may not fall, that you may be richly provided an entrance into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, Peter intends always to remind you of these qualities. Peter knows that his people already know this and are already established in the truth. And I would say that the majority of our church already know the truth that you should have faith and patience and self-control, and you should all be growing (not dying). And Peter wants to continually encourage you, as do I, to go further up and further in. You’re here, you’re doing it. Keep climbing!

vs. 13-14 “I think it right, as long as I am in this body to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.” Peter’s aim is to stir you up––to wake you from sleep, slumber (Peter does his best Arnold Schwarzenegger impression). This verb to stir up is what the disciples did to the snoozing Jesus when a storm whipped up on the sea (Mk. 4:38). Urgency––life and death. Water is out there, and now water is coming in here. Peter is willing to halloo in your ear to get you to wake up, even if you don’t want to. The human mind and heart is apt to become sleepy, cozy, lazy.

Peter is urgent to make every effort now because he knows he does not have too much longer to live. The Lord has provided miraculous escapes for Peter in the past––imprisoned by Herod with double chains, double guard, locked gates, and an angels leads him out to freedom the night before his execution (Acts 12). But he knows now that his death is soon. Jesus already told him in John 21 what kind of death he was to glorify God––tradition accounts of crucifixion upside down, and perhaps Jesus has told him that the end is near.

And so, Peter will “make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (vs. 15) Peter, like Moses in Deuteronomy, is at the end of his life and wants to ensure that the second generation continues on firm and is established in the truth that they have. Deuteronomy means “the second law” when Moses reiterates the Law he received on Mount Sinai to the new generation who grew up in wilderness. This generation had not seen the miraculous events of the Exodus just like Peter’s readers had not seen the signs and wonders of Jesus. And so they give reminders to the people––remember how Yahweh has redeemed you from Egypt and from your previous sinful life. Remember how the Spirit guided you in the wilderness. Remember that God has given you all things for life and godliness. Both Moses and Peter have beheld the glory of God on a holy mountain and so confidently testify.

Not Cleverly Devised Myths (vs. 16)

Verse 16, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made know to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the central theme now for Peter––the certainty of the coming of Jesus. Peter wants to assure his readers that the prophecy of Jesus’ coming is not a sophisticated myth or fable or parable. This is what the false teachers are claiming in chapters 2-3, “They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as there were from the beginning of creation’” (3:4). They claim the apostles like Peter were just making up the prophecies about Christ’s coming, but that’s not true.

The first section of our passage is clear and applicable to our 21st century context––stirring Christians to godliness. But these last verses must be understood in their original context and from Peter’s and his readers’ perspective. The central issue on the table in 2 Peter is the promise of Jesus’ imminent coming, in the near future. The false teachers say it’s not happening and Peter says that Jesus will soon appear in power. This coming is in the future for these Christians in first century. We read “future coming” and we transfer their future to our future. And so make the power and coming that Peter refers to as the final coming of Christ at the end human history. However, Peter is dealing with issues facing the churches in the first century, specifically the coming and power of our Lord Jesus Christ to judge the structures of the Old Covenant sacrificial system. We hope to unpack this as we go.

In keeping with the Torah’s requirement, Peter gives two witnesses to support his teaching about the power and coming of Jesus: 1) Peter’s own eyewitness testimony of Christ’s glory at the Mountain of Transfiguration 2) Jesus’ prophetic word of his coming within this generation .

Eyewitness of Jesus’ Glory (vs. 17-18)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record Christ’s Transfiguration in their Gospel (Mt. 17:1, Mk. 9:2, Lk. 9:28). Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain and transfigures so that his face radiates like the sun and his clothes are white as light. Moses and Elijah appear and begin talking with Jesus (Jesus the culmination of the Law and the Prophets). Then a bright cloud overshadows them and a voice booms, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” The disciples fall on the ground covering their heads, terrified because they are in the presence of the Trinity––Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While the disciples are still hunkered down, Jesus comes and touches them and helps them up, and is now alone.

