A Pastor’s Farewell
Well, he was more of an apostle. But still. When Paul said his goodbyes to the elders of Ephesus, it was as if their pastor was bidding them adieu (Acts 20:17-38). Of course they would meet again; we’re talking about the gospel here. But there, on the shores of the sea, was their last meeting in this life (I’ll spare you the awesome Gandalf quote).
I’ve been granted some time off from the pulpit and I’ll be hitting the road with my family (I promise, we’re not excited at all). Getting ready for the trip has made me think about what would happen to our little church if the Lord called me on that final road home.
Danger Will Arise
A good shepherd tends the flock with gospel gentleness, but towards those who would harm the sheep…well, he’s got some spiritual surprises for them. Paul knew that false teachers would arise after he left Ephesus: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29). He would not be there to face them himself; the flock would be on its own. What could he do, but warn them, and commend them to his teaching, and trust God, their True Shepherd.
My Crown of Joy
A pastor’s ideal is to feel toward the flock as Paul did toward the Philippian believers: “My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved” (Philippians 4:1). I can honestly say that this is how I feel about the dear brothers and sisters under my spiritual care. If the Lord were suddenly to take me out of this world, I am confident of the work that has been done, the foundations that have been put in place: resting in Christ, rejoicing in his love, thanking God for all his good gifts, and loving one another. After ten years of preaching, I am even bold enough to say that these seeds have been planted, growth has been made, and fruit has appeared. I am confident that you are ready for that Last Journey, and that we will stand together in glory at the end of days.
But you’re not rid of me yet! I look forward to returning refreshed and ready to pour out my soul shepherding this beloved flock.
Beyond the Horizon
I’m reading a book about missions by J.H. Bavinck (the nephew of celebrated Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck). Vinck Jr drops a fat bar on page 49:
Whether the end is near or yet far off is unimportant. The main point is that the work of missions, because of its very existence, is moving toward an end, a goal, the culmination of which shall become visible only in a future era, beyond the horizon of world history.
Christianity is the Future. Its golden age is hidden beyond the veil of this present age. But sure enough, there it waits. Then shall all God’s amazing plans for us come alive. Trust Jesus and make him known today as you march step by step toward a mind-blowing state of existence which the Bible calls Glory.
What Is the Reformed Doctrine of Human Reason?
What is the relationship between reason and faith? Is reason useful to mankind in learning of his God? This is sort of a hot topic in some Christian circles right now. We know that no one can be saved by logical deduction, but only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because man’s reason could never discover the great mystery of salvation. Does that mean that reason doesn’t matter, or is so absolutely corrupted by sin so as to be useless? What about believers? How could such a gift be useless to those who have been born again, remade into the image of their Creator? What is the historic, Reformed approach to these questions? I was recently led to an old, dead guy who has elegant and learned things to say about all this:
Reason and Faith may kisse each other. There is a twin-light springing from both, and they both spring from the same foundation of light, and they both sweetly conspire in the same end, the glory of that being from which they shine, & the welfare & the happines of that being upon which they shine. So that to blaspheme Reason, ‘tis to reproach heaven it self, and to dishonour the God of Reason, to question the beauty of his Image, and by a strange ingratitude to slight this great and Royal gift of our Creator. For ‘tis he that set up these two great Luminaries in every heavenly soul, the Sun to rule the day, and the Moon to rule the night; and though there be some kinde of creatures that will bark at this lesser light, and others so severely critical, as that they make mountains of those spots and freckles which they see in her face, yet others know how to be thankful for her weaker beams, and will follow the least light of Gods setting up, though it be but the Candle of the Lord [Prov 20:27].
Nathaniel Culverwell, An Elegant and Learned Discourse of the Light of Nature (Liberty Fund, 2001), 10-11.
What Is the Reformed Doctrine of Reminiscing?
To reminisce means to remember happy times. Some of us are more reflective than others, but I dare say if you are a Christian—nay! if you are a human being—that even you have tasted the sweetness of a good reminisce. The memories of time gone by can be sweet, sometimes enough even to cheer a sad soul. It’s now springtime, and the change of seasons is a great time to reflect on good times gone by.
The Lord calls us to reminisce, which makes this an act of holy devotion unto God. Remembering what he has done in the past keeps us spiritually-minded, lest we forget his glorious presence with us now:
They forgot God, their Savior, who had done such great things in Egypt (Psalm 106:21).
But, I ask, how can we reflect on the things God has done in the past unless he has truly done them? It makes no sense, unless he is their Author, unless he is the real Storywriter of our lives. In other words, can you really have a doctrine of Christian reminiscence at all—fondly reflecting on the ways God has delivered and blessed us in the past—apart from the Reformed doctrine of God’s sovereignty? He has brought these things about, exactly as he planned them. Even as the psalmist says:
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old (Psalm 77:11).
