11 Reasons Why to Study Theology/Doctrine from Psalm 111

One morning, during my time in the Word with God, I found myself at Psalm 111. I don’t recall what led me there. But clearly the Spirit wanted to minister to me from this Psalm specifically. After a quick read through Psalm 111 something caught my attention. So I went back and spent time going through each verse and I noticed something extraordinary about this Psalm. Psalm 111 gives 11 reasons why every believer is to study biblical theology/doctrine.

Maybe you’re the Christian who has said or thought, “Why do I need to read/study theology/doctrine? That’s for pastors, teachers, professors, and so on. I’m just a regular believer. I love God. I read my Bible. I go to church. I try to obey what I read in my Bible and am taught at church. I don’t need to know all that other stuff.”

Well, the psalmist of Psalm 111 answers that question. And if you hang with me for a little while, we’re going to walk through each verse and discover these 11 reasons.

“1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the {assembly} of the upright, [in the congregation]. 2 {The works of the LORD are great}; they are studied by all who {have pleasure} in them. 3 [Full of splendor and majesty] is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His [wondrous works] to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has given food to those who revere Him; He will remember His covenant forever. 6 He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are [faithful and just]; all His precepts are [trustworthy]. 8 They are [established] forever and ever; they are performed in [faithfulness] and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; [all those who practice it have a good understanding]; His praise endures forever.” -Psalm 111 (NASB, {NJKV}, [ESV])

What is Theology & Doctrine?
Not everyone knows the meaning of “theology” or “doctrine”. Allow me to give a quick and basic explanation.

• Theology comes from two Greek words, theos and logo. Theos = God. Logo, in this context, = logic/study. Thus…
  

“theology” = “the logical investigation of God” or “the study of God”

Hence, why I said “biblical theology” in the beginning, so you know I’m speaking of the God of the Bible and that the logical investigation/study of God is to be from the Bible.

• Doctrine is of Latin origin and it means “teaching(s)”. Thus…
  

“biblical doctrine” = “the teachings from the Bible”

Many verses in the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, mention the Hebrew and Greek transliteration of "teaching" as "doctrine" (e.g. Job 11:4, Deut. 32:2, Rom. 16:17, Eph. 4:14, 1Tim. 4:16, Tit. 2:1, 2Jn. 1:9).

To be sure this does not get misunderstood, there are different kinds of theologies and doctrines. Different churches, religions, and many philosophies have theologies and doctrines. So this is a good point of clarity when speaking with others. Find out which theology/doctrine they’re referring to, is it biblical theology/doctrine or some other form of theology/doctrine. Don’t do this to argue, but so you’ll know if you and they are in the same book or not.

11 Reasons Why Every Believer is to Study Biblical Theology/Doctrine
What many believers don’t realize is the moment they read/study their Bible, they’re entering into theology/doctrine. The moment you ask any questions pertaining to God, you have entered into theology. The moment you ask what does the Bible say about this or that, you have entered into doctrine. The moment you seek to answer those questions about God or what the Bible says, you have entered into theology and doctrine. These examples are the occasions that many don’t realize this is exactly what they’re doing.

What we will find in an unlikely place like Psalm 111 is why every believer is to intentionally pursue the study of biblical theology and doctrine. Here are its 11 reasons:

1st Reason: God is worthy of praise and thanks with our whole heart. (v1)

“Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart…”

What have you ever truly put all your heart into? A sport, a project, a relationship, etc? Was it for something you didn’t know or didn’t treasure? Probably not. Same is true here. You cannot praise and thank the God you don’t know. Even more, you cannot praise and thank God with your whole heart if you don’t know why He is worthy of praise and thanks with your whole heart. So, how do you come to know more about God, how do you come to know why God is worthy of praise and thanks with all your heart? Through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

2nd Reason: God’s works are great and enjoyed by all who study them. (v2)

“{The works of the LORD are great}; they are studied by all who {have pleasure} in them.”

If you think a surface reading of the Bible and a surface knowledge of God is enough, you are severely short-changing yourself. What is something that you thoroughly enjoy? What is something you can spend endless time doing? Reading, gaming, crafting, surfing, writing, etc? When you enter into your world of pleasure, do you feel as though it’s too small or do you feel like it’s boundless and you can’t wait to explore it more and more? God’s works are so grand, it’s an infinite ocean of exploration and excitement! To the believer who truly loves God and finds pleasure in Him, studying His works is the greatest enjoyment of all! And this can only happen through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

3rd Reason: God’s works and goodness are eternally breathtaking. (v3)

“[Full of splendor and majesty] is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.”

God is the most magnificent artist! His Creation and all the details therein are a divine masterpiece! Whether it is music, or art, or photography, or entertainment, we’ve all experienced in one of these forms something that has left us speechless. Well, there is no end to the awe that comes from knowing God’s character and works. But experiencing this only comes from studying biblical theology/doctrine.

