God’s Majesty Displayed

Psalm 8

Many things the Psalmist did not have to deal with that we do: all sorts of pollution incl. air and light; skyscrapers; instant communication that keeps us tethered and occupied; asphalt, power lines, cell phone towers, list goes on. All things that hinder or obscure our consideration of what is around us. Reverse is also true: David had no optical or radio telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, shuttle flights, International Space Station, electron microscope, radar and sonar and other technological aids to observing the very large and very small.

But he and we have important things in common: 5 senses + the Bible + time. David took his understanding of God’s Word, his senses, went outside his tent and took time to consider what he could observe. Conclusions he reached and recorded not the result of a few glances in passing, 2-minute breaks here and there. Came from extended observation and meditation, perhaps begun during times as shepherd boy, watching over his family’s flocks.

As he lay out on the Bethlehem hillside, crystal-clear night, longer he looked at stars and planets in sky above, more overwhelmed he became by their vastness. However, because of familiarity with Creation story written down by Moses, his meditation not held captive by material universe. Thoughts went beyond dimensions he could see to what is unseen – the Creator, and his relationship to his creation. Can imagine the what-if’s that raced through his mind – if the universe is this big/complex/diverse, what does that mean about God? The outcome of his meditation: a profound hymn of praise to majesty of God: in his nature as Creator, the vastness of his creation, his goodness to man.

A. in his nature as Creator v.1-2

majestic – superior, glorious over all in power and majesty with exclusive lordship

The works of creation and Providence evince and proclaim to all the world that there is an infinite Being, the fountain of all being, power, and perfection, the sovereign ruler, powerful protector, and bountiful benefactor of all the creatures. (Matthew Henry)

Yahweh Adonai – covenant God, sovereign Master: from David’s perspective, whoever is responsible is in charge

considering creation points to Creator

scope of creation –> immensity of Creator

wonder of creation –> glory of Creator

glory and majesty seen in creation is nothing inherent in it; it is presence of Creator, fingerprints of God

readiness of a child to say “Wow”

strong argument to silence God’s enemies

for God’s existence

for God’s glory, especially in creation

atheists are not born, they are made

Paul declares all mankind possesses knowledge of God (Rom. 1:18-21)

innate knowledge present from birth; although distorted, still true enough to original for all to be accountable

Reportedly the young child of an atheist couple once asked his parents, “Do you think God knows we don’t believe in Him?”

B. in the vastness of his creation v.3-4

Men are but gnats, of little stature and significance, limited to the sphere of the earth

Neil Armstrong’s “giant leap for mankind” – 152x to nearest planet, 390x to nearest star

During construction of Emerson Hall at Harvard University (1900), president Charles Eliot invited psychologist and philosopher William James to suggest a suitable inscription for the stone lintel over the doors of the new home of the philosophy department.

After some reflection, James sent Eliot a line from the Greek philosopher Protagoras (fl. 5th C. BC): “Man is the measure of all things.”

James never heard back from Eliot, so his curiosity was piqued when he spotted artisans working on a scaffold hidden by a canvas. One morning, the scaffold and canvas were gone. The inscription? “WHAT IS MAN THAT THOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM?”

Eliot had replaced James’s suggestion with words from the Psalmist. Between these two lines lies the great distance between the God-centered and the human-centered points of view. Warren Bird

The “observable” universe is HUGE

Andromeda galaxy – most distant visible with naked eye – est. 2.25 million light-years

then there’s what we need technology to view that’s beyond that – both macro and micro

and it’s all orderly – even within apparent disorder things still follow rules of operation

compare Creator to creation to man

mortal man in his frailty

hardly a flyspeck on fabric of universe, hardly worthy of Creator’s notice

just to count number of stars estimated to be in universe: 30 million years on a supercomputer

catch the wonder!

question is not “what are we?” but “why do we matter… to God?”

we do matter; God does notice

atheist/evolutionist says we don’t really matter, certainly beyond our planet, maybe not even there

notice David doesn’t answer question directly; stays in the realm of wonder and awe, overcome with God’s greatness

content to believe that since we know God, since he has revealed himself to us, since he takes care of us, we must matter

C. in his goodness to man v.5-8

We are unique, distinct from all the rest

only a little less than God, not a little more than apes

must be careful that in doctrine of man we don’t try to make him either God or animal

what gives mankind worth not what is obvious and measurable: strength, intelligence, achievement

We bear His image, created in His likeness

crowned with glory and honor

image of God that is man’s crown; true even when image is fractured and defaced – still recognizably God’s

mankind has value and dignity by virtue of his creation

nothing even close can be found in evolutionary scheme – man’s position only temporary until surpassed by next evolutionary leap

We share His dominion as vice-regents over creation

given rule and authority – responsible stewardship – neither worship nor exploitation

yet another distinctive that sets man apart from all other created things, and from God: rule is limited, is true rule

mandate to have dominion not revoked or forfeited in the Fall – ground was cursed, probably plant behavior changed as well

creatures brought under another dimension of the curse after the Flood – given for food but not left as sitting ducks: fear and dread upon all creatures (Gen. 9:2)

created order doesn’t cooperate, but man’s task is to exercise dominion to fullest extent possible

Dignity and dominion regained in Christ

all lost in Fall restored (and then some) by him and in him

all things are under authority of Christ, he has not yet subdued all things so they willingly submit to his rule (1 Cor. 15:25-28)

only in Christ will mankind be raised to position destined for children of the King

Christ did not return to glory alone – brought redeemed mankind along with him

it’s only in life, eternal life, that we will exercise dominion over creation as God designed

Only in Christ can man’s magnificent destiny be realised. “Man’s destiny as depicted in this psalm is not, and cannot be, accomplished out of Christ. He is the true Lord of all. In Him man reigns, in Him man shall yet be restored to his rightful lordship, and shall really and completely be in the new world of redemption what now he is but very imperfectly, God’s vicegerent, ruling a subject creation in peace, and harmony, and love.” — Edward Perowne, MK, 19th cent. Eng. clergyman

D. in man’s response v.9

We declare the excellence of the Creator

our Lord – what a statement

a personal God in personal (not individual) relationship with mankind – transcendence and immanence

how that personal connection increases passion and praise

from a position of gracious blessing that we give praise

can’t help worshiping God even when we don’t have proper words

speak what we can: e.g., see also Rom. 11:33 “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

his greatness and superiority

Observation of creation should result in praise to/of the Creator

seen in grandeur of creation, goodness to man

must express our adoration of Creator who transcends his creation at every opportunity

not deification of creation

not worshiping god in creation but God of creation and of re-creation

May we not only never lose (or recover if we’ve lost it) the ease with which a child is wowed by the work of the Creator and the re-Creator. There’s enough material there to last for an eternity of praise.

Between God and us the distance is infinite; and, if it were possible, our love and thankfulness should fill up that distance, and extend itself to infiniteness, saith a grave divine. Trapp

By This We Know

1 John 2:3-6

High school students, particularly at Christian school have interesting minds. Fun and often easy to play with, especially when they trust the teacher. Regularly take them down line of reasoning either had a flaw or led to wrong conclusion, then see how they’d get back to the truth. Occasionally would point them down a rabbit trail instead of back to main road. Would at times be topics in Bible class, intended to give practice for future times with professors who couldn’t be trusted. More than once, when faced with plausible-sounding but conflicting arguments, response would be, “Mr. Marshall, I’m so confused!” Immediately move on to next subject! No, wonderful teacher would patiently point out fallacies in reasoning, build a sound argument on a sound foundation, then move on.

Might seem like John has done similar in his epistle. Walking in darkness, walking in the light, fellowship with Him, fellowship with one another, say we have no sin, confess our sins, I write so you may not sin, if you sin… I’m so confused! I don’t know if I’m a Christian or not, I don’t know if I can know if I’m a Christian. I don’t know if I can be one or stay one or… I don’t know what I know and what I don’t know anymore.

Perhaps John sensed potential for readers’ frustration and confusion. Begins next section with new phrase: “by this we know” 8x (1 John 2:3, 5; 3:16, 19, 24; 4:6, 13; 5:2), twice in our text, balance in 2nd half of epistle. Here John declares two things we can know: that we know Christ, that we are in Christ. Doesn’t leave it as some theoretical possibility reserved for a few insiders, John describes objective ways a claim to knowledge can be measured and verified: we keep his commandments, keep his word, walk as Jesus walked.

