What Are You Thinking? (Romans 8:5-8)

Part II:  Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Holiness

The date:  January, 1776. 

The place:  Just outside of a prime piece of real estate outside of Boston called Dorchester Heights in the colony of Massachusetts. 

The event:  British and American forces ready to engage one another in battle to claim this piece of real estate, which happens to be a good sized hill that would give them an important strategic advantage.  Both understand their role — secure that hill.  But there is more to this than simply going and securing the hill — they also have to gather intelligence to surmise the position of the enemy. 

David McCullough in his bestselling work 1776, noted that the British command did very little intelligence work and thus knew very little about the position of the Americans (and had no clue as to how close they were).  In fact, McCullough writes that General Washington’s name never came up in conversation — as if he were of so little threat to them that they spent little time talking amongst themselves as how to strategize against his army.

But General Washington went about this in an entirely different manner.  Virtually all of his spare time was spent gathering intelligence as to the enemy’s position and speculating what the British commander’s next move would be. 

So how did the battle over the hill at Dorchester turn out?  General Washington determined to begin moving into position on March 5, 1776, under the cloak of night — and on the anniversary of the Boston Massacre where British forces opened fire on unarmed civilians. 

During an extended exchange of cannon fire, the Continental Army moved quickly but silently in the cold over frozen ground up the hill, putting as many as 20 cannons in place — and astounding amount of work in such a short time.  When the British woke up that morning on March 5^th, they were utterly astounded.  One British officer commented, “They did more work overnight than our army could have done in three months!”  The result was that the British were not prepared and could not fight because of the position of the Continental army.  They had to retreat and also bring in ships to evacuate Boston itself (more than 11,000 people). 

 

What is the lesson?  Our minds are occupied but what is important to us.  The true gauge — -the true barometer to our spiritual life is not our feelings in and of themselves, not our religious activities in and of themselves, but the gauge is our thought life and what goes on in our minds! 

(Click here to listen to the entire sermon via RealAudio.)

(This sermon was preached on 16 July 2006 by Matthew Perry, Pastor, Boone’s Creek Baptist Church, Lexington, KY — http://www.boonescreekchurch.com.)

 

Condolences

I received an e-mail from Roddie Taylor, pastor of the Mt. Beulah Evangelical Baptist Church at Point Fortin, Trinidad,  at around 6:05 tonight that his father, Giles McNiely, passed away at the age of 80.  Mr. McNiely had just come through prostate surgery in good order, so this was very unexpected.  He was on our prayer guide for both physical healing and for salvation — we pray that salvation did take place through Christ.

For those of you who may not know, our church has partnered with him on a number of projects so this touches us quite deeply.  Roddie’s e-mail is mtbula@hotmail.com .   I know he would truly appreciate any condolences you may offer.

ESV Journaling Bible (A Review)

I purchased an ESV Journaling Bible this past week.  I confess, I am an ESV apologist.  I preach out of the ESV exclusively — and I am thankful that many of our congregation now have a copy of the ESV.  I hope within the next year we will replace our King James Version pew Bibles with the ESV Pew Bibles, but we shall see.

I noticed the ESV had recently release a Journaling Bible.  At the ESV website, they describe the Journaling Bible as “a unique format with wide margins and ruled lines designed for writing prayers, observations, sermon notes, and personal reflections. It also includes a one-year Bible reading plan.

• Size: 6.25″ x 7.25″
• 7.5-point type
• Words of Christ in black
• Ribbon marker
• Wide margin with nearly 2 inches of ruled writing space
• No center-column reference system
• Not thumb-indexed.”

What encouraged me to purchase this is the 2″ of ruled writing space.

Although I do not feel having this area ruled is necessary, it is such a big help to have the space.  I preached from this edition this past Wednesday and was able to write down the basic thoughts of my sermon in expanded form.  What a huge help this is!

If you have trouble with small print, don’t buy this!  I’d wait and see if they will put it in a version with a larger font. 7.5-point type is exceedingly tiny.   Since I’m 34, Lord willing I will have good, strong eyesight for quite a while.

Another item I like about this is that the words of Christ are in black.  Having Christ’s words in red gives the notion that all the words in black are important, but the words of Christ are more important that the rest.  Yet, the Spirit inspired it all (2 Timothy 3:16) and it is all equally the Word of God.  We must pay special attention to all of it!