4th Reason: God’s wondrous works are to be remembered. (v4a)

“He has made His [wondrous works] to be remembered…”

We are to remember God’s works. He has made His works to be unforgettable! What has been an unforgettable song or movie that you’ve heard or seen? For me, it was Inception. I took my wife to the movies to see Inception when it was in the theaters. She fell asleep. I, on the other hand, was in a deep trance and thought it was outstanding. It instantly became one of my all-time favorite movies. I watch that movie whenever it comes on. So much so, I can remember details and use it in examples or explanations when in conversation or teaching. How much more unforgettable are God’s works? We can only come to remember God’s unforgettable works through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

5th Reason: God’s character and acts toward His people. (vv4b-5)

“…the LORD is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who revere Him; He will remember His covenant forever.”

If your spouse habitually sucked, would you take an interest in them? Probably not. Such is the case in many marriages across the world. If your spouse consistently rocked, would you take an interest in them? Probably so. What’s the difference? The difference is the character and actions of the spouse. It’s harder to exhibit love and desire for another when the other habitually sucks, but it’s not so hard to do so when they don’t. God never sucks! God’s character is intact and His actions toward His people are based on His character, and that benefits us in everyway! But if you don’t know His character then you cannot recognize His constant actions toward you. If you can’t recognize His actions toward you, you will begin to think God is absent or indifferent or untrustworthy. The only way to get to know His character and be able to recognize His constant actions toward you is through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

6th Reason: God reveals how powerful He is to His people. (v6)

“He has made known to His people the power of His works…”

The God of the universe is…your…God. Let that sink in. This vast and detailed universe—an innumerable amount of galaxies, each billions of miles in size—was spoken into existence by God. Spoken! No sweat, no effort, just words. Boom! Mind blown. And this God has chosen to reveal His great power to you. You! In other words, God has given you exclusive, front-row, all-access viewing of His mighty power. Genesis to Revelation is flooded with the declaration of how powerful God is, and studying biblical theology/doctrine is how we explore the declaration of the power of His works.

7th Reason: What God does is true and just, and what He says is true and fixed. (vv7-8)

“The works of His hands are [faithful and just] all His precepts are [trustworthy]. They are [established] forever and ever; they are performed in [faithfulness] and uprightness.”

Have you ever heard someone say, “If God’s so good, why would God do/say this or allow/not say that?” More than likely if you haven’t thought this yourself, you probably have heard this. And why is that? Because people cannot see how if God is “good” can He then allow so many “bad things” to happen, or Himself do things that seem unfair (e.g. wipe out men, women, children, and livestock), or instruct His people to do things that seem discriminatory (e.g. teach there’s only one way to God). These kinds of questions and criticisms stem from a lack of understanding God and the nature of what He does and says. In a world that questions everything the Bible teaches about God, if you don’t know that what God does is faithful and just or that what He said is trustworthy, you will buckle under the pressure of these kinds of attacks and your own doubts. The only way to know so is through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

8th Reason: God orchestrated the redemption of His people. (v9a)

“He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever…”

Many professing Christians do not know the gospel. They think the creedal statement of “Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose from the dead” + John 3:16 = the Gospel. Is that wrong? Nope. Is it complete? Nope. What if I told you Genesis to Revelation is the gospel, how would you respond to that? There is no greater love drama than God’s redemption of the nations which starts in Genesis 3:15, and so many believers are missing out on the breadth and depth of the ultimate truth to mankind—the gospel. How do you come to know that God orchestrated the “immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7) through the redemption of His people? Only through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

9th Reason: God is holy and must be revered. (v9b)

“…holy and awesome is His name.”

When you were young, was there something or someone you greatly feared? Not frightened, but more respected its authority and afraid of its consequences? For me it was my father. He had a commanding presence. I dreaded getting in trouble. Yet, I still managed to get in a lot. The mention of my father's name when I was younger would cause me to act right. If you’re a believer and the thought of God and His holiness does not invoke reverence, then you may not know the God of the Bible. There is no way you can truly know about God and His holiness and it not cause you to stand in awe and respect His authority. The only way to get to know more about God’s holiness and marvel at His name is through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

10th Reason: Revering God leads to wisdom. (10a)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…”

Come on, who doesn’t want wisdom? Do you want to be wiser than what you currently are? I know I do. And apparently with the robust amount of self-help books, blogs, and articles, so does everyone else. More than likely you do too. The Bible says the beginning of wisdom is fearing the LORD—reverencing God. Not gaining more self-help knowledge. Nope. As we discussed above in the 9th reason, how do you come to revere God? Through learning more about His character. The more you learn about who God is the more it spurs your soul to revere Him. The more the reverence of God bubbles within you wisdom is what is produced. And how do you come to learn more about God to bring about this wisdom? Through studying biblical theology/doctrine.

11th Reason: Following God’s wisdom leads to wisdom. (10b)

“…[all those who practice it have a good understanding]…”

Players who don’t know their team’s playbook look foolish when they play. Why? Because they’re doing things (or not doing things) that don’t fit with what the rest of their team is doing. Actors who don’t learn their lines look foolish when they perform. Why? Because everyone else is on cue but them and it messes up the performance. You can’t follow what you don’t know. You may do your surface reading of the Bible, or a devotional here and there, or your sermon splash from the church service, but your obedience will only go as far as your knowledge, and your growth will only go as far as your obedience. You cannot follow God’s wisdom if you don’t know God’s wisdom, and you won’t grow beyond what you know. Studying biblical theology/doctrine is how we grow in what we know, which leads to following more of what we now know more of.

