aV4u: Deuteronomy 29 v 29

“British soldiers are taught to handle their rifles in the dark. Not just to fire them at night, but also to dismantle them, clean and reassemble them in the most adverse conditions or even with blindfolds on. Whenever needed, they are to be ready, at hand and available for use instantly. God’s word is a far more powerful weapon and likewise, we must become familiar with it, know it inside out and ready to quote it at a moment’s notice if we are to be effective soldiers in the Lord’s army.”
_{Taken from the Young Life Invest Scheme}

 
   Last week’s memory verses were taken from a well known passage of the bible. Colossians chapter 1 verses 15 and 16 are a awe inspiring reminder of the majesty and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

  This week’s memory verse is somewhat different:

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”  Deuteronomy 29:29

   In these days of space-flight, ballistic missiles, smart-phones, GPS, facebook and kindle e-books it is easy to assume that us humans are doing pretty good, thank you very much. Perhaps in light of the recent economic crashes, terrorist atrocities and failures of our politicians, bankers and journalists we realise that actually ‘us humans’ don’t have all the answers- or even all the questions!

   The scriptures remind us that we are like clay being moulded by a master potter- the Lord God. Our knowledge of God, the universe and morality are like a grain of sand in the Sahara desert. As this verse says, the secret things belong to the Lord our God.

   But it doesn’t end there: the Lord has chosen to reveal many things to us, including the greatest message of all creation. Through faith in Jesus Christ we can each be forgiven for our sins and can know God in a personal and very real manner.

   It has been said that ‘the Bible contains the Word of God.’ This is wrong.

   The Bible is the Word of God.

   In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he makes it clear that the scriptures contain wisdom which shows us the way to salvation. He goes on to say that the bible can instruct and guide us that ‘the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’ Our verse continues this theme, explaining that God’s revealed Word is given to us to be a blessing to us!

Lets read it, and learn it, and live it!

aV4u: Colossians 1:15-16

  Memorising bible verses and passages is a great discipline to get into! When faced with a tricky situation or a tempting opportunity, how can you know what to do, unless you know what God has said in his written word? If you truly want to understand God’s will for your life, then the bible is the only place to turn; its there that he lays out his plan and desire for you. When you have mucked up, and have sinned against your God and King, where else can you turn to be encouraged and reminded of God’s grace and forgiveness but the Bible?

  My bible memorising has never been greatly organised- but whenever I have managed to get into the discipline I have always found it a wonderful blessing. Starting today, I plan, with God’s help, to learn a new passage every week. Why not join me?

  For week #1 I have chosen Colossians 1 verses 15 and 16.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him.” 

   This is a beautiful passage, talking about our saviour the Lord Jesus Christ- where better to start?! We are told that Jesus is ‘the image of the invisible God’. How, I ask myself, can we have an image of something invisible? Surely the answer is this: when we read about Jesus and see his divinity, his righteousness, his kindness, his love and his sorrow, we are ‘seeing’ the attributes of the invisible God. 

  It is also a great encouragement to be reminded that despite the wars, poverty and state-sanctioned persecution we can see across the globe, ultimately Jesus Christ created all kingdoms and governments, and they will be held to account and will glorify him. Elsewhere in scripture we are told that one day ‘at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’

  For these reasons, amongst many others, I have chosen Colossians 1 verses 15 and 16 as this week’s ‘a verse 4 u’!

 

P.S. Mark Altrogge has a fantastic 3 minute-long song available to help learn this passage!

Pascal’s Gambit

Otherwise known as Pascal’s Wager.

Blaise Pascal, a seventeenth-century philosopher and Christian, devised a logical reasoned argument which followed these lines:

1. Either God is, or God ‘is not’.
2. The existence of a God cannot ever be fully proved or disproved through reason or science.
3. Everyone must choose whether to live as if there is or isn’t a God.
4. You must wager.
5. The gain and loss of living for God: If he is, you gain everything. If he isn’t, you lose nothing.
6. Therefore, live as if there is a God.

He used some longer words and more weighty sentences, but the basics of ‘Pascal’s Gambit’ are there presented to you.

Here is my question:

Was Blaise Pascal correct biblically speaking?

By this I do not mean ‘Is there a God?’

I do mean: is believing in God the logical thing to do; the ‘safe bet’ biblically speaking?

Before casting your vote have a glance at 1 Corinthians 15 and especially verse 19.

It’s a tough question to ask. Please have a think, and cast you vote in my open poll.

Fooled Britannia?

Will Britons ever, ever, ever be slaves?

  Sunday 9th September, 2012.