So how is this a support that Jesus’ coming is not a myth? The transfiguration is a preview of the coming power of Jesus. Peter holds up his hand and says, “I can give a witness. I’ve seen the light. I’ve seen the cloud and heard the voice and beheld the glory.” Thirty plus years later, Peter could still close his eyes and see the radiant face and dazzling clothes and his rib cage rattle with the voice that declared Jesus the Son of God. What Peter beheld at the Mount of Transfiguration was a glimpse of the coming power and glory, and it was enough to flatten a man. This was a foretaste of the meal. A preview for the full event. Peter saw a glimpse of Jesus glorified as King and as King he will come in power.

Sure Prophetic Word (vs. 19-21)

Peter says that “we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in the dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (vs. 19). We have something more sure than the dazzling light of Jesus’ face imprinted on Peter’s retinas, more firm than the voice heard by Peter, James, and John. And that is the prophetic word.

What is the sure word of prophecy that Peter is referring to? It’s Jesus prophetic word that he gives to his disciples before the Transfiguration. In each of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus prophecies, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power” (Mk. 9:1). Peter has already given his word of the coming power of Jesus, and now adds Jesus’ own word for his own coming in power. Jesus puts a timestamp, a deadline, on this prophecy. There’s a ticking clock on this prophetic word––within the lifetime of some of the disciples.

In the three synoptic Gospels, there are the same three events before the Transfiguration––Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, Jesus calls his disciples to take up their cross. Jesus then concludes with the prophetic word of his coming. Matthew 16: Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then predicts his death, burial and resurrection. Peter is chastised, “Get behind me, Satan!” Then Jesus tells them they must pick up their cross and follow him (literally true for Peter). Jesus concludes, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done…” *Prophetic Word Alert* “Truly, I say to you there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” The prophecy is giving and the count down begins. After this prophecy, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain and you know what happens––a preview of the coming glory and coming power.

Mark 8 follows the same three steps––Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter, “You are the Christ.” Jesus predicts his death burial and resurrection, “Get behind me Satan.” “Pick up your cross and come follow me… For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with angels.” And Jesus said to them, *Prophetic Word Alert* “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power” (Mk. 9:1). Jesus takes three disciples up a mountain. And one more time in Luke 9. Peter confess Jesus as the Christ. Jesus predicts his death and resurrection. Pick up your cross and follow me. *Prophetic Word Alert* “But I tell you truly there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (vs. 27). Transfiguration.

The sure prophetic word of Jesus’ coming is Jesus’ word, and he said that He would come before the end of the life of some of his present disciples. This prophecy is expounded on in Matthew 24 when Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple and the devastation of Jerusalem, “There will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Mt. 24:2). All of which will happen within this generation, “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”–– for it is a sure prophetic word (Mt. 24:34-35).

Why does Peter believe this is so important? Jesus made this prophecy around 30 AD and it’s now around 65 AD. The forty year generation hourglass is coming to an end. Don’t despair on Jesus’ delay, “Why is it taking so long?!?” He will come. But why would it matter to a bunch of people in Turkey (Asia Minor) what happened in Jerusalem, a city hundreds of miles away? Some Jewish Christian might be tempted to abandon the promise of Jesus and return to offering bulls and goats as sacrifices in Jerusalem. And in monumentally bad time, return to Jerusalem when Romans are about siege the city.

This also matters for them like it should for us. Is Jesus trustworthy? Is his word reliable? Jesus said his coming in power would happen within the lifetime of the disciples. So, is Jesus a true prophet or is he a liar? He better not be a liar because I’m about to march into a colosseum ready to die for Jesus in whom I trust.

