SAVED TO SERVE

Most evangelicals are familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  We ought to have those words embedded in our mind. 

Yet, we may not be as acquainted with the next verse, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” (v. 10). These go together—two sides of the same coin of salvation. While we are saved apart from our works—the root of salvation is solely in the work of Christ—our salvation is never apart from producing works—the fruit of salvation is seen in the work of Christ in Christians. The quote attributed to Martin Luther states it, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”  

We are saved to serve. That is true of every child of God. This Gospel message must be preached. It must also be observed in the preacher’s life as well as heard from his lips.  Otherwise the words ring hollow and we may be branded a hypocrite.  The call is, “Practice what you preach!”

Ours is a POETIC LIFE, “For we are His workmanship…”.  The Greek word for “workmanship,” is poiema.  Our English word, “poem,” is derived from that. We might say it is a life that is “poetry in motion.”  I heard my mentor, Dr. Stephen Olford, put it, “a life of rhyme and reason.”  

God is the Author. He has written the script in His providence. As I look back over the course of my nearly seventy years of life, I can see how God has worked in me and through me. What may seem isolated events at the time, are now seen to be lines of sacred verse that God has been putting together. Since we are still here on earth, we may be sure there are more stanzas to be written.

Ours is also a PRACTICAL LIFE, “created in Christ Jesus for good works…”.  Orthodoxy in our doctrine leads to orthopraxy in our duty. If our belief is Biblical, then our behavior will be practical. God sovereignly created Adam and Eve for a sacred responsibility—to steward the creation and to shun the temptation.  Yet, they failed. Sin is now part of our natural state. 

Jesus came to give us a new nature—to fashion a new creation in Christ. This is regeneration. Yet, we are to flesh out our faith in daily duty. In Christ, His crucifixion means we die to self, sin, and this sphere of the world system (cf. Gal. 6:14), as we have been crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, we live, so in Christ’s resurrection we live for Him—yet, not I but Christ living in and through me, (cf. Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6). 

Further, ours is a PREPARED LIFE, “which God prepared beforehand…”. Before you were born, God already knew you. He fashioned you in your mother’s womb, infusing you with personality and capacity to be His choice servant. Then, He directed your life to the point of conviction of sin and conversion to salvation by the Gospel of grace. 

How all this transpired has been the topic of theological debate for two millennia of church history—so I will not attempt to resolve every question in this brief devotion. Yet, we cannot deny that God is sovereign and He orchestrates all things to the fulfillment of His will. This all redounds to His glory. 

Perhaps you are familiar with the quote, “Try to explain predestination and you may lose your mind.  Try to explain it away and you may lose your soul.” I am content to accept there is mystery in the harmony of God’s sovereignty in His choices and my responsibility for my choices. To paraphrase the Shorter Westminster Catechism, “The chief end of [Dennis] is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  You can insert your name into that, as well.

In conclusion, ours is a PROGRESSIVE LIFE, “that we should walk in them.”  Perfection is not attainable on earth. That awaits eternity—to be glorified when we see Jesus face to face, “but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is,” (1 Jn. 3:2b). While perfection is not attainable, progression is achievable. John also said, “Beloved, now we are the children of God…. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure,” (1 Jn. 3:2a, 3). More and more, as I express the life of Christ within, I exhibit more of His likeness without. 

Jesus is the Model Servant. He set the example for us. We are being like Him than when we are serving others.  We are saved to serve!

ALL OF GRACE

 

From start to finish, the Christian life is all of grace. Before we entered this world, God had set His sight on saving us—and not because we deserved it, but all because of grace. When we exit this world and enter glory, it will be all of grace. In between—every step of the way—it is grace that sustains us. 

We sing of that progression in John Newton’s beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace,” from the first verse stressing grace “that saved a wretch like me,” to then sing of its preciousness even more than “the hour I first believed,” which continues “through many dangers, toils, and snares…and grace will lead us home,” when in heaven we will “sing God’s praise,” for it is all of grace. 