  So ends a summer to rival all summers. River pageants, a concert outside Buckingham Palace, Fireworks, Grand Ceremonies, British skits and sketches, a skydiving 86 year-old Queen escorted by a fictional super-spy, 65 British Olympic Medals including 29 Gold, 120 Paralympic Medals including 34 Gold, Spice Girls on Taxis (Snakes on a Plane?), Mr Bean on the keyboard, stacks of world records broken… I could go on.

Is it any wonder then that hundreds of people roared out that rousing chorus on Saturday night’s ‘Final Night of the Proms’:

Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!

Examining all the evidence one quickly concludes that London 2012 was a brilliant success. For starters: no major security incidents, something which we should be greatly thankful for (although I imagine most people will be more prepared to praise the skills of G4 than the mercy of God for that particular blessing). I didn’t visit London myself (except for a short trip out of St Pancras for family business), however I have heard loads of first and second hand reports of the great ‘Olympic Spirit’: bucket-loads of friendliness, support, kindness and ‘pulling together’ (remember the stories of Blitz-time London). Just a short while ago, the radio jockeys were describing how, at a concert last weekend, everyone respected one another during the performances and, afterwards, tidied up their litter and left the park spick and span.

  We can certainly say that this ‘Olympic Spirit’ does seem to be a reality and that no reasonable common-sensical soul would mock its positive social aftershock.

  Here it comes…. you knew it would eventually (I’m not normally this positive!):

  But…

  Even in this summer of content, many Britons- indeed many Londoners- are slaves.

  Reading what I have just written has sent a little shiver down my proverbial spine. What an outlandish and repugnant thing to say: that honest, hard-working, cheerful British citizens in this Olympic and Jubilee year are slaves. Its not just stupid and deluded to say such a wild thing- its also brazen and fanatical, is it not? To claim that many Britons are slaves is- correct me if I am wrong- a crazed and arrogant accusation to make. Where, you might ask, did you surmise that from? Your own proud heart, full of delusions of self-grandeur?

  Did I not see, on the BBC no less, those hundreds of British folk bellowing from the deepest depths of their lungs that ‘Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!’?

  Allow me to answer you with another question:

  Do you think that in 50 years time- no scrap that, make it in 10 years time- do you think that in 10 years time Britain will be an idyllic country with no unemployment, no bent politicians, no mega-rich bankers, no murderers?

  Answer?

Another question for you:

   Do you think that in even 5 years time neighbours will be spending time together, sharing laughter and joy together? That is the promise of the Olympic Spirit, after all. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has said that we must find a way to ‘bottle it up’ and to preserve it for future years.

   Can you picture weekly, or even monthly, street parties? Where will all the bunting come from?

   And what happens when England loses at football? What happens when our cricketers muck up again? Will their be any great Olympic Spirit then? Or does it only work when things are going our way?

   Anyone with an ounce of sense and observance will realise that this world doesn’t always work in a wonderful way. Why not? If we honestly examine this planet then the only conclusion we can reach is this: humans are flawed. The news this week is filled with hate and disruption. It appears in violent and extreme forms- the wicked actions in the Alps this last week are obvious reminders of mankind’s destructive capabilities. Syria. Sudan. Nigeria.  And the extreme cases are not confined to beyond our shores either. I heard of a case of murder not 10 miles from my home only this week. 

  We don’t always do what we should do. No amount of Olympic Sprit- great though it is- will ever solve that problem.

   The bible has a serious term for this: sin. Sin is disobedience to God’s wishes. If we did all live by God’s guidance then this world wouldn’t be flawed such as it is. The bible has a quite graphic picture of our condition, it calls us ‘slaves to sin.’  Although we might wish to break away from our own destructive lifestyles and decisions, we are chained to them. We cannot escape from their hold over us. Outside help is needed.

Will Britons ever, ever, ever be slaves?

   Perhaps when we observe the hatred of one man for another, and the seemingly unending waves of violence, thieving, rioting, deceiving and chaos across every continent and land, we are tempted to blame God. The bible offers several possible reasonings to the problem of slavery to sin. But the most poignant and powerful act in the whole history of mankind, recorded in the bible, is this:

Jesus Christ wore the shackles of slavery and imprisonment so that I could remove mine.

   Through his death- and resurrection from death!- we can find everlasting life, peace and happiness.  I can now boldly say that I am free.

Will Britons ever, ever, ever be slaves?

   Sadly, the answer is yes. Sin is a destructive slave-catcher. Once you are caught in his chains, nothing you can do will free you from sin. Only the death of God himself, for his people, could satisfy the judgement required. Although Britons might well be slaves, Christians can be freed from slavery and can live free lives.

   So enjoy this summer. Enjoy the laughter, the successes, the British victories, the fireworks, the atmosphere and the spirit. But remember that your soul’s safety is of much more vital importance: Are you a slave to sin?

Take Heart my Soul

  Psalm 27 is a wonderful Psalm…but then, I suppose they all are.

