1 John is a great, if somewhat complex, letter and one of its themes is love. As it deals with the issue of assurance for the church to whom John writes love is repeatedly the focus.
Be it God's love for us (3:1, 16) shown in Jesus death, lavished upon us making us children of God. Or the command not to love the world (2:15-17) or the things in the world.
In 3:23 we are given two commandments : "that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us." It got me to thinking do I love others as God commanded me to or is it in a half-hearted way the I command me to.
It is quite striking when you read the context surrounding the rest of 1 John 3. (16) "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." John goes on to unpack this for us in terms of what we do with our money, and our actions.
God's command is for sacrificial love yet so often I (we) do manageable love, yet God through John says if I really get God's love and the way it is lavished on me in Christ then I cannot but love others like that! The challenge is will I?
Monday, 28 April 2008
Piper on parenting
John Piper is in the process of writing a book on Parenting which I for one am looking forward to, though I wish he had written it 5 years ago. Anyway he posted the following on the desiring God blog which you will find on the bar to the right, it was what he was working on yesterday and gives a flavour of the book:
The most fundamental task of a mother and father is to show God to the children. Children know their parents before they know God. This is a huge responsibility and should cause every parent to be desperate for God-like transformation. The children will have years of exposure to what the universe is like before they know there is a universe. They will experience the kind of authority there is in the universe and the kind of justice there is in the universe and the kind of love there is in the universe before they meet the God of authority and justice and love who created and rules of the universe. Children are absorbing from dad his strength and leadership and protection and justice and love; and they are absorbing from mother her care and nurture and warmth and intimacy and justice and love—and, of course, all these overlap.
And all this is happening before the child knows anything about God, but it is profoundly all about God. Will the child be able to recognize God for who he really is in his authority and love and justice because mom and dad have together shown the child what God is like. The chief task of parenting is to know God for who he is in his many attributes, and then to live in such a way with our children that we help them see and know this multi-faceted God. And, of course, that will involve directing them always to the infallible portrait of God in the Bible.
We need as parents to have a thirst for God and a love for him that we transmit to our children because it is contagious. They will either catch our love and passion for God or our apathy.
The most fundamental task of a mother and father is to show God to the children. Children know their parents before they know God. This is a huge responsibility and should cause every parent to be desperate for God-like transformation. The children will have years of exposure to what the universe is like before they know there is a universe. They will experience the kind of authority there is in the universe and the kind of justice there is in the universe and the kind of love there is in the universe before they meet the God of authority and justice and love who created and rules of the universe. Children are absorbing from dad his strength and leadership and protection and justice and love; and they are absorbing from mother her care and nurture and warmth and intimacy and justice and love—and, of course, all these overlap.
And all this is happening before the child knows anything about God, but it is profoundly all about God. Will the child be able to recognize God for who he really is in his authority and love and justice because mom and dad have together shown the child what God is like. The chief task of parenting is to know God for who he is in his many attributes, and then to live in such a way with our children that we help them see and know this multi-faceted God. And, of course, that will involve directing them always to the infallible portrait of God in the Bible.
We need as parents to have a thirst for God and a love for him that we transmit to our children because it is contagious. They will either catch our love and passion for God or our apathy.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
What is worship?
Following on from what I have been thinking about as regards worship someone sent me this link to a thought provoking video on You Tube. Click here.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Emotion and worship
"singing is one of the most natural mediums for God's people to respond to his works of salvation in an authentic and emotional way."
That is quite a strong statement but I think Philip Percival its author is onto something. When I sing it is not just about mouthing words, it is not about reiterating words written by someone else and set to music. It is about responding to who God is, what he has done and where I am. I am not saying it is me centred but songs express our emotions and feelings. Read Psalm 42 and 43 and you see just that as the psalmist pours out his trouble in song, expresses his grief and fears but calls himself to focus again upon the God who will save him!
Our singing must not to be emotionless. Now emotion does not look the same for everyone; it does not necessarily mean standing with a rapt expression with tears running down down our cheeks, though for some it may mean just that. It is about honestly dealing with God. It is about my response to a God who though he created the universe and is perfectly holy loved me so much that he sent his Son to save me from judgement and reconcile me to himself through his death in my place.