Conclusion
This blog article was not to discuss “how” we study biblical theology/doctrine, but that we do. This blog article was to demonstrate how a simple psalm like Psalm 111 indicates the “why” for all believers. So many believers don’t study biblical theology/doctrine because they believe they don’t need to or have to. But nothing could be more wrong. It’s like God gives us the keys to the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory and many Christians are content with hanging out front and never going inside and being blown away. To study biblical theology/doctrine is a privilege we receive from God to learn more about Him through His Word to us. Psalm 111 gave you 11 reasons why you are to study theology/doctrine. Ignore this to your own detriment. Heed it for yours and others benefit.

Maybe you're scared or hesitant. Well, don’t be. Dive in! The Holy Spirit will be your lifeguard. It is His responsibility to lead us into all truth (John 16:13-15). Get your appetite wet and watch how it will grow.

We live in an age that affords us so much access to a plethora of Bible/Christian related resources, which comes with its own dangers and benefits. So yes, be careful whom you listen to and read. Go to my “Recommended Sites” page to get a good selection on some biblically-solid resources. Maybe go and purchase “Dug Down Deep” by Joshua Harris. He shares through his testimony how he personally came to his study of biblical theology/doctrine, why, and what it produced in him. It’s not long and it’ll get you started on your own journey, if you haven’t started. For those who have started and are looking for some more depth, try R.C. Sproul’s “Everyone’s A Theologian”. This will definitely feed your appetite.

And last, but not last, pray. Pray for the desire to know God more deeply. Pray for understanding when you read His Word. Pray for discernment with whom to listen to and read. Pray for God’s direction to the right resources. Pray.

July 1, 2016

The Gospel that Transforms

I taught this message in 2015 at a church as a guest speaker. I forewarned them that this would be a tough message for many to hear and swallow. I believed then, and still now for those who will read this, that God wants to breakthrough and capture your hearts and minds and turn them right-side up for His glory in your life and your churches.

Below is the transcript with some minor additions and retractions I've made for posting it here.
_____
A Clash of Realities
Many people that sit and attend many churches do not know the gospel. Many people around the globe that hear the term “gospel” or “Jesus” do not know what it truly is and what it truly means. Many either don’t know it at all or they know the media’s versions, or artists and entertainers versions, or the social media versions, or false beliefs versions, or a mixture of these, but not God’s version giving through biblical revelation. Thus, if many who sit and attend church and call themselves Christians don’t really know God’s biblical gospel, then how can they ever experience it’s transforming power in their lives? Maybe the reason some of you continue to go around the mulberry bush in your life, prostituting yourself with deliberate sin and compromise, is because you do not truly know the gospel nor have you been truly saved by it.

The power of the gospel is to transforms lives.

Rom. 1:16-17 (NIV)—“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””

Therefore, the evidence of the gospel being known and believed by a person is their transformed life. If there is no evidence of a transformed life, then the gospel has not truly been known or believed by the person.

What is the Gospel?
I’ll answer this in brief, not exhaustively. The gospel is a comprehensive subject and this is just one message, so am I not attempting to cover everything, simply a few points about the gospel.

Allow me to start with what the gospel is not.

• The gospel is not traditionalism—the traditions that you follow.
  
• The gospel is not the church you attend nor any denominational affiliation.
  
• The gospel is not the books of the Bible nor the stories in those books—though some of them reveal the gospel, they are not the gospel.
  
• The gospel is not favor from God for you to obtain things in life.
  
• The gospel is not the spiritual gifts you receive.
  
• The gospel is not “the anointing”.
  
• The gospel is not catchy clichés that church people say.
  
• The gospel is not health, wealth, and prosperity.
  
• The gospel is not your best life now.
  
• The gospel is not social justice and activism—it can be demonstrated in that way, but that doesn’t make it the gospel.
  
• The gospel is not being ordained as a minister.
  
• The gospel is not your title/role in the church.
  
• The gospel is not the Christian songs you sing (some of which we call praise-worship, though if it’s “me-centered” content its not authentic praise & worship; some we even call gospel music, and it’s not about the gospel).
  
• The gospel is not your fire insurance—believe "this" so you won’t go to hell.
  
• The gospel is not a scripted “repeat after me” prayer.
  
• The gospel is not water baptism—get baptized and your saved or be baptized to seal your salvation.
  
• The gospel is not universalism—i.e. God is going to save everybody, there is no hell.
  
• The gospel is not any other “ism” that removes Jesus as the only Way to the Father, the only absolute Truth, the only Life-giver and sustainer, or adds anything to Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life.
  
• The gospel is not found in political parties, CNN (or any other news station), Oprah Winfrey, nor white or black pictures of Jesus.
  
• The gospel is not found in Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Black Hebrew Israelites, Islam, Judaism, New-age beliefs, eastern religious beliefs, or any other view or belief that is not in accordance with the clear revelation of God in the Bible.

On and on the list can go about what the gospel is not. This is but a few things that the gospel is not that many may believe it is or attach to the gospel.

The gospel is the truth of the reality of the encompassing good news of Jesus Christ. Let's break down Ephesians 2:1-10 and see what the gospel is.

