Level Ground or Slippery Places?

Today I was reading Charles Spurgeon (the Baptist) on Psalm 26 in his wonderful work, Treasury of David. Spurgeon has these great helps for pastors with little theological training called, "helps for the village preacher." When I got to the "help" for verse 12, I was taken back a bit. What did he mean? What a wonderful help for this urban pastor to meditate on in my afternoon meditation.

Verse 12 reads: My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.

Now here's the help, and mind you, it is not a free sermon from Busy Pastors Dot Com; it really was intended to foster meditation: "Congregational Psalmody, and our personal share in it."

That's it.

That's the whole help for the village pastor.

In my meditation I considered the way that congregational psalmody really does leave us on level ground so that we can praise without being hindered. As a pastor, I have received numerous questions on the theology of certain hymns; or the writer of certain hymns; or questions about the unbelief of modern praise and worship musicians who continue to write; or comments on the Unitarianism of Isaac Watts...

There are so many questions!

Spurgeon tells the village... er... urban pastor... don't worry about all of these questions. Stand where your foot is level. Sing the psalms to God in His praise! Bless the Lord in the Great Assembly without all of the questions and confusion and ignorance. Praise Him with the use of the Psalter, and you will not have to worry about all of this other stuff.

So my question to you.... well, actually, Spurgeon's question to you:

Are you on level ground in your blessing of the Lord, or is your congregation's foot always slipping on new and unique ways of praise? Are you standing firm, or are you sliding into areas that are unseen? It's amazing how worship can do that. We become what we sing.

I want to be on level ground. We'll stick with God's songs.

Three Sided Triangles & Unmarried Bachelors

The term "born again Christian" is redundant. All who are Christians must be born again. There is no other kinds of Christians than those who are born again.

RC Sproul states, "The simple reality is this: everyone who is truly a Christian is born again. There are no other kinds of Christians. There's no such thing as a non-born-again-Christian or an unregenerate Christian. Yes, there are plenty of unregenerate church members and plenty of unregenerate people who profess to be Christians, but a person cannot be in Christ unless he or she is regenerate. By the same token, if you are regenerate, you are a Christian."

The World Went and Got Itself in a Big Damn Hurry

"The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry." These were among the last words of the character, Brooks Hatlen, in the novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

It's true. The world is in a hurry.

Of course, it always has been. People change. Things change. Times and seasons change. Styles change. Our desires change. Our love ebbs and flows. Our thoughts wander on to different things at different times.

The world is in a big hurry. Brooks was right. There is not much comfort in that. There is something terrifying about it. What's next? What will happen? What will become of me? Change is to be feared because we don't know what is next. We don't know what will happen. We don't know what will become of me.

For Christians, we have a hope, despite the ever changing world around us. We have a focal point to keep us from getting dizzied by the ever blinking lights and changes of this world.

Herman Bavinck summed up this focal point best when talking about the God who does not change. This God who does not change is really the only hope for consistancy in a world that has gotten itself in a big damn hurry. Look to Him- the one who changes not.

Everything changes, but He remains standing. He is and remains the same. He remains who he is. He is YHWH, he who is and ever remains himself. He is the first and with the last he is still the same God. He is who he is, the incorruptible who alone has immortality, and is always the same. Unchangeable in his existence and being, he is so also in his thought and will, in all his plans and decisions. He is not a human that he should lie or repent. What he says, he will do. His gifts and calling are irrevocable. He does not reject his people. He completes what he has begun. In a word, He, YHWH, does not change. In him there is no variation or shadow due to change. Dogmatics. Volume 1, p. 153.

History of this Scene?

I am looking for information on this print. It was given to me by one of my former elders (in the Grand Rapids congregation). It appears to be a kirk session praying over the Scriptures before public worship. Does anyone know the artist's name? The print's title? The names of the characters in the print? Any information would be appreciated.

A Reformation Prayer For Thanksgiving

Often other men have the ability to express my spiritual desires better than I do. Today is such a day as I consider thankfulness to God and what that means for my life, my family, and my spiritual hope. Enjoy:

Lord God,

our Heavenly Father,

we thank Thee for all thy benefits,

which we so unceasingly receive

from thy bountiful hand.

We thank Thee

that it pleases Thee

to sustain us

in this temporal life

and to supply all our needs.

We are especially grateful

that Thou hast regenerated us

unto the hope of a better life,

which Thou hast revealed unto us

in Thy holy Gospel.