In 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, Paul stresses that amazing grace in particular relationship to Gospel ministry. What is true for the man in the pew is especially descriptive of the man in the pulpit. 

There is THE GRACE THAT SAVES, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God,” (v. 9). The Apostle had no room for boasting. He stresses the sinful state from which Christ rescued him. He never got over that transforming experience with the Risen Christ. The preacher must ever be in awe of the grace that saved us, that he may have a sense of wonder at God’s amazing grace toward him and possess a passion for the lost.

Then, there is THE GRACE THAT SELECTS, “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (v. 10a).  The Lord who saves us, selects us for gifts that He might use us in service to Him.  Again, these spiritual gifts are not merited, but are all of grace. Paul was an Apostle not because he chose that as a vocation, but because God chose him by the impartation of grace gifts. All God’s children are called and equipped to serve Him, but in varying ways. Not all are called to preach, but some are selected for that task. That we stand above the congregation and lead them is not because we are better than they, just different by God’s design, directive, and dynamic. A good preacher does not seek his own glory, but the glory of God. Apart from grace, we would not be in such a position.

Further, we find THE GRACE THAT SECURES, “and His grace toward me was not in vain,” (v. 10b). As we do cannot save ourselves, nor do we select ourselves, we can neither secure ourselves apart from the grace of God. How often we hear of preachers who stumble and fall into scandal.  Never think that it cannot happen to you. We must ever say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I!”  Yet, if we will look to God and lean on grace, the Lord’s call to us need not be in vain. Again, I remind you we may testify, 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
We have already come
‘Twas grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home.

Also, we have THE GRACE THAT STRENGTHENS, “but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me,” (v. 10c). The labor of Christian ministry is too great for a mere man. It is a supernatural work demanding supernatural resources. Yet, that is what grace is all about. We labor indeed—as Paul and every other man of God who fulfills his calling does—yet, are reminded once more that it is all of grace. God’s grace not only saves, selects, and secures—it strengthens. The Lord comes alongside us and enables us.  One such incident Paul experienced is documented in Acts 27. He was a prisoner on a ship, bound to be tried in Rome, when a terrible storm made the sinking of the ship inevitable. Yet, hear the man of God, 

“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” (Acts‬ 27‬:‭22‬-‭25‬‬).

Storms will come in Christian ministry.  Perhaps you are in one today. God’s grace is enough to see you through!

Finally, there is THE GRACE THAT SPEAKS,  “Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed,” (v. 11).  I look back over nearly a half-century of ministry, read sermons that I have written, consider how time and again I have stood behind the sacred desk and preached, and my heart is overflowing with wonder. God has never failed to speak through this old clay pot!  It is not because of my talent, but because of the treasure God has placed in me. The Apostle said it, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us,” (2 Cor.‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬‬). Out of our mouths, God pours His message, and it powerfully changes lives, by His grace!

Let us give thanks to God for His amazing grace!

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

Paul was a preacher. His priority in preaching was the cross, for it was and is the power of salvation to all who are saved. 

Consider, THE FOCUS OF GOSPEL PREACHING, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…”. He was not making baptism meaningless by his comments, but instead was maximizing the cross. The symbol of salvation is significant, but the source of salvation is supreme. Apart from salvation, the sign in baptism—like any other religious exercise—is useless. The cross is everything. 

Once we come to the cross, we will confess its power that has delivered us by “dying” to the old life of sin, “burying” it beneath the water, and “rising” to the new life in Christ. Apart from the cross, baptism is worthless. It is worse than that, it would be a hindrance to genuine salvation, as we depend on our works rather than the finished work of Christ on Calvary.  

