Christian Hipsters and the Los Angeles RP Church

The Los Angeles Reformed Presbyterian Church is not known for being a city of refuge for Christian Hipsters. But it doesn't have to be that way. Hipsters are more than welcome to join with us. Los Angeles as a city is becoming a haven for Christian Hipsters and the church's neighborhood, in particular, is moving in that direction as well.

What is a Christian Hipster you may be thinking? Well, one author summarizes Christian Hipster as, "Christian hipsters love breaking the taboos that used to be taboo for Christians. They love piercings, dressing a little goth, getting lots of tattoos (the Christian Tattoo Association now lists more than 100 member shops), carrying flasks and smoking cloves. A lot of them love skateboarding and surfing, and many of them play in bands. They tend to get jobs working for churches, parachurch organizations, non-profits, or the government. They are, on the whole, a little more sincere and idealistic than their secular hipster counterparts." (Source)

The Christian Hipster, of course, may fall anywhere on the theological spectrum of Christianity. The trend that the Church has seen in the past 5 years though, is there are two camps for Christian Hipsters: emergent theology types (read: neo-neoliberals), and those within the Reformed Tradition (both baptistic and presbyterian).

So why do I think that the Los Angeles RP Church would be a good fit for Christian Hipsters? There are numerous reasons, including our artists, writers, independent bookstore owners, people in the film industry, and independent fashion-types. But the demographics are also in favor of the LA RPCNA becoming a church home for Christian Hipsters. I will give you two reasons:

1. A recent study of cities in the country that are becoming havens for Christian Hipsters has Los Angeles as the 6th best city for them (Portland was one, and Seattle was two).

2. Our neighborhood was recently featured in Los Angeles Magazine and they write, "The prospect of more square feet for your buck has driven hipsters and hipster babies to Eagle Rock, a sleepy hamlet of hilly streets and old homes that is sandwiched between Glendale and Pasadena... There's an air of independence here. (Los Angeles Magazine, April, 2010)"

So as Christian Hipsters choose LA to be a city where they can come and minister, and they choose Eagle Rock to be around other like minded people; remember the Los Angeles Church. We may not have what the large emergent churches have; but we do have what you all need: The Gospel of Jesus Christ and a Christian community in which you may grow and flourish.

Christian Hipsters Welcome!

Sanctify Them By Thy Psychologists For Thy Psychologists are Truth

How does a Christian become more like Christ? How does the Church view sanctification today? It seems that many in the Church see the role of the Church as one dealing with only salvation. Many in the Church are fleeing to pills, psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists for their real problems. It is a sad thing to see the Church giving up their duties to 'the professionals'. It has not always been this way. The Puritans were masters at preaching in such a way that dealt with all of the problems of the human experience. Tim Keller (yes, that Tim Keller) said,

By modern standards any person struggling with deep patterns of self-gratification or self-will might be told, 'You aren't responsible' or 'A real Christian wouldn't feel like that' or 'you must have a demon'. By contrast, the Puritan counselor first exhorted the person to mortify the sin through contrition, confession, and repentance. The counselor encouraged the individual that the struggle with sin was a good sign, indicating that there was reason to hope that the pattern of sin would be broken through the truth of the Gospel. The English Puritans would be appalled at the emphasis today on self-esteem; they would eschew talk of unmet needs, because in their view the only real need to be met was the need to worship. That is why Puritans practiced sanctification by theology rather than by psychology.

That's Some Bad Preachin' Pastor

Last night I woke up with that awful feeling that follows a bad dream. As I lay in bed I tried to remember the content of the dream that bothered me so much. Here's what I remember:

I was asked to preach at Synod for the 2010 meeting of Synod (this has not happened by the way, but I would gladly accept an invitation in case there is anyone on the business of synod committee reading). As I approached the front of the room a desk was pushed to where the pulpit should be and a chair was placed on top of it so that I could stand on the chair. A very tall music stand would serve as the lectern.

I stood on the chair, and since I am a rather large man, the chair was a bit wobbly, and it took a lot of energy to properly stand in the make-shift pulpit. As I opened my notes to begin preaching, I noticed that they were not my sermon notes, but a compilation of magazine articles pasted onto printer paper and poorly copied textual notes in diverse colors, sizes, and fonts. It was so poorly printed that I could not make out what they even said.

Between the wobbly make-shift pulpit, the poor notes, and the overwhelming nervousness that abounded, I could not preach. I just stood there wobbling and flipping through these poorly prepared sermon notes. I was able to sputter out some word salad, but nothing of any value.

One by one the presbyters started to leave the Synod floor. Nothing that I said made any sense and the men obviously had better things to do. The numbers slowly dwindled and the last face that I saw was Pastor Ian Wise smile a heart-felt smile, and then he too walked away. (Ian is one of the kindest godly men that I know.)

I was asked to step out of the pulpit and then a nice young lady stood in my place and began preaching very powerfully to those on the Synod floor. Applause irrupted as her powerful sermon touched the hearts of the hearers. I was humbled and shocked for a number of reasons, as you can imagine.

Why such a bad dream you might ask? Well, it may have something to do with the fact that I read this article right before bed:

Joy From Above

Brothers, those of us who preach, must be moved by the sermon before we even enter into a pulpit. Our lives must be living testimonies of the grace of God working in our hearts. If our sermons are merely pious thoughts on things and stuff we will never have the blessing of the Spirit to move our people to greater holiness. We will never preach as one who has been transformed by grace. We must preach with passion and heart. We must preach with conviction and with power from on high!

The state of the Christian pulpit is in need of reform from the Word of God. And it is not just the words coming from the pulpit that are in need of reformation, brothers, our hearts are in need of reformation.

Our Presbyterian forefathers were asked the question, "How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called to preach?" They answered in a way that needs to be seared into every heart that preaches the Word of God, and carved into the desk of every pulpit in this land:

Those who are called to labor in the Ministry of the Word are to preach sound doctrine:

-diligently, in season and out of season

-plainly, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power

-faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God

-wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers

-zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people

-sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Brothers. Preach the Word. Preach as a dying man to dying men. Preach as you have but one sermon left to preach. Preach as though you have first preached to your own soul.

