Archive for Commentary
Dr. David Powlison, in an interview concerning Reading the Bible for Personal Application, answers the question “What would be your answer to someone who said that passages like the Old Testament histories or specific prophetic oracles have no application to the lives of believers today?” I appreciated his answer.
” You don’t understand how the Old Testament works, though you do grasp a partial truth. You rightly see, for example, that Obadiah is fulfilled. Edom bit the dust. Case closed. But Obadiah was timely in the 580s B.C. exactly because he brought wide and deep truths to bear in his historical moment. God, whose words and actions Obadiah proclaims, speaks and acts in continuity to all that precedes this prophet and all that follows. The great reversals of God’s redemptions and judgments find expression throughout Scripture. Obadiah, like the rest of the Old Testament, points to and reveals Christ in the character, promises, and real-time workings of the Lord. The New Testament explicitly says that the Old makes us wise unto salvation, is given for our encouragement, reveals Jesus.
Obadiah is never going to be as significant as Romans or Luke for our doctrine, life, and ministry… but it’s no waste of time to read it once a year and to ponder what the Lord here reveals of himself and his ways. In fact, the seeds of Romans and Luke can be seen in Obadiah (e.g., mercy, judgment on evil, deliverance from enemies, the great reversal, the kingdom of God…). In the course of a long preaching ministry, you will benefit your hearers if you preach a time or two from Obadiah. It will help them to understand such connections, and will help their Bible come to life. Seeing such things actually brightens our understanding of Romans and Luke, and sharpens our love for God.”
Read the rest of the interview at the Westminster Bookstore Blog.
True Identity
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1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-7)
I’m struck by just how much Paul in introducing himself in the book of Romans, in the traditional way of greeting and introduction of the times, goes completely out of his way to minimize himself, to draw attention away from himself and instead towards the Living God. The spotlight is on the Lord and not on Paul. The Apostle Paul was very clear on where his identity came from, what his mission was, who he was and “whose he was”. Filter this passage through who, what, where, when, why and how and you pretty much have all the answers!
All the answers point to God.
Speaking specifically about verse 1, John Piper puts it like this (emphasis mine):
“In all three phrases the crucial thing is not who Paul is, but whose Paul is. And this will, in the end, be what makes your life significant or not – not who you are, but whose you are.”
So, Paul was:
1. a servant of Christ Jesus
2. called to be an apostle
3. set apart for the gospel of God
What a glorious identity Paul had! And although we know that the foundation was laid once for all by the apostles and prophets, what a glorious identity we have! We are servants of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ and we’ve been set apart to live out and share the Gospel of God.
Questions I’m asking myself:
1. Am I embracing, walking in, living out, proclaiming with my life, the fact that I am a servant of Christ?
2. Does my life testify, in word and in deed, whose I am?
3. Will I attempt to address #1 and #2 in my own strength? Or will I pursue the Lord, petition Him, seek Him sincerely and ask Him to change me through His Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit?
4. Will “works” consume me or will I desire God Himself? Will “doing the right things” be my concern or will knowing the right person, and increasing in that knowledge be my aim?
5. Will I be self-centered (living for/by myself, as if I am “my own”) or will I be God-centered, living as a servant of Christ, because I am in fact, not my own?
Praise be to God for His steadfast love and faithfulness as he deals mercifully with us as we fight sin to live out our true identity.
(Image credit: Spekulator)
The Gospel Shows Up in the Strangest Places
Posted by: | Comments(tongue in cheek title)
Russell Moore offers a helpful take on the David Letterman situation.
HT: Tim Challies
Redesign: monergism.com
Posted by: | CommentsOne of my favorite sites just got a makeover and now it’s even better!
Joy (in God) – Quick Topical Study
Posted by: | CommentsI was watching the DVD version of John Piper’s “When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy” and below are a few of the verses mentioned (and a couple of extras also). True joy, ultimate joy, eternal joy is only found in one place: in God. Since we are sinful creatures and evil and suffering are realities, that quest can also be characterized as a fight.
Perhaps it will be helpful to you, as it was to me, to meditate on the them.
(All from the ESV)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matthew 13:44
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11
Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.
Deuteronomy 28:47-48
..for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
..but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Gladness in the Gospel
Posted by: | CommentsFrom Of First Importance (If you’re not a subscriber to their email list, you should head right over and sign up! )
“Truth will readily be exchanged for error when no more sweetness and joy is to be found in it than is to be found in error. When we find any of the good truths of the gospel coming home to our souls with power, giving us gladness of heart and transforming us into the image and likeness of it, the Holy Spirit is then at his work. He is pouring out his oil.”
- John Owen, Communion with God, abridged by R.J.K. Law (Carlisle, Pa.: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1991), 189.
Simplified Missional Living
Posted by: | CommentsA very helpful post by Jonathan Dodson on simple ways to be intentional in spending time with non-Christians.
(HT: Justin Tayl0r)
Love in a Time of Swine Flu
Posted by: | CommentsFrom Al Mohler’s blog, a Christian perspective on the outbreak of swine flu.
Monergism Interview with Tim Keller
Posted by: | CommentsThere are several more recent interviews of Tim Keller available but I thought I would pass along this one that Monergism did with him last year. At the time, his book The Reason for God was out and the interview was conducted in light of that book which is a winsome, reasoned defense of the Christian faith. I actually have only read a small portion of the book (need to bump it up to the top of my reading list!) but am nearly done listening to the sermons he preached that gave form to the book. I highly recommend the audio and a ton of people recommend the book. I’ve benefited from his ministry and would encourage others to check him out.
Several things stood out to me in the interview.
1) Keller’s answer to question #4:
When you field questions from skeptics what is the first thing you are looking for in their question?
I want to be able to understand it well enough that, when I articulate it back to them, they feel I have said it better and more persuasively than they could have.
I think we show much respect and care for the other person (1 Peter 3:15, see my previous post) when we are able to understand and effectively restate the question (insert “statement”, “argument” or “conviction” as well). Most people want to know that they are being heard and understood, especially when it comes to religi0us convictions. He actually sets the bar pretty high in desiring to say it “better and more persuasively than they could have”.
2) The tone and overall nature of his answers. The way he answers objections here (and in the book and audio) is one based on addressing the other person’s presuppositions. This is an approach that is not often enough employed in my estimation when defending and sharing the gospel.
3) His answer to question #10. Reminded me that I’ve been wanting to renew my subscription to Time and Newsweek!
4) He recommends John Frame’s books. I haven’t read any of Frame’s books yet but his free seminary courses on audio and papers have been very helpful. I’m very much an audio freak in case anyone was wondering.
Christ is a Great Saviour
Posted by: Bob Perez | Comments (0)I heard this quote from John Newton in a sermon recently and it’s stuck with me. Newton lived to be 82 years old, active in ministry until the last two years of his life due to failing health.
Surely Mr. Newton was familiar with these words of the Apostle Paul:
Questions that I’ve been chewing on and would encourage you to do the same:
1. Do I view myself like John Newton and Paul viewed themselves?
2. Do I really view Christ as I should? The Great Savior, one who is able to overcome and save such a great sinner as me.
3. How does this impact my daily life?
4. How does this impact my relationships with others?
Much more could be said but this is simply a quick post to share a few thoughts.