John 17:6-19 - "A Holy Invasion"
Jesus prayed for his disiciples to be kept safe and guarded, but also to be sent into the world. We live in enemy-occupied territory, as C.S. Lewis called it, but we fight in the confidence that Jesus has already won.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The God Who Reveals His Name
Genesis 32:27-29 (ESV)
And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." [28] Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." [29] Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him.
The Bible makes it clear that we don’t have the prerogative to name God. Jacob discovered in his struggle with the angel of the Lord that he could not manipulate God, as he had everyone else in his life. God met Jacob, put him in his place, wounded him and gave him a new name; Israel. Out of that encounter of grace, Jacob received a new identity and also by God’s mercy learned he is a God who makes Himself known. It is through God’s revelation in the Holy Bible that we discover the names that God in His grace revealed to His covenant people. Mediate on the names of God, which reveal aspects of His divine nature given in covenantal love.
The invitation to know God is always initiated from His side, never our own. In Christ, we know God as love, mercy and grace, but outside of Christ he is not “known.”
1. Elohim- The Mighty One – God in His Majesty -Gen. 1
2. Adonai – Lord and Master - Ex. 4:10
3. Yahweh – I am Who I Am – God’s covenantal name – Ex.3:14, Gen. 12:8
4. El Elyon- The Most High – Gen. 14:18
5. El Roi – The Mighty One Who Sees – Gen. 16:13
6. El Shaddai – Almighty – All Sufficient God – Gen. 17:1-20
7. El Olam – Everlasting – Gen. 21:33
8. Yahweh Yireh- The Lord will provide – Gen. 22:8
9. Yahweh Shalom- The Lord is peace – Jug. 6:24
10. Yahweh Raah – The Lord is my Shepherd - Ps. 23
11. Yahweh Elohim – The Lord the Mighty One – Judg. 5:3, Isa. 17:6
12. Kyrios – Lord, Master – Luke 1:46
13. Theos –God –– the one true God - Luke 1:47
14. Yeshua – The Lord Saves – Jesus Christ – Luke 1:31
The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant. The Westminster Confession ch. 7
And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." [28] Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." [29] Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him.
The Bible makes it clear that we don’t have the prerogative to name God. Jacob discovered in his struggle with the angel of the Lord that he could not manipulate God, as he had everyone else in his life. God met Jacob, put him in his place, wounded him and gave him a new name; Israel. Out of that encounter of grace, Jacob received a new identity and also by God’s mercy learned he is a God who makes Himself known. It is through God’s revelation in the Holy Bible that we discover the names that God in His grace revealed to His covenant people. Mediate on the names of God, which reveal aspects of His divine nature given in covenantal love.
The invitation to know God is always initiated from His side, never our own. In Christ, we know God as love, mercy and grace, but outside of Christ he is not “known.”
1. Elohim- The Mighty One – God in His Majesty -Gen. 1
2. Adonai – Lord and Master - Ex. 4:10
3. Yahweh – I am Who I Am – God’s covenantal name – Ex.3:14, Gen. 12:8
4. El Elyon- The Most High – Gen. 14:18
5. El Roi – The Mighty One Who Sees – Gen. 16:13
6. El Shaddai – Almighty – All Sufficient God – Gen. 17:1-20
7. El Olam – Everlasting – Gen. 21:33
8. Yahweh Yireh- The Lord will provide – Gen. 22:8
9. Yahweh Shalom- The Lord is peace – Jug. 6:24
10. Yahweh Raah – The Lord is my Shepherd - Ps. 23
11. Yahweh Elohim – The Lord the Mighty One – Judg. 5:3, Isa. 17:6
12. Kyrios – Lord, Master – Luke 1:46
13. Theos –God –– the one true God - Luke 1:47
14. Yeshua – The Lord Saves – Jesus Christ – Luke 1:31
The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant. The Westminster Confession ch. 7
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Feb. 20 Sunday Evening Sermon
How do we understand the Restoration of Israel in prophecy? Some guidelines are given. The hope and the future of the exiles are rooted in the promises of God.