We pray thee,

merciful God and Father,

that our hearts may not become

too deeply attached to these

earthly and perishable things,

but that we may always look heavenward,

expecting our Savior Jesus Christ,

until He shall appear

upon the clouds

unto our deliverance.

Amen.

From the “Christian Prayers” of the Dutch National Church Liturgy, 1564.

A Psalm, Hymn, or Spiritual Song for the Lord's Day

Jerusalem Sinners in Need of Reformation

I have lived there.

I have lived in the Jerusalem for Reformed Christians. 12 years of it. I have attended two of the Christian colleges, one of the seminaries. I have worked for a Christian publishing house as well as a Christian psychiatric hospital. I would pass at least a dozen (or more) Reformed churches on my way to Church.

I have been in the restaurants and have heard people talking about BSF or the Catechism. I visited Mars Hill once. I know the difference between Heritage Reformed and Free Reformed. I know the difference between RCA, CRC, URC, PRC, FRC, HRC, IRC and NRC.

I know what happened in 1924 and why that little and insignificant seminary in Grandville is still angry about it. I have been to the intersection where there is a Reformed church on each corner, literally.

I have seen love grow cold, I have seen pastors eaten alive, I have seen the deadness of dead orthodoxy. I have seen the love for anything but Confessional Christianity. I have seen the Jerusalem sinner. I have been the Jerusalem Sinner.

May the Lord Jesus Christ break through the religion and bring true revival and reformation.

Can a Reformed Resurgence Fly in Grand Rapids?

Water Into ANYTHING BUT Wine

As I study the second chapter of the Gospel According to John, I am amazed at how many people doubt Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine. Some claim that the wine is non-alcoholic wine, some claim that it is some unfermented juice, and some even go as far as saying that it was water turned into water.

Here is one example of the text being explained away: Leslie Weatherhead proposes that, "The wine runs out. Water is served. Why that's the best joke of all! They lift their wine cups, as we do in fun when we shout, "Adam's ale the best of all!" The bridegroom is congratulated by the master of ceremonies, who carries the joke farther still. "Why you've kept the best wine until now." It requires only a servant going through the room into the kitchen for a wonderful rumor to start!" (Weatherhead, It Happened in Palestine, p.50)

Friends, a proposal such as the one above takes more faith than believing the Word of God! And the only authority is the author's own imagination. Help thou our unbelief!

As I read and as I meditate, I pray that God would help my unbelief. How often do we find ourselves attempting to explain away the Scriptures? Not just this text, but any text that confronts us with the will of God: Sabbath keeping, sacrificial giving, a circumcised heart. The wedding at Cana is the classic example of the difficulties that we find in our own heart to believe the Word of God.

May we be hearers of the Word, and doers also.

Reformation Day Meditation on Psalm Twenty Five

Some have asked about the Reformation Day Service at Faith OPC in Long Beach in which I participated. Below is the meditation on Psalm 25 that I delivered as we gave thanks to God for the work he has done in the Protestant Reformation.

Reformed Presbyterians have a long history of psalm mediation during public worship. To many it looks like a mini sermon on a psalm. We also have a long tradition of retelling martyr stories from the Killing Times in Scotland when 18,000 Reformed Presbyterians were put to death for their faith in the one true King and Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. Both of these elements of the RP tradition have been incorporated in the meditation. As you read through, please be in prayer that God would again move through the Spirit of His Son to reform the Church.

MEDITATION ON PSALM 25. 8-15

This afternoon we will meditate on Psalm 25: 8-15, and as we do so, we must remember that as we gather to worship God and to celebrate what he in the Protestant Reformation; we must also remember the price that was paid by many who have gone before us. The price that was paid by the faithful martyrs and contenders for this Reformed Faith.

Revelation 6:10 speaks of those martyrs and says, “They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Why are they able to stand before God and cry out? Look at our Psalm: Verse 8 reads, “The Lord is good and just; the way He’ll sinners show.” Friends, we gather to celebrate the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has shown the way to sinners, sinners like you and me, and this psalm is calling on us to respond with praise and adoration and thanksgiving!

Verse 9, “He guides the meek in what is just, that they his path will know.” Friends, do you know this path? Have you bowed your knee to King Jesus as you confess the way to God is only through the son and that by faith alone by grace alone to the glory of God alone?

In verse 10 we see the result of this confession of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will keep his word; we will obey his covenant; our way will be loving kindness and truth! What a wonderful confession from the Psalmist. David here cries out that he knows the way of God and that this way has been revealed to him- and when we pause to meditate on the greatness of this fact, and as we reflect on what it means to live lives as sons and daughters of the reformation, we must be humbled. Humbled to to our knees in praise and thanksgiving. I am not worthy Lord. I am merely a sinner saved by grace. And this si what David does in our second stanza: My sinfulness is great. And great O Lord my blame, O pardon my iniquity, to glorify your name.

