Thursday, 26 March 2009
Choosing the churches leaders
‘Most churches make the mistake of selecting as leaders the confident, the competent and the successful, but what you most need in a leader is someone who has been broken by his or her sin and has even greater knowledge of Jesus’s costly grace. So the number one leaders in every church ought to be the people who repent the most fully without excuses (because you don’t need any now), the most easily without bitterness, the most publicly and the most joyfully — they know their standing isn’t based on their performance’ (Keller, EMA, 2007).
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
The Tragic Pattern of Christian Life v The Biblical Pattern
Bill Hybels in his book 'Just walk across the Room' plots a graph which in his experience chartsthe declining contact the believer has with non-believers as they go on in their faith. I've included my adapted version from my own experiences and conversations with Christians.
It takes into account the difference between a friend - someone you choose to spend your spare time with - and a colleague or acquaintance - someone you are forced to sit next to or work in the same office with.
There are a number of reasons for the decline in contact with non-believers. For some it is that they see friends come to faith, for most it is that they become too involved in church things and therefore have no time for those outside the church. For some it is simply a lack of effort, they are neither particularly serving or the church or involved in the world. (Kind of makes you wonder how effective the church would be if TV had never been invented!!!) For others this decline is a result of poor teaching or understanding of the Bible which leads them to separate themselves and isolate themselves from the unbelieving world.
Last night we were looking at a more Biblical Christian Life Experience. As we grow in maturity
and in our faith we should increasingly love people, both those in the church and those outside the church. This should arrest the decline in our contact with non-believers, in fact it should compel us to seek the lost, just as Christ did. As you read the gospels, especially Luke you cannot but be struck by the way Jesus goes out of his way to engage with people and build friendships. And they are not evangelistic projects they are people he loves.
The chart recognises that there will be fluctuations in the number of friends we have (remember the definition of a friend above) due to seasons within our life. When you have young children mums in particularly have a great opportunity to build friendships and spend time with other young mums. Its one reason why I'd encourage believing mums to think carefully about going back to work full time - you will never have the opportunity such 'play dates' brings again. When you move to a new area you need to start again building friendships, there will be times when friends move away -last year we saw two families we were friends with emigrate. The challenge is to start building new friendships.
But building friendships isn't enough we also need to be introducing our non-believing friends to our believing friends. Why not hold a 50:50 meal and invite friends from both together, make introductions and see what happens. Too often we segregate our lives, its as if we move from work pod to neighbourhood pod to church pod, and the pods never converge. The gospel again challenges that what is Levi's first reaction when called to follow Jesus, he gets his new friends to meet his old friends. Because the gospel community is the best argument for the gospel there is.
It takes into account the difference between a friend - someone you choose to spend your spare time with - and a colleague or acquaintance - someone you are forced to sit next to or work in the same office with.There are a number of reasons for the decline in contact with non-believers. For some it is that they see friends come to faith, for most it is that they become too involved in church things and therefore have no time for those outside the church. For some it is simply a lack of effort, they are neither particularly serving or the church or involved in the world. (Kind of makes you wonder how effective the church would be if TV had never been invented!!!) For others this decline is a result of poor teaching or understanding of the Bible which leads them to separate themselves and isolate themselves from the unbelieving world.
Last night we were looking at a more Biblical Christian Life Experience. As we grow in maturity
and in our faith we should increasingly love people, both those in the church and those outside the church. This should arrest the decline in our contact with non-believers, in fact it should compel us to seek the lost, just as Christ did. As you read the gospels, especially Luke you cannot but be struck by the way Jesus goes out of his way to engage with people and build friendships. And they are not evangelistic projects they are people he loves.The chart recognises that there will be fluctuations in the number of friends we have (remember the definition of a friend above) due to seasons within our life. When you have young children mums in particularly have a great opportunity to build friendships and spend time with other young mums. Its one reason why I'd encourage believing mums to think carefully about going back to work full time - you will never have the opportunity such 'play dates' brings again. When you move to a new area you need to start again building friendships, there will be times when friends move away -last year we saw two families we were friends with emigrate. The challenge is to start building new friendships.