Link to article here: http://www.worldmag.com/articles/16511

How To Write A Proposal To Your Session

Many people want to participate in the ministry of the church, yet many do not know how to get their ideas across to their church leadership. Here is a short video that explains how to write a proposal to your session. My hope is that as men and women have God glorifying ideas- they share them with the Ministry of the Church. Enjoy... and get to work!

The Gospel According to Jiminy Cricket

'My conscience is clear.' This has become the standard answer in the church to excuse sin. And for many people- they believe this is a fine standard- Jiminy Cricket said to "always let conscience be your guide."

Although conscience is important, and conscience is one of the ways that God has given to direct our sense of right and wrong- we must understand something. The conscience is fallen. It too is tainted by Adam's guilt. So when one becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, he or she must bring his conscience under the authority of Jesus Christ. As we inform our conscience from the Scriptures, only then will be able to find it useful for us. Of course, even then it is not our standard of behavior- the Scriptures are. So next time you attempt to excuse sin with stating, 'My conscience is clear' ask yourself whether your conscience has been properly informed by the Word of God. The Bible is our guide in the Christian life- and the conscience should affirm what the Scriptures teach.

The Reformed Presbyterian Testimony has a helpful statement in chapter 20:

Conscience is a sense of right and wrong by which one evaluates his own thoughts and behavior. When one follows his conscience, he feels a measure of contentment; when he violates his conscience, he feels dis- tress. Conscience is natural to man, and implies his accountability to God, but it is not the rule of faith and practice. Conscience shows the work of the law written on the heart, but is distorted by the work of Satan, by man’s sinful nature, and by the ungodly standards of the world. The Christian’s conscience is to be directed by God’s revealed law, under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, with due attention to the teaching and admonition of the brethren. Although conscience is not infallible, a person should not do what he believes to be wrong.

Reformed Red Flags

Over the past number of years, the Southern Baptist Church (SBC) has been fighting a battle that many evangelical churches are also fighting. The 'Calvinist vs. Arminian' debate is raging in the SBC. By the grace of God, the denomination is moving more and more towards its Reformation roots.

Recently, there has been a counter-attack rallying against the Reformed movement in the SBC . One of the tactical documents was recently given to the Founders' Ministries (one of the main agitators for reformation in the SBC). The document was for pastoral search committees to be aware of some of the 'red flags' to look out for when searching for a pastor. In the mind of many in the SBC- these are things that are to be avoided; because they are connected with Calvinism.

• Lack of passion in public invitations for the lost to repent...
• Use of the ESV Bible.
• Adding... belief statements... to what their church believes... such as the First London Baptist Confession ((1689)...
• Member of the Founders' Movement...
• They will call Calvinists to join them on their church staff.
• Tendency towards a highly logical systematic theology...
• They love to write and blog about their reform theology...

I pray that the SBC continues to reform by the Grace of God in Christ. I look forward to watching the continuing unfolding of this story. And I pray that all those who love Jesus Christ will bow their knee to His Word and His Rule.

"Lord Jesus, build your Church."

See the original 'Red Flags' Document here.

The Gospel According to... Bono?

Sometimes the Gospel message comes out in the most unusual of places. I don't know where Bono's heart is, of course, but I do think that I could sign my name to this statement.

Here is Bono's take on grace.

At the center of all religions is this idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you... Yet along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that... Love interrupts the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I have done a lot of stupid stuff... It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins on the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity. -Interview from 2005. Quoted by Gene Edward Veith, 'Salty Dogma'.

And so that you have some praise to go with a good quote: Here is Bono's rendition of Psalm 40:

Black and Reformed History Makers

Selma, Alabama, May 21, 1875: A congregation of black Reformed Presbyterians was organized due to the work of the Central Board of Missions. Twenty-Five members took the covenant of Church membership. This was the outworking of the social justice that Reformed Presbyterian pastors and members sought for the previous 71 years.

This congregation was originally a mission to 'free men'; something that the RP Church worked very hard at through its involvement in the underground railroad, the training of African Americans, even at the collegiate level, and all stemming from the belief that God made the races of the world 'of one blood'.

This congregation would prove to be on the forefront of social justice. In the 1960s, the Marches through Selma were organized out of the manse (Pastor Claude Brown was pastor then). Martin Luther King Jr. was a close friend to this congregation of Psalm singing warriors for civil rights.

But why did the RP Church care? Why did a small denomination of psalm singing Presbyterians care about social justice and care about the plight of the African American? The reason is because in biblical history- we were slaves in the land and God delivered us. The reason is that during the Killing Times in Scotland- the RP Church understood persecution and injustice. The reason is because man is made in the image of God- and in Christ freedom is offered to all men. How can we preach freedom in Christ while enslaving and dehumanizing our neighbors?

The RP Church began fighting for equality of the black man as early as 1802 in this country. We were the second denomination in the United States to denounce the practice of enslaving the African race (the Quakers were the first). Watch this 27 minute video to hear some of that history.

And pray for justice. There are many more battles to fight. We cannot live off of our laurels.

Documentary of McLeod's 1802 "Negro Slavery Unjustifiable" by RPTS from RPTS on Vimeo.

The Year of the Tiger and the Gospel

I have been thinking about the Chinese people a lot lately. This week with Chinese New Year, and over the past several weeks as I have been reading about the RPCNA mission in China (1886-c.1949)

My prayer is that the Lord would open the doors (Hoi Moon) to once again allow the Gospel to flourish in China. You see, my desire is not 'that we would see people converted in China', although I do desire to see converts. My prayer is that we SEE those converted in China. I believe that the Lord has been busy in China for many generations- and that we will see the fruit of that work. Someday the doors will be open again, and the light of the Gospel will shine with radiance as the sun of righteousness rises!