David understands that even in the state of grace his praise is hindered, his praise is not perfect. I must have my sin pardoned so that I may glorify your name! Have you considered that? Especially you young people- have you considered that if you are outside of the Lord Jesus Christ then you are unable to live out your chief end as our catechism calls it.

But in verse 12 we see something different. We see fearing the Lord leads to living unto his glory and fulfilling this chief end of man. The soul will see prosperity and the land his seed will own. Who owns the land? The seed, Christ, the inheritor of the nations as we already sang about this afternoon.

And as we move into verse 14, we must pause and think about close friendship with the Lord. Can you speak this way? Do you find this intimacy in your relationship with Christ- is he close to you or is he still out there- out there somewhere?

On May 11, 1684 there were two women who both saw Jesus Christ as their friend. They were both named Margaret. One was in her 60s and the other was only 15 years old. They lived in Scotland, and Scotland at that time was in the midst of a great war as those faithful to Christ were driven into the fields and away from their churches because many faithful Presbyterians would not acknowledge that the King was the head of the Church. They said that Christ was the head of the church, not the king... and because of this testimony they were persecuted.

Our two friends of Jesus, because they would not claim that the king was the head of the Church was arrested, like many others in this time. And not only were they arrested, but they were sentenced to death. They were taken to a little town by the ocean called Wigtown and there two stakes were set up in where the tide would soon come in and cover the poles.

The older Margaret was tied further our and the younger Margaret was tied closer to the shore where she could see Margaret. Friends gathered! Some cried. Others yelled, “Just say the king is the head of the church.” Neither Margaret wanted to betray their friend, Jesus Christ. Their savior and Lord.

The older Margaret struggled as the waters engulfed her and she died. A martyr for the sake of Christ. A martyr for this same Reformed Faith that is still confessed today.

One of the guards yelled to the younger Margaret: What do you see now, Margaret? She yelled back, “What I see is Christ wrestling there!” She knew the Lord was good and just and that close friendship with the Lord was hers because she was faithful to the covenant.

Another guard yelled, “Say God save the king!” Margaret yelled back, “I wish the salvation of all men and the damnation of none!” She refused to speak against her Lord and the Reformed Faith that she loved.

As the waters came to young Margaret they touched her toes and then her knees and then her waist. She began to sing. “The Lord is good and just, the way, he’ll sinners show, he guides the meek in what is just, that they his path will know.” The waters continued to rise and this Psalm that we are about to sing was on the lips of young Margaret as the waters of Wigtown swallowed her up and as she entered into the presence of the one we are here to celebrate today.

Some accounts of her death have her singing stanza 6 in the handout as the waters covered her face. “Close friendship with the Lord will all who fear him know; the knowledge of his covenant he unto them will show. My eyes upon the Lord continually are set; for he it is that shall bring forth my feet out of the net.”

Friends, as we sing this psalm, do so as young Margaret would have sung it. Sing it as if your soul depended on it. Sing it as a prayer that the Lord Jesus would build his church, and reform his church, and make her as a pure and spotless bride. Sing this psalm knowing the value of our reformed heritage, and the value of friendship with Christ.

Amen.

Impotent Christians and the Need for Passion

The rise of Christianity in the ancient world was like wildfire. It spread from Jerusalem to all of the major cities of the ancient world. From there it spread into towns and villages. Christianity was contagious because the Spirit of Christ blessed the faithfulness of the ministry and the parishioners who were faithful in living out and speaking out on behalf of Jesus Christ.

Turtullian wrote in 200AD The Apology. In that work he said of the rise of Christianity, "We are but of yesterday, and we have filled every place among you- cities, islands, fortresses, towns, marketplaces, the very camp, tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum- we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods!"

What makes the Christianity of the first century a wildfire through-out the ancient world? Maybe the passion for the truth and the faithfulness amongst persecution were blessed by the Spirit. Maybe our lazy, ineffective Christianity needs to learn something from those who went to lions, were burned on posts, and were beheaded for Christ's sake. Maybe we don't need another Reformation; maybe we just need to live like it really matters.

Maybe then our Christianity will "fill every place" among our culture as well. But would really want to see that?