A. we know

we have come to know him (3a)

you tell me you’re a Christian, I ask how you know that, could you give satisfactory response – one that satisfies biblical conditions?

go to church Sunday morning, read Bible at least once a week, put something in the plate, don’t cuss; all good, but is that best evidence you can give?

how about – made a decision, prayed a prayer, walked the aisle 27 years ago; again, all good, but is that biblical standard / evidence?

all that says is what you did or perhaps do, not who you know

btw, tests here in 1 John work for evaluating spiritual condition of others, primarily given for personal use – determining own standing with God; enough to think about most of the time!

come to know someone through fellowship with them

shared reality, things held in common, togetherness; Jesus described fellowship this way:

John 17:20-23“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

comes from spending time with Christ in his Word and with his family

learning how he thought, acted

understanding his priorities, expectations

being able to finish his sentences

know what will make him smile, cry, sing, get angry, commend, rebuke

can’t acquire that sort of knowledge on Facebook, through casual acquaintance on Christmas and Easter, or even 1 or 2 hours a week

showcase flower gardens don’t just happen, neither does knowing God

we are in him (5)

John equates “hav[ing] come to know God” with being “in him”

Christ in us, we sort of get that – by his Spirit indwelling (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16)), by his Word taking root and bearing fruit (John 15:7), by us looking more like family each day (Rom. 8:29)

what about us being “in him” – what does he mean by that

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8:1

we are one body in Christ Rom. 12:5

in Christ all shall be made alive 1 Cor. 15:22

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

God sees us as redeemed in Christ, no longer lost in sin; Christ is the head, we the body

We see Christ as absolutely essential for life – our Savior, to whom we look for wisdom and strength

us in him, him in us –> together = union with Christ

walking together through Christian life, side-by-side, yoked together with him

B. we keep

his commandments (3b)

first evidence John gives – objective outward measure of inward reality

don’t miss what John is saying: obedience is evidence of something, not means to acquire it

saying: here’s how you can know for certain God has already changed you, brought you into fellowship

not saying: here’s how you can earn his approval, work your way into good graces, by following this rule

is saying: genuine Christian, one with true faith will have this mark; faith and obedience, knowing God and obeying God go hand-in-hand

strengthened by declaring the negative (4)

one who does not obey does not know God

some parallels:

to know God is to have fellowship with God

to walk in the light is to obey his commands

to not have fellowship with God is to not know God

to not obey his commands is to walk in darkness

what are they John 13:34; 14:15, 21; 15:12, 17; Matt. 22:37-40

1st one is a given (love God), wouldn’t be talking if it weren’t already true; 2nd one (love neighbor) is evidence of the 1st

then Jesus adds dimension to second

love for God, love for neighbor already covered; now he adds “one another”, those who have true fellowship

relationship with, how we treat Christian brothers and sisters must look different from other relationships

and Jesus sets the standard for the new dimension

“just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” John 13:34ESV

context of foot-washing, last Passover

intentional, willing, humble, self-sacrifice for the good of another

think of how Christ exemplified each of those for our good

now think: how would our church be different if we took that kind of love seriously

how about our community, our world – love like that would change the world

his word (5)

doesn’t leave us guessing about what his commandments are

don’t need to wait to hear God tell us in our ears what they are

“The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience” LBCF I.1

what we are to know, believe, and practice – dependent on God’s Word as ultimate source

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness“ (2 Tim. 3:16)

C. we walk

as we abide (6a)

“abide” a word Jesus used repeatedly his last night with disciples: 10x in John 15:4-10

gave the Eleven picture of vine and branches – he the vine, they the branches; abiding describes relationship between two

branch dependent on vine for nourishment, life, support, stability, fruitfulness and usefulness

apart from Christ, even the Eleven could accomplish nothing (v.5)

it’s free flow of nutrients from vine to branch that make it worth more than just kindling

as he walked (6b)

exact imitation in view here – just as Jesus lived, so should one who abides in him

not imitating neighbor, parent, church friend, pastor – imitating Christ

encouraged by example of others, yes; it’s Jesus who sets the standard, though

that level of faithful imitation meant Paul could write: “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Phil. 3:17

total dependence on God and submission to his will as revealed in Scripture

So,… as you look at your life and heart do you see great lack of obedience to God’s Word and no great desire to do so? You don’t need time, you don’t need some extra work, you need God’s saving grace. Repent of your sins, turn to Christ in faith believing he is who he claimed to be – son of God and savior of the world, confess your sin and seek his forgiveness.

Or… do you see some level of obedience accompanied by a love for God and desire to please him because you love him? Do you love God’s Word, gladly embracing it as the rule of life? Be assured that if you love God, if you treasure his Word, if you desire to obey him, it is because you are his child. Thank him for what he has done already in your life, pray for his strengthening and sustaining grace to enable you love what Jesus loved, live how Jesus lived, to more closely walk as Jesus walked.

Lord, Save Me

Psalm 7

Recent world news items:

The Moroccan media is publishing false accusations against foreign Christians in an effort to perpetuate Islamic animosity toward Christians in the country.

Uzbekistan: Authorities continue to pressure churches and Christians, fabricating evidence to punish or limit Christians’ ability to practice their faith, and subjecting them to excessive fines, false accusations, and confiscating their Christian literature.

On January 6, the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress launched a report that contained highly inflammatory and false accusations against the Christian community in an attempt to bolster support for the repressive legislation.

Abbottabad, Pakistan – Accused of a crime they did not commit, two Christian spouses were arrested and savagely beaten by the police for three days, for refusing to confess.

Hindu extremists continue to target Christians in India with harassment, false accusations, beatings and even murder. The Global Council of Indian Christians believes Hindu extremists are behind two recent murders of Christians in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Last Tuesday,two pastors were burned to death in Mombasa, Kenya. The two pastors, Benjamin Juma of Nyali Baptist Church and Jackson Kioko of Melchidizek Church, were planning to hold an evangelistic outreach in the Jomvu area of Mombasa, but while they were planning, a crowd gathered and suddenly accused them of being thieves. Without waiting for any confirmation of the supposed crimes, members of the crowd set the two pastors on fire. By the time the pastors’ friends and families heard about what was happening, it was too late.

David’s situation quite similar: falsely accused of plotting against the government, of inciting rebellion (1 Sam. 24:9-12; 26:18-19). This Psalm his response, his cry to God for justice, not only for himself but for the nations. Principles apply regardless of specific nature of accusations or parties involved. Just as pertinent to ones dealing with injustice on personal, family level and where the stakes don’t rise to level of life and death.

Important to note as we go along here, David’s cry not motivated by selfish desires or ends. Yes, he had personal stake in the outcome – survival. But that’s only one component of the whole and not primary motivator; just actions and just result as outworking of God’s just and righteous character are what David desired. And it’s all in context of heart devoted to God. Look at the “bookends” of the psalm:

v.1a “O LORD my God, in You I put my trust;”

v.17 “I will praise the LORD…” “[I] will sing praise to the name of the LORD”

total confidence in covenant Yahweh, total devotion to Yahweh seasons the expressions of David’s heart and lips. Will come back to that at end.

A. Lord, save me – from whom 1b-2

persecutors (1b)

those who pursue to make war or take revenge

unrelenting, no rest even for moment; spoiling for a fight, trying to provoke conflict, seeking to get even, payback for imagined injury

dangerous enemies (2)

ones who have real power to do real harm – slander, even though begins with words, if unchecked can have profound long-lasting consequences

slander quickly multiplies enemies – begins with one, never ends that way. Understandable given qualities of slander’s “poster child”: “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. (1 Pet. 5:8)

David prays: enemies are closing in; push them back, make room for me to live in peace. Lord, you’ll have to do it because no one else can rescue me.

B. Lord, save me – why 3-5

Lord my God, what have I done? Have my hands done something wrong? Have I done wrong to my friend or stolen without reason from my enemy? If I have, let my enemy chase me and capture me. Let him trample me into the dust and bury me in the ground. Selah NCV

I’m innocent of the charges (3)

so far as David knows, he bears no guilt – accusations are untrue, have no basis in fact; can go to bed and fall asleep easily with clear conscience

acting deceitfully (4a)

has not taken advantage of friend or relationship

in fact, on at least 2 occasions had resisted encouragement to kill his known enemy Saul; OTOH, Saul likely would have killed David

acting unjustly (4b)

has not taken initiative in hostilities, only responded to attack and waged war justly

“To do evil for good, is human corruption; to do good for good, is civil retribution; but to do good for evil, is Christian perfection. Though this be not the grace of nature, yet it is the nature of grace.” William Seeker

if not, let them destroy me (5)

if accusations are true, then…

consequences are warranted; enemies should be allowed to triumph over him

in effect asking God not to interfere, to take hands-off attitude

will recognize God’s hand in calamity

if enemies prevail, David will take it as indication from God that he was blameable

Selah. Pause to reflect on declaration of innocence – convinced it is justified, carries on with plea.

