Christ Church

Expositional

Big Church Blessings (King’s Cross)

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INTRODUCTION

Many Christians say they prefer smaller churches, and in God’s providence, there are many smaller, thriving churches. But it’s worth checking your preferences against God’s word. Are your preferences aligned with biblical priorities? Or are you making your preferences into biblical priorities?

Our church and community have grown significantly over the last few years, and while it is understandable to miss seeing certain friends, we want to make sure that we are processing this growth like believing Christians. So this is a message on big church blessings.

The Texts: “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:5-6)

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:39-41).

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9-10).

SUMMARY OF THE TEXTS

When God called Abraham, He promised to give him descendants as numerous and glorious as the stars of the heavens, and Abraham believed the promise of God. Justifying faith is, in part, believing the promise to Abraham that his descendants will be numerous (Gen. 15:5-6). At Pentecost, when the Spirit was first poured out and Peter preached the gospel to the Jews gathered for the feast, he referred to the promises to Abraham (Gen. 17:7), and three thousand souls believed and were baptized in fulfillment of that promise (Acts 2:39-41). And having seen the fullness of the tribes of the Jews in Heaven, John turns and sees a great multitude that no man could number of all the nations standing before the Lamb singing praise (Rev. 7:9-10). Part of the glory of Heaven is that it is crowded.

THE BLESSING OF BEAUTY

One of the blessings of bigger churches is the opportunity to cultivate more beauty. Unfortunately, the largest modern churches have often opted for shopping mall efficiency, but in times past they built beautiful cathedrals and supported the arts, particularly with singing, instruments, and music for worship (e.g. 1 Chron. 15-16). Bigger churches often provide the means and personnel to cultivate beautiful worship.

We never want to get the cart before the horse, but it isn’t better to reject carts altogether. Better to worship in a gym or a theater in Spirit and in truth than a cathedral where the Spirit has been driven away by abominations. But better still to worship in the beauty of holiness in every direction. A woman is lovely first of all because she trusts the Lord and has a gentle and quiet spirit, but because she has that inner beauty, it is fitting that she adorn herself to match it (1 Pet. 3:3-5). And so likewise the bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2).

THE BLESSING OF CONCENTRATION

One of the principles of warfare is concentration of force: an army spread out along a vast battle line is not nearly as potent as when it focuses on a particular point. Concentration of resources is also a force multiplier, meaning that the overall momentum is exponentially increased, the sum result is more than all the parts working alone. And therefore, a numerically smaller number can have a disproportionate impact at a decisive point, overwhelming the enemy. “And five of you shall chase an hundred [5%], and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight [1%]: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword” (Lev. 26:8).

This principle applies to evangelism, worship, education, business, and media. Where God’s people band together in humble obedience, there is often a force multiplier.

Of course, this still completely depends upon the blessing of God, and God is always free to save with many or few – like Gideon’s army. But Gideon’s army is actually an example of the principle of concentration – a vastly smaller force amassed at a key vulnerable point.

THE BLESSING OF GIFTS IN THE BODY

When God added thousands to the early church, needs became apparent, and the first deacons were appointed, and the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied greatly (Acts 6:7). Likewise, the one body of Christ is made up of many members, with many gifts: the body is not one

member but many (1 Cor. 12). And the body is better and stronger for that diversity of gifts. Some resistance to size can be like the eye saying that it has no need of a hand, but God sets the members in the body as it pleases Him (1 Cor. 12:18-21).

We are in a great war, and when God adds to our numbers and it’s hard to find a parking spot or we have to start another service, our instinct ought to be to think: “so thankful for all the reinforcements.”

THE BLESSING OF A UNITED WITNESS

The early chapters of Acts are sometimes sentimentally romanticized, but it is true that as the thousands of believers “were together” and continued steadfastly in the word and prayers, and cared for one another’s needs, they had “favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily…” (Acts 2:41-47).