Political parties based on the preacher who had baptized them had risen in Corinth—threatening the unity of the church, (cf. v. 10-16). Paul wanted to bring that to a screeching halt, and did so by this focus on the cross. By the way, those who wish to make baptism an essential part of salvation, need to read and re-read this. The Apostle would never make such a blunt statement about baptism, if it were necessary to save someone.

Then, weigh THE FOLLY OF GOSPEL PREACHING, “not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…”. Gospel preaching is not dependent on oratorical eloquence and human genius. Indeed, Paul was concerned that such would only subvert the message. It might change the focus from the Savior to the preacher. 

I heard of a drunk who bumped into the evangelist, D. L. Moody, and slurred, “Don’t you know me? I am one of your converts.” Moody responded, “Well, my son, you look like one of mine—you’re surely not one of the Lord’s.”  The truth is that if I can talk someone into “converting,” someone else can talk them out. 

We dare not change the message to make it more culturally acceptable. The Gospel is folly to those who reject it. Think of it: 2000 years ago, an impoverished Jew, hanging naked on an instrument of torture, being the means by which we can be forgiven of sin and enter heaven!  It is not that the message is irrational, but transcends human reason.  It is all of grace and for Gods glory. 

This, however, is THE FORCE OF GOSPEL PREACHING, “but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  Again, as Paul was not making the symbol of baptism trivial, neither was he saying our manner of preaching insignificant.  But, he elevates the message over all else. For the cross of Christ alone is the power of God for salvation—period, exclamation point, forever and ever, Amen!  It is not human profundity, but heavenly power that raises one dead in sin to eternal life. It is not religious ritual, but Gospel force that regenerates a sinner, transforming them into a saint. 

We must preach the Gospel—and never move beyond it. You do not graduate to something else!  Now, other doctrines connect to it; other texts support it; there are many implications from it. But, as Spurgeon said, “I have never yet found a text that had not got a road to Christ in it.”  

You see, it is not the piece of wood that saves us, but the Person on the cross that redeems. Paul would put it this way in 2 Corinthians, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,” (5‬:‭21‬‬).

Man of God—preach Christ crucified! That is our mandate. 

THE CONGREGATION OF THE COMMON

 

There were a relative handful of those who held the reins of power and abundance of possessions who followed Jesus. One thinks of Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and a few women of Herod’s household. Matthew and Zaccheus had been wealthy, but surrendered their status and substance to follow Jesus. There was an occasional ruler of a synagogue and Roman centurion, but that is about it.

The vast majority of those who received Christ’s words were common people. The peasant Prophet had a receptive audience in the poor, needy, outcasts, and such. Jesus had a message of hope to those who were the dregs in the bottom of society’s cup. The common people not only heard Him, but “heard Him gladly”!

One is reminded of Paul’s words:

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”  (I Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭29‬‬)

There is an uncommonly great message for the common people.  

Notice it does not say “not ANY wise…not ANY mighty, not ANY noble,” but “not many,” so we need not abandon all hope of reaching those who are scholars, successful business leaders, and in positions of power. Yet, only a handful of the “upper crust,” will respond to the Gospel. It is a sad reality.

Yet, the preacher need not despair, for he will often have a listening ear among those who are struggling to survive from day to day. In almost a half century of preaching the Gospel my experience attests to this. I have embraced it and seen people lifted from the depths of depravity and despair to the glory of being children of God!

So, stop complaining if this is the makeup of your congregation. Jesus was not “too good” to preach to such a flock, though He was the King of Glory, and only perfect Man. I can be like Jesus in serving the congregation of the common. May I be found preaching in the nursing home, the prison, the homeless shelter, and in the little brown church in the wildwood.  I do not have to speak from an elevated pulpit in a massive cathedral or on a spot-lit stage in a high-tech mega church facility.  If God calls me to such, then it is grace, but wherever—it is for His glory.