Eph. 2:1-10 (ESV)—"1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

1. The gospel is God transferring those who believe in Jesus from death to life. (vv. 1-3, 5)
We are all zombies (the walking dead) on a bus oblivious that it’s heading directly and rightly for the wrath of God. God sends Jesus to pay our bus fair and give us a transfer pass to get off the death bus and come onto the life bus—heading directly for eternal life with God. We can only receive this transfer pass when we place our trust in Him. This is the gospel.

2. The gospel is God’s outpouring of His rich mercy and great love toward those who believe. (v. 4)

Eph. 1:7-8 (NLT)—He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
Rom. 5:5-9 (NLT)—And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

This is the gospel.

3. The gospel is God transferring those who believe from eternal separation from Him (Hell) to eternal placement with Him (Heaven). (vv. 6-7)
Do you know what makes “Hell” hell? Being separated from God’s grace and presence for eternity. Unconstrained sin running rampant with no end, no break, no ease, nothing. That is hell. And without the gospel, this is what everyone is justly doomed for. Do you know what makes “Heaven” heaven? Spending eternity in the personal presence of God, seeing and experiencing God in all His splendor, majesty, and glory with no end, no break, and no fear. That is heaven. This is the gospel, that God made a way for those who believe, we who deserve hell, to spend eternity with Him.

4. The gospel is God’s gift given to us. (vv. 8-9)
Grace, salvation, and faith are one packaged gift from God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”. We play no part whatsoever in this packaged gift from God. We don’t and can’t earn this packaged gift from God. This packaged gift from God is freely given so that those who believe can believe. This is the gospel.

5. The gospel is God recreating those who believe (new creation) in Christ for His foreordained good works. (v. 10)

Tit. 2:14 (NLT)—He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Tit. 3:3-8 (NLT)—Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—

When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

This is the gospel.
   God’s foreordained good works for those who believe is our life—everything in it from smallest to greatest, from internal to external—being lived and carried out in a manner that pleases Him, honors Him, and glorifies Him in accordance with His Word (cf. Tit. 2:12, 14). And here in Titus and Eph. 2 we see a clear and extreme contrast in comparison to our dead in sin life (zombie life). This is why we’re coined as new creations, because after the power of the gospel gets ahold of our life we’re completely different from the old creation, further displaying the transformation of a sinner through the gospel.

The Power of the Gospel
God through His gospel transforms our spiritual state (spiritually dead to spiritually alive), our eternal state (eternal separation to eternal placement), and our present state (people of disobedience to God’s workmanship/new creation). The gospel transforms the whole person. Nothing is off limits from the power of God in the gospel.
   The gospel is an eternal, life changing reality. The gospel is God’s loving, merciful, and grace-filled action toward us. Therefore, someone who truly understands and believes this gospel will not want to continue as they did before they knew it. Think about it, from the gripping reality of this truth and all God has done to redeem us, to the fact that the power of the gospel is to transform us into new creatures walking in God’s foreordained good works for us, where is there room to consciously live again like you’re still dead in sin, men and women of disobedience, willingly and happily pursuing things that God hates? If someone can say they truly understand and believe the biblical gospel and continue to live like they have not been rescued, like they have not been transformed into a new creation, then either the gospel is powerless and the Holy Spirit lied or that person does not truly understand and believe the gospel and thus is unsaved and still dead in their sin. I stake my life on the latter.

A Final Word
To those who’s life is marked by the transforming power of the gospel, hold your head high as one who is exuberant because you were once dead but now alive and in relationship with the Almighty Creator and King. Continue to fight through the struggles of sin and walk worthy of the glorious gospel that saved you. But also keep your heart humble as one who is grateful because your salvation is not of your own doing or your own initiation but by God’s rich mercy and great love toward you.
   To those who realize your life does not reflect this transformation you’ve read and heard about today, I appeal to you to respond to God right now. Some of you need to respond to God in repentance and some need to cry out to God for true salvation. You’re not here by accident. God wanted you to hear this particular message. As I said in the beginning of my message, I believe God wants to breakthrough and capture your hearts and minds and turn them right-side up for His glory in your life and your churches. If this is you, then pray and talk to God like you’re on your deathbed (as if this is your final words), tell Him what’s on your heart, repent if needed, or trust and believe if needed. Your eternity and soul are on the line.

March 2015

Lean Not On Your Understanding - Prov. 3:5-8

What do you do when you have questions, problems, need guidance or advice? I’m not talking about things like how do you cook this, what color paint you should use, and other non-life affecting or unspiritual things. I’m talking about where do you go when you need advice about relationships, or choosing schools, careers, or making major financial moves? What about “following your heart”, what do you do for guidance in that area? What about with conviction, where do you go for counsel and accountability? Who do you turn to when you’re in emotional pain, or mental distress? Who is in your ear? Who are you taking guidance and advice from? What do you do?

More than likely our answer to these questions depends on the situation, right? I go to this person, I go to that person, I go over here, go over there. Or, we may turn to ourselves and our own reasoning and judgment to find the answers to some of these.

