Came across the following while reading D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. Given all the discussion recently about the Manhattan Declaration, I thought this a timely word:

We are all talking about ecumenicity, and the argument is put forward that, because of a certain common danger, it is not the time to be arguing about points of doctrine; rather we should all be friendly and pull together. Not at all, according to our Lord. The fact that the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches are called Christian is no reason why we should not expose the corruptness and the dangerous errors of their systems.

My own position on the Declaration has shifted some. While I more or less agree with the concerns of the document (I would differ from the emphasis in the document that the purpose of marriage is procreation), I share the concern of others who believe it does us no good to stand arm-in-arm with Catholics and Orthodox and risk undermining clear gospel presentation. I also sympathize with the somewhat snarky tweets from Abraham Piper and Jared Wilson. Anyone can sign a document. Living it out is both the more vital and the more difficult task.

I was surprised by the size of Charles Spurgeon’s book Lectures to my Students. It will be a little bit before I can start digging through but so rich is its content that simply flipping open the pages and glancing at one section, the following jumped out.

What is our best argument to those who reject the truths of Scripture? Is it logic or reason? Or that these precious words have been proven through the experience of our lives? Spurgeon offers his thoughts, pages 272-273.

…They tell us sometimes that such and such statements are not true; but when we are able to reply that we have tried them and proved them, what answer is there to such reasoning? A man propounds the wonderful discovery that honey is not sweet. ‘But I had some for breakfast, and I found it very sweet’, say you, and your reply is conclusive. He tells you that salt is poisonous, but you point to your own health, and declare that you have eaten salt these twenty years. He says that to eat bread is a mistake – a vulgar error, an antiquated absurdity; but at each meal you make his protest the subject for a merry laugh. If you are daily and habitually experienced in the truth of God’s Word, I am not afraid of your being shaken in mind in reference to it. Those young fellows who never felt conviction of sin, but obtained their religion as they get their bath in the morning, by jumping into it – these will as readily leap out of it as they leaped in. Those who feel neither the joys nor yet the depressions of spirit which indicate spiritual life, are torpid, and their palsied hand has no firm grip of truth. Mere skimmers of the Word, who, like swallows, touch the water with their wings, are the first to fly from one land to another as personal considerations guide them. They believe this, and then believe that, for, in truth, they believe nothing intensely.

If you have ever been dragged through the mire and clay of soul-despair, if you have been turned upside down, and wiped out like a dish as to all your own strength and pride, and have then been filled with the joy and peace of God, through Jesus Christ, I will trust you among fifty thousand infidels. Whenever I hear the sceptic’s stale attacks upon the Word of God, I smile within myself, and think, ‘Why, you simpleton! how can you urge such trifling objections? I have felt, in the contentions of my own unbelief, ten times greater difficulties.’ We who have contended with horses are not to be wearied by footmen…

The latest Ask Pastor John is well timed, I’ve had several comments and questions about paraphrase Bibles lately.

I was pleasantly surprised. In the past Christian rap artists have made good efforts but haven’t had very high quality. In this video the video itself is good quality, the song is well done, and the message is outstanding.

If you want to be challenged to really clarify what makes life meaningful just go spend some time in a nursing home or with older people whose health generally prohibits them from doing much of anything. I pastor a mostly older congregation and I am constantly interacting with people burdened with a sense of the loss of value of life. They cannot do any of the things they once did, what should make them feel that their lives have any value? One person in an emotional moment put it this way, “Why does the Lord leave us here to suffer? We can’t do anything for him!”

Those who would define the value of life in terms of what we do are stuck when facing the issue of a failing body. Even many Christians fall into this trap. What is our purpose? Some would say spreading the gospel. What makes life meaningful? Fulfilling our purpose. So what are we left with when illness and infirmity and a failing body makes evangelism impossible?

Man’s purpose is not found in any of our outer actions, per se. The meaning of life is that we were created for the glory of God (Isa 43:7). We find true meaning only by glorifying God. We glorify him with our actions when action is possible. We glorify him by trusting in him, resting in him, praying to him whether or not we are capable of doing things for him. The meaning of life for an older person has not been lost by their inability to perform acts of service. They can glorify God even as their bodies fail. The main way to do this, I think, is by being content in him and trusting in him even if your circumstances are such that the world expects you to curse God and die. What a testimony that makes! In the world’s eyes many of these people have absolutely nothing to live for. They should sink into despair and kill themselves! And yet here is this bedridden saint praising God for his mercy! How great indeed must be his mercy if this saint would praise him even when she seems to the world to have nothing to praise him for.

This is love. That God has redeemed every aspect of the lives of his elect. Even our infirmity has purpose. Even that person lying in a nursing home bed barely able to move has a purpose. If your life is not focused on bringing glory to God then what is it focused on? And what other option would you see for man’s purpose? Only this one option gives hope to those who are unable to do active service for God. Glorify God in sickness and health and you have found life’s meaning.

It is risky business being a preacher. Sometimes you convict yourself.

