Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Last Sunday, our church sang a great song of encouragement to one another:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

This is a fantastic song to sing to one another right before the sermon. Here is why: For many years I have sung this song with the idea that I need to think real hard about Jesus. I need to take my eyes off of all the stuff here and look heavenward and picture Jesus.

However, I was reminded that the only way to obey this encouragement is to look downward and open my Bible. The way to turn your eyes upon Jesus is to turn your eyes to the pages of Scripture. The living Word is revealed in the written Word. The way to look into the wonderful face of Jesus is to see Him as He is revealed in the Bible.

The Scriptures speak of Jesus. The pages are blood-stained.

Is this you?

"Countless millions of people int his world live in self-protective mode all their lives. They're afraid to pour themselves out for another person, afraid to give, afraid to be vulnerable, becaue they're terrified of being taken."

-Unfashionable, p. 146.

This is true even of Christians because we spend 10 times more time watching television than we do in God's Word.

The Restoring Savior

John 21 is a rich and encouraging chapter. After the disciples (and especially Peter) fall away and desert Jesus, Jesus comes to them and restores them to the ministry He had called them to 3 years earlier. He restores them by revealing Himself to them.

Here is how Jesus reveals Himself:
1. as the Sovereign Lord (the miraculous catch of fish).
2. as the means to fruitfulness ("apart from me, you can do nothing").
3. as the intimate companion ("Come and eat with me").
4. as the object of Peter's love ("Do you love me?").
5. as the One who protects His own (Jesus' relentless passion to obey the Fater by guarding those entrusted to Him).

A Praying Life

WTS Books has a great deal (65% off) for 48 hours on a new book that looks very good. A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul Miller comes recommended by Powlison, Tripp, Ryken, Longman, Sande, Keller, and of course, JI Packer.

You Thought Your Day Yesterday Was Eventful

I've been a baseball fan my whole life and I've never seen anything like this. An illustration on being ready in season and out of season.

New Poll: Should the SBC Consider a Name Change?

In a message at SEBTS last week, President Aiken surmised that the Southern Baptist Convention may need to consider changing its name. What do you think? Vote on the poll on the sidebar on the right.

BTY - You should seriously consider listening to Dr. Aiken's message. It is fantastic and deals with much weightier issues than names. He addresses the most important of issues: the gospel, the Great Commission, the authority of Scripture, the importance of family, diversity, and many more.

The Gospel-Driven Life

Michael Horton's next book, The Gospel-Driven Life is set to come out in October. I'm encouraged by this description of it:

"In his well-received Christless Christianity Michael Horton offered a prophetic wake-up call for a self-centered American church. With The Gospel-Driven Life he turns from the crisis to the solutions, offering his recommendations for a new reformation in the faith, practice, and witness of contemporary Christianity. This insightful book will guide readers in reorienting their faith and the church's purpose toward the good news of the gospel. The first six chapters explore that breaking news from heaven, while the rest of the book focuses on the kind of community that the gospel generates and the surprising ways in which God is at work in the world. Here is fresh news for Christians who are burned out on hype and are looking for hope."

Isaiah 53:6

We are memorizing Isaiah 53 as a church. This week we are on verse 6:

"All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on himthe iniquity of us all."

This reminded me of the post I did a few years ago called, "Sins Laid on Jesus."

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance by Bruce Ware.

Put this one on your wishlist and include it on your reading schedule. This is not a book that you must rush to get, but one that you should read at some point. This book is well-written and engaging. It is the best modern book on the Trinity that I am aware of. Ware does an exceptional job of showing how vital it is to know God as Trinity. He meditates on how appliable an understanding of the Trinity is to our lives.

I Want to Be Gentle Like Calvin

Sinclair Ferguson on evidences of John Calvin's gentleness (as a reflection of his Christlikeness):

1. In his restraint of personal malice to those who opposed him.
2. In his empathy for those who suffered.
3. In his concern to show respect to others.
4. In his gracious attitude toward others.

John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology, p. 37.

2 Conferences I'll be Attending

1. Advance '09 (Durham). Piper, Driscoll, Chandler, Aiken, Chapell.

2. God Exposed (SEBTS). Dever, Mahaney, Thabiti, Aiken.

2 Subjects for which I am passionate about: The Church and Expository Preaching.

Calvin's Preaching

Regarding John Calvin's aim in preaching:

"He was a man who preached not himself, but the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:1-2). According to Parker, Calvin "had a horror of those who preached their own ideas in place of the gospel of the Bbile: 'When we enter the pulpit, it is not so that we may bring our own dreams and fancies with us.'" Calvin was not concerned with offering to his congregation the quaint meditations of his own heart. Although it has become popular in many churches for the pastor to strive to "pour out his heart" to his congregation, such was not Calvin's aim in his preaching, for he had offered his heart to God alone. As a result, Calvin did not think it was profitable to share the ever-changing passions of his own heart, but to proclaim the heart of God in His never-changing Word. Calvin was not concerned that his congregants behold him but that they behold the Lord...Such was Calvin's aim in his preaching and in all his life."