A Reformed Voter's Guide

Sadly, the Christian Church has drunk the Koolaid (no offense, Koolaid Man). Many Christians today will rally around a Republican ticket and make claims such as, "This is the most important election of our life time!" Or, "We have got to win back the keys to Washington!"

What many fail to realize is that the Republican party is not the party of Jesus Christ. For that matter, the Democratic Party is not the party of Jesus Christ. Both parties fail to recognize Jesus Christ as the supreme head of the state, the ruler of men, the savior of mankind. Now, of course, there are those within both parties that are Christians; but that does not mean that what is being promoted by either party is working towards Reformation or towards the Biblical View of the State.

So what is a Reformed voter to do? Do we have a "biblical duty" to vote for the candidate that will wreck the ship later rather than sooner? Do we have to vote for a man or woman who does not understand biblical civil government? Rest assured, dear reader, there are principles that we should consider before voting for a Democrat or a Republican (or 3rd party and independent for that matter).

The Reformed Presbyterian Church has a chapter in her Testimony that attempts to articulate a biblical view of the State as well as sets out principles for voting. As you consider voting this Tuesday in what many will undoubtedly call "the most important race of your lifetime" please remember these principles and vote only according to our Christian standards.

And don't drink the Koolaid- Jesus is King.

Excerpts from the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony on the Civil Magistrate

God has given the exercise of all authority to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the Divine Lawgiver, Governor and Judge. His will concerning the purpose of civil government and the principles regarding its functions and operation are revealed in the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit enables even unregenerate rulers to fulfill their proper functions. A true recognition of the authority and law of Christ in national life can only be the fruit of the Spirit’s regenerating power in the lives of individuals.

Deut. 4:39; Dan. 4:25, 32, 35; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:10; Eph. 1:22; Isa. 33: 22; Deut. 17:18-19; Isa. 45:1-7; Ezek. 36:27.

Every nation ought to recognize the Divine institution of civil government, the sovereignty of God exercised by Jesus Christ, and its duty to rule the civil affairs of men in accordance with the will of God. It should enter into covenant with Christ and serve to advance His Kingdom on earth. The negligence of civil government in any of these particulars is sinful, makes the nation liable to the wrath of God, and threatens the continued existence of the government and nation.

We reject the view that nations have no corporate responsibility for acknowledging and obeying Christ.

It is the duty of every Christian citizen to labor and pray for his nation’s official and explicit recognition of the authority and law of Jesus Christ, Preserver and Ruler of nations, and for the conduct of all governmental affairs in harmony with the written Word of God.

1 Tim. 2:1-2; Phil. 2:9-10; Acts 2:1-39; Ps. 2:8-12; Esther 4:14.

We deny that constitutional recognition of Jesus Christ means union of church and state.

We reject the teaching that Christians should not seek the establishment of Christian civil government.

No particular form of civil government is commanded in the Scriptures. Any form of civil government which observes the duties and limitations set upon it by God in His revealed Word is acceptable to God.

Ex. 18:21-24; Prov. 29:14; Deut. 1: 16-17.

We deny that simply having a democratic or republican form of government insures God’s approval and blessing.

The Christian, when such action involves no disloyalty to Christ, ought to be involved in the selection of and to vote for civil rulers who fear God, love truth and justice, hate evil, and are publicly committed to scriptural principles of civil government.

Ex. 18:21; Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Rom. 13:3.

It is sinful for a Christian to take an oath which compromises his supreme allegiance to Jesus Christ. It is also sinful to vote for officials who are required to take an oath which a Christian himself could not take in good conscience. Voting involves the voter in responsibility for any act required of the official as a condition of holding his office.

Deut. 10:20; Isa. 45:22-23; 2 John 1: 11; 1 Tim. 5:22.

The Christian must profess publicly and the Church must witness, that Christ is the Ruler of every nation. Whatever the official action of the civil government of a nation may be, the Christian in his civil actions must always exhibit his loyalty to Christ. The Christian must relinquish every right or privilege of citizenship which involves him in silence about, or denial of the supreme authority of Jesus Christ.

Matt. 5:13-14; Prov. 3:5-6; Ps. 37:7; Matt. 22:21; John 17:14-15; Mark 13:9.

When participating in political elections, the Christian should sup- port and vote only for such men as are publicly committed to scriptural principles of civil government. Should the Christian seek civil office by political election, he must openly inform those whose support he seeks of his adherence to Christian principles of civil government.

1 Chron. 16:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Chron. 19:6-7; Dan. 2:48; Eph. 4:25.

The Church Planter's Banner

What gives the church planter the right to go into the cities, towns, and villages and to establish a church?