I’ve just done a purging of movies, music, and tv shows that, frankly, I never should have purchased to begin with. iTunes and a digital age makes media too easy to obtain. Most of these shows and movies would be considered fairly mild by many but just how much worldliness should a Christian tolerate in his entertainment? Everything in moderation, one might respond. But how does one decide how much worldliness is acceptable? There is so much accepted sin in media these days, very few things passed my test.

A few things prompted my purging:

1. Listening to Andrew Peterson’s The Good Confession always makes me more sensitive to my thoughts and behavior. The particular line is: “Well you know my dad’s a preacher man / I walked the aisle and took his hand.” Every father is a preacher to his kids. Being a preacher by vocation made it sink in all the more. This should make us think about what sort of preachers we are to our kids. What example do I set? Not just when I’m around them but after they’re in bed. Would my thoughts edify them, help them grow? How about the thoughts I’m putting in my head through movies and shows? It’s a terrible burden, being a parent – it requires that we actually live out the things we claim to believe if we are going to set a good example for our kids. You want an accountability partner? Have kids.
2. Preparing for a sermon on prayer reminds me just how little I pray. I have the following line in my notes: “This sermon does not contain advice. It contains words for your sanctification and holiness. If you are not a person of prayer, you are living in sin.” I am not a person of prayer. Not even close. God forgive me, I’m too busy watching trash or surfing blogs or playing computer games (that purging will come soon). Getting rid of all of this will not make me a person of prayer, but it will go a long way to removing my destructive distractions.
3. Thinking about the Puritans reminded me that they had no televisions. I sometimes think, “I need this show! I watch it whenever I just want to relax.” My justification for keeping the show is that I (sometimes) work hard and need down time and movies and tv shows help me relax. But the Puritans had no television and they managed just fine.
4. If the invited speaker fails to show I will be speaking to our men’s group tomorrow. Following the lead of the guys at The Resurgence I plan to talk about manhood from the perspective of the men in the Bible who did very hard, very masculine things. It struck me how little of a man I am if I can’t even make myself give up things that are bad for me. (The next application for this one: food.)
5. This one is after the fact, but this post at Desiring God pointed me to Romans 8:32 and the reminder that God, not man, provides what I need. Do not seek the body’s needs through the world’s means. What I need to relax and recharge at the end of the day comes from the Lord, not Hollywood.

The end result is quite a bit more free space on my computer and some more empty space on my shelves. It also means more money since, God enabling, I will continue this conviction and will avoid those things that, in the name of entertainment, invite worldliness. Brothers, pray for me.

John Piper had better hurry up and get back from his writing break. Soon I’ll be talking about Driscoll more than Piper.

Apparently a new controversy has broken out around Mark Driscoll (mentioned by the Founder’s folks). I don’t know all the details but some of the criticism focuses on his explicit discussion of sexuality. A number of people strongly oppose the amount of explicit information Driscoll is willing to put in public.

Here is my take.

First, consider the medium. Critics are concerned with Driscoll making such explicit information easily available over the internet. I would share their concern except for the fact that a tremendous amount of pornographic material is even easier to obtain over the internet. It is very difficult to spend much time on the internet and avoid seeing things you do not want to see. Today’s young people spend a lot of time on the internet. I guarantee most of them have seen by accident more pornographic material than many adults have seen in their lifetime. I also guarantee that a large percentage of people on the internet – including Christian young people – are not just stumbling across pornographic material by accident, they are looking for it.

With that in mind, I am reluctant to disapprove of churches offering a counter response. Driscoll and others are saying that sexuality is a good thing if handled properly. Want to know how to handle it properly? Don’t go to a porn site, go to church. Young people are more open discussing sexuality than most older people. Biblically, I don’t know how anyone could make the case that Christians should not be explicit when talking about sex. One must be wise, yes, but I think in this case wisdom leans in Driscoll’s direction.

Second, consider the context. Driscoll is pastoring a church of young people in Seattle, Washington. If he were trying to present this material to my church it would be inappropriate. Most of my people are not immersed in culture and technology the way his are. Most of my people do not have the questions about sexuality that his people have. I don’t believe Driscoll has anywhere said all preachers should address sexuality in the way he does. He has his flock with their quirks and their needs, I have mine. There may be some in my church – and are certainly many in my city – who would benefit from his preaching on this subject, but the majority of my people do not need the material he is offering. The majority of the people in Driscoll’s church do.

This does not relativize preaching and practices. Rather it seeks to accomplish the same end through the same means carried out in different ways. The end is glorifying Christ and leading people to live God glorifying lives. The means is preaching and teaching that will help them know how to live those God glorifying lives. Such preaching will guide people to make decisions guided by the Bible and know how to handle issues not clearly spelled out in the Bible. If my people don’t have those issues it would serve no purpose to raise them. Driscoll’s people do have those issues and questions so he guides them to know how to glorify God in those areas.

This is pragmatism of the good sort. All preachers should ask this question: “What do my people need to hear in order to help them glorify God better in their lives?” This requires knowing your people, knowing their needs, and being bold enough to address those needs, whatever they may be. Are your people consumed with racism? Preach on it. Do they struggle with alcohol addiction? Preach on it. Do they cheat on their taxes? Preach on it. Do they want to know how to honor God with how they raise their kids? Preach on it. Do they struggle with how their sexual relationship with their spouse can be glorifying to God in the midst of a culture that sees sex as the ultimate selfish pursuit? Preach on it. That’s what Driscoll has done.

