Where are all the Preachers?

Purification

People often ask me if I have a life verse.

If I do, it is Jeremiah 15:16, "Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart." It's kind of my testimony. I was going nowhere in a hurry and I found this book God wrote and began to feast on it like a soldier devouring his last meal. When the Word of God is absent from my life my heart is hungry. When I feast on the Bread of Life, my heart overflows with joy.
I love the vivid pictures with which the Bible describes itself, adding such insight into how God uses it in our lives.

FIRE
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Hosts, 'Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth fire and this people wood, and it will consume them,'" (Jeremiah 5:14).

SWORD
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than and double edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
sword black copy.

HAMMER
"Is not my word like. . . a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29
SEED
"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23 NKJV). In one of His parables Jesus said, "The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11 NKJV).
MILK
"Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow." 1 Peter 2:2.
MEAT
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word or righteousness." Hebrews 5:12-14.
LIGHT
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
MIRROR
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effective doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." James 1:23-25

God is faithful to His Word and we who place ourselves in the flow of that unceasing work are the continual benefactors.

treehouse

i like to do my Bible reading in the morning, at night, in bed, on a couch, in a restaurant, in class, etc. it seems more special when i do it at different times or different places.

but once i read the Bible in my tree house in our backyard. that was a special time. in a tree house, there are no distractions, no people walking in and wanting to talk, no music tempting you to play it while you do your reading, just silence and the Lord, and boy, He can work miracles with those two things.

plus i was 30 feet off the ground which is 30 feet closer to Him right?

in my relationships with friends and family, i often try to have a special place where the two of us hang out or meet to make our friendship seem more special. i see no reason that i should keep that feeling from the Lord Almighty, i want Him to have all of the greatest feelings of my heart and soul. so because of this i dedicate the tree in the backyard and its house to be a special place between me and my Saviour. a place to spend time in prayer and study, to learn and grow, just like a tree.

i will name this time my "treevotional" time.

Since I was a small boy I can remember singing, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Do you know the song? Do you know that Jesus loves you? I'm not asking if you know the information. More than just 2 + 2 = 4; more than just some facts, do you know that Jesus loves you? I don't mean know like you could recite a recipe for a French toast . I'm asking if you know what those ingredients taste like together? Have you tasted God's love?

It's only been more recently in my life that I've known in my heart that God loves me, that He loves me. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this. I mean, why does a 20-something-year-old man need to know that God loves him? That's for kids, right? How stunned I was not long ago to have God meet me in such a powerful, personal way, and just immerse me in this idea that He loves me!

Christmas turned around for me when I experienced and tasted His love--to know God's love, not just with my head but with my heart. The good news that I promised you is this: He loves you, too.

I know what you may be thinking, "Well yeah, God loves me. I mean, God loves everybody, and I'm part of everybody, and so here I am in this big city, in this big world." Don't misunderstand--God doesn't love you like He sees a football stadium full of people, alright? He loves you--just you.

The Bible has some definite things to say about that. Isaiah 49:16 says that He has engraved you upon the palm of His hand and that He numbers the hairs of your head (Matthew 10:30). The Lord tells us that He saves your tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). Do you see? This is a message for you personally. It doesn't matter where you've been, it doesn't matter what you've done, it doesn't matter what you've experienced--God loves you. It doesn't matter what you have thought about yourself or what other people may have said about you--God loves you. You are honored, you are precious in His eyes, and He loves you! (Isaiah 43:4). Isn't that an amazing truth?

Maybe some of you are like, "Exactly how much love does God have for me? Could you break it down?" Sure--almost every time the Bible describes God's love, it makes a beeline for the cross.

The cross of Jesus Christ is God's statement about God's love. Wait a minute, James. It's not Easter, it's Christmas! Yeah, but don't you see how they're connected? When you think of the immensity of God's love, the first thing the Bible often asks us to do is to consider the price that was paid. "God so loved the world that He gave His Son" (John 3:16). "God demonstrated His love toward us in this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ [God's only Son] died for us" (Romans 5:8).

What makes this love so amazing is that it is highlighted against the backdrop of a debt that each one of us owes. At the core of God's being is His holiness. In order for us to have any kind of relationship with Him, we have to find a way to get our sins forgiven. Problem is that's just way too big of a problem; there's nothing we can do to accomplish that. We can't buy God's favor, we can't work for God's favor, we can't ever be good enough to earn God's favor. Some would argue that God's defining characteristic is love, but if that was so, God could welcome us all into heaven and say, "Just c'mon, we'll work it out when you get here." But God's holiness demanded that sin be paid for before there could be any relationship, and then God's love found a way. That's exactly why Jesus had to come. "In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the [payment] for our sins." Because God is holy, He can't look on that sin--it must be covered. Jesus' blood covered our sin. Hebrews 9:22 says that "without the shedding of blood there is no payment for sin."