-Burk Parsons, John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology, pp. 7-8.

New Pillar Commentary Coming Soon: Acts

The newest Pillar volume will be The Acts of the Apostles.

In case you haven't heard, the Pillar Commentary series is my favorite.

Christless Christianity

I usually do not post negative book reviews. If a book is not worth recommending, it is not worth reading. I put down a lot of books that are not worth reading or recommending. So, if I post a review of a book, it is usually a recommendation.

I don't consider this review negative, just not positive. Let me attempt to give an honest assessment of Christless Christianity by Michael Horton.

This was a book that I was excited about reading. It is a subject for which I am passionate about. And, I had never ready a whole book by Horton.

I totally agreed with everything in the book. The content is true and sad.

Here is a quote that could summarize the content: "A church that is deeply aware of its misery and nakedness before a holy God will cling tenaciously to an all-sufficient Savior, while one that is self-confident and relatively unaware of its inherent sinfulness will reach for religion and morality whenever it seems convenient" (p. 243).

Much of the book is based on errors surrounding Joel Osteen, Willow Creek, and the Purpose-Driven model.

However, I did not enjoy reading this book very much. I'm assuming the problem is me.

Here are some of my thoughts:

-This book lacks a definable outline. It contains random reflections and examples of how the church has abandoned the gospel. It was very difficult to discern what exactly the point of the book is.

-The chapters are long and seem to ramble on and on without a goal.

-The tone of the book seemed to be more about what is wrong with the church than how to move forward. I kept expecting the book to transition to laying out ways the church can move toward being Christ-centered.

I would much prefer reading books like The Deliberate Church or 9 Marks of a Healthy Church, which expose errors by expositing God's goal and purpose for the church (and giving a clear guide to transitioning our churches to being centered on the gospel).

This Momentary Marriage: 2 New Piper Books

John Piper's new book on marriage is now widely available: This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanance. It has only been available through Desiring God's website until now. It is a fantasic book for both married and single people. Be sure to watch the video clip on the WTS site of Piper preaching on the main point of the book (fantiastic!).

Piper also has a new book of poems available: Velvet Steel: The Joy of Being Married to You.

New and Notable Books

Some new stuff that looks really good:

1. Precious Blood: The Atoning Work of Christ edited by Richard Phillips
2. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung (forward by Josh Harris; crazy cover picture and alternate title)
3. Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian
4. Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware

2 Encouragements for Calvinists

In his forward to John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology, Iain Murray provides 2 encouragements for those who call themselves Calvinists:

1. Make sure your theology manifests itself in piety and godliness.
For too long, humility and Christ-likeness have not been the marks of Calvinistic beliefs. Often, Calvinists are thought to be cold, lifeless, and rude. This should not be.

2. Make sure you are an example of the fact that belief in divine sovereignty does not weaken evangelistic preaching.
We must clearly preach the gospel and call men and women to repentace and faith in Christ. We must press people to embrace Christ and clearly spell out the reality that we are responsible for our sin and unbelief.

The Peacemaker

My excellent wife finished reading The Peacemaker by Ken Sande and has some thoughts about the book. If you haven't read this book yet, I hope her thoughts encourage you to get it.

He is Risen!

Depart from preaching so as to make the gospel "clearer"?

I'm saddened by this front page article in the Wilson Daily Times today. A church in my city is going to make the gospel "clearer" by abandoning the preached Word. Instead of preaching the Word (clearly commanded in Scripture), they are going to feature a drama (not commanded in Scripture and arguably forbiden in Scripture).

Here is a quote:
"I think for too long the church has not really preached the gospel story that people can understand in a very practical way," Bell said. "I believe that this is more impacting than pulpit preaching."

It is a sad day when we reject God's appointed means of building His church and communicating the gospel in favor of what we think will impact people. Since when do we get to decide what is best for the public gathering of God's people?

Be assured that I am writing this while examining my heart. I am not condemning this church (or any other church that thinks in this way). I would think the same way if I had not been taught the centraility of preaching in the life of the church. I'm simply trying to draw us back to being faithful to God and His Word.

A church will look like Christ as it listens to Christ (through His Word).

Some Suggestions for Good Friday

Here are some suggestions for Good Friday:

1. Read through the passion narratives in the gospels.
2. Read Isaiah 53 slowly.
3. Share the gospel with someone.
4. Read sections of a Cross-Centered book.
5. Listen to a Cross-Centered sermon.
6. Listen to some Cross-Centered Music.

Anything else you are doing to remember the Savior on Good Friday?

Grateful for an Attentive Church

Unashamed Workman posted some of the encouraging and discouraging sights from the pulpit. It is a good post because it is so true. It reminded me of how grateful I am that my people are visibly eager to hear the Word.