I see myself writing in this edition frequently in my studies, then buying another when I have filled up this one.  My desire is for my children and grandchildren to pull out this edition and see what their dad/granddad considered with each passage he read.

Miscellaneous Articles (That Have No Connection At All With One Another)

Jim Shaddix as pastor or Riverside Baptist Church in Denver outlines the ten commandments for church music. Click here to read.

Pastors Feel Confident in Ministry, But Struggle to Interact With Others (Barna): click here to read.

“Stop Test Driving Your Girlfriend” by Michael Lawrence: takes a look at how single people often date and how self-oriented it is. Is there a theology in place for dating? Click here to read.

And on a ridiculously personal note:

The Louisville Cardinals Football team has signed Bobby Petrino to a 10-year-contract!!  If interested, click here.

“The Supremacy of God in Preaching” by John Piper (Book Review)

John Piper has served since 1980 as the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.) and the University of Munich (D.theol.) and previously taught on the faculty of Bethel Theological Seminary at Minneapolis for six years before accepting the call to Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Piper is the author of 20 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (Multnomah, 1986; 2nd edition, 1996, 3rd edition, 2003), Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions (Baker, 1993; 2^nd edition, 2003), and Don’t Waste Your Life (Crossway, 2003). His online and radio ministries known as Desiring God demonstrate a commitment and a passion for expository preaching.

Summary

This book is comprised of two parts. Part I, entitled “The Supremacy of God in Preaching,” was originally delivered as part of The Harold John Ockenga Lectures on Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1988 (2). He asserts that the goal of preaching is the glory of God in the glad submission of His creation (27). He also states that that the “grand design of the preacher is to restore the throne and dominion of God in the souls of men” (23-24). The ground of preaching, according to Piper, is the cross of Christ that serves as “a past event of substation and a present experience of execution” (35). The preacher then preaches through the gift and the power via the vehicle of His inspired Word (39). As Piper deals with the gravity of preaching, he notes that “intensity of feeling, the weight of argument, a deep and pervading solemnity of mind, a savor of power of godliness, fervency of spirit, zeal for God” are the marks of the gravity of preaching (50). “Gladness and gravity should be woven together” in the preacher’s life and ministry (52).

Part II, entitled “Sweet Sovereignty: The Supremacy of God in the Preaching of Jonathan Edwards,” was delivered as part of The Billy Graham Center Lectures on Preaching, Wheaton College, 1984 (2). Piper shows how the crux of the life of Edwards was to keep God central through a submission to the sovereignty of God, a doctrine that Edwards calls “exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet” (76). The center of the preaching of Edwards was God supremacy, by which the stirring up the “holy affections” served as the “spring of behavior” that must be transformed so behavior will follow suite (83). These affections must arise in a “reasonable persuasion or conviction” (85) and not simply based on Scripture but “saturated” with it (86). With this saturation comes the employment of analogies and images that help bring to bear the abstract truths of Scripture onto the heart (88). Edwards did not shirk from his responsibility of using the biblical example of threats and warnings. Piper notes that Edward’s knowledge of hell was great, but his knowledge and zeal for heaven was greater (90). He states, “Those who have the largest hearts for heaven shudder most deeply at the horrors of hell. . . . Edwards could not remain silent where Jesus was so vocal” (91). With this warning, Edward pleaded for a response from his hearers to hear and heed the Word of God: “We are not merely passive, nor yet does God do some, and we do the rest. However, God does all, and we do all. God produces all, and we act all” (94). Passionate preaching is, as Piper notes, “like surgery. Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, it locates, lances, and removes the infection of sin” (95). Piper shows that “the preacher must labor to put his preaching under the divine influence of prayer” (98) so that the preacher’s heart must be broken for the sin in his people (100).

Critical Evaluation

Seldom does a reader of any Christian work encounter a volume that is as God-centered and Scripture-saturated as Piper’s work on preaching. Piper approaches this work with a strong commitment to the authority of the Scriptures, to expositional preaching, and to bringing forth the greatness and the glory of God (10).

The vision of a great God is the linchpin in the life of the church, both in pastoral care and missionary outreach. Our people need to hear God-entranced preaching. They need someone, at least once a week, to lift up his voice and magnify the supremacy of God. They need to behold the whole panorama of his excellencies … what people need most is our personal holiness … the living out of a God-entranced worldview (11).