Matthew West put it this way in song lyrics:

Why You ever chose me
Has always been a mystery
All my life I've been told I belong at the end of the line
With all the other Not-Quites
With all the Never-Get-It-Rights
But it turns out they're the ones You've been looking for all this time

'Cause I'm just a nobody
Trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me
You gave my heart a song to sing
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus

Moses had stage fright
And David brought a rock to a sword fight
You picked 12 outsiders nobody would've chosen
And You changed the world
Well, the moral of the story is
Everybody's got a purpose
So when I hear that devil start talking to me, saying
"Who do you think you are"
I say...

I'm just a nobody
Trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me
You gave my heart a song to sing
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus

To this I say, “Soli Deo gloria!”

PREACHER IN THE PIT

 

There will be preachers in hell. Judas Iscariot is the prototype. He stands as a warning that the externals of religion—the appearance of being a follower of Christ with much religious activity—does not make us regenerate. Here is the solemn warning:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  (Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬-‭23‬‬)

Sadly, there are wolves wearing sheep’s clothing—and even masquerading as shepherds!  

I must search my own heart—inviting the Spirit of God to shine the spotlight of Scripture into my soul. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;” (II Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬‬).

It is a sobering fact—there will be people who sat in a pew on Sunday who will be in hell someday. It is also a grave reality that there will be those who stood in a pulpit on Sunday who will be there as well!  Judas Iscariot is one. What about you?

Lord, I care not for riches,
Neither silver nor gold;
I would make sure of Heaven,
I would enter the fold.
In the book of Thy kingdom,
With its pag­es so fair,
Tell me, Jesus, my Savior,
Is my name written there?

Is my name written there,
On the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom,
Is my name written there?

Lord, my sins they are many,
Like the sands of the sea,
But Thy blood, O my Savior,
Is sufficient for me;
For Thy promise is written,
In bright letters that glow,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
I will make them like snow.

Is my name written there,
On the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom,
Is my name written there?

Oh! that beautiful city,
With its mansions of light,
With its glorified beings,
In pure garments of white;
Where no evil thing cometh
To despoil what is fair;
Where the angels are watching,
Yes, my name’s written there.

Is my name written there,
On the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom,

Is my name written there?  (Frank M. Davis)

OFFERING HOPE TO THE HELL-BOUND

 

Paul told the young pastor, Timothy, “do the work of an evangelist,” (2 Timothy 4:5). The gift to the church of the pastor-teacher is not the same as the gift of the evangelist (cf. Eph.4:11). Seeking the lost may not come as freely to the pastor as shepherding the flock, and the effort in evangelism may not be as fruitful as those gifted in it, but this does not absolve us from trying.  The truth is that if the pastor-teacher does not stir a passion for evangelism by his model and equip the saints in his teaching, then few souls will be reached by the local church. God has put us here to offer hope to the hell-bound.

Consider the GRAVITY OF OUR EVANGELISM,  “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire,” (Rev.20:15).  What a dreadful day for the damned!  Hell is a reality, and those who do not receive Christ as Savior are doomed to spend eternity in the flames!  May they have to climb over us to get there!  This is an awful future, and yet an avoidable fate.  Our witness may be the only impediment to their everlasting suffering!

So, there is the URGENCY OF EVANGELISM. John records, “And the dead were judged,” (Rev.20:12c). Scripture is clear, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Heb.9:27). We do not know when that appointment is set for an individual, we only know that it is a certainty. What if it is today for someone we know or meet along the way?  God puts people in our path that we might warn them of the judgment to come and offer them hope in Jesus Christ, “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many,” (Heb.9:28a).

I am ashamed at opportunities I have missed. I am alarmed at the prospect of souls I have not warned—of those hell-bound who were not told of the hope in Christ!  All I may do is grieve those missed opportunities and resolve by God’s grace to be a better watchman (cf. Ezek.3:16-19).  I am sick to my soul that as I type these words there is blood on my hands—stained from the sinners I failed to warn. May God have mercy on them, and send someone to share before it is too late, and have mercy on me for shirking soul-winning!

DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST!

A CALL TO FAITHFULNESS

 

I think of the words of the old hymn that call us to faithfulness:

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory! (E. E. Hewitt)

This anticipates the new song—the song of victory in glory mentioned in Revelation 14:2-3.  This celestial chorus arises in consideration of the faithful witness of the 144,000 and anticipates their heroic welcome to heaven at the end of the age. When the Lamb returns to earth and establishes His reign, these 144,000 will stand with Him on Mount Zion (14:1). 

Our purpose in this devotional is not prophetic, but practical. While I interpret these 144,000 to be Jewish evangelists during the seven years of tribulation—following the rapture of the church—there are principles that apply to every generation of Gospel preachers. The reality is that during the first century and down to our twenty-first century, there is a message for us in a call to readiness and faithfulness.  So, let me share some of these timeless truths to those who proclaim the Gospel as a model for to follow.

Note THEIR SALVATION,  “These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” (Rev.14:4c). Now, one might assume that every man in the pulpit has been to Calvary, but that assumption would be inaccurate. Judas Iscariot was a preacher, but a fraud who is in hell today. Demas gave appearance of being a true disciple, but he departed from the faith (2 Tim.4:10). Others could be named. Every Gospel preacher must look at his spiritual birth certificate and make sure God is his Father! 

It is good “to make your calling and election sure,” as Peter puts it (2 Pet.1:10). We should make regular trips to Calvary, even if assured of salvation. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a regular reminder. Sadly, we can get to a place where we are so familiar with the Gospel that it becomes a presentation without a passion. You are convinced of your conversion?  That is well and good. Does it still stir you?  Are you still amazed at the price Jesus paid to purchase you?

Then, we see THEIR SANCTIFICATION, “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.” (Rev.14:4a). This cannot be used to promote celibacy among clergy as Rome’s false system does with its priesthood. It is likely that these 144,000 will be single, however, fully consumed with the work of witness in that future day. Yet, there are spiritual applications for us, whatever our marital status.

We are to be sanctified—set apart morally. These devoted disciples refused to hear the sensual Siren song of the age. May God keep us true and faithful, understanding that our culture is increasingly defiled. Many a preacher has stumbled here.

We are to be sanctified—set apart doctrinally. These 144,000 refused to bow to the Beast and be seduced by the deception of the False Prophet. They spoke the truth of the Word, “And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Rev.14:5). In our days of doctrinal departure, may we abide in sound doctrine!  We are going to be subjected to increasing pressure from the anti-Christian world system to bow and bend.  Voices are rising in evangelicalism saying, “We need to be careful how the world perceives us. Let us not emphasize certain truths in order to reach people.”  This is folly!

Further, observe THEIR SERVICE, “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”  (‭‭Rev.‬ ‭14:4‬‬b). All God’s people have been called to follow Christ faithfully. God’s shepherds need to be out front showing the way and setting the standard. Wherever Christ leads us, we are to follow, and summon His lambs to do likewise. May we walk so close to Jesus, that others can walk in our steps and it be as following Christ!  Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ,” (1 Cor.11:1).

Hear and heed the call to faithfulness as Gospel men.  “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev.14:12‬‬). It may be at any moment Christ could summon His saints to glory, translated into heaven!  We want to be doing His work should that be today. If that does not occur and we die, may we be as Paul, having fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith with a crown of righteousness awaiting all who loved His appearing. Here is the promise, “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’”  (Rev.‬ ‭14:13).

‬‬Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory! (Hewitt)

THE REJECTION OF OUR MESSAGE

We might pray that all our preaching will be received—and we should. We may present the truth with sincerity, clarity, fervency, authority, and urgency—and we ought. We can do all that in our preaching and yet there will be those who will not, “receive the love of the truth.” 

It is possible, of course, that the preacher may fail to speak the truth in love—and there must be that balance of conviction and compassion.  We love the TRUTH and so cannot compromise the content. We LOVE the truth and so must demonstrate our care for the listener.