C. Lord, save me – how 6-8

just judgment (6)

note: David does not request permission to annihilate, superhuman powers, invincible armor, stealth weapons…. Not a request for supply of whatever David needs for David to prevail over enemies

David engages God to act on David’s behalf and on God’s own behalf

both David’s honor and God’s is at stake if assessment of situation is correct

calls on God to appear in his full strength: arise (take action), lift yourself up – rise to full height and strength and majesty

God, you declared yourself the Judge – now’s a good time to put on your robes and carry out justice so wicked won’t think you’re bluffing

btw, all your people are in danger (7)

true injustice affects more than just immediate “participants”

things lead to things, people are related to people – actions have far-reaching consequences both good and ill

according to promise (8)

to judge the earth in righteousness Psa. 75:2-9

to bless…, to curse…

D. Lord, save me – to what purpose 9-10

wickedness would cease (9a)

plea not simply for his own deliverance from adversaries; passionate plea for deliverance from wickedness for all God’s people

note: not praying for an end to the wicked but an end to their evil deeds because of God’s action

righteousness would prevail (9b)

make the just secure, them and their labors; wickedness be replaced with righteousness

David confident that right would overcome since God’s just judgment based on true knowledge – thought and motive

upright would be protected/defended/delivered (10)

David confident God would defend him because of his innocence and love for God

presumptuous? not really! “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.”1 John 3:21

E. Lord, save me – for what reason 11-13

it fits God’s character (11)

just judge is encouragement to righteous, threat to the wicked (Rom. 13:3-4)

it works for good

by bringing to repentance (12)

notice God’s longsuffering; repeatedly gives sinful men opportunity and incentive to repent

by bringing down judgment (13)

longsuffering but not a procrastinator; if repeated incentive only serves to harden, final judgment will eventually be carried out

F. Lord, save me – because I get it 14-16

the wicked are really evil (14)

judgment not unjust; evil is real, not simply an appearance or misunderstanding

tries to entrap the innocent (15)

falls in his own trap

tries to harm the innocent (16)

harms himself

evil and wickedness doesn’t pay; I know better than to try to get ahead that way. In fact, my intention to stay far away as possible from that way of life.

provides consolation – won’t get away with it forever; will eventually be day of reckoning, when God balances out the accounts

G. I love you, Lord 1a, 17

integral part of prayer: adoration

I trust you (1a)

I know you (17a)

according to…

I praise you (17b)

genuine love for God fuels a passion for his glory

regardless of circumstances there is cause to trust God – he is trustworthy; regardless of circumstances there is cause to praise God – he is praiseworthy.

The one who is righteous can have confidence in God knowing this: when God is glorified, it is good for his people. Don’t fully understand how it all works, but know that he does work it out for our good. For that we can and should praise him.

Propitiation for Sin

1 John 2:1-2

Spent year-and-a-half working through Isaiah, 73 sermons on topic: The Holy One of Israel. In evening service: 6 months in James and Pursuit of Holiness. Conclusion: a holy God requires a holy people with whom to fellowship. If true, what does a holy people look like? In culture permeated by moral relativism, what fits biblical definition of real faith? A question John endeavors to answer in his epistles.

WSC Q10: How did God create man? A10: God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.

Model of holiness – Adam and Eve pre-Fall. Then, sin, mankind no longer holy. Not even close, no way on his own to get there. Not even possible to shine up enough to be acceptable to God. If he is to have a holy people for fellowship, has to begin with some pitiful specimens. Good thing for us God accepts us as we are, dirty rotten sinners, hopelessly lost in sin. He doesn’t leave us that way, though. Expects us to progress in holiness, to wear the evidence of real Christianity John describes in epistles.

John says clearly: wrote the letter in order to promote holiness in his readers. Sin is ongoing reality, but… can’t just accept as a given that we can’t help, let chips fall where they may, presume God will forgive anyway. Must recognize reality, identify the enemy, deal with it God’s way.

A. the goal – perfection/acceptance

tender concern for the flock – τεκνία – teknia – little children

this from a “son of thunder” (Mar. 3:17; Luk. 9:49-56)

time and work of Holy Spirit had transformed

early in time of following Jesus – all right out there, bold for the Gospel, quick to lose patience when message wasn’t received immediately

“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” v.49

“Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” v.54

fire and (perhaps) pride of being on right side, side of truth no longer evident

now it’s patient and gentle firmness along with sadness

firmness to guide genuine believers in the truth, sadness toward those who reject it

purpose of writing – reminder/exhortation

reminder: no longer under domination of sin

John’s intention not to bully them into obedience

sin does not have power to bully into disobedience

sin is present but not an inescapable given

the goal: no sin at all; fact we think it might be unreachable no excuse for not trying

indentification: the enemy is sin

not circumstances, not someone else

greatest enemy is within and John later says, so our greatest help (1 John 4:4)

exhortation – this is the goal, you’re not in it alone; fight a good fight against known enemy

a holy God requires a holy people for fellowship

B. the problem – remaining sin, 2-part issue

we all live with it

he says “if”, not “when”, you sin – another reminder sin isn’t a given

human frailty is never excuse to relax God’s standard – Ivory clean isn’t good enough

God accommodates our weakness by providing a substitute, not dumbing it down

our Substitute absolutely 100% pure and free from sin of any kind

OT: nearly 50x, sacrificial animal identified as one without blemish

Peter says we were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19)

Christ loved the church, gave himself for her “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:27)

it alienates us from the Father

remember God’s title: “Holy One of Israel”, Isaiah’s response to seeing Lord Christ on his throne

Isa 6:5“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”

no high-fives, “big guy in the sky” language; none of that with this John either

Rev. 1:17 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.”

Father is not indifferent to sin, regardless of where it lies

will not overlook ever or tolerate forever persistent sin

judges it in his enemies, chastises and corrects it in his children

when present it hinders fellowship between Father and child – brings into disfavor, causes distance

what hope can we have? Once again in debt, no resources to cover the debt, no way to appease God’s righteous anger against sin. Good news for child of God: have an advocate with the Father.

C. the person – an Advocate

one who stands beside: παράκλητος – parakletos – advocate

not one who speaks in our defense: sin is indefensible

we stand before the Father guilty of having sinned against him

rather one who speaks on our behalf

doesn’t deny our guilt, he takes credit for our guilt

doesn’t maintain our righteousness, pleads his own righteousness in our place

doesn’t seek reduced penalty for us, reminds the Father that he paid penalty in full

doesn’t argue for mercy rather than justice, reminds the Father he completely satisfied demands of justice

means we shouldn’t be paralyzed in sin or hopeless in fight against it

if we understand nature of sin and work of our Advocate, know there is hope for reconciliation

Arise, my soul, arise, / Shake off thy guilty fears: / The bleeding Sacrifice / In my behalf appears: / Before the Throne my Surety stands, / My name is written on his hands.

He ever lives above, / For me to intercede, / His all-redeeming love, / His precious blood to plead; / His blood atoned for ev’ry race, / And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds he bears, / Received on Calvary; / They pour effectual prayers, / They strongly plead for me; / “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry, / “Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

My God is reconciled; / His pard’ning voice I hear; / He owns me for his child, / I can no longer fear; / With confidence I now draw nigh, / And “Father, Abba, Father!” cry.