As I reflect on the year of the Tiger- I pray that the Gospel would go forth in the strength and beauty of the tiger. Even in the early 1900s, the beauty of Chinese Reformed Presbyterians was being seen. Beginning with one woman in her 70s- and from there flourishing as a mission. Hear this account of the first celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at the Chinese RP Mission:

July 6, 1902

As our Psalter is incomplete in Chinese we used the twenty-third psalm in going to the table and leaving it. As there was no session and no assistant, some forethought was necessary in planning, but all was done decently and in order. The observers were quiet and attentive, and we knew we were not alone. We find great comfort in the manifest growth of our one convert... Sabbath morning she said people were asking her why we were having a three day memorial service! Some time ago I gave her a little prayer to be used in asking a blessing at her meals. She eats alone at home, and evidently does not know that where numbers are eating together one asks the blessing for all, and so on yesterday when the bread was being passed to her, she closed her eyes and audibly repeated her little prayer, then broke off the bread and passed it. It is the first time I have heard a Chinese woman utter prayer in public , and her courage in doing what she thought her duty in the presence of so many others, was to us a very beautiful thing. (Hoi Moon)

It must have been a beautiful thing to see the first convert of the RP mission in China. May this year of the Tiger bring many new converts and many praises and blessings to Jesus Christ! May he throw open the doors of that wonderful country so that the Church of Christ may see her brothers and sisters who have suffered so much in the past generations!

Count the Cost of Following Christ

As followers of Jesus Christ we need to count the cost of discipleship. Each one of us need to ask ourselves theses questions:

1. Is it worth following Christ?

2. How far will I go in following Christ?

The answer to the second question is this- if you are not willing to die for Christ; you are not willing to live for him.

In the 1660s Hugh Mackail was tortured and eventually murdered for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As a disciple that had weighed the cost of discipleship, Mackill was ready to die for the Lord Jesus. He last words were:

"Now I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and turn my speech to thee, O Lord. Now I begin my intercourse with God, which shall never be broken off. Farewell, father and mother, friends and relations! Farewell, the world and all delights! Farewell meat and drink! Farewell, sun, moon, and stars!

Welcome God and Father! Welcome sweet Lord Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant! Welcome, blessed Spirit of grace, God of all consolation! Welcome, glory! Welcome, eternal life!

Welcome death!"

Friend, Have you counted the cost of following Christ? Is He worth it?

Daily Cleansing or Moldy Bread?

Simon Peter was unable to comprehend the condescension that Jesus Christ would go to for him. He was torn with emotional turmoil as Jesus stooped to wash his feet? Simon asked him, "Lord do you wash my feet?" And Jesus answered that he must and that Peter would not understand it until later.

Peter was a man who knew his own sinfulness. He was a man who understood that he was vile and hell-worthy apart from the imputed righteousness of Christ. When he answered Jesus he said the equivalent of, "Not in a million years will you wash my feet!" "No, eternally no, Lord!"

Jesus told him that if he would allow him to wash- then he had no part with Christ. Peter could not imagine life without Christ, even though later that evening he would deny him. Peter cries out, "Not my feet only, but my hands and my head!"

Peter was a man who despite his own sinfulness- was a man that would storm the throne room for grace- he would pursue Christ at all costs, even if he had to appear to be a double-minded man. Peter is an example for all of us. We are to detest the sin within us; and we are to pursue Christ with a fervent pursuit. We are to desire his cleansing daily.

Krummacher, an old German Reformed pastor, noted in 1856, "There are many Christians who know of no other nourishment for their inward life than the moldy bread of long past experience. But no true peace results from this. Inward religion does not consist in a life of morbid security, arising from the recollection of having once received the forgiveness of sins. Where a real spiritual life exists, there is also a constant activity, unceasing striving against sin, repeated humiliation before God, and renewed experience of his favor. Were it otherwise, why should the Lord put into his children's lips that daily petition 'forgive our trespasses'. He that is washed need not be again entirely washed, but only his feet, and that continually."

For Bread and Wine: Prepare Your Hearts

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered tomorrow during morning worship. As I prepare to (administer and) commune on the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have been thinking about the elements of bread and wine. We do not consider the elements in themselves that often- we spend more time thinking about what they represent (blood and flesh). But each aspect of the Lord's Supper is intended to communicate a great truth about the mystery of the Gospel.

John Willson wrote a very useful catechism on the Sacraments in the late 18th century. Here is just a small sampling of what he says about common bread and table wine:

Bread, in order to nourish us must first be sown, and die in the earth; so Christ's body behoved to die, and be buried in the earth, in order to feed and nourish our souls. Bread must be prepared by threshing, bruising, and grinding in the mill and baking in the oven; so Christ, that he might be a fit savior to us, was content to be bruised between the millstones of God's justice and our sins, and to be scorched in the oven of his father's wrath.

Wine, in order to prepare it for our use, must be squeezed out of the grape, which for that end is crushed and bruised in the wine press; so our blessed savior was crushed in the wine press of his father's justice, till the precious juice of his sacred body did gush out, for the saving of our souls. None could afford our perishing souls for this remedy, but Christ alone: hence it is said, 'he has trodden the wine press alone'.

Wine does refresh and cheer the heart of man- Christ's blood does much more cheer and refresh the soul of a humble penitent sinner, that makes application of it by faith.

As you come to the table this Lord's Day- think about all that was ordained to make up this wonderful visual description of the Gospel. Blood poured out. Flesh broken. Sinners reconciled.

God's Hope for the City

Roger Greenway notes that the early history of redemption is the 'pastoral origins of humanity'. He goes on to say that, "The cultural mandate given to Adam and Eve in the garden to fill, rule, and subdue the earth was nothing more than a mandate to build the city.

The couple was to multiply, so providing the citizens of the city. Their cultivation of earth's resources as they extended their control over their territorial environment through the fabrication of sheltering structures would produce the physical architecture of the city. And the authority structure of the human family engaged in the cultural process would constitute the centralized government by which the life and functioning of the city, would be organized, under God. The cultural mandate given at creation was thus a mandate to build the city, and it would be through the blessing of God on man's faithfulness in the covenanted task that the construction of the city would be completed. Urban culture built in perfect obedience to God, would typify our hope in Jehovah."