We have many opportunities to demonstrate the tangible love of Christ by meeting the needs of the body: new babies, showers, sickness, and unexpected tragedies. Larger churches can rally around in remarkable ways and demonstrate the gospel in action which is an invitation to the world to join us.

CONCLUSIONS

Blessings are heavy, and that means the blessing of growth and numbers brings with it the need for wise administration, organization, and freedom – something that requires regular maintenance. We are striving for an organic unity in Christ, not bureaucratic paper-pushing and bar codes. This is one of the reasons why we have continued to start new services and church plants, while continuing to share office space and staff with the other Kirker churches. All of this requires creativity, grace, wisdom, lots of flexibility, new and more suitable buildings, and more grace, while keeping our eyes on the goal: All of Christ for All of Life for All of Moscow, America, and the World.

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No Small Gain, No Small Stir (Acts of the Apostles) (Christ Church)

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INTRODUCTION

Mammon is frequently a behind-the-scenes god. The celebrity goddess has an impressive sacred space dedicated to her, which cost a lot of money, but that was just the investment, the outlay. The returns come in the form of the merch. The sacred space was there on the hill, but going in or coming out you would be likely to walk past the Stoa, where the T-shirts and knick-knacks were for sale.

We have already discussed the economics of grace, but here we see it on full display. The overture was the burning of the occult materials. The full performance was the spectacle of rioting merchants.

THE TEXT

“And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion . . . ” (Acts 19:23–41).

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

Luke states it mildly—the riot was not tiny (v. 23). A silversmith named Demetrius was a maker of very profitable silver shrines for Diana (or Artemis). Luke is mild again—“no small gain.” He called a meeting of his fellow tradesmen, and told them that their craft was their wealth (v. 25). He drew their attention to the impact that Paul had had, both in Ephesus and throughout Asia. He was turning people away from gods made with human hands (v. 26). Not only would diminish their trade, but his work would bring the temple of Diana into disrepute, a goddess currently worshiped throughout Asia and the Empire (v. 27). Hearing this, they exploded with the cry, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians (v. 28). The city was thrown into confusion, and they seized two of Paul’s traveling companions (Gaius and Aristarchus) and rushed with one accord into the theater (v. 29). Paul wanted to address the crowd, but the brothers wouldn’t let him (v. 30). Reinforcements to this good sense were brought by Asiarchs, city officials who were friends with Paul (v. 31). The crowd was confused about what the issue was, with different people yelling different things (v. 32). The Jews put a man named Alexander forward, but the crowd wouldn’t let him talk, because he was a Jew (v. 33). The crowd spent two hours shouting, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” (v. 34). The town clerk finally calmed them down. Everybody knows that the city worships Diana, and the image that fell from Zeus—Diopetes (v. 35). These things are indisputable, so don’t be rash (v. 36). You have brought these men (the original two), who are neither temple-robbers or blasphemers of Diana (v. 37). If Demetrius and friends have a case, let them bring it in an orderly way (v. 38). If there are other issues, they should be addressed lawfully as well (v. 39). The city could easily be called on the carpet because of this uproar, and the city officials would be in a difficult spot trying to explain it (v. 40). Then he dismissed them (v. 41).

FRIENDS OF PAUL

Asiarchs were chosen by a league of cities in Asia. They were administrative officials representing Rome and the emperor as they oversaw various patriotic activities and worship. They were administrative officials, but they were also pagan priests. And Paul was friends with them. The town clerk was also a pagan—note his high praise of Diana—but note also what he says about Paul and company. They were not robbers of sacred spaces, and they were not blasphemers of the goddess. They taught the truth concerning her, which is not the same thing as railing against her. Michael fought with the devil, but did not bring a railing or blasphemous accusation against him (Jude 9-10; 2 Pet. 2:12).

TWO SIMILAR CROWDS

This riot in Ephesus is the biggest one yet in Acts—the crowd gathered at the theater at Ephesus, which could seat around 24K, which apparently meant they needed quite a bit of room. These were godless pagans. The whole city was involved (v. 29) Although their folly was on full display, it is also worth noting that they were successfully calmed down by the Roman leadership, with no one was hurt, and no one was arrested.