Yet, there will always be those—no matter how faithfully we discharge our duty—who will not receive the love of the truth. The failure is not in the speaker, in this case, but in the hearer.  

Why?  When by receiving and believing the truth of the Gospel, “that they might be saved,” why would they refuse?  The mind of man is darkened by deception. The heart of sinners is depraved in passion. The will of man is directed by rebellion.

Thankfully, there will be those who respond to the Gospel—as its power in the Holy Spirit’s activity—opens their blind eyes, unstops their deaf ears, and break their hard hearts. By God’s grace, they repent—turning from the world and to follow the Lord.

Sadly, there will be those who perish for rejecting the message. That is not our choice, but theirs. We will give an answer as to whether we spoke the truth in love, but they will be held accountable as “they did not receive the love of the truth.”  Such cannot be saved. That ought break our hearts now. Their weeping and wailing will be for eternity.

THE PRIORITY IN OUR PREACHING

There are vast areas we can and should address in sermons. In a congregation, there is an array of concerns into which the preacher should bring to bear Biblical truth. But, let us never forget that the priority of our preaching is to be the cross of Christ.  It will not be popular with everyone. Those who reject it will count it as utter foolishness, but for those who receive it the power of that cross of Christ will be transformational.  There is no other way of salvation and the message of reconciliation that is proclaimed in the cross must have primacy.  

Spurgeon is often quoted as saying, “Wherever I take a text, I make a beeline to the cross!”  Those who have researched have not found that exact quote. Be that as it may, it certainly was characteristic of his preaching, and ought to be true for us.  On the day I stand before the Lord, I doubt He will say, “You preached about the cross too often!”  May He not say, “You preached about the cross too little!”  Let others judge as they will and say, “I need to hear more than the Gospel. There are practical things in my daily life I need to hear about.”  That is what I have had said to me. But, ultimately, it is the judgment of God that matters and to the priority I have given in preaching the cross, I plead, “Guilty as charged.”

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Read Psalm 1

Until the coronavirus pandemic, I had never heard the term “social distancing.”  The government is calling upon us to distance ourselves from contact with others who might infect us and spread the deadly virus.

While the term may be new, the concept is not. The Psalmist is warning us about an even deadlier virus called sin. If we are intimate with those who have given themselves over to it—embrace their counsel, enter their course, and enjoy their company—the contagion will destroy us.

There is a vaccine for this sin virus.  A daily dose of God’s Word has a power to immunize us. Let Scripture be your counselor, chart your course, and its truths your companions. Delight in the Word and digest its message. 

The word “meditate,” is to ruminate, as a sheep chews its cud extracting all the nutrition from the meal. So, we read the Word, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it—which is transforming.

To change the metaphor, we will be like trees, with roots downward for stability and fruit outward for productivity.  Our branches will be growing and our foliage will be showing—all to the glory of God.  We will not fear death and judgment for we have life, abundant life, here and hereafter—real happiness and prosperity. COVID-19 cannot change that. What if we die?  We can’t really!  All we would do is leave behind the only part of us that gives us a problem and enter the wonder of heaven!

But, not the wicked.  They are not trees. They are tumbleweeds. No root, no fruit, blown along by culture and circumstances—the prevailing winds of the moment. Worse of all, death is a constant fear and judgment a dreadful fate.  They often deny the existence of God because they do not want to consider the consequences of their choice. They did not listen and “shelter in place,” seeking refuge in Christ who alone can save us.

What choice will you make?

THE WEIGHT OF OUR WORDS

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.  (1 Timothy 4:16 NKJV)

The preacher who departs from sound doctrine—in his preaching or his lifestyle—should fear for his soul.  That course leads to the abyss.  What is more dreadful is that due to his responsibility in leading the flock, he directs other precious souls to hell with him.  No matter the profession such a preacher has made in the past, the Scriptural sermons, or apparent fruit from his ministry, his failure to persevere indicates that he was never regenerate.  We need look no further than Judas Iscariot to find such a preacher.  Brothers, let us preach as though our souls were hanging in the balance—along with those who sit there listening!  There is such weight in our words!