Discouraging sights from the pulpit:

• yawning
• sleeping
• incessant talking
• closed bibles
• folded arms
• phones being checked
• people walking out (rejecting the message)
• people taken ill

Encouraging sights from the pulpit:

• bibles being examined
• note taking
• leaning forward with interest
• people walking out (under conviction)
• tears
• joy at the truth preached

Fast Food Folk Song

Some guy working at Taco Bell has mad order-taking-skills:

What Did Jesus Do on Wednesday of His Final Week?

Here is a post I did last year, summarizing Jesus' week of passion.
Spend some time over these next few days meditating on the events and significance of Jesus' final hours.

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

I have really enjoyed reading Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross over the past month. I have been reading one of the short chapters each morning as a means of preaching the gospel to myself. It doesn't have to be Easter time to get and read this great book.

Some Clothing Tips for Ministers

I just found this helpful and practical article by Don Whitney: Clothing Tips for Ministers.

I started to title this post: The article you hope none of your church members forward to you with a note reading, "Pastor, just thought this would be of help to you."

"I Thirst"

Why did Jesus declare His thirst from the Cross (John 19:28)? I made 3 observations in my sermon Sunday:

1. This statement reveals something of the depth of the suffering of Jesus. He was really human and really was thirsty. The One who changed the water into wine could have called all the water in the world to quench His parched throat. Every river and stream and fountain on the face of this earth would have leaped at the opportunity to moisten the lips of its Creator. But, He was physically thirsty so that we can have our soul’s thirst quenched forever.

2. John tells us that Jesus said this in order to fulfill Scripture (John 19:28). While suffering on the Cross, Jesus was conscious of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Psalm 69:21). It wasn’t that He just happened to fulfill the Scriptures. No, He intentionally fulfilled the Scriptures.

3. He had something else He wanted to say. He was about to say something that He wanted others to hear. So, He asks for a drink in order to moisten His throat. Then He said, "It is finished!"

Jesus' Finished Work

I had the privilage of preaching on "It is finished" Sunday morning (John 19:30). Jesus' cry of victory from the Cross is full of meaning and significance for our lives.

This is not the moan of a defeated man resigning to his fate. This is not a sigh of relief because the physical suffering is over.

No, this is the triumphant recognition that He has now fully accomplished the work He came to do. This is the cry of triumph.

Spurgeon said of this cry, “it would need all the other words that ever were spoken, or ever can be spoken, to explain this one word. It is altogether immeasurable. It is high; I cannot attain to it. It is deep; I cannot fathom it.”

Jesus perfectly accomplished His work.
Jesus left nothing undone or incomplete.
Jesus left nothing unfinished or deficient.
Jesus left nothing unaccomplished or lacking.
His work was totally sufficient.

Here is the one implication I made from this cry:
Since Jesus paid it all, nothing needs to be added to His finished work.

All my hope is in His Work, not my works.

Derek Tidball wrote, “This single word rings out from the crucified Christ like a trumpet blast. It is finished, It is accomplished. The work his Father had sent him to do has been completed. The Father’s will had been obeyed to the last detail. The Father’s love had been revealed in its ultimate form. The Father’s grace had been released in the most convincing manner. The Father’s forgiveness had been purchased with the costliest payment. The Father’s glory had been displayed in the least expected way. The Father’s enemies had been definitively defeated" (Message of the Cross, p. 174).

1 Hour Preaching Like 8 Hours with a Jackhammer

CJ Mahaney is now going to interview some "ordinary" pastors. Looking forward to this!

And, his jackhammer analogy is funny because its true. No wonder I'm so sore on Sunday afternoon.

Shelter in the Time of Storm

New book from Paul Tripp: Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble. Everything by the Tripps is worth getting, especially when they meditate on the Scriptures.

Killing Selfishness by Seeing the Cross

Extremely challenged by this quote:

"No one who has been to the cross and seen God's immeasurable and unmerited love displayed there can go back to a life of selfishness."

-John Stott, 1 John commentary, p. 166.

Let Us Love One Another

1 John 4:7-12 is extremely helpful for those of us who struggle to love others like we should. John basically gives us the theological foundation for loving one another.

Here are the 3 points I meditated on in our Wed evening Bible Study:

1. We are to love one another because we know the One who is love (v. 7-8).
-God is love and He imparts Himself to us when we are born of Him.
-To not love is to fail to manifest the nature of the One who we claim to be our Father.

2. We are to love one another because God has loved us in Christ (v. 9-11).
-The Cross reveals God's love.
-The Cross propitiates God's wrath.
-The Cross fuels our love for one another.

3. We are to love one another because God is seen in our love for one another (v. 12).
-God’s love is revealed when we love one another.

Sinclair Ferguson on the Cross as the demonstration of God's love:
“When we think of Christ dying on the cross we are shown the lengths to which God’s love goes in order to win us back to himself. We would almost think that God loved us more than he loves his Son! We cannot measure such love by any other standard. He is saying to us: I love you this much. The cross is the heart of the gospel. It makes the gospel good news: Christ died for us. He has stood in our place before God’s judgment seat. He has borne our sins. God has done something on the cross we could never do for ourselves. But God does something to us as well as for us through the cross. He persuades us that he loves us.”