Of course, we all know that this original design fell under the power of sin. But that did not thwart God's intentions for building a city. There was a promise that one would come from the seed of the woman and crush the head of the serpent. And the history of redemption, up to this point, has been the achieving of that redemptive goal.

So where is the hope for our cities? What is the hope for LA, New York, Seattle, Miami, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Philadelphia, and all of the other urban centers that we speak of? It is the hope that Jesus Christ has come to restore and redeem a people unto himself. Of course, that may sound like hope for individuals and not for cities- but we must end with the fact that the Scriptures speak of a day when a New Jerusalem, the city of God, would come down, and all of her citizens would live under the eternal rule of a just, gracious, and merciful King- the Lord Jesus Christ.

The message that we bring to our cities needs to be this: This is the way God has intended it; and this is not the way that God has intended it. God believes in urban renewal- but only under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, restore our cities.

The Gospel According to Rich Mullins

I have been listening to Rich Mullins a lot in the past two weeks. Not a lot of his work. One CD actually, and only about 3 songs on that one CD.

It is amazing to me how much insight Mullins had into the way in which the humanity and the divinity of Christ are seen in the Gospels. Mullins sings one song called 'Surely God is With Us' which wrestles with the way in which the ancient Church related to the person of Jesus. What a struggle it must have been for the Church to be confronted with a Messiah that was so much different than what they expected! It really makes me wonder how we would react in that time. The Lord Jesus Christ went to such depths to come and redeem a people. The God-Man, Jesus Christ- even now, we see through a dim glass, don't we?

Surely God is With Us!

Well, who's that man who thinks He's a prophet?

Well, I wonder if He's got something up His sleeve?

Where's He from? Who is His daddy?

There's rumors He even thinks Himself a king!

Of a kingdom of paupers

Simpletons and rogues

The whores all seem to love Him

And the drunks propose a toast!

And they say, "Surely God is with us.

Well, surely God is with us."

They say, "Surely God is with us today!"

Who's that man who says He's a preacher?

Well, He must be, He's disturbing all our peace

Where's He get off, and what is He hiding

And every word He says those fools believe!

Who could move a mountain?

Who would love their enemy?

Who could rejoice in pain?

And turn the other cheek?

And still say, "Surely God is with us,

Well, surely God is with us,"

Who'll say, "Surely God is with us today, today!"

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

Heaven belongs to them.

Blessed are those who make peace,

They are God's children.

I AM the Bread of Life, and the Way-

You hear that Man, believe what He says!

Tell me, who's that Man? They made Him a prisoner.

They tortured Him and nailed Him to a tree.

Well if He's so bad, who did He threaten?

Did He deserve to die between two thieves?

See the scars and touch His wounds.

He's risen flesh and bone.

Now the sinners have become the saints!

And the lost have all come home!

And they say, "Surely God is with us.

Well, surely God is with us.

They say, "Surely God is with us today!"

They say, "Surely God is with us

Well, surely God is with us"

They say, "Surely God is with us today"

Listen here.

Ministry or Busy-stry?

Today's Church is in need of a paradigm shift when it comes to ministry. When we think of the congregation becoming involved in the ministry of the local church- what do we think of? We most often think of 'what' they can do. What committee can they serve on? What Sunday School's need another instructor? What busy work can we assign to make them feel a part of the work of the church?

Honest.

But how should we answer this question, "Pastor, what could I do to be more involved in the church?" How would you answer this question? I am afraid that most pastors, elders, and church people think in the ways listed above.

"The real work of God is people work- the prayerfully speaking of His word by one person to another- the jobs are never all taken. The opportunities for Christians to minister personally to others are limitless.

So you pause [when asked how one could be more involved in the life of the church], and reply, "See that guy over there sitting on his own?... He's on the fringe of things here... How about I introduce you to him, and you arrange to have breakfast with him [once in a while] and read the Bible together? Or see that couple over there? THey are both very recently converted, and really in need of encouragement and mentoring. Why don't you and your wife have them over, get to know them, and read and pray together once a month? And if you still have time, and want to contribute more, start praying for the people on your street, and then invite them all to a barbecue at your place. That's the first step towards talking to them about the Gospel, or inviting them along to something." (Marshall, Payne; Trellis and the Vine, p.26)

It's interesting to me that replacing the thinking that centers around committees, jobs, and busyness and replacing it with people-centered ministry is a paradigm shift. But it is. Have churches lost the sense of missio ecclesia? Have even Bible believing, Christ honoring Churches replaced Christ exalting people focused ministry with the business model that is so foreign to the Scriptures?

I think we all need to reflect on the purpose of the Church and what God has called the Church to do.

How Charismatic Is Your Church?

Why do we always think of speaking in tongues and being prophetic when we think of spiritual gifts? It is clear from the New Testament that spiritual gifts are MUCH broader than these. The charisma of God is more than these super-natural things. There are other supernatural gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows on his church that are much more useful than tongues and other charismatic gifts. Notice from this chart the gifts that the New Testament prescribes. Which are still normative in the Church? (Chart taken from the ESV Study Bible). Which gifts does your church rely on as Christ builds His Church?

Spiritual Gifts in Paul's Letters

Romans 12:6–8	1 Corinthians 12:7–10	1 Corinthians 12:28	Ephesians 4:11
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us	To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good	God has appointed in the church	And he gave
		apostles	the apostles
prophecy	prophecy	prophets	the prophets
			the evangelists
	ability to distinguish between spirits
	utterance of wisdom
teaching	utterance of knowledge	teachers	the shepherds and teachers
exhorting
	working of miracles	miracles
	gifts of healing	gifts of healing
service		helping
leading		administrating
	various kinds of tongues	various kinds of tongues
	interpretation of tongues
giving
	faith
mercy

How To Keep the Sabbath On a Wednesday

As Christians we understand that the moral law of God is perpetually binding. This is God's will for his people. The fourth commandment is to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Many Christians forget that there is another part to keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

"Six days shall you labor and do all your work" is as much a part of the fourth commandment as spending the Lord's Day in private and public worship, acts of mercy, and works of necessity. As God's people, we are called to be a working people first and foremost. It is part of our duty as Christians.