In whatever it is we do or wherever it is we may go to deal with these situations, the Bible says our bottom line pursuit for guidance, advice, and counsel is to be from God—–i.e. His will, His ways, and His standards laid out before us in His Word. And that even goes for those “little matters” of life, glorifying God should still influence those decisions and whom we seek for help even in those “little matters”. Now let’s see why the Bible tells us this in Proverbs 3:5-8.

Dissecting Proverbs 3:5-8
–3:5-6 (NASB):

5 Trust (Heb–have a bold confidence/assurance)...
in the LORD with all your heart (Heb–everything within you)...
and do not lean (Heb–support one’s self) [do not depend (NLT)]...
on your own understanding (Heb–knowledge, meaning, wisdom, discernment).
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him [Seek His will in all you do (NLT)]...
and (here’s the promise) He will make your paths straight [He will show you which path to take (NLT)].

Here's Matthew Henry's commentary on the promise in verse 6,

“Those that put themselves under a divine guidance shall always have the benefit of it. God will give them that wisdom which is profitable to direct, so that they shall not turn aside into the by-paths of sin, and then [He] will himself so wisely order the event that it shall be…for their good.”

–3:7-8 (NASB):

7 Do not be wise (Heb–intelligent, skilled)...
in your own eyes [don’t be impressed with your own wisdom (NLT)]...
fear the LORD (Heb–revere/greatly respect God bcuz of who He is and what He can do)...
and turn away from evil.
8 (here’s the promise) It will be healing to your body (Heb–navel)...
and refreshment to your bones.

Allow me to give some historical background so to understand what the promise of verse 8 meant in context to the original audience. It’s known that by the umbilical cord the fetus receives its nourishment while it’s in the mother’s womb. All the nourishment is received and the circulation of the blood is kept up by way of the umbilical cord (which was connected to our belly button/navel). Thus, when the wise man says, that it shall be health to your body (i.e. navel), what he’s saying is that this principle—–trust in God and not in ourselves, seeking His will and not our own wisdom, and fearing God so to turn from evil—–is as vital to our life in God and to our “continual growth in grace, as the umbilical cord is to the life and growth of the fetus in the womb”. So the promise is by following this principle, it will be nourishment/sustenance (that which is sustaining) to our life just as all the nourishment is received and the circulation of the blood is kept up by way of the umbilical cord (the navel). What a promise this is once we have some background and understand what it originally meant in its historical context.

Now to finish what the rest of the promise means, the “refreshment to your bones”. In Clarke's Commentary he notes for verse 8,

“What the marrow [i.e. the soft tissue in the bones] is to the support and strength of the bones, and the bones to the support and strength of the body;” this principle, “is to the support, strength, energy, and salvation of [our lives].”

From now dissecting this passage do we now see why our bottom line pursuit for guidance, advice, and counsel is to be from what God has laid out before us in His Word? Because it is for our holistic benefit if we seek God with all our heart and in all our ways, but it is to our detriment if we go about pursuing guidance, advice, and counsel on our own understanding.

Some Examples
Let’s discuss some ways we, in our own understanding, go about dealing with questions, problems, needing guidance or advice in life-affecting situations, spiritual situations, and even in what we consider irrelevant small matters.

Some of us go about dealing with these situations by seeking guidance or counsel from Astrology and horoscopes, maybe even psychics—–tarot cards, fortune tellers, palm readings, and séances. And some of you might be thinking, what’s wrong with this? First, they are all condemned and prohibited in the Bible as a form of divination (Lev. 20:22-24, 26-27, Deut. 18:9-14, 1Sam. 15:23; 28:3ff). The Bible is very clear, this is not of God. If you look up Astrology, it “is the “interpretation” of an assumed influence the stars (and planets) exert on human destiny.” All of the other practices are, and I’m going to quote Ron Rhodes because he says it perfectly, they are all “based on the concept that there are gods, spirits, or deceased loved ones that can give advice and guidance”. This is not of God. None of these are godly by any means because they require us to place our faith in something other than God. To participate in these things violates Scripture. Don’t lean on your own understanding in this, because you’re setting yourself up in disobedience and whatever consequences that follow.

Some of us go about dealing with these situations by seeking guidance or counsel from immature/carnal/unsound believers, or worldly philosophy (e.g. talk shows, radio shows, news, social media, magazines, word-of-mouth, websites, etc), or ungodly people, and so forth. In 2Chron. 18:4-22, this passage records the story about King Jehoshaphat (the king of Judah) and King Ahab (the king of Israel). Jehoshaphat is looking for counsel before going to war, so he hits up Ahab. Ahab seeks his own prophets for counsel and guidance rather than the prophet of God. His own prophets tell him what he wants to hear, but not the word of God. But when Jehoshaphat asked if there was another prophet, a prophet of God, Ahab said the prophet of God always speaks the opposite of what he wants to hear. In the end, Jehoshaphat follows God’s counsel by way of the prophet of God and is saved from the battle. Ahab leaned on his own understanding and followed the counsel of his prophets and died in battle just as the prophet of God foretold. What does this mean for us? Don’t seek guidance and counsel from people you know or think aren’t biblically grounded and mature, because that’s the equivalent of seeking your own prophets and not the prophet of God–—i.e. the mature, biblically grounded believers who’s going to speak forth only what’s in accordance with God’s Word.