Peter reassures his readers that Jesus’ word is true and encourages them to “pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” Things may look bleak and dark, but there is the word of God which is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Ps. 119:105). vs. 20-21, “Knowing this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture comes form someone’s interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but holy men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Peter says that Scripture did not come from man (playing pin the tail on the Rapture) but from the Holy Spirit. God speaks to us through his Holy Scriptures like he spoke to the disciples on that holy mountain. And we ought to have the same response as Peter, James, and John––reverent, obedient, fully humble before the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

It’s helpful and necessary to keep in mind that Peter is preparing Christians for a very real conflict––persecutions against the church (first letter) and false teachers within the church (next chapter). The preparation for these trials is the pursuit of godliness today. Godly living is your armor to withstand the assault of mockery and torture. Sure knowledge guards against false teaching. Do you want to stand in that day? Then do this today. Then believe this today.

The power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was true and is true. He really came in power and awful glory in the lifetime of some of the disciples. And we will hear in the next chapter how this coming was a coming judgement like the flood during Noah’s time and fire against Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus came against Jerusalem in 70 AD in glory and power just as he said. And Peter reminds believers that the best thing to do with the certainty of Christ’s coming is to pursue godliness. In the knowledge that Jesus has come in glory and that he will come again, pursue godliness. Wake up from your spiritual snooze. Keep your eyes fixed on the light of God’s word. Make every effort to add to your faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love. Within your lifetime, you too will see the glory and power of Jesus. How will you prepare that day? Be stirred up to live a godly life.

Calvinism 4.0: God as the Good Author

Christ Church on May 27, 2018

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Introduction

Many people struggle with the problem of evil. If God is all powerful then he could eliminate evil. If God is all good then He would certainly want to. So then why does the classic Christian position teach us that God is both all powerful and all good, and yet evil continues to exist?

The Text

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matt. 13:44).

Summary of the Text

I want to work through this short little parable, and summarize it for you. What is the kingdom like? It is like hidden treasure. When a man finds it, he then hides it again, and in his joy he goes and sells everything in order to buy that field. This is a kingdom mystery—it is like the purloined letter in Poe’s mystery. The treasure in this instance is hidden in plain sight. The seller gives it all up, not knowing the value of what he is giving up. The buyer relinquishes everything he has elsewhere in order to obtain that which has value beyond reckoning? Who is the seller here? I take it to be the nation of Israel, not knowing the value of their field, or the treasure in it. Although they did not know the value, their ignorance was culpable. They ought to have known. The buyer abandons all he used to have, gives it up, and comes into his new possession, well knowing the value of what he has. Thus far the point of the parable.

But after that point, I want to step back a few paces and look at the mere fact of the parable.

Gospel Story, the Story of the Gospel, and Story Gospel

“The kingdom of God is like a man who . . .” Time is mysterious, space is mysterious, people are mysterious, and story arcs are mysterious. In order to have a story that is interesting, there must be conflict. Perhaps we should qualify this by saying that in order for story in this world to be interesting, there has to be conflict. Presumably, we won’t be bored in Heaven, and we know that in the resurrection the kind of warfare that we now undergo has ceased. “Her warfare has been accomplished” (Is. 40:2). If the millennial age is one in which the swords are fashioned into plowshares, how much more will this be true of the eternal state (Micah 4:3)?

But in order to keep from becoming bored, there must be a placeholder for that conflict. In our resurrected and glorious condition, there will be no suffering, tears, bloodshed, or anything else like that. But there will be something. We just don’t know what it is yet. My nomination for that post is a little something called difficulty. Maybe God assigned you to the planet Jupiter, and charged you to grow giant turnips, fifty feet across. But all that is just speculation. We know that the resurrection life will be perfect, and that means not boring.

Perfect Storytelling

Whether or not the stories themselves grow increasingly gripping, we know that storytelling will finally come into its own. Perhaps the solution to this dilemma is found in the fact that in the resurrection, the glorious things that God accomplished here will finally find a narration that is worthy of the subject.

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:11–12).

God knows how to stack one choir upon another, and so myriads of angels ascend on the celestial risers. And they sing about the crucifixion, about something that happened here, in this life, in our history.

What is Evil?