A number of years ago there was a book by Colson and Eckard (Why America Doesn't Work) which talked about the loss of the so-called Protestant work ethic. They gave a number of reasons why the Christian should work; here are some of their conclusions:

1. Work gives expression to our creative gifts and thus fulfills our need for meaning and purpose.

2. Work is intrinsically good when done with the proper motive and attitude.

3. We are commanded to exercise stewardship over the earth, participating in the work of creation that brings glory to God.

4. As citizens of this earth, we have certain responsibilities to our fellow citizens.

5. At the heart of this work-ethic historically lies moral character.

Work is a biblical and God-glorifying act. Idleness does not ever glorify God. Even our recreation should be for the sake of getting back to work. When we work, we should do so knowing that it pleases God to see his children being industrious.

So how does one keep the Sabbath Day holy, even if it's Wednesday? You work unto God's glory out of love for what Jesus Christ has done to secure eternal rest.

Now back to work!

Haiti, Jerusalem, and the Tower of Siloam

Yesterday Pat Robertson spoke his 'mind' on the recent earthquake in Haiti. He had two points that bothered me greatly:

1. He said that this may be a blessing in disguise because more buildings are down than standing. That means that the country will be rebuilt. Never mind the thousands and thousands of people who have been killed to get shiny new buildings that Haiti cannot afford.

2. He said that this was the people of Haiti's fault because they made a pact with the devil to get the French out of Haiti. He was referring to some voodoo service that is noted historically.

You can watch his dreadful remarks here.

Here are my thoughts on Haiti:

1. Weep with those who weep. Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Now is not the time to talk about shiny buildings or past sins; but to mourn and weep along with this very poor country. When Haiti sees a Christian church that is mourning along side of them; as well as working, it will point toward the compassion of Jesus Christ. Jesus mourned over Jerusalem before it's destruction. We should mourn over Haiti's destruction and call them to be gathered under the wings of Christ as a mother hen gathers her chicks.

2. This was not the people of Haiti's fault. Jesus was asked, in Luke 13:4, about the people that were killed when the Tower of Siloam fell in his day. People were wondering if this tragedy was the fault of the people. "Were they worse offenders than all the others?" What did Jesus say? Jesus said, "No, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." This event in Haiti is not a time for pointing fingers, but a time for pointing people toward the Gospel of life and reconciliation.

Friends, use this to point men and women to Christ.

Break Forth With Celebratory Joy!

What is the best way to serve God? How do we best praise Him? Is God best praised with joyless groanings and non-expressive petitions? Does God regulate the way in which our hearts are to come before God? Charles Spurgeon shows us that the worship of the Triune God is to be different than the praises that men and women give to false gods and idols. He writes,

Gladness and joy are the appropriate spirit in which to praise the goodness of the Lord. Birds extol the Creator in notes of overflowing joy, the cattle low forth his praise with tumult of happiness, and the fish leap up in his worship with excess of delight. Moloch may be worshipped with shrieks of pain, and Juggernaut may be honoured by dying groans and inhuman yells, but he whose name is Love is best pleased with the holy mirth, and sanctified gladness of his people.

What Stands At the Center of A Healthy Church?

What affect does the preaching of the Word have on a congregation? Preaching is God's primary means for converting sinners and bringing them into the knowledge of the truth (Rom. 10). Preaching is also the main vehicle for discipleship in the life of a congregation. But preaching is not the only spiritual food that is in the life of a congregation- although it is the main course. Preaching that is nutritious as well as delicious, will cause the congregation to go out and feed others, spread the Gospel, have Bible studies, prayer meetings, and other good spiritual things. A Spirit Filled congregation is the result of sitting under the Word of God in joyful submission. God's people will go out! Joel Beeke says it like this,

Preaching is the hub of all the means of grace. It's the center of it all. And where there's good preaching, you know what you'll discover? You'll discover that your church will get active and your church will start this means of grace and that means of grace, bible studies will spring up, literature distribution will happen, Sunday school, discipleship, pastoral visitation will be multiplied. Where there is good preaching, where the hub of the wheel is there, then spokes will begin to go out, and the means will be used, and the people will want to know what they can do to spread the Gospel.

What Does a Protestant Mary Look Like?

Do Protestants have too low a view of Mary, the mother of Jesus? William Chellis, over at De Regno Christi, seems to think so. Join the conversation here.

Pray or Do the Dishes? Read the Bible or Swiffer?

We live in a busy city and in a busy society. Often our work is never done. We make many attempts to 'make time' for investing in our own spiritual life, but there is so much to do. Who has time to sit and listen to a sermon when there are dishes to put away? Who has time to read the Scriptures when the laundry is not folded? Who has time to pray and write in your spiritual journal when there is so much else to do.

This is life. It is busy. There is always more to do than hours in the day. But we do make time for what is important to us. In four verses tucked away in the middle of Luke's Gospel we are told about sisters that both love the Lord Jesus Christ. One busily works to make things just right. One takes time to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from his teaching. Again, both Christian woman, both have 'things' that need to get done, both had opportunity to learn from Christ on an afternoon- but only one took the opportunity.

Luke 10: 38-42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.

JC Ryle notes four things that we can learn from these two sisters:

1.Christians differ in character: "Martha was active and impulsive. She had strong feelings and gave voice to them. Mary was quiet and contemplative, feeling deeply but saying less than she felt."

2.The cares of the world can be a snare: “Martha's mistake should be a constant warning to all Christians. If wish to grow in grace, we must be aware of the cares of this world. Unless we watch and pray, these cares will eat up our spirituality and bring leanness to our souls. It is not open sin or flagrant breaches of God's commands alone which lead people to eternal ruin. More often, it is an excessive attention to things wihchi in themselves are lawful. We may go down to the pit of hell from the middle of lawful things."