Feb. 20 - Sunday Morning Sermon - Pastor Todd
John 17:1-5 - The Content of Jesus' Prayer. John gives us insight into the intimacy of Jesus with His Father and clues on how prayer can change us.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
WeekendTravels
It is audition time for our oldest daughter, Suzanne. This past weekend, Mary and Suzanne went to Baltimore, for an audition at the Peabody Conservatory. They stayed at the Mount Vernon Hotel and it is surrounded by the historic row houses that makes Baltimore so unique. Years ago, I walked around this part of town and enjoyed the historic sites, like the gravesite of Ethan Allan Poe. I was glad Mary and Suzanne could see the area and also worship at New Song PCA church.
Monday, February 14, 2011
More thoughts on Grace
The very word “grace” is such a common place word in the vocabulary of believers and the secular world alike, that it has lost its true meaning. Words do wear down, so to speak. It is the nature of any spoken language that given enough time and usage, language wears down. Just look at the difference between the King James Bible and the Message Bible and you see that language changes; it simplifies with time.
We need to recover this great and vital word and keep it fresh and full of its biblical significance. We should speak of it with the wonder and mystery of Paul and the early church, for whom the word was filled with the power of the Gospel revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Grace was the full abundance of God’s riches given to sinners who deserved death and hell but were given mercy. Grace was the realization that God was running to the prodigal son to embrace and receive him home again. Grace was the message that long standing hostilities between Jews and Gentiles were destroyed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace was the offer of life, for those who are dead, because the author of life tasted death and destroyed it. Grace reminds us of our horrible condition as it sheds light on the severe mercy of God’s invincible love.
Sunday Evening Series on Jeremiah
Sermon - "Resident Aliens" Pastor Todd's series on the book of Jeremiah. This is a key understanding of how Christians are to live in society.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
WORLDmag.com | Community | Blog Archive | Life and death
WORLDmag.com | Community | Blog Archive | Life and death
This is a well written and powerful reflection on how the Gospel provides the answer to this senseless kind of tragedy. I appreciate World magazine for providing this kind of excellent journalism.
This is a well written and powerful reflection on how the Gospel provides the answer to this senseless kind of tragedy. I appreciate World magazine for providing this kind of excellent journalism.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Grace is Radical
Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes. – Martin Luther
Grace cares little of where it is needed. It simply goes and saves and delivers and sanctifies. God doesn’t need a spacious sanctuary or multi-media technology or cutting edge sound equipment. His grace is sovereign and not the least concerned about the surroundings in which it does its work. 2 – Dr. Sam Storms - http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/63-finding-grace-in-an-unexpected-place-spurgeons-conversion/
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of God's grace. – Anonymous
"Cheer up church
You're worse off than you think
Cheer up church
You're standing at the brink
Don't despair, do not fear, grace is near"
written by Charlie Peacock, a musician amazed by Grace
Grace cares little of where it is needed. It simply goes and saves and delivers and sanctifies. God doesn’t need a spacious sanctuary or multi-media technology or cutting edge sound equipment. His grace is sovereign and not the least concerned about the surroundings in which it does its work. 2 – Dr. Sam Storms - http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/63-finding-grace-in-an-unexpected-place-spurgeons-conversion/
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of God's grace. – Anonymous
"Cheer up church
You're worse off than you think
Cheer up church
You're standing at the brink
Don't despair, do not fear, grace is near"
written by Charlie Peacock, a musician amazed by Grace
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday's Sermon - Psalm's Series
An exposition of Psalm 84 which is entitled, "The Soul's Longing". The whole series on the Psalms, which I preach on Communion Sundays is called "Soul Anatomy". I borrow that phrase from Calvin, who referred to the Psalms as containing the anatomy of the soul in its life before God. Just click the title to listen to the mp3 file.
Forthcoming Analysis of the Emerging Church
I've been taking the time recently to read a few key books by some Emergent authors in order to write an analysis of this trend and provide what I hope will be a thoughtful critique of its theology and underlining assumptions. Among some of the books I've been consulting are "The Great Emergence" by Phyllis Tickle, a well respected "lay theologian" of the Episcopal Church; "Everything Must Change", by Brian McLaren, a pastor and premier thinker of the movement; "Missional Renaissance" by Reggie McNeal, which provides a way rethink present church structures in light of the changing culture.
No one denies that we are living in a time of rapid change. How this determines the priority of the Church is what is at the heart of this important debate. More is forthcoming....
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