D. the means – propitiation

he himself, the Advocate, is the sacrifice: ἱλασμός – hilasmos – propitiation, atoning sacrifice

imagery of sacrifice pointed to a substitute from beginning

sin offering formalized in Mosaic law: Leviticus 4

bull or kid or lamb brought tabernacle, offerer would “lay his hand on the [animal]‘s head and kill the [animal] before the Lord.” Then animal burned as offering to the Lord

symbolically transferring guilt of sin from own head to head of animal, then exacting payment of penalty for sin from the substitute

in that ritual, was clearly visible what sinful man deserves for disobedience and rebellion

purpose of propitiation – turn away or appease the wrath of God

wrath – Rom. 1:18; 2:6-11

rightly directed against ungodliness and unrighteousness, those who do evil rather than good

that’s all of us before we come to Christ in faith – none righteous, no not one

the propitiation, the one who is the sacrifice himself, who sacrificed himself

absorbed and bore the wrath that should have been ours

standing before the Father, those 5 wounds are unmistakeable evidence he was the sacrifice

they speak the truth: Father, you can justly forgive those for whom I suffered

also speak the truth: child of God, your cleansing and holiness flow from Christ, your forgiveness has its foundation in Christ and his completed sacrifice

E. the extent – the whole world

not just Jews

those who had been special recipients of God’s favor for generations

to whom the Savior had been born – son of Mary, son of David

not just those in Asia Minor

within sound of John’s voice

within reach of John’s pen

not just those who already had fellowship with God, Father and Son

to whom Christ’s redemptive work had already been applied

who had already experienced forgiveness from sin and cleansing from unrighteousness

members of all families of the world

as promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Gen 12:3; 26:4; 27:29

know for certain Gentiles are included:

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8)

and, of course, broadest expression of all:

“You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9; 7:9)

Not an inclusive message here, not one way among many to find acceptance with God. Jesus Christ the righteous is the propitiation, the advocate, the Savior of the world. The only way to God, only source of forgiveness and cleansing. Not intolerant, it’s actually liberating: you’ve heard the truth, don’t have to wonder or go looking to see if you’ve found the right way to be right with God. It is here and only here in Christ Jesus. Only by trusting him will you find mercy and rest and forgiveness and hope. Trust him, he will save you.

The Lord Will Be an Enemy

Genesis 12:1-3 Exodus 23:20-26 Deut. 30:1-10; 32:28-43
Matt. 6:9-13; 18:6-7; 26:24; Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 6:9-11

Difficult passages in OT, next Psalm no exception. One of “those psalms which may be rightly deemed “imprecatory” (i.e., whose characterizing element is the imprecations or cries for divine vengeance found in them) are better limited to fourteen: Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 94, 109, 129, 137, 139, and 140.” Day In view are extended passages which have flavor like Psalm 7:6: “Stand up angrily, Lord! Rise up with raging fury against my enemies! Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment you have decreed for them!” What should we think about them, how should we relate to them, are they still applicable today? An understanding of how God relates to people is good place to begin.

Two ways God’s relationship with mankind elaborated in Scripture: covenant and kingdom. Would be accurate to say the King relates with subjects on basis of covenant. Scripture/special revelation is structured around covenant – present even in how we navigate, publish the Bible: Old & New Testament / Covenant. In New Testament, both words used to translate διαθήκη, diatheke; not always clear why one term chosen over the other.

Individual expressions of covenant: Adam (Gen. 2:17), Noah (Gen. 9:9-17), Abraham (Gen. 15:18, 17:4ff), Moses (Deut. 29:1ff), David (2 Sam. 7:12-16), new covenant (Matt. 26:26-29); are distinct, not disconnected – serve to communicate different aspects of God’s one redemptive plan as revealed to mankind in the covenant of grace. Whether using covenant or kingdom language, by very nature establish at least two categories of people:

those with whom covenant was established directly or representatively – “you and your descendants” (Gen. 17:10) – and everyone else (strangers)

those who are citizens of the kingdom and those who are aliens

both ideas brought together by Paul, Eph. 2:12 “that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

In some instances: terms of relationship with both groups articulated, other times only one side is emphasized. Often focus is on parties to the covenant – promises made to them. Doesn’t mean God is ambivalent or passive toward aliens and strangers; on contrary, they are just as much in his view as citizens. Paul sums that up well: God is the one “who works all things according to the counsel of his will”. (Eph. 1:11)

A. nature of biblical covenant

unilaterally (one-sided) declared and administered bond of commitment with accompanying promises and requirements

unilateral – not result of negotiation or even mutual agreement; entirely one-sided in its institution and administration. The one instituting decides who will be party to covenant, what terms and conditions, declares them to be in force, handles all administrative decisions and actions. Notice who is speaking:

example: Abrahamic Covenant – I will make you, I will bless you, I will bless them, I will curse him

bond – the one instituting binds himself to relationship with other party or parties, committing to guarding, maintaining and preserving the bond

example: Abrahamic Covenant – “I will” 5x, “you shall” 2x

also, ceremony ratifying that covenant: smoking firepot and flaming torch passed between animal pieces – God alone, not Abraham

promises / requirements – may be explicit or implicit; explicit promises in Abrahamic covenant. Communication with Moses includes explicit promises and requirements as well as threats for failing to meet requirements.

B. examples of covenant terms

blessing and cursing (Abraham)

+ great nation, great name, be a blessing, have a land

– curse the one who dishonors Abraham (and his offspring)

blessing for obedience, consequences for disobedience, destruction for enemies (Moses) See Ex. 23:20-26

=> obey his voice (21) if you indeed obey (22)

+ direction & protection (20)
blessing on bread and water, protection from illness (25) – reversal of Genesis curse?!
great fertility, long life (26)

– no pardon for rebellion

X enemy and adversary (22) I [will] cut them off / blot them out (23)

may be numerous and significant parallels with secular political history, treaties ratified among pagan nations of Middle East. However,…. not talking here about pagan rulers – it’s the one true and sovereign God of the universe speaking in this way to his subjects.

C. not strictly OT phenomena

argument has been made: that’s way it was in OT, not appropriate or consistent with NT ethics. Cursing enemies OT way, loving enemies NT way. “Law of Christ” holds to higher standard than “Law of Moses”. If that is answer, should be reflected in content of NT – imprecations should be absent.

implications of Lord’s Prayer Matt. 6:9-13

nature of the kingdom: if one prevails, other must be destroyed

Scripture nowhere portrays God as benignly content with leaving the wicked on own reservation

God has no policy of containment – wicked either advance Christ’s cause (grudgingly) or own condemnation

to pray “your kingdom come” = “deal with your enemies as you advance your kingdom”

weight of Jesus’ statements Matt. 18:6-7; 23:13-36; 26:24

“woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” – declared 7 times in ch. 23

calls them children of hell (15) fools (17, 19) full of lawlessness (28)

challenges them to “fill up the measure” of their ancestors’ wickedness and guilt (32)

asks rhetorical question “how can you escape the condemnation of hell” (33)

ok, so woes were called down by God incarnate; he has right/authority to do that, we don’t. Yeah, but… he doesn’t have a different ethical standard for himself than what applies to us. And,… same Christ who said “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44) said all this! The one who is our example, in whose steps we are to follow. (1 Pet. 2:21)

meaning of Paul’s statements Gal. 1:8-9

“let him be accursed” 2x “let him be anathema”

In lxx anathēma means a thing devoted to God without being redeemed, doomed to destruction (Leviticus 27:28ff; Joshua 6:17; 7:12) RWP

direct parallel with some portions from Psalms – calling down a curse on someone else, and on self if applicable. Yes, he was an apostle, but…. called on brethren in Philippi to “join in following [his] example, …as you have [him] for a pattern”. (Phil. 3:17)

request of martyred saints Rev. 6:9-11

“how long before you judge and avenge”

those who died for their faith, now in heaven, ask the question

response: rewarded with white robes signifying purity, exhorted to wait a little while. No rebuke, no hint of wrongdoing

pretty clear and safe conclusion: cries for God to rise up and carry out vengeance on his enemies found far beyond OT – in NT and even heaven itself. Which means there must be some way for us to handle these passages properly.

7 of them written by David, dedicated to Choir Director (55, 58, 59, 69, 109, 139, 140); 2 more written by Choir Director himself, Asaph (79, 83). Intended to be used in public worship of God by his people; such use sanctioned by God since under divine inspiration were included in “Authorized Hymnal”, the Bible.