But building friendships isn't enough we also need to be introducing our non-believing friends to our believing friends. Why not hold a 50:50 meal and invite friends from both together, make introductions and see what happens. Too often we segregate our lives, its as if we move from work pod to neighbourhood pod to church pod, and the pods never converge. The gospel again challenges that what is Levi's first reaction when called to follow Jesus, he gets his new friends to meet his old friends. Because the gospel community is the best argument for the gospel there is.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
7 beliefs fundamental to evangelism
- People matter to God
- People are lost and face a lost eternity
- People need Jesus Christ as their Saviour
- People need answers to their questions
- People need and want community
- People need cultural relevance
- People need time and love
These 7 fundamental beliefs about people are essential if we are to engage in Biblical evangelism. Without an understanding of these our evangelism will be skewed.
For example if we don't believe people matter to God we will not engage with them at all. If we don't believe Jesus they face a lost eternity and Jesus is their only hope of salvation we will not feel the need to share the gospel with them. Unless we are prepared to answer their questions about faith we will never truly share the gospel with them. Unless we introduce them to the church they will never see true community and the gospel in action. Unless we show people that the Bible is culturally relevant they will not understand why they need it today. And unless we love people and give time to them we will engage in hit and run evangelism rather than the relational missional living and evangelism we see in the New Testament.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Is being British a sin?
Its an interesting question that has been thrown up by a comment I made recently that our British reserve is sinful when it becomes an excuse for not engaging with our culture and not evangelising. I have been very struck in recent weeks with the number of people from across the country who have very few people they are living missionally before. They have acquaintances but very few people who know them well enough to see the change that the gospel is making in their lives. They have few if any friends who they are engaged with conversation with who challenge them about what they believe and how they live. And all too often we try to excuse ourselves by saying its OK for you but I don't have your personality, I'm not as outgoing as you are, or I'm more reserved. I think we need to recognise that they are excuses, they are a way of ducking the real issues.
Paul consistently assumes that the churches he writes to will be engaging with the world around them, as does Peter. It is why they are exhorted to live a life worthy of the gospel, and why Peter exhorts the church to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have. They assumption is that they are engaged with the world. I think our problem is that we are more like the Pharisees than the early church. And Jesus does not hold back on rebuking the Pharisees for their legalism and isolationist living. To that extent I think Jesus would rebuke us for being British just as he did the Pharisees.
The challenge is to change - to start engaging, to learn the lessons of Colossians 4:2-6 and start praying for God to open doors and for clarity to recognise an opportunity and speak into it when it comes up. We need to be loving and living with those with work alongside, live alongside and relax alongside, we need to be engaging with the world, and when that little voice says no your British, we need to remind ourselves being a Pharisee didn't spare them from Jesus rebuke.
Paul consistently assumes that the churches he writes to will be engaging with the world around them, as does Peter. It is why they are exhorted to live a life worthy of the gospel, and why Peter exhorts the church to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have. They assumption is that they are engaged with the world. I think our problem is that we are more like the Pharisees than the early church. And Jesus does not hold back on rebuking the Pharisees for their legalism and isolationist living. To that extent I think Jesus would rebuke us for being British just as he did the Pharisees.
The challenge is to change - to start engaging, to learn the lessons of Colossians 4:2-6 and start praying for God to open doors and for clarity to recognise an opportunity and speak into it when it comes up. We need to be loving and living with those with work alongside, live alongside and relax alongside, we need to be engaging with the world, and when that little voice says no your British, we need to remind ourselves being a Pharisee didn't spare them from Jesus rebuke.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Engaging with our culture
Its been interesting as we have been thinking about engaging with our culture for the sake of the gospel to notice how much Christianity is in the news in various ways and what opportunities it presents us.
March 10, 2009
'I just want to get on with student life, but feel that I'm a sinner who is going to Hell' was the headline given to this letter sent into and published by The Times
Dear Tanya,
I'm 18 and in my first year at university but I can't help thinking that I'm “sinning”.
I didn't grow up in a religious family, didn't go to a religious school or have God-fearing friends, I just seem to have developed this strong belief that I'm not good enough and I'm going to Hell. I think that if I don't dedicate my life to selfless acts then God will send me to Hell.
I don't believe that other people will be treated in that way, though, just me. It sounds as if I have a very high opinion of myself but I've always had low confidence and am quite shy when it comes to meeting people.
I want to get on with my life like a normal person. I'm not saying that I want to be selfish but I just don't want to have to battle with my conscience day and night.
I don't follow any religion to a high degree so I can't speak about this to a religious person. I find churches and the like rather intimidating.