I know, I know, some nice people want to hush me here, "SHh-h-h. You're getting blood on the snow. Don't wreck Christmas!" But listen--don't miss the amazing truth about Christmas! Don't only see the glossy Christmas card version of Jesus anymore, "Oh, Jesus, look at the sweet baby." The truth is so much more. Jesus, holy God, light and love incarnate, left heaven that first Christmas night to be born a baby, to live a sinless life, to die in your place, so that you could be forgiven of your sin--a holy transaction made possible by the amazing love of God. That's the message of Christmas. We need a Savior and that's why Jesus came.

I proclaim God's love to you today. He loves you with an everlasting love that words fail to describe. And I've got to say this: If you can't look to a time when you turned from your sin and embraced Christ by faith, man, what are you waiting for?! You don't know when or even if you'll have another opportunity to embrace Christ by faith, as the Lover of your soul. Let this Christmas mark the decision that changes your life--forever. Step out of that generic understanding of love into this amazing, committed love of the Lord for each of His own children through faith in Christ. For more information, get to a church that tells you the truth about your need and God's amazing love that reaches out to meet you.

The church fellowship doesn't have to worry about me "bah-humbugging" on Christmas anymore. I've got the real joy of the season now and we raise the roof in our celebration--real joy comes from receiving the gift Jesus offers to each one of us. It's something we can't get ourselves--only a sinless God could give such a holy gift and only love would prompt the sacrifice.

I finally see Christmas for what it is--the day that love and holiness stepped into time. That's why Jesus came.

Not So Senseless Killings

There was another “senseless” mass killing this week. This one was in Colorado. I’m hesitant to talk about it because I may sound simplistic and repetitive. I don’t think the killings were senseless at all. Something is not senseless when there’s a predictable pattern. Here was another disillusioned and bitter ‘backslider” (a false convert), who no doubt gave his heart to Jesus because of a promise of a wonderful new life in Christ, and when the promises didn’t deliver the goods, he was angry enough to kill. He targeted four Christians, and murdered them before being shot by an armed (a sign of the times) church security guard. My own pastor recently held up a Bible and a copy of a very popular book by “America’s pastor.” The publication promised God’s best for you right here and now. It was another things go better with Jesus book, or what I call “the modern gospel.” My pastor said that both books were left by the church dumpster with what amounted to a suicide note scribbled in the Bible, saying that the promises of the Bible didn’t match the promises of the book. How unspeakably tragic. The world may speak well of smiley preachers who refuse to open up the Law so that sinners can see their terrible danger, but they are in truth betrayers of the ultimate trust. May you and I never sleep on our watch. Most armies in history have rewarded such treachery with a firing squad.

A Man Shaped Hole in God’s Heart?

Todd Friel, Way of the Master Radio Host and Worldview Weekend, Code Blue Rally Speaker

A quick listen to most contemporary Christian preaching, writing or singing would lead you to believe that God is gaga about humans and just longs to spend time with us. The latest dreck from Oneness Pentecostals (i.e., they believe in a heretical Jesus) Phillips, Craig and Dean, is a typical example.

No Matter How Long
I watched you as you stumbled out of bed,
Rushed out the door, your coffee in your hand.
And you looked so lost and lonely,
I knew I had to find a way
To make you understand, I wanna be your friend.
So I painted a sunrise in the sky
And I caused the birds to sing you lullabies,
And I whispered sweet "I love you's".
No matter how long it takes, somehow I'll find a way
Somehow My love will find a way,
No matter how long it takes.
I watched you as you fell asleep last night,
And I trembled as I watched the tears you cried.
So I splashed your face with moonlight, and I longed for your embrace.

A Brief History Lesson

Before we dissect that song, it is crucial we remember that evangelicalism blossomed out of the dead, liberal Protestantism of the middle 20^th century. From the early 1900’s, Biblical Christians watched as liberal Protestantism produced false converts who pretended to worship God on Sunday, but were completely detached from Him on Monday.

Evangelicalism roared to life with the correct mantra, “You need to have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” To that I say, “Amen.” But as is the case with every movement that arises in response to a singular problem, it is not long before it falls into an opposite and equally damning ditch. In this case, evangelicalism appears to have fallen into the pit of Godly romanticism.

Evangelicals now present God as a love sick puppy who yearns to spend time with us. We have exchanged His loving-kindness for a gooey, romantic love.

What is wrong with this song?

While I suspect the author is alluding to Psalm 19 and II Peter 3, his repositioning of theology is staggering. My comments are in parenthesis.

I watched you as you stumbled out of bed
Rushed out the door, your coffee in your hand
And you looked so lost and lonely (God does not desire to save us from loneliness, but from our sins)
I knew I had to find a way (This makes God sound less than omniscient)
To make you understand, I wanna be your friend (While the Bible says we can be friends with God, it means reconciled, not bosom buddies)
So I painted a sunrise in the sky
And I caused the birds to sing you lullabies (God gives us creation to appreciate Him, not lull us to sleep)
And I whispered sweet "I love you's" (Is God our boyfriend or the Sovereign Creator of the universe?)
No matter how long it takes, somehow I'll find a way. (God is not thwarted by anything, let alone us)
Somehow My love will find a way, (Poor, pitiful God)
No matter how long it takes. (“It is appointed unto man once to die, then judgment”)
I watched you as you fell asleep last night
And I trembled as I watched the tears you cried. (God trembles?)
So I splashed your face with moonlight, and I longed for your embrace. (This sounds more like a Harlequin novel than Scripture)

Redefining the Atonement

Not a single Bible verse can be found to support the idea that we are so loveable that God yearns for us. Instead, God desires to restore children of wrath to a right relationship with Himself so that His loving-kindness can be displayed (Eph.2).