The issue with emotionless worship is not how well the music is played or what songs are chosen - though undoubtedly they can facilitate worship - ultimately it is about my standing and my heart before God.
That is quite a strong statement but I think Philip Percival its author is onto something. When I sing it is not just about mouthing words, it is not about reiterating words written by someone else and set to music. It is about responding to who God is, what he has done and where I am. I am not saying it is me centred but songs express our emotions and feelings. Read Psalm 42 and 43 and you see just that as the psalmist pours out his trouble in song, expresses his grief and fears but calls himself to focus again upon the God who will save him!
Our singing must not to be emotionless. Now emotion does not look the same for everyone; it does not necessarily mean standing with a rapt expression with tears running down down our cheeks, though for some it may mean just that. It is about honestly dealing with God. It is about my response to a God who though he created the universe and is perfectly holy loved me so much that he sent his Son to save me from judgement and reconcile me to himself through his death in my place.
The issue with emotionless worship is not how well the music is played or what songs are chosen - though undoubtedly they can facilitate worship - ultimately it is about my standing and my heart before God.
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Where are all the good songs?
Following on from my reading I have been looking for a few new songs to use and learn. And I have been struck by a change in the way songs are written - they are now increasingly written by performers for performers. This makes it hard to take those songs and use them in a congregational setting, the music is complex both for those singing or playing.
There are also areas of Biblical Theology which remain scarcely touched by songwriters. Where are the songs that speak of God's judgement, or God's sovereignty, the second coming or mission? Most songs are also written for individuals and about individual response, yet when we gather as God's people we respond as God's people - where are the songs that express that "we".
As one who would not dream of writing songs, who loves singing and loves music perhaps I shouldn't raise such questions. I am not being critical of songwriters just pleading for some more depth and range in what topics they write about. Just as preachers need to preach all of scripture including the bits we may find hard so we need songs that deal with those self same issues.
Someone has said that "a persons theology is no deeper than the songs they sing."
There are also areas of Biblical Theology which remain scarcely touched by songwriters. Where are the songs that speak of God's judgement, or God's sovereignty, the second coming or mission? Most songs are also written for individuals and about individual response, yet when we gather as God's people we respond as God's people - where are the songs that express that "we".
As one who would not dream of writing songs, who loves singing and loves music perhaps I shouldn't raise such questions. I am not being critical of songwriters just pleading for some more depth and range in what topics they write about. Just as preachers need to preach all of scripture including the bits we may find hard so we need songs that deal with those self same issues.
Someone has said that "a persons theology is no deeper than the songs they sing."
The end of congregational singing
That was the topic in the briefing magazine this month. It was looking at whether congregational singing is dying.
It would be a tragedy if it were to die because it is a Biblical response to God. The Old Testament is full of examples of God's people bursting into song in response to a fresh recognition of the wonder of God or as a result of his actions on their behalf. Move into the New Testament and song continues to be an important part of Jesus life with his disciples and in the early church.
It is not the bread in the church service sandwich - to limit ourselves to such use of song is to miss the point. Singing is where we remind one another in song of the truths of God and his salvation history. It is where we sing of our need of God to help us in times of trouble, it is where we remind one another of the unshakable Sovereign God whom we serve. Like the Psalms it is where we express in emotion our theology and experience of God and his grace.
It would be a tragedy to see congregational singing die. we would be spiritually impoverished for its loss.
It would be a tragedy if it were to die because it is a Biblical response to God. The Old Testament is full of examples of God's people bursting into song in response to a fresh recognition of the wonder of God or as a result of his actions on their behalf. Move into the New Testament and song continues to be an important part of Jesus life with his disciples and in the early church.
It is not the bread in the church service sandwich - to limit ourselves to such use of song is to miss the point. Singing is where we remind one another in song of the truths of God and his salvation history. It is where we sing of our need of God to help us in times of trouble, it is where we remind one another of the unshakable Sovereign God whom we serve. Like the Psalms it is where we express in emotion our theology and experience of God and his grace.
It would be a tragedy to see congregational singing die. we would be spiritually impoverished for its loss.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Good listening
The Together for the Gospel (T4G) conference is taking place at the moment over in the states those at Sovereign Grace Ministries have made available the MP3s from panel discussions and preaching from those like John Piper, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, John MacArthur and others. I'm just beginning to listen to them and they are well worth a listen.