3.The Lord's Rebuke: Martha, you are anxious for many things. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. That little sentence was precious balm indeed. It contains a volume of practical theology in a few words. Only one thing is needed: (This is a good lesson for those who would like to entertain other Christians and practice hospitality but do not because things are not just so!)

4.Commendation of Mary: The true Christian's portion is the grace of God. This is what Mary chose, and this is the only thing that lasts. It holds true through sickness, youth, and old age, in times of adversity and prosperity. It is good in the life and in death, in time and in eternity.

We all do have different personalities and characters- but each of us need to make the time to invest in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes we need to leave the dishes in the sink to commune with Christ. Sometimes the laundry can get folded the next day- as long as we take time to pray and meditate in that time slot. Sometimes you can vacuum later. Jesus should not have to always wait.

I imagine that 20 years after this event occurred Martha had wished that she sat to hear from Christ. Mary had a wonderful memory of learning from the Lord Jesus Christ. Martha had sparkling dishes and properly ironed tea towels.

The dishes can wait.

A Psalm for the New Year

One of our family traditions for the new year is to sing a portion of Psalm 77 to the old Scottish tune, Auld Lang Syne. We have been doing this for at least 10 years (before Lydia and I were even remotely interested in cultivating a relationship- let alone having 4 children!). This tradition started in our college years in Grand Rapids.

May you all consider what God's calling is for you in 2010. Let us 'commemorate his wondrous deeds of old, and meditate upon his works, of grace and power untold.'

Auld Lang Syne (from the 1912 UP Psalter and the 1927 Psalter Hymnal)

I thought upon the days of old, the years departed long

I held communion with my heart, by night recalled my song.

My heart inquired with anxious care, will God forever spurn?

Shall we no more his favor see? Will mercy ne'er return?

Forever shall his promise fail? Has God forgotten grace?

Has he withdrawn His tender love? In anger hid His face?

These doubts are my infirmity, my thoughts at once reply!

I call back years of God's right hand, the years of God most high!

I will commemorate O Lord, thy wondrous deeds of old,

and meditate upon thy works of power and grace untold.

O God, most holy is thy way, most perfect good, and right;

thou art the only living God, the God of wondrous might!

As we meditate on the wondrous deeds of 2009, let us remember that the year that we are now in will be a year of wondrous might! When doubts and confusion enter our heart- mediate on the things that he has done for his people for thousands of years, and pray, "Lord, do it again!"

Happy new year!

New Year's Resolutions.... No... New Years' Covenanting

Many people make resolutions on New Years eve concerning what they want to change about their life: eat less, exercise more, save money, be nicer.... and on and on. But what lasting value, what eternal value do these have? Rarely there is any. Of course, there are exceptions. In year's past, I have written on the resolutions of Jonathon Edwards. But for the most people- these are empty promises with yourself that will not be fulfilled.

So, how about something different this year? How about 'personal covenanting' instead of resolving. Our Associate Presbyterian and Reformed Presbyterian forefathers made this a practice and found much lasting benefit for their souls. Covenanting is a much neglected duty in the Church of Christ today; and it can prove to be a beneficial spiritual discipline. Below is a personal covenant that Thomas Boston made with Jesus Christ in 1690. I hope that it can serve as something to meditate on and to consider as we enter 2010.

What would you write in your personal covenant with Christ?

I, Mr. Thomas Boston, preacher of the gospel of Christ, being by nature an apostate from God, an enemy to the great Jehovah and so an heir of hell and wrath, in myself utterly lost and undone, because of my original and actual sins, and misery thereby; and being, in some measure, made sensible of this my lost and undone state, and sensible of my need, my absolute need of a Saviour, without whom I must perish eternally; and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the eternal God, is not only able to save me, by virtue of his death and sufferings, but willing also to have me (though most vile and ugly, and one who has given him many repulses), both from my sins, and from the load of wrath due to me for them, upon condition that I believe, come to him for salvation, and cordially receive him in all his offices; consenting to the terms of the covenant.

Therefore, as I have at several opportunities before given an express and solemn consent to the terms of the covenant, and have entered into a personal covenant with Christ; so now, being called to undertake the great and weighty work of the ministry of the gospel, for which I am altogether insufficient, I do by this declare, That I stand to and own all my former engagements, whether sacramental, or any other way whatsoever; and now again do renew my covenant with God; and hereby, at this present time, do solemnly covenant and engage to be the Lord’s and make a solemn resignation and upgiving of myself, my soul, body, spiritual and temporal concerns, unto the Lord Jesus Christ, without any reservation whatsoever; and do hereby give my voluntary consent to the terms of the covenant laid down in the holy scriptures, the word of truth; and with my heart and soul I take and receive Christ in all his offices, as my prophet to teach me, resolving and engaging in his strength to follow, that is, to endeavour to follow his instructions.

I take him as my priest, to be saved by his death and merits alone; and renouncing my own righteousness as filthy rags and menstruous cloths, I am content to be clothed with his righteousness alone; and live entirely upon free grace; likewise I take him for my advocate and intercessor with the Father: and finally, I take him as my king, to reign in me, and to rule over me, renouncing all other lords, whether sin or self, and in particular my predominant idol; and in the strength of the Lord, do resolve and hereby engage, to cleave to Christ as my Sovereign Lord and King, in death and in life, in prosperity and in adversity, even for ever, and to strive and wrestle in his strength against all known sin; protesting, that whatever sin may be lying hid in my heart out of my view, I disown it, and abhor it, and shall in the Lord’s strength, endeavour the mortification of it, when the Lord shall be pleased to let me see it. And this solemn covenant I make as in the presence of the ever-living, heart-searching God, and subscribe it with my hand, in my chamber, at Dunse, about one o’clock in the afternoon, the fourteenth day of August, one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine years.

T. Boston

Why Are Reformed People Such Downers?