Final Word
As I wrap this up, let me clear something that may be misunderstood. What I’m not saying is abandon “careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason” (NASB), and in that I’m not saying that we should trust our own ideas to the point where we exclude the Word of God or other godly counsel. What I am saying is when it boils down, we are to (1)make our decisions based on the guidance, advice, and counsel from what God has laid out before us in His Word—–i.e. is this thing/decision going to be pleasing to God or not according to His word—–and (2)not make our decisions based solely on our own understanding or solely on the understanding of others (especially those who aren’t fruit-bearing, biblically solid and mature accountable believers). (And that’s not that God can’t speak through anyone, He spoke through a donkey to get the attention of a prophet, but we shouldn’t seek just anyone out. If God wants to speak to us through an unlikely source, let Him do it, not us pursue it).

Proverbs are guides for daily life. Therefore let this proverb guide your daily life by simply following it as opportunities present themselves (our days are filled with opportunities to apply this proverb). Let the truth of this proverb guide your thinking and reasoning in how you go about dealing with questions, problems, needing guidance or advice in life-affecting situations, spiritual situations, and even in what we consider irrelevant small matters. If you want God’s best for your life—–the nourishment of life and growth like the umbilical cord does for the fetus in the womb; the support, strength, and energy like the marrow is to the bones; the wisdom to direct where to go/which paths to take—–then trust God with all your heart and seek His will in all your ways so that this conditional promise can be manifested, and lean not on your own understanding.

2010

The Underestimation of Sin, Men's Edition

We had our first men’s night at church (9/27/15) on the heels of the Ashley Madison scandal. We entered that night by way of heavy hearts and pastoral concern for our men. Many Christian men this year have fallen and been publicly exposed online and/or in their communities because they underestimated their sin and never thought their unconfessed, unrepentant, or secret sins would be exposed and cause themself and others harm. I’m posting my message from that night to warn and encourage men as we are heading into 2016.

Some Fallen Men in 2015
I list these men not to tarnish or condemn them, but as examples of the seriousness of underestimating our sin.
     -Tullian Tchividjian
Tullian wrote, “I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated. Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself.”(1)
     “[Tullian] says having an affair really forces a pastor, a person, to look at themselves and ask, "What kind of person did I become for me to do what I did, my wife to do what she did, where did I fail? Did I become something, someone I didn't see I was becoming?””(2)

     -Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.(3)
R.C. Jr. wrote, “In August 2014, in a moment of weakness, pain, and from an unhealthy curiosity, I visited Ashley Madison.”
     “The grace of God’s judgment bore its fruit, and by His grace I repented of my sin. By His grace, I have also received His forgiveness, the outworking of His love. Prophetic providence had done its good office. Jesus died for this sin, but there are still earthly consequences. With the revelation of the hack has come the revelation of my sin. I recently informed the board of Ligonier Ministries, which has handled the matter internally, having suspended me until July 1, 2016. I also informed my presbytery which is also handling the matter internally. And now the world is informed.”
     “My sin, sadly, has impacted those who are innocent––my colleagues, friends, and family. I have and will continue to seek their forgiveness. I covet your prayers.”

     -Josh Duggar(4)
Josh wrote, “I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have been unfaithful to my wife. I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him. I have brought hurt and a reproach to my family, close friends and the fans of our show with my actions. The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country I was hiding my own personal failures. As I am learning the hard way, we have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. I deeply regret all the hurt I have caused so many by being such a bad example.”

     -Seth Oiler(5)
“Seth Oiler died in the prime of his life. The 42-year-old pastor of First United Methodist Church (UMC) in Newark, Ohio, committed suicide in his church-owned home [in May]. His untimely death followed an adulterous affair with a church staff member to which he admitted.” The writer comments, “I can only imagine the guilt, shame and condemnation that was flooding his soul.” He left behind a wife and children.

     -John Gibson(6)
“New Orleans pastor and seminary professor John Gibson...can now be counted among the casualties of the Ashley Madison fiasco, [he committed suicide], and according to his wife, it illustrates the real and unnecessary human toll.”
     “For 25 of their almost 30 years of marriage, Gibson and her husband struggled with his sex addiction. She knew that he struggled and had relapsed over and over again. She did not know that he had used Ashley Madison until she read his suicide note... In it, her husband talked about his depression and his deep remorse and shame over having his name be among those found in the adultery website’s database.” The late pastor and professor Gibson said, “The shame is in the secrecy and the hiddenness and the lie of this.“

Ed Stetzer said that there might be up to 400 Christian men (all church leaders) whose secret sins will be exposed because of the Ashley Madison hack.(7) This is not counting the non-church leaders who may have an account; which means there may very well be 400+ families and communities impacted by unrepentant and secret sins!
     All of these men underestimated their sin and never thought their unconfessed, unrepentant, or secret sins would be exposed and cause themself and others harm. We don’t want this to be you. We don’t want the enemy ravaging you with bondage to sin, fear, and condemnation. We want you to know you are surrounded by other broken men, with sins & struggles like yours, and we also have a desire for those of you in sin/compromise to experience repentance, forgiveness, freedom, and restoration; because we have experienced it too.