Here is the link: Click
Here is the link: Click
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
The complete good news
Luke 4 and 5 are proving to be very challenging chapters as we see Jesus set out on his mission to make the good news of the kingdom of God known. That good news begin that he has come to bring freedom and the year of the Lord's favour.
We live in a world where we create a false dichotomy between words and actions, even within the church there is that debate when it comes to evangelism. With Jesus you see that there is no debate he simply engages in mission. A mission in which he speaks the words that bring freedom and that show his authority but which is also people centred and demonstrates to them what it is like to be in the kingdom.
He then goes on to call his disciples to come be fishers of men. To engage with his mission of proclamation but also of action. The call for us is to engage with those around us showing them the difference the kingdom, which we are in because of the gospel, makes. Just as Israel was God's light to the nations as they lived out their calling as a royal priesthood so it is with us. We must preach the gospel while modelling its effectiveness.
We live in a world where we create a false dichotomy between words and actions, even within the church there is that debate when it comes to evangelism. With Jesus you see that there is no debate he simply engages in mission. A mission in which he speaks the words that bring freedom and that show his authority but which is also people centred and demonstrates to them what it is like to be in the kingdom.
He then goes on to call his disciples to come be fishers of men. To engage with his mission of proclamation but also of action. The call for us is to engage with those around us showing them the difference the kingdom, which we are in because of the gospel, makes. Just as Israel was God's light to the nations as they lived out their calling as a royal priesthood so it is with us. We must preach the gospel while modelling its effectiveness.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Why we struggle with prayer and sovereignty
Are you ever struck by the conviction that there is something more to praying than what you do? You read the prayers of men like Daniel and are struck that it is the sovereignty of God that fuels their prayers, rather than hinders them. You read our Lord's prayer and are struck by his concern for his Father's kingdom and will to be done and wonder why your own prayers so rarely mirror that.
The book of Daniel has given me pause to consider prayer, as have conversations with various people. Do I pray rightly? Why sometimes does it seem like a shopping list? Is it ever right that our prayers are a shopping list? What does a prayer with integrity look like? How do I express God's will in my praying? Should God's sovereignty fuel my prayers and if so how?
As I have been thinking over these issues I came across an article by John Leonard this morning over at Reformation 21. It makes you think and I found accuses me at a number of points as regards my prayer life. To see the article click here.
The book of Daniel has given me pause to consider prayer, as have conversations with various people. Do I pray rightly? Why sometimes does it seem like a shopping list? Is it ever right that our prayers are a shopping list? What does a prayer with integrity look like? How do I express God's will in my praying? Should God's sovereignty fuel my prayers and if so how?
As I have been thinking over these issues I came across an article by John Leonard this morning over at Reformation 21. It makes you think and I found accuses me at a number of points as regards my prayer life. To see the article click here.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
The dangers of leading
Chuck Lawless imagines what he would do if he were Satan attempting to ensnare pastors and church leaders and induce failure. The whole article is here, but his seven basic points in summary are
1. I would attack those who are most gifted . . . by reminding them they are gifted.
2. I would encourage leaders to talk about accountability . . . but not be personally accountable to anyone.
3. I would challenge leaders to emphasize spiritual disciplines . . . but only for others.
4. I would focus the leader’s attention on tomorrow . . . rather than today.
5. I would encourage ministry by e-mail . . . especially with those of the opposite gender.
6. I would not hinder ministry success . . . as long as “success” results in few changed lives.
7. I would stress failure . . . and then lead the church to do the same.
It is a good checklist for ourselves.
1. I would attack those who are most gifted . . . by reminding them they are gifted.
2. I would encourage leaders to talk about accountability . . . but not be personally accountable to anyone.
3. I would challenge leaders to emphasize spiritual disciplines . . . but only for others.
4. I would focus the leader’s attention on tomorrow . . . rather than today.
5. I would encourage ministry by e-mail . . . especially with those of the opposite gender.
6. I would not hinder ministry success . . . as long as “success” results in few changed lives.
7. I would stress failure . . . and then lead the church to do the same.
It is a good checklist for ourselves.
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