I would be very grateful for any advice.
Anna
If you search The Times online you can find their disturbing response, that reduces all notions of sin down to a psychological flaw which can be remedied with treatment.
Then in today's paper was the following:
A male nurse wants to be the first “Christian” in Britain to be “de-baptised” after complaining that at five-months-old he was too young to decide.
Mr John Hunt, 56, says that he wants his 1953 baptism at the St Jude and St Aidan parish church in the Southwark diocese, south London, cancelled because he was not consulted and does not believe in God.
Mr Hunt has had a “Certificate of De-baptism” made up, in which his baptism is revoked and has paid £60 to record it in the 17th-century London Gazette.
The full article is here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5934198.ece
The challenge for us as believers is to be thinking through how we respond in Christ to such things and be ready when people ask us what we think.
March 10, 2009
'I just want to get on with student life, but feel that I'm a sinner who is going to Hell' was the headline given to this letter sent into and published by The Times
Dear Tanya,
I'm 18 and in my first year at university but I can't help thinking that I'm “sinning”.
I didn't grow up in a religious family, didn't go to a religious school or have God-fearing friends, I just seem to have developed this strong belief that I'm not good enough and I'm going to Hell. I think that if I don't dedicate my life to selfless acts then God will send me to Hell.
I don't believe that other people will be treated in that way, though, just me. It sounds as if I have a very high opinion of myself but I've always had low confidence and am quite shy when it comes to meeting people.
I want to get on with my life like a normal person. I'm not saying that I want to be selfish but I just don't want to have to battle with my conscience day and night.
I don't follow any religion to a high degree so I can't speak about this to a religious person. I find churches and the like rather intimidating.
I would be very grateful for any advice.
Anna
If you search The Times online you can find their disturbing response, that reduces all notions of sin down to a psychological flaw which can be remedied with treatment.
Then in today's paper was the following:
A male nurse wants to be the first “Christian” in Britain to be “de-baptised” after complaining that at five-months-old he was too young to decide.
Mr John Hunt, 56, says that he wants his 1953 baptism at the St Jude and St Aidan parish church in the Southwark diocese, south London, cancelled because he was not consulted and does not believe in God.
Mr Hunt has had a “Certificate of De-baptism” made up, in which his baptism is revoked and has paid £60 to record it in the 17th-century London Gazette.
The full article is here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5934198.ece
The challenge for us as believers is to be thinking through how we respond in Christ to such things and be ready when people ask us what we think.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
A Passion for People - Acts 17
We were looking at engaging evangelism last night from Acts 17. From there we saw that Paul's engagement with the culture around was marked by:
Compassion
Paul was distressed by the idolatry he finds, he does not find it acceptable, it troubles him. As a result his compassion leads him to preach the gospel to the Athenians. But his compassion doesn't just stop there it affects the way he tells them, it means he doesn’t soft soap things – he points out sin, rebellion, judgement. It is a reminder to us that telling lost people about their future is the most loving thing we can do.
Conviction
Paul’s conviction is that the gospel is the only answer (18) and his confidence in it is what enables him to preach it fearlessly, and to engage in debate with them and finally to tell them they have worship wrong (30).
Connection
Paul uses different places & methods with diff groups (v17-18) from the God fearers in the synagogue to the idolaters in the market place, to the Aereopagus. He engages with their culture (21-23), picking up on what their society valued - worship - and feared -missing out a God. Paul then looks to answer their questions and point them to Jesus, with their culture as the corridor through which he travels to get there.
As believers we need to share that Compassion, Conviction and Connection.
Compassion
Paul was distressed by the idolatry he finds, he does not find it acceptable, it troubles him. As a result his compassion leads him to preach the gospel to the Athenians. But his compassion doesn't just stop there it affects the way he tells them, it means he doesn’t soft soap things – he points out sin, rebellion, judgement. It is a reminder to us that telling lost people about their future is the most loving thing we can do.
Conviction
Paul’s conviction is that the gospel is the only answer (18) and his confidence in it is what enables him to preach it fearlessly, and to engage in debate with them and finally to tell them they have worship wrong (30).
Connection
Paul uses different places & methods with diff groups (v17-18) from the God fearers in the synagogue to the idolaters in the market place, to the Aereopagus. He engages with their culture (21-23), picking up on what their society valued - worship - and feared -missing out a God. Paul then looks to answer their questions and point them to Jesus, with their culture as the corridor through which he travels to get there.