The Judeans in Jerusalem also rioted (Acts 21:26ff), and tried to kill Paul. The whole city was involved (Acts 21:30). These two reactions to the gospel in different cities illustrate that the carnal man is a carnal man, whether or not he is covenantally set apart. This is a side-by-side contrast, just like what Paul does in Romans 1-3. Romans 1 says the Gentiles are under sin, Romans 2 says that the Jews are, and Romans 3 says they are all in the same boat together.

We see here how the new birth is absolutely essential. The true Jew is the one who is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit (Rom. 2:28-29). There is nothing worse than being a Jew on the outside and an Amalekite on the inside. Well, actually, there is something worse—and that is being a Christian on the outside and an Amalekite on the inside.

How do we identify the Christian? How do we know when we have seen a real Christian? We know the same way we know anything . . . by looking to Christ.

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

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Roll Call (Wise Master Builder) (Living Stone Reformed Church)

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INTRODUCTION

It’s been quipped that passages like this have all the whimsy of curling up by the fire to read a phone book. While such passages might be a bit tedious for us, they are inspired words all the same. Thus, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Living Word is profitable for us even unfrequented corners of Scripture.

THE TEXT

Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city […]

Ezra 2:1ff

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

Ezra here provides us a detailed register of the returning exiles. An almost identical list will also show up again when we come to Nehemiah 7. In verses 1-2 we’re provided with the list of the eleven principle leaders of this first wave of returning saints, with Zerubbabel, the heir to David, being the principal leader along with the high priest Jeshua. If you know your Biblical symbolism, it is a bit odd to find just eleven leaders; it’s possible that this is meant to be a reminder that Israel has been broken apart. This return is wonderful, but it is incomplete.

Verses 3-35 record the families of not only returning “Judahites” but also other Israelites. Verses 36-39 records the priestly families who returned, then in verses 40-42 we find that the number of returning Levites was considerably few. Verses 43-54 reckons the families of the Nethinim, followed in verses 55-58 by the number of Solomon’s servants, the descendants of Canaanites which David and Solomon had subjugated to be bond-servants of the royal house (1 Ki. 9:20-22).

In verses 59-63, we learn there is a whole group, including some priests that had lost their genealogical pedigree. Thus, they could no longer fulfill their temple service, or receive their share of the offerings. This was not an instance of racial exclusivism. As we’ll see a few other times in Ezra/Nehemiah, the corrupted priesthood was a real moral problem that confronted the returning exiles (Ez. 10:18-44, Neh. 13:23-30).

The total returning remnant was 42,360 (v64), along with 7,337 servants, an additional 200 singers (v65), and considerable numbers of beasts of burden (v66-67). Upon arriving in Jerusalem, several of the chieftains made generous donations, according to their ability, to the project (vv68-69). Exile had, evidently, treated them surprisingly well. As one Bible teacher remarked on this display of wealth, “when the Jews get into business, it’s not easy for them to go back.” The chapter concludes with this remnant beginning the hard work of resettling their towns and villages (v70).

THE REMNANT

This chapter is more than just a rigid recitation of a population record. We see here that despite grievous sins which led to Israel’s exile, God in His mercy always preserves a remnant of the church. Here are some wonderful remarks by Jonathan Edwards on this glorious doctrine: “When the enemies of the church have done their utmost, and seem to have gained their point; when they have overthrown the church, so that its being is scarcely visible, but is like a living root hid under ground; there is in it a secret life that will cause it to flourish again, and to take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” The church is all too often reduced to a small number of faithful saints, but in God’s perfect timing and by means of this faithful remnant great revivals are brought about (2 Ki. 19:30).

Now, there are a few interesting tidbits here regarding this iteration of the remnant. We find that only 123 of those who belong to David’s hometown of Bethlehem returned, which confirms the prophet Micah’s description of Bethlehem as one of the smaller villages of Judah, but from which would come the King of all kings (Cf. Mic. 5:2, Mat. 2:6).