And Isaiah is so bold as to say:
I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, “My idol did them” (Isaiah 48:5).
Truly he is the living God. So, when we reminisce on his goodness to us yesterday, it helps us hope in his sure mercies today, and that keeps us close to him always.
Dear Brothers
God loves pleasant things—the sweetness of honey, the freshness of spring, the coolness of water. David mentions another one in this psalm—the gladness of peace between believers.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
Quarrelsomeness, jealousy, and bitterness threaten to disturb our unity. These things arise from sin and selfishness:
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (James 4:1)
But to bear an offense, to swallow our pride, to treasure the unity that we have together as believers—this is a high calling and a holy work:
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Honor the gospel, dear brothers and dear sisters, by going out of your way to keep peace with each other. Our love-filled unity will be one of the chief jewels of heaven; through the gospel we can enjoy its sweetness even now.
Don’t Shun the Creation
God is not creation. God is the eternally-existing Supreme Being, while creation is all the things he has made. In this way there are only two kinds of things: Creator and creature. To God alone belongs the category of Maker, while the rest of us—people, dogs, birds, trees, rocks, flowers, killa bees, archangels, sun, moon, and star (etc. etc. etc.)—are made. This is what we call the Creator-creature distinction.
Once we have this truth in place, let us freely go on to affirm that literally everything in creation is revelation of God. This marvelous universe talks to us about him. We can learn of his genius and power and knowledge and wisdom and goodness and justice by considering the things that he has made, and how he governs them. This is especially true of us, his image bearers. We too reveal God, which puts the call to holiness in its proper light.
Of course, the God-man Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us, reveals God most of all. He cleanses our unholiness, renews us in his own image, and will in due time usher in a brand new universe where we will enjoy God forever and sin and death shall never, ever enter. Praise the name of our glorious Creator!
The Simple Life
The men at our church are studying a book called Living Wisely with the Church Fathers by Christopher Hall. It’s part four in a lovely series on the life and thought of ancient Christians and how their insights can help us live as faithful Christians today.
The Church Fathers (men like Augustine, Origen, and Chrysostom) focused on cultivating a beautiful blend of spiritual prosperity and earthly simplicity. Training in godliness through the word, prayer, and fellowship with godly saints results, according to the Fathers, in a humble life, a simple life, in a word, the good life.
In the face of rampant materialism, self-worship, and obsession with earthly accolades, let us live wisely by living humble, simple, spiritually-cultivated lives, lives which are seasoned with grace, with contentment, and with the equi-readiness (I think I just made up a word) to suffer terrible trial, enjoy blessed prosperity, and do everything in between, all unto our amazing God, through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tech
Right now I’m reading a brand new book called God, Technology, and the Christian Life by my main man Tony Reinke. I gotta say, I’m vibing. Let’s be honest. It’s a pretty dope time to be alive. Technology is amazing, and we can use it to promote God’s glory. I mean, here we are, blogging. It’s all pretty astounding if you ask me.
Like every good thing, modern tech comes with its dangers and snares. It’s a matter of stewardship for mature believers to excel in. In all our tech endeavors, let us focus on the true, the beautiful, and the good, and let us do good to everyone, especially to the household of faith all up in the digi-space.
The Psalms Got Something to Say
What do you do when you feel helpless? Where do you go for help when you feel discouraged, or weak, or angry? This is the whole issue of worship and idolatry in a nutshell, and the Psalms got something to say about that.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
When you’re feeling out of sorts, don’t look to yourself. Don’t look to your successes. Don’t look to your possessions. Don’t look to your enjoyments. Look outside yourself. Look up. Look to God! This is our great act of worship, to look to our Maker for help. He helps his creatures, not the other way around.. It is our happy duty to seek refuge in our loving Creator at all times.
Do not attempt today without looking up to God.
Chin Up, Christian
Discouragement is a normal part of the Christian life. Truly the heavenly Way is not without its thorns and thistles. Consider the international symbol for discouragement: when we feel discouraged our faces fall and droop towards the ground. Sadly we all know what it’s like. But I’m going to give you something helpful to use the next time you feel this way. It’s from one of David’s psalms:
But you, O Lord, are…the lifter of my head. (Psalm 3:3)
Discouragement is part of God’s plan for us. He lets us go through it for many reasons, but one of them is clear from this verse: to teach us about everything he is for us in Christ. The Christian life is not about figuring it all out and reaching a certain level where we are never downcast again. Every step along your path to glory is designed by your amazing God to teach you to trust him more, including your discouragements. The Almighty is the One who tenderly lifts your chin, so that you may behold him again and rejoice. Look to him now with the eyes of faith.