D. don’t forget Christ

enemy of Christ’s body is enemy of Christ (Acts 9:4-5)

there is intimate connection between Head and body; remember “unity” theme in Jesus’ prayer

attack against body is ultimately attack against Head, Christ; point he made to Paul

Head works through means to accomplish his purpose, build his church

those means: the body and gifts he has given; whatever hinders them in their divinely appointed work is affront to Christ

friend of the world is enemy of God (James 4:4) – Christ had to deal with that (all that made them enemies) in place of elect

a just God cannot require more of his Son as a substitute than of his enemies

consider Christ’s satisfaction on the cross – if that was just penalty for Christ bearing man’s sin, it’s equivalent is just penalty for man as sinner

E. what about imprecatory passages

imagery must be understood in context – Iron Age battlefield conditions

but without diminishing true meaning

e.g., God used Jewish army to bring judgment on Canaanite people; means & methods would look much different today

passages that are hyperbolic must be understood as such

while retaining true spirit – God, deal with your enemies

no room for personal vendettas – vengeance is God’s

so long as when we pray God would deal with our enemies we use “our” properly, it’s ok

“us” as God’s people corporately in union with him

those with agenda to frustrate progress of Christ’s kingdom classify as enemies, aliens, and all who are their allies

not limited to “spiritual” enemies – “spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (Eph. 6:12)

flesh and blood are enemies; Paul’s point: “not to us is the wrestling against flesh and blood”

quoted 2x: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:19; Heb. 10:30; Deut. 32:35); our battle is on the spiritual level with spiritual weapons because we’re calling in spiritual powers to deal with physical/spiritual enemies. There is a battle with flesh and blood and it is God’s.

must leave room for God to achieve his ends his way

he has freedom to crush or convert, choice is his as well as timing

So what’s the bottom line? What’s really being prayed for in these passages? How should we think of them when we pray them? Basically this: it’s a request in more or less graphic terms for God to keep his covenant promises.

“Lord, look at us; we’re your people, surrounded and harassed by your enemies and ours. You promised to be an enemy to them, an adversary to them, to build your kingdom, to have final victory over evil and evildoers. Lord, keep your promises.”

We can and should pray these sorts of prayers against evil governments, evil religious entities, those who clearly have heart and mind set in opposition against Christ and his kingdom. At the same time, we show love to enemies, pray for their conversion, do our best to meet our covenant obligations of obedience. At all times, must be mindful it is solely because of God’s grace and mercy that Paul’s words no longer describe us: “without Christ, …aliens from the commonwealth, …strangers from the covenants, …having no hope and without God in the world.”

What We Say About Our Sin

1 John 1:8-10

The problem of guilt – begins early, two unseen people join family. You’ve heard of them, especially when something has happened, ask question: “who did it?” Favorite response: Not Me or Ida Know. I’ve never met either face-to-face, apparently many others have. Incredibly well-traveled and busy people, credited with doing all sorts of things, even what seems impossible. Are so popular because mankind has extremely hard time acknowledging guilt. By ourselves, have no way to deal with it so have to deny it or shift blame to someone else (Not Me or Ida Know).

Even deeper issue/problem though. Guilt means committing an offense, breaking a law. That implies a lawgiver, and natural man really doesn’t want to go there. At least not in ultimate sense, when it means reckoning with God. Tendency and desire to avoid guilt doesn’t magically disappear at conversion either. Being “elder statesman”, seasoned pastor, John understood people, recognized what he’d said through v.7 could lead to misinterpretation. Labored hard in his writing to ensure that wouldn’t happen.

Established in introductory sermon: apostle John who wrote epistle; immediate audience was (in our language) born-again Christians, those “who believe in the name of the Son of God”. (1 John 5:13) Perhaps, like any church family, a mixed group, but primary target was true converts. Important also to establish who is “we” (76x) and “us” (50x):

those who heard/saw/touched Christ (1:1)
who bear witness of Christ and declare to others (1:2)
who have fellowship with God, Father and Son (1:3c)
by extension, those in audience who have fellowship with them, all of the above (1:3b)

A. say we have no sin v.8

statement at end of v.7 does not mean we are free of indwelling sin, sinful tendencies

means there is hope, John refers to it again in v.9

“There is no stain made by sin so deep that the blood of Christ cannot take it entirely away from the soul.” Barnes

we do have a nature that is being renewed, but live in body still corrupted by sin

a work in process, completed at death/resurrection

“he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6

that already / not yet aspect of Christian life again: already saved, being sanctified, not fully complete until 2nd Coming

to deny presence of indwelling sin is to

practice self-deception – refusal to acknowledge a present reality

remember, this from man who had been “walking with the Lord” for at least 3 decades! Sin still an issue for him

deny what we know to be true

you live with you, what do you know to be true of your own life, especially parts only God can see

what John describes is really impossible for believer: truth must be in us and we know it (1 John 2:21)

to reach this conclusion (being without sin) means

do not have biblical view of

nature of man – made in God’s image, born in sin, sinners by nature and action

process of salvation – ordo salutis (Rom. 8:29-30; 1 Pet. 1:2)

effectual call – accompanies general call of Gospel, distinguishes responders from non-responders
regeneration – once-for-all action of birthing; no partial-birth abortions in God’s maternity ward
justification – once-for-all declaration of “not guilty”; but,… simul iustis et peccator
sanctification – process of accomplishing predestination, conforming us to image of Christ, moving us toward perfection
glorification – ultimate goal, total freedom in soul and body from any trace of sin

B. say we have not sinned v.10

statement at end of v.7 does not mean we are free of committed sin, sinful actions

not just propensity, tendency, temptation to sin we deal with – have to face the real thing

even a handful of brain cells connected and functioning remind us:

not just sinful, we are sinners

saved by grace, adopted children in God’s family, having an inheritance in heaven, sinners

John doesn’t say it this bluntly to make discouraged, depressed, hopeless; quite the opposite

he’s talking about real-life experience of those really born again

look back v.7: walk in the light, don’t do that, can’t seem to do that for very long; must mean we’re not saved

point is: can’t deny sin to make foundation for assurance of salvation; must deal with it biblically

we do indeed have a will enabled to do what is spiritually good, but…

do not perfectly or exclusively will what is good

speak, think, act in way that pleases God some (perhaps even most) of the time but not all the time

because we inhabit sin-corrupted bodies, sin comes out at times in spite of best efforts

should happen less as time passes, but never completely free from it

results in life-long, at times intense struggle – see Rom. 7:14-25

to deny presence of sinful acts, even after regeneration, is to

make God a liar

none is righteous, no not one (Rom. 3:10) all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23)

not even Abraham was righteous; “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” (Rom 4:9)

repudiate truth of his word

what John describes is really impossible for believer: word must be in us in order to know the truth

Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

true believer when confronted with plain teaching of Scripture will submit to its authority as word of God

to reach this conclusion means

do not have biblical view of

nature of sin

couple ways to get there:

minimize the infraction – not serious enough to count as sin, especially against God; not a big deal

monkey with the Bible – may be what it says but isn’t what it means; applied back then but not now

man’s responsibility

man as composite being of body and soul is accountable for all of his actions

can’t say “my soul is cool, it’s just my flesh acting up and that’s not important”

Savior’s name reminds us of this: “call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)

last thing we should want to do is needlessly add to burden of our sin he bore in his own body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24)

so what is proper attitude/response of genuine Christian to sin? It’s not denying we have sin problem, John has made that abundantly clear. Also makes it plain repentance and confession are normal part of Christian life for the duration.

C. say the same as God about sin v.9

confession does not mean “telling on yourself to God”

can tell him what you did, still have wrong attitude about it

besides, God already knows what you did; simply informing him of it serves no good purpose

confession follows repentance

μετάνοια – change of mind or heart

no longer think it’s ok, it’s minor, it’s desirable and we deserve it, we can get away with it, God will overlook it

do think it’s wrong, sinful; do turn away from pursuing or practicing it

confession does mean “to agree with God”

ὁμολογέω – “say the same thing as” God does about our sin

agree with him that we either broke his law or failed to keep his law; either way, we’re guilty

stems from biblical understanding of sin

what it is

WSC A14 Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

not loving God with all heart, soul, mind, strength or loving someone/thing in his place

loving self more than neighbor or not loving neighbor at all

who is offended

all sin is against God – he’s the lawgiver, his law that has been violated

sin may be against someone else in addition to God

David recognized sin against Bathsheba and Uriah ultimately sin against God (Psalm 51:4)

and from biblical understanding of God

what His character is like – faithful and righteous to forgive

when Christ waged war on sin, didn’t end in a truce like Korean War (still at war, just not presently fighting it)

Christ’s war ended in victory – penalty for sins of his people paid in full, completely satisfying demands of God’s justice

God keeps his promises, always does what is right and just

how he demonstrates it

by keeping promise to forgive those who trust in Christ when they confess

means those who trust in Christ can confess confident there’s no sucker punch waiting

we can be certain God will do as he promised

by granting forgiveness and restoration on basis of Christ’s accomplished work

sin wasn’t just swept under rug, laid in full on Christ

he was condemned and punished so that those who trust in him would not be

no condemnation, no wrath for sin hanging over believers – would be unjust, unrighteous for God to do that

results in

forgiveness

covers over our sin with blood of Christ, remembers it against us no more

will not bring it up again, wave it in our face, keep count of how many times it’s happened

cleansing

purifying from sin’s defilement

removes hindrance to fellowship – means we can come close to God in worship, in communion/fellowship with him, have keen sense of his presence

justification and sanctification

Yes, we’ve been forgiven. Yes, we still need forgiveness, daily. Yes, we’re in constant battle against sin. However, no longer under mastery of sin, do not need to be dominated by it. Should see regular progress in holiness, pressed further and deeper into mold of Lord Jesus each day.