As believers we need to share that Compassion, Conviction and Connection.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Finally Alive ch1 and 2
The first part of Piper's book is composed of two chapters examining what it means to be born again. Piper reminds us of the assumption that the need to be born again makes, that we are dead before God, which he unpacks more in a later chapter. He then goes on to show us what happens at new birth: new life not new religion, experiencing the supernatural. He also helpfully shows that the spiritual life the Holy Spirit brings is by connecting us with Jesus Christ through faith.
In the second chapter he continues to examine what happens at new birth. We are made a new creation. He helpfully examines why he believes it is wrong to equate water in John 3 with baptism as so many do by taking us back to the text of John 3. Key to it is Jesus assumption (v10) that Nicodemus ought to know what he is talking about, therefore the answer must be in the Hebrew scriptures of which Nicodemus is a teacher. In Ezekiel 36 we see that water and the spirit are closely linked in the new covenant promise, as God promises to cleanse his people and give them new hearts. It is a helpful chapter which examines what it means to be born again and the changes that should be apparent as a result of being reborn by water and the spirit.
In the second chapter he continues to examine what happens at new birth. We are made a new creation. He helpfully examines why he believes it is wrong to equate water in John 3 with baptism as so many do by taking us back to the text of John 3. Key to it is Jesus assumption (v10) that Nicodemus ought to know what he is talking about, therefore the answer must be in the Hebrew scriptures of which Nicodemus is a teacher. In Ezekiel 36 we see that water and the spirit are closely linked in the new covenant promise, as God promises to cleanse his people and give them new hearts. It is a helpful chapter which examines what it means to be born again and the changes that should be apparent as a result of being reborn by water and the spirit.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
10th March - Psalm 69
The psalmist is crying out to God for rescue. yet the amazing thing is that he cries out to the God who knows his folly (5) who knows his sin. He does not plead for salvation by merit, there is no idea that he deserves God's rescue. In fact just the opposite this is a cry to the God of grace from one who has experienced his salvation and put his hope in it.
He is adrift, bereft of comforters and friends and surrounded by enemies and those who seek to harm him. So he cries to God, and looks forward to the time when not just he, but all heaven and earth will praise God his saviour.
He is adrift, bereft of comforters and friends and surrounded by enemies and those who seek to harm him. So he cries to God, and looks forward to the time when not just he, but all heaven and earth will praise God his saviour.
Monday, 9 March 2009
Pastor shot as he preached in US
The Times has the story of the murder of Pastor Fred Winters in America yesterday, shot as he preached, you can read it here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5872418.ece
Mark Driscoll has given some thought to the lessons we ought to learn from it, though obviously in a US setting over at The Resurgence Blog: http://theresurgence.com/church_shooting
It would be good and right to pray for Pastor Winters young family, his wife and two girls, and the members of First Baptist Church Maryville.
Mark Driscoll has given some thought to the lessons we ought to learn from it, though obviously in a US setting over at The Resurgence Blog: http://theresurgence.com/church_shooting
It would be good and right to pray for Pastor Winters young family, his wife and two girls, and the members of First Baptist Church Maryville.
Finally Alive - John Piper
I have just begun reading John Piper's new book Finally Alive. I'm going to write an in depth review almost chapter by chapter as I go through it.
Introduction
Piper begins with two very different stories of being born again, that of CS Lewis and Augustine, both born again but illustrating that being born again will be different. Piper's examination of our cultures use of 'born again' and 'evangelical' are timely reminders that when sued as such these terms are not Biblical. In contrast Piper contends that the New Testament moves from the absolute certainty that new birth changes people, to the observation that many professing Christians aren't radically changes to the conclusion that they are not born again.
Piper also contends that the term 'born again' is "very precious and very crucial in the Bible." He then outlines his intention in the book to look at what it means biblically to be born again and why it matters that the Christian understands what happened when they were born again.
In our age when we are shy of using this term, but when evangelical has become so falsely loaded I wonder if this isn't a timely reminder to reassert this idea of our new birth.
Introduction
Piper begins with two very different stories of being born again, that of CS Lewis and Augustine, both born again but illustrating that being born again will be different. Piper's examination of our cultures use of 'born again' and 'evangelical' are timely reminders that when sued as such these terms are not Biblical. In contrast Piper contends that the New Testament moves from the absolute certainty that new birth changes people, to the observation that many professing Christians aren't radically changes to the conclusion that they are not born again.