If you were making the perfect salad, you would take the garden slug out of it. If you were making the perfect wine, you would make sure to remove the battery acid. If you were decorating the living room perfectly, you would take the greasy engine block off the coffee table. If you were making the perfect flower arrangement, you would not drape a bicycle chain over the vase. But we are in danger of becoming the victim of our analogies.

But if you were telling the perfect story, would you remove the evil from it? Think for a moment. Would it have improved The Lord of the Rings if Tolkien had left out Sauron? Or Saruman? Or the Nazgul? Or Gollum? With the disappearance of each villain or antagonist, is the story getting progressively better? Or worse?

“The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:26–28).

God is the good author of the good story. God is the perfect author of the perfect story. God freely and unalterably ordains whatsoever comes to pass, “yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established” (WCF 3.1).

God is not the author of sin, but He most certainly is the author of a story that has sin in it. This is not a defect in the story, but is rather the glory of it.

The Bloom of Fallen Creation

When the day of resurrection comes, it is not the case that God has mighty angels pick up big erasers in order to wipe out everything that was. The cosmos is not erased. The cosmos is reborn, and what went before is contained within, and glorified by, that resurrected state.

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Rom. 8:21–22).

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Love & War

Christ Church on May 27, 2018

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Introduction

What pops into your mind when you think about “conversations” over doctrine? Chances are, “love” isn’t what comes immediately to mind. Shepherds love sheep by fighting wolves. Kings love citizens by fighting invaders. Husbands love their families by fighting the seduction of the workplace & the adulteress. Fences make the obligations of love clear.

The Text

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins….” (1 John 4:1-21).

Summary of the Text

John doubles down on why Christians have assurance of salvation: Jesus Christ is King & Conqueror. So, John gives a litmus test for whether a spirit is true or false: antichrist doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, the Spirit does (vs.1-3). Though false teachers are intimidating & often convincing, those born of God walk with confidence, because Christ dwells in them & so they’ve overcome antichrist (v4, cf.3:8 & 5:4-5). False teachers speak what the world wants to hear, because they are of the world (v5); but those who know God discern the Spirit of truth by listening to the Apostles’ witness (v6), which is how to tell right from wrong, doctrinally.

Christians are to love each other; which can only be done by those who know God, for God is love (vs.7-8). God’s love––being preeminent––was manifested in sending His Son to be both our life (v9), & our propitiation (v10). This is the spur for Christian imitation of His love (v11).

God is Spirit, and unseen. But, Christians loving one another,(which we can see) reminds us that God isn’t just a “force,” He’s personal: by dwelling in us, & His love being perfected in us (v.12). Because the Spirit bears witness that the Father sent the Son to save the world, our love for each other becomes an assurance that we dwell in Him, and He in us (vs. 13-14).

Only those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God dwell in God and God in them (v15); this is how you know & believe that God loves you, by dwelling in the love He showed us in sending His Son (v16). Any fear of the judgement is waylaid because our union with God’s Son, means that God looks at us & sees Jesus (vs. 17-18, cf.2:28). But we must get the order right, God loved us first (v.19). Receiving God’s love––as manifested in Christ––logically leads to the commandment to love our brother who is right in front of us (vs. 20-21). The chapter begins with discerning between spirits (true or false), & ends with discerning between brothers (obedient or disobedient).

Doctrine & Love

A loving community & a commitment to faithful doctrine aren’t at odds. Notice John’s rehearsing the same themes, “Here’s the Gospel, now do it.” Here’s the doctrinal foundation, now go live out the relational implications. Here’s what you should believe, now believe it in action. Here’s the root, now bear the fruit. Here’s God in the flesh––Jesus Christ––your lone salvation, your Mediator, your Messiah, now imitate & declare that love.

John––like a New York taxi driver telling you about the Yankees’ latest win––jumps up & down on the importance of Christ’s incarnation. He weaves this doctrine into its real world relational cash-out. Believe a false gospel? Trust in a false savior? You will murder your brother. Only God in the Flesh can save us from our sins and restore our fellowship with each other. Only the Messiah can intercede for us before the Father and reconcile us with each other. Only Jesus can unite us with the Father and with each other.