No thanks to our genius or our goodness. All thanks to Christ Jesus, his blood that saves us from wrath of God and purifies us. Seek his forgiveness, experience his cleansing, walk more closely with him in the light, claiming nothing for yourself and depending on him for your every need.

A Cry for Relief

Psalm 6

Rabbi Harold Kushner “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”, (c) 1981, begins Chapter 1 with this statement: “There is only one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people?” Then tries to answer that question in 8 chapters including:

1. Why Do the Righteous Suffer

3. Sometimes There Is No Reason

4. No Exceptions for Nice People

7. God Can’t Do Everything, But He Can Do Some Important Things

8. What Good, Then, Is Religion?

In final chapter Kushner says this: “Let me suggest that the bad things that happen to us in our lives do not have a meaning when they happen to us. They do not happen for any good reason which would cause us to accept them willingly. But we can give them a meaning. We can redeem these tragedies from senselessness by imposing meaning on them. The question we should be asking is not, “Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this?” That is really an unanswerable, pointless question. A better question would be “Now that this has happened to me, what am I going to do about it?”

David experiencing hard times; I believe he would disagree vigorously with the good rabbi. David’s God wasn’t partly handcuffed, he did have good reason for the affliction in David’s life. David’s response not to blame God; rather recognize God gets the credit, for correcting, not being mean. Doesn’t mean David rolls over, plays dead; on the contrary, pleads vehemently with God for relief, receives strong assurance his pleas have been heard.

A. appeal v.1-7

please don’t (1)

chasten: “to correct by punishment or suffering”

not a request to escape correction/chastening

in dire straits, didn’t necessarily know exactly why

knew enough of God’s character to presume God had good reason

first assumption was he had sinned and deserved correction

DO NOT assume affliction is always result of sin, hidden sin even, lack of faith; that’s charismatic/fundy guilt trip

DO check quickly with God: if it’s sin, show me; if it’s lack of faith, help me; if it’s something else and I need to know, reveal that to me

is a request that chastening be exercised in love, not anger

be as firm as you must, as gentle as possible

“I, alas, am as a nail under the workman’s hammer, better driven in with gently strokes than with hard blows.” Richard Baker

understood principle of Heb. 12:5-11

discipline is demonstration of true love, fatherly concern

a painful but necessary means to a good end

please do (2-4)

have mercy – I am weak (fading away) (2a)

a humble acknowledgment of need

your wrath, your anger would consume me; my only hope is in our mercy

heal me – my bones and soul are troubled (shaking) (2b-3a)

response to fever or fear – perhaps one amplifed the other

asking for wholeness, healing both physical and emotional/spiritual

made up of both body and soul – intimately interconnected, mutually influencing

distress of soul described by Jesus of himself: John 12:27“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.”

“a mental pain, a distress, an anguish of a sort that no issue but death can be thought of” Warfield

“a heaviness unto death, not extensive so as to die, but intensive, that if he had died it could not have suffered more.” Thomas Goodwin

==> how long must I wait for relief? (3b)

abbreviated request: evidence of intensity of emotion, depth of contrition

broken prayer can signify broken heart

be thankful God doesn’t wait to respond to cry for help as long as we took to respond to his call to repent

come back – I need your help (4a)

further acknowledgement of dependence on outside help

here’s where it is obvious chastening has been effective

purpose of chastening to get us beyond self-help, self-improvement

side note: also true of evangelism; so long as pagan thinks there’s remote chance he can fix his own problem, will not turn to God.

rescue me, save me – because of your faithfulness (4b)

throws himself completely on God’s mercy

no inkling of self-worth contributing to argument for deliverance

I’m basically a nice guy, God really ought to take care of me, I deserve it

here’s why (5-7)

dead people can’t praise you (5)

argument from worship

silencing me would diminish number of worshipers – isn’t that counterproductive?

God will lose the honour, and himself the happiness, of his praises and thanksgivings. Bonar

not wrong to plead for longer life in order to praise God

I’ve had all I can take; all I do is weep (6)

argument from weakness

I’ve reached the point where no more will/can be accomplished without a reprieve first

voice is hoarse, eyes swollen with grief, can’t sleep

I can’t see straight for sorrow (7)

down in depths of discouragement, sorrow, grief – a place most everyone visits at least once

quite likely some serious sin the underlying cause of David’s grief

regardless of source, important to recognize: hard circumstances drove David to God, not away

remember too: it was hard circumstances, not easy ones

right response for Christian in any difficulty – cry out to God for help, for relief

God s people may groan, but they may not grumble. Spurgeon

B. assurance v.8-10

no change of circumstances – dramatic change of attitude

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain. William Cowper

God has heard (8)

God waits to act until we ask

repentance or request may be prerequisite for deliverance

both remind of dependence on God

for forgiveness

for help

God can provide assurance without immediate action

Bernard (Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee) saith, “How oft hath prayer found me despairing almost, but left me triumphing, and well assured of pardon!”

how?? key is what comes first – pardon, restored fellowship that provides calmness of soul

second way effectiveness of chastening is obvious

depart… – a determination to be far from those who would incite to sin

clear indication tears were genuine – sorry for his sin, not just his hardships

“Those who have experienced God’s pardoning mercy will never be content to continue in sin.” Biblical Illustrator

God will receive (9)

past answers are foundation for present assurance

“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him; How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!”

repeated examples in Bible – saints base pleas for help, confidence of answer on God’s past actions

made certain by God’s character

unchanging – doesn’t change the rules mid-game

faithful – to his character and his promises

Ex. 34:6-7And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

sincere plea for mercy will be heard and answered

Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

it’s clear from God’s character and promises: sufficient grace and mercy to meet needs of all who call on him

purpose in being seated on throne is to dispense grace; exhortation is to approach “confidently” – confident of hearing, confident of response

God will respond (10)

prayer heard and received will be acted upon

regardless of how God chooses to respond, will not allow children to be overcome by enemies

may choose to change our circumstances, or… change us in our circumstances

God will certainly frustrate plans of his and our enemies

Two things: God’s children can be certain of pardoning mercy and gracious answer to prayer. We can (and should) confidently offer the same to all who turn to him in sincere repentance and faith.

Walking in Darkness or Light

1 John 1:5-7

You’ve heard the slogans: The customer is always and completely right. Pleasure is the path to joy. Have it your way. It’s everywhere you want to be. Because you’re worth it.

Spoil yourself. Satisfy yourself. You be the answer to your own problems. That’s world’s idea of what is right. Not where John started. Didn’t start with self. Didn’t even start with the other guy. Started with God, everything else followed from there.

A. a holy God

1st worldview category: theology

belief determines behavior

belief begins with God

governs belief in every other category

belief in right God is essential to life

wrong belief about God results in wrong way of life

God is light = God is holy = God is pure, uncompromising toward evil

his holiness, purity, righteousness, goodness are perfect

absolutely no flaws, imperfections anywhere in his being or character

James gives additional truth about quality of “God who is light”

no flickering, dimming, power surges

always and unchangeably at full brilliance, intensity, perfection

fellowship with a holy God at the center of what it means to be a Christian

John already stated, v3: you => fellowship with us => fellowship with Him

another way of saying what Jesus said: John 17:20-21“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

no room in picture for stand-alone Christians, just me and my Bible and my special place

a holy God requires people with whom he fellowships be holy

he says so: “be holy for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2)

Isaiah saw glory of Christ (Isa. 6; John 12:41); response: “Woe is me! For I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

holiness a necessary result of Spirit’s abiding, taking up residence, in us: 1 Cor. 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

reminder:

to be holy means: devoted completely and irrevocably to God and his use, set apart from common use

ideas/beliefs have consequences; if that is what you believe about God and what he requires, then… certain things must be true.

To rightly consider yourself a child of God, one who has fellowship with God, certain things must be true.

