I just came across some helpful insight regarding "reading genealogies in Scripture." Often times when I get to these sections (ex: Genesis 5, Matthew 1), I find myself thinking, "Why do I need to read this? Why is this in the Bible? How does this family tree have any relevance to me?" Millard Erickson in Christian Theology (p. 133) offers some helpful insight. He writes...
It is common to observe (correctly) that very few Christians turn to the genealogies in Scripture for their personal devotions. Yet even these portions must have some significance. We must ask "What are the underlying truths?" Several possibilities come to mind:
1. All of us have a human heritage from which we derive much of what we are
2. We have all, through the long process of descent, received our life from God
3. God is at work providentially in human history, a fact of which we will be acutely aware if we study that history and God's dealings with humans
These truths have meaning for our situations today.
Next time you read a genealogy in Scripture, I hope these insights help!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Triune God Fights for You
I visited The Rooted Church this morning down in Fort Worth. The Rooted was recently planted by CityView which was planted by The Village a few years ago. Church multiplication is a glorious thing!
Anyway...I really needed to hear the sermon that was preached from Romans 8:1-4. The big idea was that The Triune God fights for you--for your holiness. For those who are in Christ, there is:
v1. No Condemnation - Justification - God's declaration - God sent Jesus to fight for my holiness on the cross
v2. No Bondage - Sanctification - Our transformation - God sent the Spirit to fight for my holiness daily
The truth is that the most powerful power in the universe is at work in those who are in Christ (Eph 1:19). Believers can therefore live in the assurance that God will fight for us until our final glorification (Rom 8:30)! We must remember that (according to Rom 8:3) neither our flesh (human will power) nor the law (systems of religion) can save us. God alone saves. God alone sanctifies. After all, this is the will of God: our sanctification (1 Thess 4:3). This is why God sent His Son to die in our place for our sins, this is why God has sent His Spirit to dwell in our hearts--that we be sanctified through and through.
This humbled me greatly: If you're not pursuing holiness you're spitting on the cross of Christ, you're mocking the glory of God. If you're a believer, this must be the fight of your life. God is fighting for us. Let's join Him in the effort for His glory and our joy!
NOTE: I'd encourage you occasionally to visit other gospel-centered churches (check out some of the Acts29 churches in your area). Sometimes the Lord uses different speakers (who say familiar things in slightly different ways) to convict and challenge. This was the case today. Thank you Lord!
Anyway...I really needed to hear the sermon that was preached from Romans 8:1-4. The big idea was that The Triune God fights for you--for your holiness. For those who are in Christ, there is:
v1. No Condemnation - Justification - God's declaration - God sent Jesus to fight for my holiness on the cross
v2. No Bondage - Sanctification - Our transformation - God sent the Spirit to fight for my holiness daily
The truth is that the most powerful power in the universe is at work in those who are in Christ (Eph 1:19). Believers can therefore live in the assurance that God will fight for us until our final glorification (Rom 8:30)! We must remember that (according to Rom 8:3) neither our flesh (human will power) nor the law (systems of religion) can save us. God alone saves. God alone sanctifies. After all, this is the will of God: our sanctification (1 Thess 4:3). This is why God sent His Son to die in our place for our sins, this is why God has sent His Spirit to dwell in our hearts--that we be sanctified through and through.
This humbled me greatly: If you're not pursuing holiness you're spitting on the cross of Christ, you're mocking the glory of God. If you're a believer, this must be the fight of your life. God is fighting for us. Let's join Him in the effort for His glory and our joy!
NOTE: I'd encourage you occasionally to visit other gospel-centered churches (check out some of the Acts29 churches in your area). Sometimes the Lord uses different speakers (who say familiar things in slightly different ways) to convict and challenge. This was the case today. Thank you Lord!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Jesus is the answer to the problems of Romans 1
Though Jesus is not spoken of directly in Romans 1:18-25, the text points out the problems to which Jesus is the ultimate answer.
• Jesus is the one who bore the wrath of God in the place of sinful man so that we would never have to.
• Jesus, the Son of God, became ungodly so that ungodly rebels might be called children of God.
• Jesus, the Righteous One, because unrighteous so that unrighteous idolaters might become the righteousness of God.
• Jesus, the Wisdom of God, was called a fool so that foolish hearts might be transformed to know God intimately.
• Jesus, the Light of the World, was given over to darkness so that those who walked in darkness might be illuminated with great light.
• Jesus, the Truth incarnate, was suppressed beyond degree so that truth-suppressing sinners might know the Truth and be set free.
• Jesus, the sinless one, was dishonored beyond measure so that dark depraved men might live free from lust and impure pleasure.
O, what glorious exchanges result from Christ’s work on the cross!
• Though we had exchanged the truth of God for a lie, Christ exchanged His life to bring us back to God.
• Though we had worshiped and served creature rather than Creator, Christ became the most pitiable of creatures so that the Creator might bring forth abundant new creation through Him.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
• Jesus is the one who bore the wrath of God in the place of sinful man so that we would never have to.
• Jesus, the Son of God, became ungodly so that ungodly rebels might be called children of God.
• Jesus, the Righteous One, because unrighteous so that unrighteous idolaters might become the righteousness of God.
• Jesus, the Wisdom of God, was called a fool so that foolish hearts might be transformed to know God intimately.