Piper also contends that the term 'born again' is "very precious and very crucial in the Bible." He then outlines his intention in the book to look at what it means biblically to be born again and why it matters that the Christian understands what happened when they were born again.
In our age when we are shy of using this term, but when evangelical has become so falsely loaded I wonder if this isn't a timely reminder to reassert this idea of our new birth.
March 9 - Psalm 41
As you read this Psalm you can feel the vitriol of David's enemies, the Psalm conveys the pressure that David is under. Yet in that situation facing those pressures his assurance is that it is the Lord who sustains, who protects and preserves, and it is to God that he cries for mercy.
We also see that the whispering campaign of his enemies is unfounded and that their longing is for his death. The moment of greatest despair is v9 as he recalls with broken heart how his close friend, one who shared his bread has turned against him.
But he prays Lord have mercy on me. God is to be praised because he sees he knows and he will bring about justice.
It is a startling insight into how Jesus felt as he goes to the Garden, as he is left alone and friendless, as his close friend betrays him, as he faces the whispering the lies and ultimately the justice of the Father trusting in his Father's will, plan and love.
We also see that the whispering campaign of his enemies is unfounded and that their longing is for his death. The moment of greatest despair is v9 as he recalls with broken heart how his close friend, one who shared his bread has turned against him.
But he prays Lord have mercy on me. God is to be praised because he sees he knows and he will bring about justice.
It is a startling insight into how Jesus felt as he goes to the Garden, as he is left alone and friendless, as his close friend betrays him, as he faces the whispering the lies and ultimately the justice of the Father trusting in his Father's will, plan and love.
Friday, 6 March 2009
March 6th - Psalm 16
David's Psalm is a refuge Psalm, God is his only hope and stay. Without God he would be hopeless and helpless. It is a Psalm stating his confidence and faith in the sovereign God. In which the Psalmist reiterates his commitment and faith in contrast to the futility of serving anyone other than the Lord.
This confidence enables him to praise God, to not be shaken and to rejoice in faith.
This confidence enables him to praise God, to not be shaken and to rejoice in faith.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Psalm 8
I think this has to be one my favourite Psalms. It reminds us to put God in his God place. The Psalmist begins by establishing that God is majestic not just in Israel but beyond its borders, his majesty flows out to all the earth. He has no rival. And as such he is worth praising.
The Psalmist is awed as he recognises the power of the creating God and yet his concern for man, his giving of glory and honour to man at creation in making them ruler over his creation. This realisation prompts the Psalmist to exclaim again how majestic God's name is.
We live in a world which wants to downplay the significance of humans. Children as young as 5 being taught that we are just hairless monkeys. But Psalm 8 reminds us that this isn't so, that God made us and gave us a privileged position and that with that came responsibility - to mediate God's rule, to be God's stewards.
Given that we rebelled against that, that we have thrown off our God given responsibilities, that many will not recognise God as creator it is all the more amazing that God is mindful of man. Mindful enough to send his son for his enemies who had taken all that privilege and thrown it back in God's face. "LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
The Psalmist is awed as he recognises the power of the creating God and yet his concern for man, his giving of glory and honour to man at creation in making them ruler over his creation. This realisation prompts the Psalmist to exclaim again how majestic God's name is.
We live in a world which wants to downplay the significance of humans. Children as young as 5 being taught that we are just hairless monkeys. But Psalm 8 reminds us that this isn't so, that God made us and gave us a privileged position and that with that came responsibility - to mediate God's rule, to be God's stewards.
Given that we rebelled against that, that we have thrown off our God given responsibilities, that many will not recognise God as creator it is all the more amazing that God is mindful of man. Mindful enough to send his son for his enemies who had taken all that privilege and thrown it back in God's face. "LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Real Spirituality
This is a comment from Tim Chester over at the resurgence blog:
"Biblical spirituality is about:
"Biblical spirituality is about:
- Bible meditation, not mystical silence
- Passionate engagement, not rural retreat
- Growing together, not individual solitude
In other words, biblical spirituality, at its core, is about the word of God, the mission of God, and the community of God."
It reminds us that spirituality is not found in the intense retreat but in reading God's word, in engaging with the mission that we are given as Jesus disciples and in loving and serving one another in God's new community.