False-christs can create a pseudo-community, but certainly not forever (and usually not for long). Disinterested gods stay up on Olympus. Earthly saviors can give us pseudo-community, but never eternal life. An impersonal First Cause might theoretically give us life, but never communion.

Giving What is Best

This is no “pass the peace pipe” kind of love. It’s a life-giving, sin-covering love. Both grace & mercy are on display here. This love has, as its foundation, God’s character & nature. It’s rooted in the love of the Trinity. The Spirit’s message is that Jesus coming to earth should make us see that the Father loves us (vs.13-14). In essence, God gave us Himself. His love, then, is the bedrock for our ethics.

So, how should a husband love his wife? A mother her children? A slave his master, or a master his slaves? A Jew a Gentile? Does it mean you give yourself? Yes & no. Love aims to give supreme happiness to the object of love. You & I are pretty lousy & will never bring complete joy to those we love. However, you are to give yourself––in Christ & by His Spirit––to those you are called to love. You give Him. After all, you don’t have anything better to give.

God in the Flesh is Love

We can know God, & know the love of God, by looking at one thing. Not by looking to our own inward experience (i.e. feelings). Not by looking to philosophical gymnastics to discover metaphysical realities (i.e. reason). Not by putting our love for God (i.e. good works) on the scales. We hear God’s love by how He spoke to us in the person of His Son (cf. Heb. 1:1-2). We see it in the flesh & blood of the man from Nazareth. We know it because this is what the Spirit teaches us. We experience it because His love in & through Christ has made us new, & we now love & are loved by our brethren in the same manner.

The message which John received & is declaring to Christians––so that their joy might overflow (1 Jn. 1:4)––is that the one true God is not the mere force of the Universe, but is a personal God. This God has spelled out His love for us––with big, neon letters––by sending His Son to become a man; suffering in the stead of Adam & his sons, that all who believe in Him might obtain forgiveness of sins & eternal life. This was the Gospel which all the Apostles proclaimed:

“Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, & gave him glory; that your faith & hope might be in God (1 Pt. 1:20-21).”

“[Our salvation] is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, & hath brought life & immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:10).”

The Authority of the Spirit (Pentecost 2018)

Christ Church on May 20, 2018

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Introduction

Today we are remembering the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. We will be considering the convergence of all things in the Father, coming to Him through the Son, and enabled to do this by the Spirit. But though this must be our central focus, coming to the Father, we do not want to let this true scriptural emphasis become a superstition for us. Stephen addressed Jesus when he was dying—“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). And if we invoke the presence of the Spirit now, we do so only because we want Him to fulfill His vocation, which is that of glorifying the one who brings sinners to His Father.

The Text

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:13–15).

Summary of the Text

Jesus had many things to tell His disciples, but He knew that they were not up to it yet (John 16:12). But the Spirit will come, and He is called the Spirit of truth, and it is not surprising that He will guide them into “all truth” (v. 13). The Spirit will originate nothing on His own. He will not speak “of himself” (v. 13). Whatever He hears, that is what He will speak, and that is how He will reveal to the disciples what is to come (v. 13). This will glorify Jesus, because the Spirit will receive what He says from Jesus (v. 14). Then He will show it to the disciples. Everything the Father has is also Christ’s, and everything that Christ has will be passed on by the Spirit (v. 15).

Background Reminder

As we have considered this topic in the past, we have noted that the Son’s mission is to bring us to the Father. He teaches us to pray our Father (Matt. 6:9). No man comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). If we have seen Christ, we have seen the Father (John 14:9). And in a similar way, the Spirit is given in order to bring us to the Son, glorifying Him, so that He might bring us to the Father. So we come to the Father by the Son through the Spirit (Eph. 2:18). The Father is the destination, the Son is the road, and the Spirit is the car. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36).