  I recently was given a book entitled Wordsmithy. Its a series of biblical tips and hints for people who, in one form or another, write. One of its more controversial ideas is diversity. Simply put, the author suggests that a writer of fiction should attempt to write short essays listing facts. Sonnet writers should attempt to pen logical treatise on science. Biographers must write love songs. You get the idea.

  Basically: try your hand at something new.

  With that in mind, I have scrawled down a few verses which, one way or t’other, resemble something akin to a hymn.

Realising that all good hymns are based on either a single verse, a whole chapter, or a reoccurring theme of scripture, I have based mine on Psalm 27- my favourite psalm. The main thrust of the psalm is this: God is supreme and caring therefore I want to be with him.

  N.B. Unfortunately I have had to squeeze an extra syllable into verse 4. If anyone has any thoughts on a remedy, please let me know!

Take heart my soul and strengthened be,
The Lord thy fortress is.
My light and my salvation he,
I need not be afraid.

Intent on evil, some will wage
a war against my soul.
But under God’s most righteous sight,
they stumble and shall fall.

Though warriors encamp around my walls,
my heart shall never fear.
Though battles fought throughout this land,
My cry the Lord shall hear.

Gifts and status, power and wealth
small wonders deemed to be.
One thing I ask of God; tis this
with him to dwell eternally.

Upon his beauty I shall gaze,
More of his person know.
Filled thus with heaven’s deepest joy,
sweet melodies shall flow.

My parents may forsake me yet,
but thou wilt take me in.
Your goodness will I see and know,
While in this land of sin.

Hear, now O Lord, our prayer to you,
Your face, Lord, do we crave.
Take heart my soul and strengthened be
The Lord will come for thee.

Ornamental Essentials

  The Valley of Vision is a collection of prayers penned by various Puritan writers. The prayer which I have shared below is fantastic. It really shows the dependant spirit we need when attempting to share the great gospel of Jesus. The puritans knew that no-one can truly preach salvation unless they are being sanctified themselves by the Holy Spirit.

   I was particularly struck by the writer’s request that God make him ‘attend to what is ornamental as well as essential in religion.’ Its a good desire, isn’t it?

   Have a read. I hope it will be a blessing to your mind, if not then don’t worry. (Sorry for some of the confusing words and grammar; the puritans didn’t know how to speak English as well as we do.)

 

O God,

May I never be a blot or a blank in life,
cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of,
or make my liberty an occasion to the flesh.

May I love serve others, and please my neighbour
for his good to edification.

May I attend to what is ornamental as well as
essential in religion, pursuing things that are lovely and of good report.

May I render my profession of the gospel
not only as impressive, but amiable and inviting.

May I hold forth the way of Jesus
with my temper as well as my tongue,
with my life as well as my lips.

May I say to all I meet,
I am journeying towards the Lord’s given place,
come with me for your good.

May I be prepared for all the allotments,
of this short, changing, uncertain life, with
a useful residence in it,
a comfortable journey through it.
a safe passage out of it.

May I be in character and conduct like
the dew of heaven,
the salt of the earth,
the light of the world,
the fullness of the fountain.

May I never
be ashamed of Jesus or his words,
be deterred from fulfilling a known duty
through fear,
be discouraged from attempting it
through weakness.

May I see all things in a divine light so that they might
inform my judgment
and sanctify my heart.

And by all the disciplines of thy providence,
and all the ordinances of religion,
may I be increasingly prepared for
life’s remaining duties,
the solemnities of a dying hour,
and the joys and services
that lie beyond the grave.

Nuts and Bolts

The Mechanics of Evangelism- Part 2

So, hopefully we have established the requirement for evangelism- the desperate need and urge every Christian should have to spread forth the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

What message should we be telling?

I was doing some serious thinking (swishing about a metaphorical tea bag in the mug of my mind)- trying to establish the fundamental points of the gospel which we need to be sharing/sowing/spreading etc. I thought about schemes and explanations like ‘2 ways to live’, the Olympic bracelets, ‘the Romans route’ and the Gospel of John. Then, in a short-lived moment, a light bulb appeared, lit up and showered my scalp with a soft glow.

Scan through a reasonable assignment again, looking out for the fundamentals of the gospel. Funny isn’t it! The very reasons that we should be sharing the gospel are also the crucial points that we should be sharing! Namely, we should be witnessing to these things:

• Sin is a serious thing. We are all sinners and are unworthy of God’s love. (2) Romans 3 v 23

• Sin will be punished. It has a sentence which none of us can comprehend: an eternity without God’s mercy. (2) Exodus 32 v34

• God is serious about salvation. He actually sent his only begotten son to die in our stead. (1) John 3 v 16

• God commands us to respond to Jesus’ death and resurrection. There will be no middle ground. God will not be mocked. It brings God great glory when we receive him as our Lord and Saviour! (3,4) Romans 10 v 9

   

What form should Evangelism take?