This question should be at the heart of all those that want to see the Word of God increase as it did in the Book of Acts. But what right does one have to plant churches? Of course, first and foremost the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded that the ministry of the Church go into the world teaching and administering the sacraments in the name of the Triune God. That's a given. But what right does Jesus have telling the elders and pastors of the church to go into the whole world and plant churches?

The Lord Jesus purchased that right at the cross. The Lord Jesus is not only the savior of mankind; he is also the King of kings. At the cross, the Lord Jesus earned the right for the heathen (the nations), as his inheritance, to bow to him. It is the job of the church planter to go and to proclaim that the Lord Jesus has set captives of sin free and to preach to those who are spiritually blind. We go as his ambassadors.

Psalm 20 reminds us of this:

May we shout for joy over your salvation,

and in the name of our God set up our banners!

Church planters: Jesus has earned the right for you to plant banners (hopefully blue ones) in the cities, towns, and villages of your presbytery and declare them as land that belongs unto Christ- because it does. Now shout for joy, and set up some banners!

What's a True Pastor's Heart?

As a pastor I often wonder how much we, as pastors, are to love our people.

Do I love them too much? Do I love them enough? Do pastors "balance" extremes; seek a happy medium; or is there another answer?

The Apostle Paul knows:

"I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." Romans 9:3-4

Hide it Under a Bushel: Where Are the Reformed Urban Churches?

We all remember the little song from when we were kids: "This little light of mine... I'm gonna let it shine..."

I am afraid that most Reformed Churches have decided to hide their light under a bushel. Recently, in a lunch meeting with a retired urban pastor, the description of Reformed churches "hiding under the covers" was used in regards to city ministry. Why is this so? Does not the Apostle Paul say in 2 Corinthians 4 that when the Gospel is hid it is hid to them that are lost? Do we really want to hide the Gospel from those who are lost? Isn't our calling to bring the Gospel to those who are lost?

Thomas Chalmers, the famous urban pastor of 19th century Scotland recorded that "during a period of 100 years while the population of Glasgow had more than quadrupled, only two new Church of Scotland city churches had been built."

Friends, we are no better in this country. Where are the city churches? Where are the church planters? Where are the men who will bring the Gospel to urban America? Are we a city on a hill, or are we content with hiding under the covers sharing the Gospel by flashlight?

Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine.

Bibliophelia: Confessions of an Unrepentant Addict

I love books. I love receiving books as gifts; I love ordering books online; I love the smell of a used bookshop; I love being surrounded with books in my study. They are friends; they are teachers; they are voices from the past; they are treasures. I assume most pastors feel the same way- at least pastors in the Reformed & Presbyterian tradition.

Recently I have been re-reading a biography of William Symington (19th century Reformed Presbyterian pastor) and I found this tongue-in-cheek section to describe my addiction to the written word:

"The love of books is with me a perfect mania. When I see anything particularly advertised, I immediately conceive a wish to have it- I persuade myself that really I ought to have it- and between the desire to have it and the reluctance to pay for it I am on the fidgets day and night. Then some demon or other whispers, 'Your credit is good, it is a good while to the month of May, before then you will have had your purse replenished with next half year's stipend- the temptation succeeds; and off goes a post letter for the desired article, all objections, financial as well as others, being unceremoniously sent about their business. In this way I have nearly ruined myself- and the worst of it is that I am nearly incorrigible. Unlike other sinners, misery does not lead me to repent- or if I do repent, I do not at all events reform. Can you tell me what is to become of me? The jail I suppose."

Will the bibliophile ever mend his ways? "Of making of books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh (Ecclesiastes 12:12)." Basically, no, the bibliophile is unable to be changed. The weariness of the flesh is to (gladly) continue through all his days. And that's okay- God chose to reveal himself in the written word; and his Son takes on the name Word (John 1). It seems that the addiction to the written word- bibliophelia- is a reflection of who God is. God is a God of words. And who doesn't love that?

Dead Theologian's Society: Entrusting to Faithful Men

Paul says to Timothy, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:1-2)."

Paul commands Timothy to have a reproducing ministry. He calls Timothy to take the training that he has received from Paul and make sure that some of that training is passed on to faithful men who will be able to teach.