B. a hypocrite’s life

old saying: “Deeds speak louder than words.” Whether true or not, people notice when there’s a mismatch.

Bible doesn’t give wiggle-room either – God requires honesty and consistency; saying and doing match and tell the truth

saying one thing, living another

say we have fellowship – a shared reality – with God; are fully devoted to God and his use

show no difference in behavior

from pre-conversion

no lasting ongoing change of priorities, desires, choices, actions

from no conversion

couldn’t be picked out of a line-up of unbelievers – same basic lifestyle as the majority

Sunday just another day; conversation the sort you could have with anyone: weather, friends/relatives, job, car, politics; basically nice person

nothing in word or deed that must have come from God’s word – see or hear and say “aha, there it is, that’s the proof”

means lying in word and deed

claim to be someone they truly aren’t

claiming to be devoted to God’s use while living / choosing / acting to satisfy self

claiming and living that deceives self, may deceive others, will never deceive God

based on a false hope

I walked the aisle / I prayed a prayer / I’ve been baptized / I belong to the church / I’m a good person, live a good life

not one of those things will earn heaven even if done perfectly

will a true Christian do/practice those things? certainly

new convert will ask Jesus for forgiveness, thank him for salvation; obedient Christian will be baptized and be joined to a local church; will live a lifestyle without reproach

but that’s not where hope lies; it’s in finished work of Christ on cross

bottom line

one who claims fellowship but disdains what Christ loves, behaves contrary to how Christ lived – speaks and acts a lie

perhaps you know someone who’s living a lie – neighbor, friend, loved one. Pray for them – God help them see their need, turn to him in faith. Challenge them gently, winsomely, suggest they read 1 John and see how they measure up to God’s standard.

perhaps you’re that someone. Don’t delay, acknowledge your helpless condition before God; seek his forgiveness, thank him for his saving grace, depend on his help to live pleasing to him.

C. holy living

true Christianity means

walking the right way

in the light = following Christ John 8.12“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

loving the things Christ loved – God, his Word, his people, the church, neighbors, enemies, sinners

living the way Christ lived – Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

beyond attention to things required for normal human growth & development & maintenance, what did Jesus ever do for himself?

life was one of total self-sacrifice – “loved the church and gave himself for her” (Eph. 5:25)

how Jesus defined it: Mark 8:34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

“To deny ourselves, is to put off our natural affections towards the good things of this life, let them be pleasures, profit, honours, relations, life, or any thing which would keep us from our obedience to the will of God.” Poole

take up his cross – total public identification with Christ, daily sacrifice of self to degree we can say with Paul:

Gal. 2:20I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

life showing fruit of Spirit’s presence (Gal. 5:22-23)

if Christ lives in us (see Paul!) by his Spirit, then daily life will show in increasing measure

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

with the right people

fellow-walkers – remember idea of shared reality, those who likewise follow Christ

not simply present condition, is accompanied by desire

not a grudging sort of sharing air and space

fellowship source of joy for all who are joined in its bonds

neither is it limited to walking the right road with right people

possible to do many right things “in the dark” – we daily do many things unbelievers also do

but not in same context – fellowship with those who have fellowship with God as we do

and the right motive

love for God and desire to please him, desire to be like Christ

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” John 4:34

“If you love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15

love for fellow travelers and desire to serve them, desire to be like Christ

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” John 15:10

“I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”John 13:15

on the right conditions

forgiven

constant ongoing necessity

sin a daily reality in believer’s life

sin hinders fellowship – with God, with one another

means we need daily forgiveness

made possible by blood of Christ

nothing magic about Jesus’ blood

stands for what he was and did: sacrifice, substitute, suffered punishment and death

forgiveness and new life in Christ what makes fellowship possible

How is it with you today? you walking with the Lord, walking in his light? enjoying the fellowship and joy and peace Christ has purchased for you? Stay close to him, keep short accounts, continue denying self and carrying your cross as you follow the Lord Jesus. Is all that missing in your life? something you wish was yours? Turn from your sins, throw yourself on God’s mercy and seek his forgiveness. Then join your brothers and sisters and experience fullness of joy only a redeemed and forgiven child of God can know.

Morning Devotions

Psalm 5

We’re all familiar with Apostle Paul’s exhortation to saints in Philippi: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8ESV)

You might wonder: in striving to do this, meet this standard, where do I begin? with what I can see around me? what I can hear in present culture? Here as in other places David sets good example – what to say, think and do that will please God and keep his laws. He achieved that in his:

waking (3)

repeated, emphasized – at daybreak, at very beginning of day

first action – think about God, speak to God, look expectantly to God for response

worshiping (7)

desire and determination to be in God’s house whenever possible

didn’t use personal piety as excuse to skip church – read my Bible, talked to God, that’s an ok substitute

quite the opposite: personal/private devotion fuels desire for public worship

walking (8)

two together (waking/worshiping) result in magnified desire to walk pleasing to the Lord

You and two friends on a merry-go-round in motion, who’s in front? Exactly. Same way with these three aspects of life. But we do have to begin somewhere – at beginning of new day lift heart and thoughts and eyes to God. Meditate on truth about God, meditate on God and conclude with David that God hears; he is holy, he is faithful, and he is just.

A. hearing v.1-3

words and thoughts (1)

verbal expression not necessary for God to hear

asked question: “Do I need to pray out loud for God to hear me?”; clear answer is “no”

God searches the heart and tests the mind (Jer. 17:10), perceives thoughts from afar (Psa. 139:2)

here it’s an expression of distress, maybe that can’t be comprehensively reduced to words

words not necessary for God to understand – “consider”

inability to articulate not a hindrance to prayerful meditation – ask God “look at my heart”; “Holy Spirit, you pray for me”

source of great comfort: fluency of utterance not required for God to hear us

responds to cry for help (2)

hears with intention of acting

prays “give heed”; word when used with man as object expects / requires obedience

when directed toward God by his child, implies expectation that God will respond

King is committed to well-being of his subjects

benevolent king just like good father will grant requests when it is right to do so

audience with king more than gripe session; he has power and authority to act upon what he hears

always available (3)

without regard to time or place

previous psalm speaks of evening practice: “lie down in peace and sleep”

this psalm of morning habit: in the morning 2x

55th Psalm adds noon to evening and morning when psalmist prays and God hears

good way to begin the day, but…, God’s ears no more attentive then

never get the recording that says “all support staff are busy right now; your call will be answered in the order it was received”

nor are we “call annoying” – God’s children receive God’s attention when they call on him; he may not respond in time or way we expect, but is attentive

sources of encouragement: God responds and is always available to hear cries of his children

B. holy v.4-6

Beatles emphasized love: “love, love, love” 6x, “all you need is love” 19x, in a 3-1/2 minute song. Often try to transfer that to God, but that’s not what we see in Scripture. Emphasis is on another attribute: God’s holiness. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:3) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev. 4:8) Only attribute used in triples – that means something. Also, God doesn’t say “I am love”; he does say “I am holy” (Lev. 19:2; 20:26). If holiness is essential attribute, characteristic of God then….

no delight in or tolerance for evil (4)

finds nothing positive or pleasurable in evil, not even faintly amusing

even a good end arrived at by evil means displeases God

doesn’t see it as opportunity for revenge

does not give evildoers longer leash so they can do more evil and God can derive more delight from punishing them

will not give it “house room”

the King cannot and will not tolerate rebellion in his court

God is holy, lives in unapproachable light (a visual of pure holiness, 1 Tim. 6:16), requires his people to be holy as he is holy (Lev. 11:44, 45; 1 Pet. 1:15, etc.)

recoils from evildoers (5)

revolting and contrary to nature

as contrary as pure light to unrelenting darkness

polar opposites: as far apart as possible, absolutely opposed to one another

contrary to his justice which flows out of his holiness

even when evil does not represent injustice to fellow man, it does to God

God rightly deserves love and worship and obedience from all men, is rightly offended when he doesn’t receive it

the King cannot and will not tolerate rebellion in his court

perfectly holy and righteous one toward rebels: detests, despises, finds them odious, utterly unappealing

persistent willfully rebellious sin makes God’s skin crawl, hold his nose, cover his eyes, want to vomit

loves life and truth (6)

must deal with all who oppose it

cannot escape from what is loathesome and repulsive to him

those who stubbornly refuse to repent face certain destruction, eternal condemnation

Perhaps are hard truths for some. Here’s help: the more we fill our eyes with sight of God in his holiness, better grasp we have of all it means, more we understand the “plague of plagues”, the “exceeding sinfulness of sin”. Ralph Venning The better we grasp that truth, the more we’ll be moved to wonder why God is so longsuffering, how he can tolerate evildoers at all.