I have written on the lack of joy in the Reformed churches before. I think that it is a horrible thing that many in Reformed churches and people lack the joy that accompanies salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ. What kind of witness is that?

Now there may be many reasons for why Reformed people lack the joy of the Lord; but as people of the Book; we must realize that 'Rejoice in the Lord always', as the Apostle Paul says- is an imperative. That means it is commanded.

We like rules, laws, and regulations in the Reformed Church. Just think of being joyful as a law that we must keep. Will that help us be more joyful?

Pastor Anthony Selvaggio gives his take on Reformed joy over at Ref21. I found my self getting more and more joyful as I read the article; and then when I saw that it was Selvaggio; I was even more joyful!

Let's show the world that we are are people posessed with the Spirit of Christ- and be joyful!

Is Pastoring That Important for Christians?

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:9-17

Recently Mark Driscoll interviewed RC Sproul and asked him if he has any regrets in his 45 years of ministry. RC has a very humble and important answer here. As Christians we need to think about what it means to be pastored- and what a gift from Christ it is. As pastors and teachers we need to consider the way in which we pastor a flock and lead them biblically.

What Are You Thinking About?

People think about all sorts of things. They think about problems, sports games, interests, belief systems, politics, and even what's for dinner. How much time time do you spend thinking about your relationship with Jesus Christ? How much time do you spend thinking about God's Word in comparison with how much time you spend thinking about your favorite sports team, TV show, or hobby? As we make plans for 2010, increasing our time spent in God's Word should be on the top of our list of priorities. William Plumer tells us why we should consider meditation on the Word so important:

The power of reflection chiefly distinguishes a man from a brute. The habit of reflection chiefly distinguishes a wise man from a fool. Pious reflection on God's word greatly distinguishes a saint from a sinner. Without meditation grace never thrives, prayer is languid, praise dull, and religious duties unprofitable. William Plumer, Psalms, 36.

Funeral Sermon On Glorification

Today we are going to briefly look at Romans 8:30. The reason that ______ chose this text is that it is a text that B. had been talking about for weeks. B. and I would talk about the text and that final prospect that we call 'glorification'. A few weeks ago I came into B.'s room at ____, with Bible in tow, and said, “B., what do you want me to read today.” And his response was 'nothing, I want to think about that golden chain- I want to think about glorification'.

This had been on B.'s mind for some time. That Golden Chain, and glorification. Now the text reads, “And those whom [God] predestined, he also called, and those whom he called, he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified'. I have mentioned that B. used the term, 'Golden Chain'. That is the name that is given to this string of doctrines that are mentioned in the text. These doctrines hang together as links in a gold necklace. They are all connected.

Let's briefly look at these words, before we focus on that final word, 'glorified'. God predestines according to his grace- and then he calls those who are predestined to be saved. This is done through the hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ- that old old story that Jesus Christ came to die on a cross to pay the penalty for sin. This is something that we cannot stress enough. We are called through the hearing of the Gospel preached and through reading the Word of God. The Lord Jesus is calling us to respond to his paid penalty for sin that you or I could never pay.

And then there is 'justified'. This is a legal term for 'not guilty'. When one responds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ then his sins are forgiven and he stands as an innocent man before God- because Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for his sin. And then the text says, “those whom he justified, he also glorified'. This is when the believer is made perfect, taken into heaven, and enjoys that eternal and joyous companionship with God, through Christ, for all eternity.

Now in our text, the word glorified is written in the present tense. The reason that the Apostle Paul does this is because we can be assured that this is our future. It is as good as now. We are promised this glorification- made perfect through the work of the Spirit of God in our lives.

If we are a Christian, that is one who has put their trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, then we can say NOW that we have this glorification. We have it because it has been promised to us. This is what we saw in the last weeks with B.. We saw a man that was patiently waiting for his savior. Focused on him. Looking to him, and longing for his timing. Knowing that 'glorification' was now his, and waiting patiently for it- B. showed us what it means to live with this hope. This hope that glorification is ours NOW.

So what does this glorification look like? You may be thinking, “You have said that B. was looking forward to it... so what is it?” There are four things that await us as Christians who are looking forward to glorification. Let's look at those:

The first is that 'souls are made perfect in holiness'. 'Made perfect in holiness'. When the Lord Jesus Christ died for sinners, he died so that they could be saved FROM their sins. He justifies them so that they are declared sinless- but then there is this process through-out the whole life of the Christian in which he is being made more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, that we are conformed to his image.

But at glorification- that struggle with sin is no more. The Christian is made perfect in holiness. That means that this process of being made more and more like Jesus Christ comes to end.

No more struggles with sin. No more wrestling against our old nature. No more struggles, no more trials, no more pains of this life. Made perfect in holiness. For those of you that are Christians, you know this struggle against sin, don't you? Do you know that there is an end. The struggles of this life are nothing in comparison with the joy and the perfection that is to come.

No more questions. No more struggles. Holiness. We know the weakness of our own spritual lives. They are gone. Last Lord's Day, as I addressed my congregation with news of B.'s death; I mentioned that this first Lord's Day in heaven would be different than all others- because he was able to worship his savior, his Lord Jesus Christ with purity of heart and mind. All struggles gone. Made perfect in holiness.

That brings us to the second part of this glorification that we are speaking about. The glorified Christian is received into heaven. The soul lives on, friends. Our dear friend, your dad, your grandfather, your great-grandfather, your uncle, your friend- he lives on. And he now has a new home: a home with the Lord Jesus Christ, a home with his dear Mary, that he spoke about so lovingly, a home with the friends and saints that have gone on before him.

The Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples once, “I go and prepare a place for you. My father's house has many rooms- if it were not so, I would have told you.” This prospect of heaven is more than just something that our culture has made up to console those who have lost loved ones. It is a fact. It is as sure of a home, as my home in Los Angeles. And you know what? It is even more sure. The Lord Jesus Christ has made this promise to those that are called, those who are justified, those who are glorified.