5 Points of Caution
I believe God wants you specific men to hear these 5 particular points of caution—i.e. 5 points if taken seriously and followed will help to avoid the danger and mistake of unrepentant and secret sin.
1. God will put your unrepentant or secret sin on blast. (2Sam. 12:12, cf. 1Tim. 5:24).
     –Don’t assume that He won’t. And remember, God is perfectly righteous and just in doing so if He chooses to (Ps. 51:4). Instead, you need to recognize that the only reason your unrepentant or secret sin has not been blasted by God is because in His goodness He is patiently waiting for you to come to repentance (Rom. 2:1-4). It’s better that you tell on yourself and repent than God broadcast it and bring you to repentance the hard way.

2. Never forget your past. (i.e. don’t forget about your Egypt) (Tit. 3:3)
     -Don’t act like your past isn’t yours. Don’t fail to remember how cruel a master sin was. Don’t disregard the bondage/oppression/deception you were once under. Don’t fail to remember what God has delivered you from [and maybe still is]). The moment we forget about our past, we, like the Israelites, begin to desire the hazardous things of the past we just forgot about.

3. Remain ever watchful in your present. (1Cor. 10:12-13)
     -No sleeping on the job, ever. Always alert. Always inspecting. Be like the German soldiers during the Cold War, weapon in hand, standing guard at every hole in the wall so nothing slips by. There is too much at stake. Be constantly vigilant!

4. Confidently pursue your promised future. (Col. 3:1-4)
     -Your life is hidden with Christ. You are not your past or your present. You are your promised future! Pursue the transformed you, the you being made-over in the likeness of Jesus, the you being progressively sanctified in Jesus, the you controlled by the Holy Spirit, the new you "being renewed in knowledge according to the image" (v10) of God. Your promised future is one of wholeness and holiness. Confidently pursue what God has for you while remembering your past and being watchful in your present!

5. Remember the character of God. (Heb. 13:8)
     –He is just and merciful. God will justly judge our sin, and yet He will extend mercy when we cry out to Him in repentance and for forgiveness.
     –He is holy and full of grace. Anything unholy is offensive to God. Our sin is offensive to Him. Yet, He graciously pardons our sin and iniquities even though we never deserve to be pardoned.
     –He is jealous and loving. God despises sharing our devotion and worship with anything or anyone, but His love remains unconditional toward us despite our disloyalty toward Him.
     –He is sovereign. God is in complete control and works all things together for our good according to His will, and yet He still holds us responsible for our sin, and to repent, and to obey.

Conclusion
There are, what I believe, 9 common sins among men: (The list below is not in any significant order)

(i)Porn
     “64% of Christian men…say they watch porn at least once a month.” “Because porn use thrives in secrecy, many church members are trapped in a cycle of sin and shame, thinking that they're the only ones facing this temptation.”(8)
(ii)Masturbation
(iii)Fornication
(iv)Pride of heart (the attitude)
(v)Pride of life (the pursuit (why and what), the image [reputation])
(vi)Idolatry (putting something/one in the place only God belongs)
(vii)Anger (rage, outward aggression)
(viii)Lust (lust of eyes, lust for sex)
(ix)Selfishness (self-absorbed)

These 9 are seen and done so naturally that conviction decreases, and so does repenting of these things, and so does striving to be transformed from these things (i.e. deliverance, holiness, wholeness).

Three verses to ponder and obey:

Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)—“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
Jam. 5:16 (NLT)—“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
1Jn. 1:9 (ESV)—“If we confess our sins [to Him], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Do not be that man that underestimates his sin and never thinks that your unconfessed, unrepentant, or secret sins will not be exposed and cause yourself and others harm. Confess and repent and experience mercy, healing, forgiveness, and cleansing!

“Freedom means that on your worst day you are loved by the Father because your acceptance is based on the righteousness of Another.” “Freedom means you don't have to hide from God because Jesus took your rejection. Weary and broken you can run to His gracious arms.” –Paul Tripp

____________________
1. www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/06/21/billy-grahams-grandson-steps-down-from-florida-megachurch-after-admitting-an-affair/
2. www.charismanews.com/culture/51066-tullian-tchividjian-gets-why-pastors-caught-in-adultery-commit-suicide
3. rcsprouljr.com/blog/general/judgment-and-grace/
4. www.churchleaders.com/daily-buzz/260849-5-things-pastors-learn-josh-duggars-confession.html
5. www.charismanews.com/opinion/watchman-on-the-wall/49866-pastor-commits-suicide-in-church-owned-home-after-admitting-adultery | www.christianpost.com/news/married-pastor-commits-suicide-after-admitting-affair-with-church-member-he-loved-god-ronald-reagan-and-captain-america-139666/
6. www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/09/09/why-the-wife-of-a-pastor-exposed-in-ashley-madison-leak-spoke-out-after-his-suicide/
7. www.churchleaders.com/daily-buzz/261321-ed-stetzer-400-pastors-caught-ashley-madison-hack-may-resign-sunday.html
8. www.covenanteyes.com/pornstats

12/2/2015

Reflections in James

I was reading the book of James for my morning time with God throughout the months of August and September. As I read along, I took notes of some reflections and would post them to Facebook and Twitter from time to time to encourage and challenge believers. When I looked back over all the notes I had accumulated I thought it would be a good idea to post them all in one place. So here we are.... May my notes from my time in James encourage and challenge you as well.