I believe it was Francis of Assisi who famously said,

“Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

I think he had a valid point: our lives should shout out that we are different from the world. As Christians, Christ has transformed our whole lives- we are a whole new creation (picture caterpillars and butterflies). It is certainly true that the radically ulterior lifestyle and worldview of a Christian can be a powerful preacher for the truth and vitality of the Gospel here and now in the 21st Century. It had an amazing impact on my life.

I think Francis of Assisi would have liked twitter.

Why on earth would a person use a lengthy properly-structured, grammatical sentence- complete with commas, hyphens (similar to a dash), brackets and rhetorical questions- when a few simple, hastily chosen words of wisdom, tumbling forth from the laundry chute of a person’s mind, would do?

Unfortunately poor old Francis missed the point somewhat. Does the bible not teach us that Jesus is ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ God created language, just like he created trees, mustard, hummingbirds and the Antarctic.

It isn’t enough to simply act the gospel (vital though that is). We need to teach the gospel using our voices too (scarier though that is!).

If we pause and take a look at Matthew chapter 28 verses 18 onwards, I think we will be helped by Jesus’ instructions to his apostles. Have a read below:

   And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
   
(Matthew 28:16-20 ESV)

Lets break it down a bit.

Verse 18:

    And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…”

Any truly biblical outreach is done through Jesus Christ who possesses all authority. We cannot win souls; God can. Think back to your pre-Christian days. I heard the gospel time and time again, and ignored it. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sinfulness and acute need of a saviour that I repented and turned to Christ. In Acts chapter 14, Paul explains that although he preached, it was God who ‘opened the door’ for them; it was God who provided the ready hearts and opportunities for outreach. We shouldn’t be discouraged or put off though: God uses weak and powerless folks like us to achieve his will. The Bible is packed with examples, Peter not being the least! Our God has all authority therefore we can confidently ‘Go’ knowing that he will go with us and, as verse 20 reminds us, he is with us ‘to the end of the age.’

Verse 19a:

    “…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

Outreach is long-term. We aren’t simply adding stats to our evangelism scoreboards. Quite the opposite! If you really grasped the earlier (non-exhaustive) reasons listed for sharing the gospel, then you will have a compassion for the folks who you are speaking to. You know, Jesus invested 3+ years in shaping his disciples. And he didn’t leave them alone when he ascended either! Paul was passionate about ‘his’ converts. He revisited the churches he had helped found again and again; he wrote long letters full of love and passion to them. He had a real and prayerful interest in their spiritual health. Paul made it a #1 priority to visit believers whenever he was in town. Interestingly it was Paul’s concern for the welfare of people that led to some important conversions during his journeys (see Acts 16).

Outreach is indiscriminate. Christ’s lordship is over the whole of creation. Evangelism must be global in its ambition and execution. Of course you and I cannot share the gospel with 7 billion people on a personal and individual basis. However we can be prayerfully and practically supporting missionaries, gospel-organisations and church outreach both here and overseas. Closer to home, we shouldn’t be discriminate about with whom we share the gospel. Its easy to focus on people we like- its easy to get into the Don’t-want-to-be-in-heaven-with-him-mentality: Thank God that he didn’t have that same mentality about us!

Paul was very indiscriminate in his ministry. When speaking to Jews, he used the OT scriptures. When speaking to Greeks/Romans he found some common ground and spoke in a way they understood. He hated clichés. He even went so far as to say, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

Verse 19b:

    “…baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Although it isn’t my aim to major in on baptism, I mustn’t ignore what the verse says. Baptism is part of the commission, it is a public witness of Jesus’ salvation plan for lost mankind. The water symbolises the washing power Christ has over the stains of sin. As we enter the water, we are saying that we have died to our sin. As we are under the water, we are saying that we were dead. Rising from the water shows that through Christ Jesus we have been born again and have left death and sin behind us. That’s a great witness to the glory and salvation of God!

Notice that all of the Trinity are active in salvation. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit each take part in saving the lost. We mustn’t forget that when praying for God to work in the hearts of our friends, family and contacts. (Here is something to ponder: at the cross, God the Father was in heaven turning away from Jesus, God the Son was on the cross dying for our sins. Where was God the Holy Spirit?)

Verse 20:

“…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Outreach/Disciple making is achieved through ‘go’-ing and ‘teaching’.

Start at the beginning. Share what Jesus has done for you to your friends and family. We have the best message that the world has ever heard. Think about this for a moment: The ultimate news, the ultimate answer to that question we all have, is good news! 64 doesn’t fill me with much hope. Christ dying for my sins fills me with hope everlasting!

Praise the Lord!

…and get going!