Are We Evangelical?

This morning, before leading our ladies Bible study, I was thinking about the reasons I recommended the series I did for our ladies. I wanted to utilize material that was consistent with the ministry and vision of our church, *and I wanted material that would draw people to Christ as the Lord and Giver of Life, not one time, but throughout the life of His church, historically, presently, corporately and individually. I wanted the study to be intentionally evangelical (Gospel-focused and Gospel-driven.) So much of what we hear from "evangelical" pulpits is not evangelical. And as much as so many evangelical pulpiteers claim to be evangelistic, they fail to be. As much as they disavow the humanism of psychology and philosophy, they provide their congregations with lists, goals, exhortations, directives, and rulings, rather than evangelizing their communities and churches. But where is the hope? Where is the Good News? Where is the Gospel? Where is the Evangel? Where there is no good news, there is no true religion. Where there is no Gospel, there is no church. Where there is no evangelism, there are no Christians. As my child lay ill for months this past year, the problem of a lack of an evangelical spirit became so vividly clear to me. If she died, what did she need to know? What did she need to hear? Did she need to hear 4 easy steps to be a better person? 3 ways to die well? No. She didn't need steps or tips. She needed to know Jesus. She needed to know what He had accomplished for her. She needed to know the assurance that whatever happened to her, she was safe in His hands. He had lived, died, and risen again for her, and continually intercedes for her...that she is secure in Him. As we think about preaching, as we think about learning doctrine, remember the point. Yes. We must understand our state, and what our sinful condition has done to our relationship to God. We need to know how to love God and serve others well. But first and foremost, of *paramount importance (I Corinthians 15:3), is *knowing and hearing the Gospel. Without knowing Him, without being assured of His grace and kindness and goodwill toward us, all the steps and programs in the world come to nothing. Know Him and make Him known. Be a true evangelical: one who declares the good news of Jesus Christ, in the Gospel. Listen to Michael Horton as he explains what the Gospel is and is not. Remember the Gospel. Be fed on the Gospel. Proclaim the Gospel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caMVMayR690&t=2s

Our Hero

Our Hero

"The book of Judges shows us what a world looks like in which people look inside of themselves rather than outside of themselves for the hero they are searching for. And it is not a pretty picture... But in the middle of this darkness and distress, Judges also presents us with hope--hope that a hero will come along, a hero who is ...not from inside us but

from outside us. Judges helps us to see not only that we really need a hero, but also exactly what we need our hero to save us from." ~The Son of David Seeing Jesus in the Historical Books
As I was reading Nancy's book for a women's group I lead for our church, Ladies of Riverside, it reminded me of these truths. 
Because man, in his original state, under the Covenant of Works, was wired to work for God's favor, our natural inclination is to turn inward to save ourselves.

"Incurvatus in se (Latin for Turned/curved inward on oneself) is a theological phrase describing a life lived "inward" for oneself rather than "outward" for God and others.

Paul the Apostle wrote of this condition in the Epistle to the Romans 7:15, 7:18-19:

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ... For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

It was perhaps Augustine of Hippo who first coined the phrase incurvatus in se. Martin Luther expounded on this in his Lectures on Romans and described this state as:

Our nature, by the corruption of the first sin, [being] so deeply curved in on itself that it not only bends the best gifts of God towards itself and enjoys them (as is plain in the works-righteous and hypocrites), or rather even uses God himself in order to attain these gifts, but it also fails to realize that it so wickedly, curvedly, and viciously seeks all things, even God, for its own sake." ~quoted

As I consider my own sins and the sins of others, I need to remember the solution to our problem does not come from inside of us, but from our Hero, the Serpent Crusher promised to us centuries ago and before the foundations of the world, the Savior of Sinners, the Propitiation for our sins, the Friend of His enemies, Jesus Christ the Righteous. The *Gospel, His work "extra nos"--*outside of us, *for us is the answer. Today, remember His life death, burial, resurrection and persistent intercession *for us. He is our true and better Hero.

Food for thought:I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel. ~Genesis 3:15
She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:21
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ~I John 2:2
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. ~Romans 5:10

Hospitality with the Gospel in View

Hospitality with the Gospel in View 

What words do you think of when you hear “hospitality”? …Manners, etiquette, welcoming.