This quote encapsulates the passion of Piper’s life, calling, and ministry and its message is conveyed in this book from cover to cover.

Immediately we see his passion in Chapter One, entitled “The Goal of Preaching: The Glory of God.” He relates how instrumental his contraction of mononucleosis was in God sovereignly bringing him from a pre-med student to a preacher of the Word. While in the infirmary, he heard Dr. Harold John Ockenga preach, and God used that to confirm the call to preach on his life. He goes on to say, “… and you can mark it down that if you are a preacher God will hide from you much of the fruit he causes in your ministry.” (19). Even so, Piper encourages the preacher as he continues in pursuit of his calling. This testimonial of what God’s call did in crafting his heart toward the preaching of His Word will inspire all who read this work for it rigorously takes the pressure of the preacher being all-in-all. His quote of the colonial minister Cotton Mather captures the heart of Piper with three simple words: “Our God reigns!” (23). Later in this work, Piper notes, “the goal of preaching is utterly dependent on the mercy of God for its fulfillment. Therefore, the preacher must labor to put his preaching under divine influence by prayer” (98). What a message for preachers, both the arrogant and brokenhearted alike!

Another wonderful aspect of this book is how Piper encourages preachers to find a godly model for ministry. Once accomplished, he is then to study that model diligently — which was advice given to him by his seminary professor (65). For Piper, that model is Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). As Piper takes us through Edwards’ life and ministry, one sees why Piper is so blessed by this man’s example. “What Jonathan Edwards preached and how he preached were extensions of his vision of God” (75) — a theme that permeates this entire second part. This insight is needed for many preachers believe far and away that content drives the preaching while putting the how of delivery far in the background.[1] Yet, not just for this particular work by Piper but for all of his works, we see the influence of Edwards in this statement: “The duty of man is to delight in God’s glory. . . . Our duty toward God is that all our affections respond properly to his reality and so reflect his glory” (77-78).

Another amazing benchmark of this work is how Piper yearns for preachers to have a Spirit-empowered, Spirit-indwelt life that is given over to the glory of God based on the Word of God. The preacher’s life is to be steeped in humility, Piper states, and “glad submission” to the worth and glory of the sovereign God. This recalls the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (ESV). In humility, he exhorts preachers clearly to “get people to open their Bibles and put their fingers on the text” so they know where preachers get their ideas (41)! He insightfully reminds preachers that, “We are simply pulling rank on people when we tell them, and don’t show them from the text” (42). In relying on the Spirit’s power, we must saturate our preaching with the Word He inspired (42).

Piper relays how he uses the acronym APTAT to remind himself at the hour he is to preach that he does not preach in his own power. He says he must admit his utter helplessness, he must pray for help, he must trust in God for specific hope in that hour, he must act confidently that God will fulfill his Word, and then finally thank God for his sustaining power (45-46). Such a reminder of humility in our church’s pulpits and our pastor’s study desks would serve the evangelical churches well. His prayerfulness echoes the Apostle Paul’s desire for the Spirit to fill his preaching when he tells the Ephesian church to pray for him “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19, ESV). The heart of the Apostle Paul beats in the life and ministry of John Piper and in the message of this volume by his continual prayer for God to move him from his utter helplessness for the task of preaching to the complete dependence on Christ in every area that Piper does for the Kingdom work.

One slight weakness in this work is the lack of explanation in how to apply these principles he puts forth. Although a case could be made that no set formula exists for capturing the glory of God and gladly submitting to Him in all things. Also, to Piper’s credit, he does take us step-by-step through some of paths on which God led him, but he could have certainly helped the reader by extracting some principles from Scripture and even from his own experiences as to how one goes about this.

Conclusion

After reading through the entirety of this magnificent volume, I believe that every pastor should read and absorb its contents not just for the good of the pastor’s ministry but also for the good of the pastor’s soul. Piper sounds a clarion call for all pastors to shed the desire to preach simply for mass appeal or to preach simply as if it were another job at another place of employment. Piper bolsters the preacher’s aim in having the Bible as the standard from which to preach coupled with the passion of God’s glory and sovereignty. May this book encourage you as pastors and preachers of the Word as it has me!

[Piper, John. The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.119 pp. $6.95.]