God does not pursue us because he finds us so adorable that His heart will just break if He can’t find a way for us to fall in love with Him. He desires to save the unlovable so that His mercy can be magnified. The salvation that God offers is for His namesake, for His glory.

Why have we so altered the doctrine of reconciliation? I am convinced it is because we have abandoned expository preaching and the preaching of God’s Law. The result? We have relegated God’s sense of anger, wrath and justice to the Old Testament as if He were a different God than that “nice New Testament God”.

While we do not want to end up in the “God is only angry” ditch, we have to find our way out of our present moat. My suggestion: we need to preach verse by verse to have a complete knowledge of the character and nature of God. We need to preach the Law to understand that we are not loveable, but loved despite what we are.

That is my take. What’s yours?

Isn't Christianity the Good Life? (John Piper)

Maybe Jesus Just Wants to Give You a Hug?

Over thirty years ago, the great philosopher Paul McCartney asked, “What’s wrong with silly love songs?” Having given this over three decades of serious consideration (OK, at least several months), I have Sir McCartney’s answer.

It depends.

If you want to fill the world with silly love songs, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want to fill the church with them, I say, “Stop it!”

Tune into your “get you through your day” Christian music station and you will hear grown men, whining like love sick puppies, “Nothing else can take your place, or feel the warmth of your embrace.” Who are they singing to? The One who holds the universe together by the power of His word, or a chick?

Take the Quiz

Here are six phrases from six contemporary songs. Can you pick which phrases belong to secular songs and which to the sacred?

1. All I need to do is just be me, being in love with you.

 2. My world stops spinning round, without you.

 3. I never want to leave; I want to stay in your warm embrace.

 4. I’m lost in love.

 5. Now and forever, together and all that I feel, here's my love for you.

 6. You say you love me just as I am.

The first three are from a popular Christian band called Big Daddy Weave, the second half are from Air Supply.  

More and more of our Christian music is sounding one note: Jesus loves you soooooo much. Do I doubt for a second that Jesus loves His children? Nope, but it depends on what your definition of “love” is.

God “agape” loves His children. Agape love is not an emotions based, warm and fuzzy kind of love. Agape love is a self sacrificing, “I will help you despite how I feel” love.

William Tyndale was the first translator to use the word “love” for agape. Prior to the 16^th century, the word “charity” best described agape. Leaving that debate aside, since Tyndale’s time, the English definition for love has expanded. Our modern day use of love ranges from a love for an object to physical love/sex (eros love). I love that new car. I love that girl. I love that God. That God loves me.

Not only do we use “love” in romantic ways to sing about God, we have added other romantic phrases to our Christian music repertoire: hold me, embrace me, feel you, need you. This criticism is not new, in fact, it has existed since Godly men began endeavoring to sing anything but the Psalms.

John Wesley considered an “amatory phrase” to be language that was more feelings based love than self-sacrificing agape love. John deleted “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” from one of his brother Charles’ collections because it was too romantic sounding.

Amatory Phrasing

Not only are musicians guilty of writing amatory phrases, but they are singing with amatory phrasing. Christian men sing with such romantic longing and neediness it makes me want to scream, “Man up!”

Christian women are singing with such throaty breathiness you would think they had just run from their home to the studio. To whom exactly are they singing? Brad Pitt or the Savior?

There are two consequences to this “Jesus is my boyfriend/girlfriend” music. Needy, emotional women continue to need more counseling, self help books and conferences where they can spread their wings and soar. Men simply are not showing up for church. It is my belief they simply can’t stand the mood manipulating worship times designed to help them “feel the Lord’s embrace.”

Musical Mermaids

Without theology in music, we are offering fluff that will not comfort when bridges collapse and test reports are negative. Songwriters could provide true hope if they would write about the sovereignty of God rather than crying about “how safe I feel when Jesus is holding me.”

Charles Spurgeon had the same criticism of “Hymns for Heart and Voice” published in 1855. He condemned the hymns as being “little better than mermaids, nice to look at but dangerous because they cannot deliver what they promise.”

Is there anything wrong with being reminded that our God is our help from ages past? Of course not, the Psalms are loaded with promises of God’s comfort. But unlike the Psalms (and theology based hymns), contemporary music is void of the reason why we should not worry. We do not worry because someone purrs that we shouldn’t fret, but because God is our shelter in the stormy blast and our eternal home. Our comfort comes from knowledge, not caterwauling.

If you enjoy a silly love song now and then, knock yourself out. But leave them where they belong, in the world or in the bedroom, not in the church.