John Piper has these sobering words for us in “The Supremacy of God in Preaching”:

[T]he first act of saving faith is like an acorn that has within it the spreading oak of all the subsequent perseverance in faith that the Bible says is necessary for final salvation.  We are justified by faith once for all at our conversion, but we must (and most certainly will) also persevere in faith and its fruit in holy affections given to us in seed form at our conversion….  

Preaching is a means of grace to assist saints to persevere.  Perseverance is necessary for final salvation.  Therefore, every sermon is a “salvation sermon”—not just because of its aim to convert sinners, but also in its aim to preserve the holy affections of the saints and so enable them to confirm their calling and election and be saved. (p.83)

So, preach the Gospel—clearly and consistently—to yourself and to your people.  For this we will give account on the Day of Judgment.

THE LIFE OF LIBERTY

 

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:26)

Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death!”  He recognized there is no life apart from liberty.  This is true spiritually as well.  Jesus came to give us life and liberty.  He said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”  What is this truth?  Our Lord responds, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  Jesus came to give us life through a personal relationship with Him that sets us free from the shackles of sin and death.  Paul explains further concerning the life of liberty in Galatians 3:15-29.

This liberty is a promise of God (v.15-18).  The word, “promise” is used eight times in Galatians 3:15-29.  Specifically, this promise refers to God’s covenant with Abraham. God chose Abraham in sovereign grace, Abraham responded by faith, and God imputed righteousness (3:6).

Since the covenant preceded the law, the false teachers in Galatia said that the law replaced the covenant.  Paul counters this with an illustration from the secular world (v.15).  A contract between two cannot be negated later by someone not a party to the agreement.  Neither could it be argued the covenant was fulfilled when the law was given, because fulfillment was in Christ (v.16).   Abraham didn’t make the covenant and promises.  God did—unilaterally and unconditionally.

What is given by promise is not earned by obedience (v.17-18).  Like oil and water, they don’t mix.   The Greeks had a word for agreement between partners.  That is not the term used here. Salvation is based on God’s faithfulness, not ours.

If the law did not supersede the covenant of grace, then why was it given? That is presented in verses 19-22.   The law is a compass to show us how far we’ve strayed.  It is plumb line to show how crooked we are.  It is a thermometer to show how sick we are.  This is meant to drive us in desperation to Christ.  The expression, “confined all under sin” (v.22) means “lock up in jail.”  The law sentences us to death row, but that causes us to seek pardon.  We can’t escape, so we must have someone intervene.   Like a mirror, the law shows us we are dirty, but cannot cleanse us.

Children need supervision and a restricted area.  Baby-sitters and playpens set limits that are good for them.   We are put in protective custody (v.23).  We are given a tutor (v.24-25).  In the ancient world this was a slave in charge of minor.  He had moral supervision and was a strict disciplinarian.   This is what the law is to us.  The tutor’s task was finished when the child reached maturity.  The word, “sons” (v.26) means “of full age.”  Christians have outgrown the need of a playpen and baby-sitter.  Adulthood brings freedom from that.  Why would anyone want to return to infancy?

Instead, we are to “put on Christ” (v.27).  In Roman society, when youth came of age, they were given a special toga.  The child of God has laid aside the old garments of sin and put on a robe of righteousness.  In Christ, there is no distinction of skin color, social class, or sexual category (v.28).   The ground is level at the cross.  The Jews thought they were Abraham’s seed because of keeping the law. Paul says it is a relationship to Christ by faith that makes us heirs of Abraham’s promises (v.29).

Only Christ can free us from sin and death.  Call out to Him today!