The core of what we have here is Pastors training men who desire to be pastors. With that call from the Scripture, the Los Angeles RPC Dead Theologian's Society is making a beginning. Currently there are three men who sense a call to pastoral ministry in the LA Church. We will begin to meet twice a month to discuss theology, the Scriptures, and especially begin the training that will continue when they enter Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Please be in prayer as we begin in October. We are beginning with William Symington: Penman of the Scottish Covenanters. The reason that we are beginning here is that we will explore two successful ministries (Roy Blackwood and William Symington); see the foundation for Christian faith and life (the atonement); as well as explore the foundation to any good church planting endeavors (the kingship of Jesus Christ).

May the Lord Jesus bless this new aspect of the ministry of the Los Angeles Reformed Presbyterian Church. May his kingdom expand from shore to shining shore!

Your IPod and Communion Preparation

Here is a series of sermons that I have been preaching before the Lord's Supper every other month. The duty to prepare your heart for the Lord's Supper is a biblical requirement for all who would commune with Christ in the Supper. Let a man examine himself that he may discern the Lord's body.

I pray that these sermons will prove to be helpful to your spiritual life:

Communion Sermons: The Suffering Servant

Open Pulpits in the RPCNA

Twice per year, I add the updated list of open pulpits in the RPCNA. Please pray that the Lord Jesus would fill these pulpits with the men of his choosing. Pray also for the committees, sessions, and congregations that are searching for pastors. Also lift up the men who are able to receive a call; ask that God would aid them in their patience, trust, and waiting upon his call.

The list is by presbytery.

Midwest:
Washington, IA
Sharon, IA
Manhattan, KS

Great Lakes/Gulf:
Orlando, FL
Prairie View, IL (Westminster RP)
Indianapolis, IN (Second RP)
Hetherton, MI (stated supply is there)

Alleghenies:
Aurora, OH (Covenant RP)
Beaver Falls, PA (College Hill)

Atlantic:
Cambridge, MA

St. Lawrence:
Owego, NY
Endicott, NY (Christian Heritage)
Walton, NY
Rochester, NY

Japan:
Kasumigoka, Japan

Update: October 5, 2010:

There is one pulpit that I forgot to list and one that has just come open:

Atlantic Presbytery: Berkshire, MA

Great Lakes/Gulf Presbytery: Grand Rapids, MI (my alma mater)

Carb Addict Spirituality

The book, War of Words by Paul Tripp has been a valuable read. Here are some of his ideas on the lies that physical bread tells. We are to seek the bread which comes down from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 6: 22-69

Physical Bread and Spiritual Deception

Jesus provides the people with physical bread. They are amazed and decide that this must be the Messiah- let's make him king, he provides a free meal.

“What was behind these people's pursuit of Christ? What did they really want? I do not believe that they pursued Christ out of a humble submission to his messiahship and willingness to follow him wherever he would lead. Their pursuit of Christ was born instead out of a love for self and the hope that Christ would meet their felt needs. They were excited about following the king- but for all the wrong reasons.” p.88

The struggle of physical bread versus spiritual bread is a core struggle in the Christian life. It is the core struggle of human life. p.89

Physical Bread is Permanent

We believe that working for physical bread is of the utmost importance because deep down inside we believe that it lasts forever. The Scriptures tell us that this world is passing away. Psalm 73 says that this world is like a dream that quickly passes away. Why “invest” in bread that will not last?

Physical Bread is the Only Bread

We need to take hold of the idea that the only “bread” that is permanent is spiritual (Matthew 6:19-34).

“And this is why we are told to live as pilgrims, as tent dwellers, not giving ourselves over to the accumulation of material things as if they aware the only bread that really counts. The person who believes this lie is a fool (Lk 12.20).” p.91

Physical Bread Defines Human Success

We all fall into the trap of coveting those with the best bread. We believe that bread will make us happy. Bread will satisfy the voids. (Think of Beverly Hills, The Grove, Muholland Drive- we all enjoy seeing how “they” live.) Matthew 16.25- What good will it be if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul?

“Jesus defines human success in terms of two fundamental commitments: to love God above all else and to love your neighbor as yourself. TO live this way is to be rich no matter how small your collection of worldly things.” p.91

Physical Bread Will Give You Life

“This is the lie of the lies- that somehow, some way, life can be found outside a relationship with God. This was the lie told by the deceive in the Garden, and it is the lie told countless times again every day. Feeding on physical bread only leads to more hunger. It is only as you feed on Christ by faith, receiving his life, that you can ever be satisfied.” p. 92

When we find ourselves in the same spot as the followers who followed Christ for physical bread- we must as ourselves- will we go away also? We must question and reexamine and recommit our vows unto Christ. And we must stand with Peter when Jesus asked...

Will you go away also?

Peter got it. “Where else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?”

What's It Means to be RPCNA