Emily Post the American author famous for writing about etiquette, said "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

When we welcome others into our homes what do we want them to feel and know? What

do we say in actions and words that let them feel and know they’re welcome? Listen to this passage Scripture passage, and as you hear, think about what rules of hospitality were broken and what Jesus is teaching us about hospitality.

Luke 7 ³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the  Pharisee’s house and reclined at the  table.³⁷ And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil ³⁸ and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”

⁴⁰ Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”

⁴¹ “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. ⁴² Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” “You have judged correctly,” He told him. ⁴⁴ Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. ⁴⁶ You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Discussion questions:

Do you think that Simon showed hospitality? Why or why not?

To whom do you think Jesus would like us to show hospitality?

What message did Jesus share about welcoming others?

How has He welcomed you into His home and family?

Listen to how Jesus welcomes us into fellowship with Himself, in the words of Thomas Cranmer the 15^th century leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Book of Common Prayer:

Hear what comfortable words our Savior Christ says unto all that truly turn to Him.

COME unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Matthew 11:28

God [the Father] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Hear also what the Apostle Paul says.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

Hear also what the Apostle John says.
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 2:1

Prayer:
Heavenly Father: We thank you, thank you so much for the hospitality you show us by welcoming us into your family through Jesus, Who lived, died, was buried and rose again from the dead, according to the Scriptures for us and for our salvation. Thank you for making us your beloved children, who were once, because of our sin, your enemies. Thank you that one day, you will welcome us into our heavenly home, where we will worship you fully and forever. Forgive us for all the ways and times we have failed to show love and hospitality to those who need our love. Help us in light of your love to us, to love and serve others well, both in our homes and in our daily lives. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Definitions and Food for Thought:

Sinner: someone who breaks God’s Holy Law. Every human being who has ever lived, because we are the children of Adam, and because we personally fail to keep God’s Law.

God’s Law: God’s commandments summed up by Jesus in two great commandments: Love the Lord your God personally, perpetually, and perfectly, all your life from conception to the death, and love your neighbor as yourself.

travail: working to the point of exhaustion.

Advocate: Someone who defends another before a Judge.

Propitiation: receiving the full weight of God’s anger and punishment for our sins.

Gospel: While we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ, God’s own Beloved Son, the Messiah, lived, died, was buried and rose again from the dead, according to the Scriptures for us and for our salvation so that we can be welcomed into God’s family.

(This was written as a devotion for the Ladies and Little Girls of Riverside Tea, August 17, 2019.)

Sanctification

Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 35

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Q: What is sanctification? A: Sanctification is **the work of God's free grace,1 whereby we are **renewed in the whole man after the image of God,2 and are **enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.3 2 Thessalonians 2:13. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and of the truth. Ephesians 4:23-24. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Romans 6:4, 6, 14. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. . . knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. . . For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 8:4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I would argue that "monergistic" is the appropriate term to describe Sanctification. If you're in agreement with the catechism, which specifically states whose work sanctification is,

then we know and agree that sanctification is the work of *One: monergism. The rest of the answer to Q. 35 shows the *effect of sanctification, not the cause. God's work (monergistic) necessarily produces the effect noted in the answer to Q. 35.

If you make the effect the cause, that is synergism, and robs God of the glory He gets for sanctifying His people. Read the verbs in the answer to Q. 35.

The wording the Divines used here is very intentional. "Renewed" and "enabled" are in the passive voice. Those are things worked in us *by God to produce our dying to self and living to righteousness.

The catechism *does not say, "Sanctification is the work of God's free grace *plus your effort...." It says Sanctification is a work of God's free grace that produces certain results in His people.

There is no doubt that our justification and sanctification will produce good fruit. That is inevitable. As the Heidelberg Catechism states, "It is impossible that those grafted into Christ by true faith should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness." (A. 64)

If you would like to learn more on this topic, listen to and read R. Scott Clark on Heidelblog. https://heidelblog.net/2016/07/sanctification-is-a-work-of-gods-grace-resources-on-sanctification/?fbclid=IwAR2w95xa2Bx9VVYEtZLvDXXFyb95ApuYv9OznE8GZYqppV1Y3zJ-Emw3bgU

The comforting truth is that those whom God justifies, He also sanctifies. With Paul, we can rest assured. "I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6

Gospel Hope in Suffering

Gospel Hope in Suffering

Why do Christians suffer?