Props: Table/desk and chair, pen and paper. Telephone would be good but could be mimed in.

Character: Smitten man (S.M.)

Plot and Setting: S.M. is in a room with a table and chair, trying to compose a love poem to his (girlfriend, fiancee, wife – adjust as desired). When he starts the poem is quite sappy. As he works things keep interrupting him and cause him to change his mind about his poem. By the time he is through what he has is a serious poem about God’s love.

*enter, scribbling on a clipboard while mumbling*: To my dearest love. My love for you is like… is like… is like…

*walks to side, looking out real or imagined window*: Look at the view out that window. What a wonderful day. A day that makes the heart grow light. *deep breath* Ahh, fresh air with roses and love is in the air. Love! Roses! That’s it! *scribbles* To my dearest love. My love for you is like a bed of roses. *looks up* Whew! Finally a start to my poem. My sugar plum will turn to mush when she reads this expression of my adoration!

*cocks his head, listening to something*: What is that noise? *goes to window* No! Cats! Get out of the flowers! *takes off shoe and throws it* Get out of the rose bed! Oh no. The roses are ruined! My love for you is like a pile of vegetation destroyed by cats in battle? *makes expressive motion of scratching out the poem*

*sits at table, head in hands, frustrated*: My love for you is like… My love for you is like… My love for you is like the giant California redwoods / Lasting the ages with strength displayed / Mixing grace with beauty, faithfulness with strength. / My love is…

*phone rings, S.M. exasperated*: The phone! No! Just when I’m on a role!

*answers phone*: Hello? Mom? Mother, slow down. What? Mother, wait! What did you just see on the news? Massive wildfires in northern California? The redwoods have all been destroyed? Government declares it a disaster area? Oh no! *hangs up*

S.M.: My love for you is like a pile of charred ash blowing in the wind. *vigorous scratching motion* My love for you is like the rays of the sun / Shining strong and vibrant / Casting beautiful shimmers across the sky.

*phone rings*: Who is calling now? Hello? Oh, hi sis. No, what about the sun? A strong flare coming that could damage satellites? *sigh* Okay, thanks sis. Bye. *hangs up*

S.M.: To my dearest love. My love for you is like the rays of the sun / scattering pieces of broken satellites across the universe. *vigorous scratching*

*stands and paces about*: Maybe this is why love gets such a bad reputation. *looks lost in thought then reacts to something he hears* Well there’s the sound of the church bells. Five o’clock. Just one hour until I have to meet my love and still nothing to give her!

*sits at desk*: My love is like… My love is like… Man, I love that song the church bells are playing. Amazing grace. Good song. Now God’s love, there’s something that cats or fire or stars can’t destroy.

*looks thoughtful, starts scribbling, jumps up*

My dearest love,

My love is like the love of Christ,
Who spread his arms upon the tree.

His love unmixed with fear of fail,
But sure and fast and free.

His body pierced, his blood shed out,
And all for love of thee, of me.

Nothing can take us from his hand,
Nothing his love remove.

And by his grace, his grace alone,
Such is my love for thee.

Richard Baxter in The Reformed Pastor on irreverent preaching that seeks to entertain:

Of all preaching in the world, (that speaks not stark lies) I hate that preaching which tends to make the hearers laugh, or to move their minds with tickling levity, and affect them as stage-plays used to do, instead of affecting them with a holy reverence of the name of God.

Pages 119-120.

In 2006 a movie came out that quickly became popular among Christians. Facing the Giants tells the story of an unbelieving football coach who struggles with a losing team and a bad marriage. Along the way he is saved and through changes in his life his marriage is renewed and his football team goes on to be undefeated.

The undertone of this movie is that if you are saved everything in your life will get better. You will be happier, your wife will get pregnant, your football team will win.

I was reminded of this when reading the recent edition of our state Baptist newspaper. Below is a snippet:

When the East Prairie Eagles defeated archrival Charleston 46-21 on Oct. 17, it was their first victory in Charleston in a half-century. The first words East Prairies coach Jason Aycock heard were from his pastor, Jon Archie, who yelled, “This is exactly what happens when your coach gets saved.”

The Bible makes no promises about a person’s physical success once he is saved. Salvation secures a relationship with God, forgiveness of sin, a regenerated life, and hope that transcends the grave. Nowhere are we promised that salvation will bring happy marriages or winning teams.

Granted, once a person is saved they may well begin to live their own lives better and so sew seed for a better relationship with others. But it always comes across as distasteful, unbiblical, and even deceptive when some claim that being a Christian will bring success in all areas of life. These are not just the name-it-and-claim-it folks. Facing the Giants was popular among many Evangelicals across the board even though what it offered was a more subtle form of prosperity theology.

If you want a successful life, serve Christ. Follow him faithfully. Measure success by how well you have yielded to him, living in the example of his Son. If physical success follows, praise the Lord! That is a cause for rejoicing, but it is not a promise. Winning football teams is not exactly what happens when your coach gets saved.