Day 8 - Psalm 2
As we come to the Psalms we see the prayers and hymns of the people of God. Psalm 2 reminds us of the utter sovereignty of God. That despite the rebellion and the opposition of the rulers and kings of the earth God remains sovereign. In fact so ridiculous is their rebellion that God scoffs.
However, their rebellion - and ours with them - leads us to a place of judgement, where we and they face God's anger and wrath and it is terrible. It is a reminder that opposing God is not only futile but it places us in danger of judgement.
But it is not a Psalm without hope as God installs his king on Zion, a king who is his son, whose inheritance is the nations and who judges. Israel's king is God's son mediating God's rule.
But it points also to the ultimate King the one promised who would sit on the throne of David forever. What is a right reaction to this King who judges? The right reaction is to kiss him - to make allegiance with him, to serve him in awe. The alternative is to face his anger and wrath.
The Psalm ends with a wisdom statement 'Blessed are all who take refuge in him.' Am I taking refuge in the Son King or am I still under his judgement for my rebellion?
However, their rebellion - and ours with them - leads us to a place of judgement, where we and they face God's anger and wrath and it is terrible. It is a reminder that opposing God is not only futile but it places us in danger of judgement.
But it is not a Psalm without hope as God installs his king on Zion, a king who is his son, whose inheritance is the nations and who judges. Israel's king is God's son mediating God's rule.
But it points also to the ultimate King the one promised who would sit on the throne of David forever. What is a right reaction to this King who judges? The right reaction is to kiss him - to make allegiance with him, to serve him in awe. The alternative is to face his anger and wrath.
The Psalm ends with a wisdom statement 'Blessed are all who take refuge in him.' Am I taking refuge in the Son King or am I still under his judgement for my rebellion?
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Day 7 Jeremiah 31
The exile was an awful moment in the history of God's people, it is a display of the holiness of God the failure of the people but also the love of God as he disciplines them as a father disciplines his son. Throughout the warnings of impending exile are promises of a life after exile. In Jeremiah 30 the Lord has promised that Judah and Israel will be restored, their captivity ended, that their mourning will turn to joy. Chapter 31 continues that restoration and return theme and as you read it you can't help but wonder at the scale of the return.
Then in v31 onwards we see the promise of a new covenant where God would put his law within his people, write it on their hearts and be their God, here all shall know God. Where sin is forgiven.
What a promise for a people facing exile and what an expectation as they returned to the land. But the realisation of this is not immediate, it is only in Christ that this new covenant is sealed. We have much to praise God for.
Then in v31 onwards we see the promise of a new covenant where God would put his law within his people, write it on their hearts and be their God, here all shall know God. Where sin is forgiven.
What a promise for a people facing exile and what an expectation as they returned to the land. But the realisation of this is not immediate, it is only in Christ that this new covenant is sealed. We have much to praise God for.
Monday, 2 March 2009
2 Chronicles 6-7
There is much for us to learn about prayer from Solomon's prayer of dedication. It is key for us in then understanding why the likes of Jonah and Daniel look towards Jerusalem when they pray. They are remembering Solomon's plea to God that if they pray towards the land, city and temple where God has said he will dwell then he will hear, uphold and forgive them.
But God's response to Solomons prayer is all the more astonishing as he fills the temple and appears to Solomon. As God promises he will be attentive to offerings for sin. But as he also promises judgement and destruction of the temple if Israel continues to refuse him.
We come not to the temple but to the Son, we pray not via the temple but through the son by the spirit. Praise God for his mercy.
But God's response to Solomons prayer is all the more astonishing as he fills the temple and appears to Solomon. As God promises he will be attentive to offerings for sin. But as he also promises judgement and destruction of the temple if Israel continues to refuse him.
We come not to the temple but to the Son, we pray not via the temple but through the son by the spirit. Praise God for his mercy.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Day 5 - 2 Sam 7
Another of the great covenants that God makes, this time with David. It is an astonishing covenant especially given what happens to David a few chapters later in the story, which of course the sovereign eternal God knows is going to happen as he makes this covenant.
The promise is amazing, David's descendant will sit on the throne forever, he will be THE ruler. Its why Matthew begins with his genealogy because Jesus Christ is this forever king.
The promise is amazing, David's descendant will sit on the throne forever, he will be THE ruler. Its why Matthew begins with his genealogy because Jesus Christ is this forever king.
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