There are certain trials we endure in life that cause us to question ourselves, our faith and even our God. We'll never know all His reasons for allowing suffering. But we do know that as the people of God we are allowed to enter into Christ's suffering (John 15:20) [*References linked below.] . We also know that He is with us in the suffering (Romans 8:35). He bore our sins and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4), and ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). He will also vindicate for all offenses done to us (Romans 12:19). In union with Christ, He feels every injury as if it were done to Him (Acts 9:4). We have a tender, compassionate Savior in Jesus.

It is easy for our flesh to despair and question God's faithfulness when we're hurting, but God the Father is not to blame for sin or the trials we endure. The blame is on us, humankind, as fallen, rebellious people (Genesis 6:5). The way to measure His heart is to look to the back to His Son, whom He sent out of love to rescue us from the ruin we bring upon ourselves (John 3:16). Then He sends His Spirit to guide and comfort us (John 14:26). Do not rest on the way things appear, rather on what we are told from Scripture. God's heart toward you is not evil, but kind.

Recall the comfort of Heidelberg 1.
"I am not my own, 1
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death, 2
to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. 3
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood, 4
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil. 5
He also preserves me in such a way 6
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head; 7
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation. 8"...
1.1 Cor 6:19, 20.
2.Rom 14:7-9.
3.1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14.
4.1 Pet 1:18, 19; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2.
5.Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14, 15; 1 Jn 3:8.
6.Jn 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 Pet 1:5.
7.Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18.
8.Rom 8:28.
❤ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A20%3B+Romans+8%3A35%3B+Isaiah+53%3A4%3B+Hebrews+7%3A25%3B+Romans+12%3A19%3B+Acts+9%3A4%3B+Genesis+6%3A5%3B+John+3%3A16%3B+John+14%3A26&version=NASB

Flawed

I am so thankful for the flawed characters in Scripture, Old and New Testaments.

  I am thankful for Abraham, the father of faith who also failed in his marriage and family roles.
 I am thankful for Moses who also lost his temper and was privileged to see the glory of the Lord.
 I am thankful for David who conspired to kill, rape, and take another man's wife, yet is known as the apple of God's eye.
 I am thankful for Peter who made bold claims about his faithfulness to Christ Jesus and proceeded to deny Him not once, not twice, but three times, and yet the Lord's faithfulness to him prevailed.
 I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ down through history and on into the present who are equally as flawed and failed in their lives and walks with the Lord, who struggle and yet own their proneness to wander.
 I am thankful because they all show us one thing: That it is not the fortitude of our faith that preserves us. It is the unfailing strength of His mercy and grace in Jesus that has saved, saves and will save us. "He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it."
 Aren't you thankful? Let the truth sink in: Jesus, Who lived, died, was buried and rose again for our salvation, is the faithful Savior whose love is never spent and whose faithfulness never runs dry. When you show Him your flaws, He will only show you the scars on His hands, feet, and side.

Mortification of Sin

Mortification of Sin: Mortification of Sin has been defined as "The discipline and duty of resisting our inclination to sin by laying hold of the power of the Holy Spirit who resides in each believer. The Spirit makes effective in believers the benefit of Christ’s atoning death on the cross, the great redemptive act of love and power which broke the dominion of sin in the lives of those who have been justified by simple faith in Jesus Christ." (*citation below)

Listen to this good word from John Fonville: "We deny ourselves. We discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness, as Paul says, but it is the Spirit who sanctifies, not our efforts. We work BECAUSE God works in us- Philippians 2. There is a place to look inward (Rom. 7:13-24). But, the key is we do not stay there. Having been made aware (painfully aware at times) of our failure to live up to who we are in Christ and to keep God's holy, just and good law, we immediately look out of ourselves and outward in faith to Christ alone (Rom. 7:24-8:1)."

We know that justification is wholly outside of ourselves. Christ alone makes us righteous, by His righteousness. Christ alone atoned for us, for the forgiveness of our sins. Christ alone was buried and rose again so that we are resurrected to new life now, and in the world to come. Yet sometimes we become confused and perplexed about our sanctification. The WSC provides us comfort. Even sanctification is a "gift of God's free grace." He does not fail to conform us to the image of His Son. So, do not despair. As you are aware of the reality and gravity of your sin, humble yourself, confess, then rejoice! Your acceptance with God has not changed, because He is faithful. He lived for you. He died for you. He is ever interceding for you.

*Missouri Presbytery Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Memorial Presbyterian Church for Hosting the Revoice 18 Conference in July 2018