• Jesus, the Light of the World, was given over to darkness so that those who walked in darkness might be illuminated with great light.
• Jesus, the Truth incarnate, was suppressed beyond degree so that truth-suppressing sinners might know the Truth and be set free.
• Jesus, the sinless one, was dishonored beyond measure so that dark depraved men might live free from lust and impure pleasure.
O, what glorious exchanges result from Christ’s work on the cross!
• Though we had exchanged the truth of God for a lie, Christ exchanged His life to bring us back to God.
• Though we had worshiped and served creature rather than Creator, Christ became the most pitiable of creatures so that the Creator might bring forth abundant new creation through Him.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Am I an Acts 15:26 man? (are you?)
Reading through the book of Acts, I’m struck by the caliber of men who served as the first leaders of the church. In Acts 15, in particular, we catch a glimpse of these men. At the Jerusalem Council, the church leaders come together to look into a matter of great dissension. Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James arise to speak—tag teaming a display of extraordinary leadership.
Peter speaks first, offering a theological appeal—reminding the church leaders of how God saves: the Holy Spirit acts upon a person to hear the gospel and graciously enables a response in their heart through faith (15:7-11). Barnabas and Paul then speak, giving a testimonial appeal—evidencing how they’ve seen this salvation take place among the Gentiles (15:12). Up next is James, who concludes with a historical appeal—referencing Simeon and quoting the Prophets (15:13-18), rooting their discussion and decision in redemptive history. He then offers the solution (15:19-21) which seemed good to the Council (15:22).
The church then chooses leading men from among them—Judas and Silas—to accompany Paul and Barnabas in the delivery of this instructional letter to the church in Antioch (15:22). These men are described as “men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:26). Oh, that I would be such a man! One who lives in complete allegiance to the gospel, risking my life for the sake of Christ. Oh, that the church would be filled with Acts 15:26 men.
Peter speaks first, offering a theological appeal—reminding the church leaders of how God saves: the Holy Spirit acts upon a person to hear the gospel and graciously enables a response in their heart through faith (15:7-11). Barnabas and Paul then speak, giving a testimonial appeal—evidencing how they’ve seen this salvation take place among the Gentiles (15:12). Up next is James, who concludes with a historical appeal—referencing Simeon and quoting the Prophets (15:13-18), rooting their discussion and decision in redemptive history. He then offers the solution (15:19-21) which seemed good to the Council (15:22).
The church then chooses leading men from among them—Judas and Silas—to accompany Paul and Barnabas in the delivery of this instructional letter to the church in Antioch (15:22). These men are described as “men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:26). Oh, that I would be such a man! One who lives in complete allegiance to the gospel, risking my life for the sake of Christ. Oh, that the church would be filled with Acts 15:26 men.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Gospel in One Little Letter
I love the Bible. I love that it is so much more than a religious rulebook or a list of moral principles to follow. The Bible, though 66 distinct books with various different stories, tells one overarching story—the story of redemption through Jesus Christ. Running through every single book in every single story on every single page are threads that connect to the One Great Story. The believer will be served well to look for The Story in all the stories.
Even in Paul’s short letter to Philemon, we catch a glimpse of Christ’s great work of redemption. In a letter meant to encourage reconciliation between two first century people—a slave (Onesimus) and his master (Philemon)—the work of Jesus Christ shines through. In this letter, Paul writes to Philemon, “But if [Onesimus] has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account” (1:18).
Is that not a glorious picture of the gospel? Is this not what Christ has said to God on our (on my!) behalf? Oh, how I can hear the Savior say, “Father, if [Bryan] has wronged you in any way [and oh, how he has!] or owes you anything [and oh, how he does!], charge that to my account.” How glorious! This is a phrase that I (the ransomed wrongdoer) will marvel in forever as I worship the One who paid the debt on my account!
Just as Paul (the mediator) offered to pay the debt that Onesimus owed Philemon, so too Jesus has offered (and has!!!) paid the ultimate debt that I owe to God. In one short phrase in one little letter to one slave owner regarding one slave, we catch a glimpse into The Great Story of ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus is Great Mediator. Jesus is the Great Debt Payer. Praise the One who paid my debt!
Even in Paul’s short letter to Philemon, we catch a glimpse of Christ’s great work of redemption. In a letter meant to encourage reconciliation between two first century people—a slave (Onesimus) and his master (Philemon)—the work of Jesus Christ shines through. In this letter, Paul writes to Philemon, “But if [Onesimus] has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account” (1:18).
Is that not a glorious picture of the gospel? Is this not what Christ has said to God on our (on my!) behalf? Oh, how I can hear the Savior say, “Father, if [Bryan] has wronged you in any way [and oh, how he has!] or owes you anything [and oh, how he does!], charge that to my account.” How glorious! This is a phrase that I (the ransomed wrongdoer) will marvel in forever as I worship the One who paid the debt on my account!
Just as Paul (the mediator) offered to pay the debt that Onesimus owed Philemon, so too Jesus has offered (and has!!!) paid the ultimate debt that I owe to God. In one short phrase in one little letter to one slave owner regarding one slave, we catch a glimpse into The Great Story of ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus is Great Mediator. Jesus is the Great Debt Payer. Praise the One who paid my debt!
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