C. faithful v.7-8

incentive for worship (7)

“because of your great faithfulness I will enter your house” NET

opportunity to look in three directions: God, the wicked, self

when believer sees as God sees, it’s readily apparent: “there but for God’s grace”

contemplating evildoers in light of God’s holiness reminds believer

of what he has escaped by God’s gracious and faithful love

of the greatness of God’s grace and love in redemption

only right response: worship

dependable guidance (8)

guards against harm

protects from enemies’ ambush – their waiting and watching for believer to mess up

can be counted on to guide safely to safety

removes obstacles

makes the right way plain before me – removes anything that would obstruct progress

clears away fog enemies would use to obscure path of God’s choosing

source of confidence: since God is faithful, unchanging, we can depend on him, we can pray and worship and live expectantly (not tentatively or uncertainly)

D. just v.9-12

discriminating in his treatment of

ungodly (9-10)

insincere, wicked, deceitful – portion of what Paul used in Rom. 3:10-18 to show how all apart from God are in same hopeless condition

persistently rebellious against God – key point in David’s prayer!

deserving of condemnation – because of rebellion against God, not a personal thing with David

that God may be pleased to show mercy doesn’t negate real guilt of the ungodly

godly (11-12)

entrust themselves to God’s keeping

contrast to ungodly who remain in their rebellion, animosity against God

love God’s name = love God

receive blessing

joy – great rejoicing because they are recipients of God’s saving mercy

protection – defended and surrounded: defended from any harm, surrounded on all sides by God’s presence

favor / acceptance – because (as we understand it now) of position in Christ, are accepted as true child, shown favor belonging to one of the family

source of courage: right will win because God will win, ultimately and completely; the just will live by their faith, the unjust will die by their unbelief.

So what should we take away from this Psalm? Remember where we began: David’s waking habit led him into heartfelt and passionate worship followed by righteous walking. Begin your day with quiet prayer and meditation on God and his character, thanking and praising him for who he is and what he’s done, seeking his guidance and protection for your day. Follow that with diligent attention and participation in corporate worship. Accompany that with determination to live each moment coram Deo, consciously “living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God”.

Gospel Ministry – Proclamation, Fellowship and Joy

1 John 1:3-4

“Doctrine is more important in Christianity than in any other religion because all religions save Christianity are interested primarily in offering good advice for self-improvement. But Christianity is about the truth of who God is, who we are, and what God has done to save us…We must look outside ourselves for the answers we need.” J. Ligon Duncan

The apostle John understood that principle with a pastor’s heart – saw things going on in the church that were causing harm. Some of what was happening “in the culture” outside the church had influenced the church in very negative way. Two things right up front John identified as symptoms – stunted fellowship and diminished joy.

John came right out and said: we’re doing this so that you may have fellowship with us. If there weren’t a problem, wouldn’t have put it that way. Something had come up, gotten in the way of relationship; John knew problem wouldn’t fix itself but needed to be addressed directly. He acted to correct misunderstandings and repair damage so that true fellowship could be established and maintained. Indeed, John was convinced the only solution was sound teaching of Gospel truth.

Also made another connection: true joy and overflowing joy impossible outside context of true fellowship. Gospel fellowship. From John’s perspective, whatever hindered fellowship also hindered joy. Not only his readers’ joy, his own joy as well. Not talking about social networking in Facebook sense; real networking in personally interconnected sense. John recognized if joy was lacking in one part of the body, the whole body would suffer.

As good pastor, John stated goals for his flock here at the beginning: he expected content of his message to serve as foundation for fellowship and to increase joy among believers. John communicated that message to his hearers by means of declaration, proclamation.

A. proclamation v.3a

what proclamation is

not: suggestion, discussion, debate, negotiation, sharing

no words like: maybe, possibly, perhaps, might

declaration that is

clear – able to be understood

forceful – imperatives: hear the word of the Lord; thus says the Lord God

authoritative – God speaks through his Word (written and and living) with authority

who is proclaimed

the eternal Son of God

his person

his words

his work

revealed in Scripture

they had prophets’ witness – remember Jesus’ interaction with two on road to Emmaus

we have apostles’ witness in addition – NT including John’s writing

we can see and hear just as clearly (with eyes and ears of faith) all that is necessary to please God

we can understand more fully because of combined resources

OT + NT + Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry

manifested in the flesh

an exclusive message about a unique person

what the source is

what they had seen and heard – experienced first-hand

hallmark of John’s ministry from beginning

Acts 4:20 “…it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”

same today:

“They cannot but act thus, if they have seen Him: if they have conversed with Him: if they have heard Him: if they have been taught by Him as the Truth is in Jesus. They and we cannot but speak what we have seen in Him: received from Him: and been taught by Him.” Samuel Eyles Pierce

If the preacher tries to proclaim anything but the revealed Word of God personally seen, heard and experienced, his preaching will be without power.

B. fellowship v.3b

what fellowship is

see John 15:1-8; 17:20-23

connection with source of life

intimate relationship

branch attached to vine, drawing life and nourishment from the vine, same essential characteristics as the vine

don’t find branch producing grapes growing on a cucumber vine

so close a relationship it goes far deeper than one with the other

expressed by Jesus as one in the other

same word – κοινωνια – used at times to describe marriage relationship

change in pronouns

no longer yours and mine, instead ours

based on shared Gospel reality

believe the same truth – revealed in God’s Word, the Bible

love the same Lord – presented to us in the Bible

proclaim the same Gospel – forgiveness and salvation found only in Christ of the Bible

have the same mission – spread the Gospel to “ends of the earth”

possess the same inheritance – a present and future reality described in the Bible

Paul put it this way: Eph. 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

who it is with

implied: some that it’s not with (deal with that later in ch. 2)

no hint of fellowship being with everyone, even everyone we know

it’s you having fellowship with us based on what we share in common in the Gospel

God and man

bi-directional in two directions

vertically – between believer and God

we offer praise and thanksgiving (worship) to God, he nourishes and strengthens our souls

we present petitions to God, he responds in answer – providing, correcting, guiding

we gather around the Lord’s Table, express our faith in Christ to God, he builds up our faith in return

horizontally – between brother and sister in Christ

speaking to one another of God’s word – what has encouraged us, helped us

speaking to one another of God’s work – what he has done, is doing

builds up both parties in the process – 2012 GA, reconnect after 2-year absence, answer questions multiple times; each time a new reminder of what God has done

In the mystical Body of Christ, believers have communion both with the Head and with all its members: with the One by faith, with the other by love. Pink, Gleanings from Paul

its essential elements

Father & Son

why?? cuz they model fellowship, have forever

to have fellowship with the Father means enjoying all privileges of home

Father and Son and Spirit: God – the one who has done what is necessary so we can have fellowship

without regeneration it is impossible to have true intimacy with anyone

C. joy v.4

what joy is

“the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one loves or desires” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate

for believer, joy is both/and not either/or – both present experience and future expectation

Christ’s kingdom a present reality and we pray for it to come in its fullness

presently hold title to spiritual inheritance in glory and expect to experience its fullness in next life

presently have eternal life and will experience its completion after the resurrection

who it is based/founded on

WSC #1: What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

beginning now, ultimately centered on Christ

in him our sins are forgiven

in him we have eternal life

in him we have fullness of joy

in his name our prayers will be answered (John 16:24)

how much should we have

see John’s pastoral heart again

same desire for his flock as Jesus for his followers

John 15:11“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

full to the top, no room for anything else

“This fulness of joy then, must consist, in having such clear and blessed increasing knowledge and enjoyments of the love of God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, in real fellowship with them, as could not but feed, and fill, feast, and satisfy the mind to a holy [saturation].” Pierce

“A Christian should be an Alleluia from head to toe!” Augustine

nature of Christian life not same-old

not the same as pre-Christian life

not the same as early Christian life

each day brings us nearer full reality of all that is promised to the Christian – should be reflected in our joy, on our faces, in our speech, increasing day by day

Increasing daily joy and fellowship will be our experience if we seek our satisfaction in Christ, not in world or things of the world, temporal things of this life, but in Christ. God “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17) but our ultimate satisfaction and joy must be in the Giver, not the gifts. Trust in God, thank him for his goodness and his grace, lean on his everlasting arms, confident of his love and sustaining care every moment of every day that he grants to us.