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[1] McDill, Wayne. The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1994. 14

NO LiMiT Phase Two, Trinidad Missions Trip a go!

Last night at our Members (Business) Meeting, our church voted to prayerfully support our missions trips both to Covington, LA, and to Trinidad & Tobago. Our NO LiMiT Team (New Orleans, Louisiana, Missions Team) will go to Hope Church to help with construction and clean-up in the New Orleans area.  We are truly excited about this because we are hoping to go down over the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Again, in Trinidad we will be doing construction work on the Mt. Beulah Evangelical Baptist Church in Point Fortin.  A team of 4-6 of us will go, and we will hopefully have around $4000 for supplies so we can finish up the work there (God has already provided almost a $1000).

If there is any way you can help with these missions endeavors, feel free to comment, e-mail, or mail us at:

Boone’s Creek Baptist Church
ATTN:  NO LiMiT II/ Trinidad ‘07
185 N. Cleveland Rd.
Lexington, KY 40509

Deficient Derelicts

Dr. Al Mohler of Southern Seminary has written a very compelling article dealing with what he calls “the deficit of doctrinal instruction” in many of our churches. He writes:

The church is faced in the postmodern age by several distinct apologetic challenges. Internally, the church must defend the faith against ignorance, against compromise, against doctrinal apathy, and against denial. The church now suffers from a breathtaking deficit of doctrinal instruction and biblical truth. In some churches, the great truths of the Christian faith are unknown, and in others, these truths are left dormant and untaught. Beyond this, the very real dangers of doctrinal corrosion and heresy threaten. (To read the rest of the article, click here.)

It seems that our churches by and large have handed off the theological instruction to our seminaries — not something I believe Paul nor Christ intended. Our churches are to be theological and missiological training grounds for all congregants, and especially ministers-in-training. Our churches must not only be afraid of commitment to serve but also of committing to think through their belief systems. Are we on target in our biblical thinking?

“Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God” by C.J. Mahaney (Book Review)

When I and three of my friends (who also happen to co-moderate a blog called Reformation Underground) went to the Together For the Gospel conference this past April in Louisville, we walked away with almost $250 worth of great books. “Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God” by C.J. Mahaney of Sovereign Grace Ministries was one of those books — and what an absolute treasure that book is.

Unlike secular books dealing with this topic, this is not a book about technique, but a book that deals with the whole of the husband-wive covenant relationship. Crafted around the wonderful book of Song of Songs (Solomon), Mahaney repeatedly states that the purpose of our marriage is to be a picture of Christ and the church. What a timely message this is, especially when the divorce rate amongst evangelicals rivals (and some studies say surpasses) the divorce rate in the secular realm.

Mahaney submits to us husbands that before we can touch our wives’ bodies, we have to touch their minds. A way to do that is simply to become a student of our wives. Men usually have passion for their respective sports teams (and I am included in that group) and we study and know the ins and outs of those sports teams — why? — because that’s our passion. Do we show that same type of enthusiastic passion toward our wives on a day-to-day basis? If we do not, we certainly will miss on untold blessings that can be ours in Christ Jesus and that covenant relationship.

This is a small book with a manageable length (approx. 125 pages). It also includes a word to wives by Carolyn Mahaney at the end. All you married compadres who are reading this, click on the picture to order your copy right now. That investment will hopefully start a wonderful lifetime investment in the woman that God has given to you. Don’t miss out!

Prayer for Bluegrass Baptist School in Lexington, KY

I was asked yesterday to keep the Bluegrass Baptist School in prayer. This is a wonderful ministry here in Lexington and I personally am excited about this ministry because my oldest daughter will begin Kindergarten there. Mrs. Bowles is the kindergarten teacher there who has been teaching there for 31 years. She is absolutely tremendous.

God has kept this ministry rolling since 1969. So continue to pray for this incredible institution.

Evangelism in a difficult age (Mohler)

Christians today are called to serve the cause of Christ at one of the crucial turning points in human history. This is a very strange time to proclaim and defend the Christian faith. Evangelism is difficult in an age when most persons think their most basic problems are rooted in a lack of self-esteem, and when personal choice is the all-determining reality of the marketplace. In the same way, the task of apologetics is complicated by the postmodern condition. How does one defend the faith to persons unwilling to make any judgment concerning truth?

To read Dr. Albert Mohler’s entire commentary click here.