• Trials are to be counted as blessings because of what they produce in us, growth/maturity. The end is greater than the pain of getting there. It's like working out, we like how we look and feel after all the hard, long days in the gym. The name of our life gym is called “Trials”, and God is our fitness coach. Look toward the end result during those painful periods. Remind yourself it's worth it because God is chiseling you into His likeness. #changeinperspective #getfit #feeltheburn (Jam. 1:2-4)

• Asking God in faith and doubting contradict one another. Faith acknowledges God's character, doubt does not. Either we ask God in faith and await His response in hope, knowing that whatever He decides will be good because He is good and works all things together according to His good pleasure; or we doubt and disbelieve God can or will or that His response will be something other than for our good and we begin to worry, become anxious, and miss the good in God's response. (Jam. 1:5-8)

• The glory of humility is exaltation (i.e. being honored for being humble). The glory of the rich is humiliation (because riches don't last and the pursuit of riches is short-lived). (Jam. 1:9-11)

• Happiness is a by-product of enduring temptation. We're happy when we don't succumb to temptation, woohoo! Honor from the Lord is a reward of enduring temptation. Oh to hear the words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant!”, is like being crowned by the King. (Jam. 1:12)

• James 1:13-18 contrast good coming from God and tempted to evil coming from our own desires. And James warns us not to be deceived. Any evil we do or desire or approve comes from within us. Any good we do or receive or desire or approve comes from God.
  

• Believers are to receive God's Word with meekness, not arrogantly or passively. (Jam 1:21b)
  

• Only the Word implanted in the heart is able to save souls (Jam 1:21b). Our words, reasoning, opinions, and so on have no ability to rescue a person. Only God's holy Word does! Be an open and friendly conduit of God's truth from His revealed Word! #thepowerisinHisWord
  

• Acceptable piety to God is to selflessly serve others in need and be noticeably set-apart from the world. (Jam 1:27)
  

• James 2 is so easily misinterpreted to mean “we are justified by works”. Yet the context clearly shows that “faith is justified by works”. James 2 is so misinterpreted because we rather earn our salvation than for God to give it to us freely. Works are self-initiated. Grace is anti-self and God-initiated. Our faith is justified by works because it was initiated by grace. Thus, the works that genuine saving faith will produce is God-initiated not self-initiated (cf. Phil 2:12-13).
  

• Faith and favoritism cannot coexist. If you show favoritism to one person over another, James says you commit sin. Our churches are failing in this department. Pastors, leaders, and members go read James 2:1-13 and repent if you're guilty and make the hard adjustments for the glory of God and the gratitude of His grace in your life. Hold each other accountable to this charge in Scripture. The church is not a country club (e.g. members only, same race only, same class only, etc), it's a safe haven for all sinners in need of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  

• People should not be quick to be teachers of God's Word/Truth (either in speaking or writing). It's a tall task of which there is an even taller standard of accountability. We will be judged by our words. There is a great cost for such a great privilege. (Jam. 3:1ff)

• There are many people who appear wise and sound wise, but if they do not bear the fruit of wisdom they are not so. (Jam 3:13-17)
  

• James 4:1-4 is where we are when we compromise and are being carnal. James 4:5-6 is how God responds. James 4:7-11 is to be our appropriate response to God's response. Let us read and heed! #devowithJames
  

• Whenever we speak evil (unkind, untruthful, gossip, slander, etc) of another believer we speak evil of the law of Christ and sit in the seat of God declaring condemnation (James 4:11-12). Be mindful of what you say about other believers, even in the name of “venting” and getting “accountable”, because you may be sinning against God and that believer. #morningdevowithJames #convicted #imguiltyofthis #Jamesholdsnopunches #letsdobetterChurch
  

• Be careful that the plans we make are not in arrogance as if we are sovereign. James calls this evil. (Jam 4:13-16)
  

• The person whose heart desires and is filled with an abundance of things eventually brings misery and judgment upon themself. Their riches/wealth are their corroded treasure they have chosen over the Lord. (Jam 5:1-8)
  

• Over-indulgence leads to judgment. (Jam 5:5)
  

• We as believers need to be more quick to bear with one another than to grumble against one another. For how we are so we shall receive. (Jam 5:7-9)
  

• When suffering as a believer remember the end is always intended by the Lord, who is full of compassion and mercy. (Jam 5:10-11)
  

• Don't make commitments and promises you can't keep, or you'll come under the judgment of hypocrisy. (Jam 5:12)
  

• We in the Church need each other. We need to be available for one another. We need to reach out to one another in the highs and lows. We can do much good to one another if we follow James instructions with pure hearts or much harm if we don't. (Jam 5:13-16)
  

• It's okay to pray the unbelievable and the unforeseeable. God is not intimidated. He may very well do it. (Jam 5:17-18)
  

• We are our brothers/sisters keeper. We are to help bring them home when they're wandering in error and heading for death. (Jam 5:19-20)

10/1/2015