The Spirit of All Truth

The Spirit of all truth is necessarily one who wields true authority, true power. And this is why the Scriptures describe Him this way. Jesus spoke with authority, and not like the scribes (Matt. 7:29), and it was because the Spirit was with Him. And the great things He did were because the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4:18).

Jesus therefore had anointed authority to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach opened dungeon doors to the prisoners, to declare the recovery of sight to the blind, and to usher the bruised into liberty. This is a lot of authority; it requires a universal authority.

And at the day of Pentecost, the Lord Jesus shared His authority with His bride. He did this by pouring out His Spirit upon us.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Authority for What?

Our two fundamental duties are to repent and believe, and the Holy Spirit equips us for both.

“But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8). This is a Spirit-given repentance.

The second way is for the Spirit to quicken our faith. “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Gal. 3:2). When the Spirit was given, one of the more visible consequences was that cloven tongues of fire rested on each of their heads. One reasonable interpretation is that this made each of them an altar, with the fire of consecration burning on them. Present your bodies a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2), with a constant fire burning.

When Worship Wrecks Us

There are two ways that worship can wreck us. One is when our fire has gone out, and we go through liturgical motions in the dusty places, with a few broken bottles scattered around. That is when we have lost our first love, and our worship services do more harm than good (1 Cor. 11:17).

But there is another way that worship can wreck us. A really good way.

“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:12–13).

The word opened there refers to pulling the neck of the sacrificial animal back, right before you cut its throat. The sword of God’s Spirit cuts up the worshiper, and God carefully arranges the pieces on the altar. And then it is that we ascend into Heaven in a column of smoke.

Diligence to Your Calling and Election

Christ Church on May 20, 2018

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The Text

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. ¹¹For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11).

Introduction

God as chosen and call His people for a purpose – that they may be like the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And what’s more is that God desires for us to know that we have been called and chosen for godliness. So Peter says, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure.” But how are we to make our calling and election sure? Peter tells us in verses 5-7.

Make Every Effort to Add (vv. 5-7)

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” The command to “make every effort” to add these qualities is based on what God has already done for us in the first verses. God’s divine power has given us all things that lead to godliness (v. 3): “for this reason” make every effort yourself to be godly. God works out our salvation by putting us to work!

There are eight qualities that you are to make every effort to add:

Faith
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-control
Steadfastness
Godliness
Brotherly affection
Love

The person that Peter describes that we are to make every effort to become is perfectly manifested by Jesus.

Effective and Fruitful Activity (vv. 8-9)

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8). If these characteristics are 1) yours and 2) increasing, then they keep you from being an ineffective and unfruitful Christian. The Christian life is not static. A tree is either growing or dying. Godly fruit always grows from a godly root. All these character qualities will only truly grow and increase if you are rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesus? We have already spoken of knowing about Jesus. If you try to produce these qualities in your life apart from Christ, then they have about as much chance as growing as a fake apple scotch-taped to an apple tree.

But if you lack these qualities, you are near-sighted, spiritually blind, forgetful of what God has done for you. “For whosoever lacks these qualities is so near sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleaned from his former sins” (v. 9).

Diligent to Make Your Calling and Election Sure (v. 10-11)

“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way, there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (vv. 10-11). The Scriptures teach that all those who are saved are saved because God elected them to salvation. And those he elected, he called (Romans 8:30-31).

And so, are you called? Are you elect? Are you chosen by God and precious? Peter says you can know and you can even make it sure. “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” Diligently cultivate with, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love. Are these qualities yours and are they growing? Do you want these? Are you pursuing them? Then this is proof that you are called and elected by God. How do you make your calling and election sure? Make every effort.

But a question arises, “Is my work (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc.) the source of my election? Does my calling depend on my good works?” God is the source of your election and calling and not your good works. The order is Jesus speaks, and then Lazarus comes forth. And once called, Lazarus had an obligation to obey. And all the hugs and kisses and praising and identification with Jesus were all evidences of the life Lazarus had been given. He was not a robot, but a resurrected man who obeyed Jesus.