The prophet Jeremiah was from Anathoth of Benjamin (Jer. 1:1, 29:27). Jeremiah had been threatened with death by his own kinsmen for prophesying against Judah and Jerusalem; for this persecution, God promised to bring complete desolation upon the men of Anathoth (Jer. 11:21-23). But in this list we find a small group of exiles who trace their lineage back to Anathoth. How do we reconcile this with God’s promise to not leave a remnant of the men of Anathoth?

It is not mental gymnastics to affirm both that God in His justice wiped out those men of Anathoth entirely, and that God in His mercy spared some. In Adam all die, and yet only sons of Adam will be in heaven. God’s justice will not spare one wicked man, and His mercy will not overlook one of the elect. This is a glorious doctrine of comfort. God will judge the world, and God will save the world. There will ever be a remnant, and one day––in a glorious paradox––the remnant shall be an innumerable host.

SACRIFICIAL GIVING

These returning exiles had not only left the comfort of Babylon, but when they arrived they also contributed generously to the work itself. They weren’t free-loaders. They weren’t idle or lazy. They contributed, as they were able, millions of dollars worth of gold and silver to the project. One of the trademarks of a true revival is this sort of sacrificial courage and generosity. The work of rebuilding is not for the faint of heart. It is not for the stingy. It is not for those who like to keep their furniture clean. There are often charlatans trying to grift off of such generosity. However, we shouldn’t overlook that generous giving to the work of the Lord––in tithes, offerings, supporting faithful ministries and missionaries––is a hallmark of God being at work in His people. Your wealth is God’s. You are to understand your tithes and offerings as a confession of that truth.

POLLUTED PRIESTS AND UNLIKELY SAINTS

Some scholars see Ezra’s vendetta against the impurity of these priests as evidence of a growing racial vain-glory amongst the Jews. That certainly does develop later on as we see in the time of Christ. But that is not what Ezra and Nehemiah are up to. Here is one reason why: amongst these returning Jews are the Nethinim, faithful servants of tabernacle and temple. Think of them as the janitors of the church. If there was a racial vain-glory amongst this remnant it would have been more likely found by excluding these “devoted ones” who were not Hebrews by kinship.

The Nethinims, mentioned here, were more than likely the descendants of the Gibeonites (Jos. 9:27). Saul had persecuted the Gibeonites in a fervor of faux religious zeal (2 Samuel 21:1–6). It was David who discerned that by God’s providence, the Gibeonites had been covenantally joined to house of the Lord, and Saul had grievously wronged them in a hot-headed frenzy. David had restored the Nethinim to their work in temple service (Ezra 8:20). God did not reward the Gibeonites’ shrewd deception with death. He instead showered them with the kindness of being servants in His house.

Another set of unlikely saints found here. Amongst these returning saints are the descendants of the rebel Korah (Ez. 2:42). Korah was discontent with his role in Moses’ Israel. God brought him low, destroying him; but once again we find that some of his descendants who survived were tasked with being porters of the temple. Not only that but some of them composed Psalms which we sing to this day: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psa 84:10).”

ZEAL FOR GOD’S HOUSE

So then, true zeal is not loss of self-control. It can look like faithful record keeping. It can look like excluding the self-righteous and prideful, and welcoming the humble repentant sinners. Saul thought he could please God with a hot-headed racial purity project. Some of the priests thought it didn’t matter that they had married idolatrous and unbelieving foreign wives. Their lineage was sufficient, they thought. But God desires a faithful people. As God stirs his people to rebuild the House of the Lord, we find Jews and Gentiles working hand in hand. While hot-headed purists and apathetic idolators find themselves put out (Cf. Mt. 8:11-12). This list of saints should put you in mind of two things. First, God raises up faithful saints from unfaithful fathers. Second, God expels unfaithful sons of faithful fathers. The question for you is: is your name listed amongst the faithful?

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