When one dies with this hope of eternal salvation- he does so knowing that he goes to another home. A home where he is a guest, an eternal guest with the Lord Jesus Christ as his host. The Puritan writer, John Flavel said, Heaven is the place where God is supremely loved and God is prized above all else. This is what my friend B. longed for. He longed to be with the God that was his from his youth. He longed to be received into his eternal reward. Our dear friend, father, and grandfather, in his glorification, on Dec 19th heard, “Well done, _____. Well done. Enter now into your rest.”

B. has been made perfect in holiness. B. has been received into heaven. But there is more. When one is glorified he also 'beholds the face of God in Christ'. Can you imagine? Standing before the face of God. Faith becomes sight. We live our Christian lives by faith don't we? The Apostle Paul says, in Romans 8 says, 'hope that is seen is not hope'. This is the longing of the Christian, this is the great prospect of the one who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When one dies he does not go off to some cherubic cloud with a harp in hand. He goes face to face with his master, face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot even begin to imagine the worship that wells up when one stands before the one who bore hell so that I may spend eternity with him.

I imagine that some of you have not seen each other in some time. There are people here that have travelled long distances to come and pay final respects. When you see each other there is a sense of gladness. A loved one reunited after months or maybe even years. Now imagine the joy of someone who lived 95 years in communion with someone that they have never seen. The love and the worship that must come when one's faith becomes sight! The glorified Christian will behold the face of the one who suffered and bled and died so that we could have life, eternal life.

The Apostle in another letter, says, “Now we see as through a dark mirror- but then we will see him face to face, as he is.” The glorified Christian will behold Christ's face.

And finally, the last aspect to glorification includes patience. Patiently waiting for something to occur? What do think that is? The glorified Christian, in this last link of the golden chain has their soul made perfect, he has been received into heaven, he has stood face to face with Christ- what else could you ask for? Do you know what it is?

He patiently waits for his redeemed body. Even now, in heaven, there is something that is not complete. Have you ever thought about that? Things are not yet perfect in heaven? The Lord Jesus Christ came to redeem the body as well as the soul. The Gospel of John, among other places, speak about a great day when the Lord Jesus Christ will return with a host of heaven and call forth what belongs to his people.

Joseph- come forth. Nathan- come forth. Sarah- come forth. . And when Jesus Christ calls, in a mysterious way, the bodies of the dead will rise and the Christian will be reunited with his body- a body that is also made perfect in holiness! Come forth!

Part of the job of the glorified Christian is waiting. Waiting for that Great Day when the Lord Jesus Christ will come back and will separate his people from those who are not his people. Those who have put their faith in him will come forth to be reunited with their body, which is made perfect.

But what about those who have not put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? What about those who have refused to bow their knee in worshipful adoration? Psalm 1 says, “But the wicked are not so- they are chaff which the wind drives away.” It is dreadful. An eternity separated from Christ. An eternity not filled with joy; but with sorrow and torment.

And just as the Lord Jesus Christ gave comfort that he goes to prepare a place for those who love; the Lord Jesus Christ also spoke about the eternal sufferings that await those who refuse to love him, those who refuse to trust him.

The Christian longs for the day when his body will be called forth, unto perfection. The book of Job is probably the oldest book in the Scriptures. Job says, “I know that my redeemer lives, and on the last day, I will see him IN THE FLESH”. Resurrection is not a New Testament doctrine. This was always God's design- raised to newness of life.

So the last link in the Golden Chain is 'glorification'. Souls made perfect in holiness. Souls received unto heaven. Souls standing before the face of the one who saved them. Souls patiently waiting for their redeemed bodies.

This was B.'s hope. This is now B.'s reality. “B., what do you want me to read today?” “Nothing Nathan, I want to think about the Golden Chain and glorification.” B. does not have to think about it any more. He does not have to long for it. He is living it. Living in perfect holiness, living in heaven, living before the face of Christ, and waiting for this body- this one right here- waiting for it to be redeemed.

Some of you know that I like to read Reformed Presbyterian history. I read any crusty old manuscript or sermon note or book that I can get my hands on. Recently I was reading part of a funeral service of a Reformed Presbyterian pastor. It was dated October of 1944. As I read this note from a funeral service, I thought, “You know this reminds me of Mr. ____.” I would like to close with this line from that funeral service. The writer wrote, “I am sure his passing will increase my interest in the Kingdom that he was so much interested in, and that my attraction toward the Heavenly Home will also be increased, so that, by the grace of God, I may meet him over there.”

This was B.. He was so interested in Christ's kingdom; and his interest in Christ's kingdom made that kingdom look so much more attractive- and one day, those who have this same hope will meet Bill again, over there in that heavenly home.

That beautiful line was the closing remarks at the funeral of Rev. William Arthur Aikin, (April 3, 1881- October 29, 1944) and I would like to read them again:

“I am sure his passing will increase my interest in the Kingdom he was so much interested in, and that my attraction toward the Heavenly Home will also be increased, so that, by the grace of God, I may meet him over there.”

Glorification. Is this your hope as well? Amen.

Life in the Spirit: A Sermon Series on Romans 8

Romans 8 is one of the greatest chapters in the whole Scriptures. I believe that as the Christian meditates on Romans 8, and applies the truths of this chapter of Scripture to their lives- that we will have a greater understanding and appreciation of who we are 'in Christ' and what he came to accomplish on our behalf. It really is such a blessing to be able to read this chapter of Paul's epistle to us. Over the past several weeks I have had the great privilege of bringing this chapter of Scripture to the Los Angeles church. Enjoy!

Romans 8:1 "Three Tiny Words"

Romans 8:1-4 "True Liberation Theology"

Romans 8:5-11 "Christian: Mind Your Own Business!"

Romans 8:12-17 "Sons and Daughters of God"

Romans 8:18-27 "A Triple Groaning"

Romans 8:28 "A Cordial From Our Heavenly Father"

Romans 8:29-30 "Redemption's Golden Chain"

Romans 8:31-39 "What Shall We Say Then?"

Romans 8:37-39 "More Than Conquerors!"